Advent Reading Plan

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus meaning arrival or coming. The Hebrews looked forward to the coming Savior or Messiah–the First Advent. Now, we are waiting expectantly for His return–the Second Advent. Each week we will be providing a Reading Plan and Family Advent Activity. Whether individually or with others, our hope is that this will provide a focused time of reflection that will make the Christmas season. As you read through the daily verse(s), we encourage you to use the simple reflect model listed below: 


Scripture - Use the provided verse(s) of the day. 

Observation - What does the verse(s) say?

Application - What does this mean for today? 

Prayer - How can I ask for God to help this be true?

Reading Schedule

Family Activity

  • Make a Prayer Ornament. Spend a few moments thinking about someone you would like to pray for this Christmas; it can be one person or an entire family. Have a short discussion, with your family, about the people that each of you were thinking about. Collectively decide to write a name on your blank ornament as a commitment to pray for the person(s) or family. We would love to have them join us for Christmas Eve.
  • Talk About Your Christmas Hopes. Spend some time talking about the hopes and expectations you might have this Christmas. Think about the following areas: 1) people you hope to see/talk to, 2) treats/foods you hope to eat, 3) fun things you hope to do, and 4) a gift you hope to receive. Young children can even draw pictures of their hopes and verbally tell about them.

Reading Schedule

Family Activity

  • Decorate your Christmas tree while listening to Christmas music together. As you hang ornaments, talk about how the evergreen tree symbolizes life in the middle of winter. Make the connection between life on the tree and life in Jesus (i.e., Jesus is the bread of life, Jesus died to give us life, and He is the resurrection and the Life). Consider making ornaments to remind you of the many names of Jesus (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Immanuel, Prince of Peace, Son of God, etc.)
  • Set up a nativity scene. This can be as simple as a picture of the nativity if you don’t have a tangible one. Place the nativity in a visible space to help you remember God’s faithfulness to send Jesus, our Savior. 

Reading Schedule

Family Activity

  • Take a drive around the neighborhood, looking at Christmas lights. Talk about which ones are everyone’s favorites and why. Add an extra fun element and have everyone go in their pajamas. Doing this at nighttime when it’s darker outside helps to contrast the light shining in the darkness, something that the birth of Jesus (the Light of the World) brings us at Christmastime.
  • Write Christmas cards for teachers or grandparents. These can be a simple message wishing them a Merry Christmas or even a note of thanks. For additional involvement, have your child(ren) make the cards, write something themselves, or draw pictures for the recipient. Handwritten notes are most meaningful and are sure to bring the recipient joy.

Reading Schedule

Family Activity

  • Watch a movie about the nativity of Jesus while drinking hot chocolate. Gather as a family and watch a movie. Discuss what stood out to you this year that you may not have noticed before. (The Star by Sony Pictures Animation, is a good choice.) Reflect and remember that Jesus came to bring us peace with God.
  • Bake or buy a baked good and take it to a neighbor. Wish them a Merry Christmas and invite them to come to the Christmas Eve service. Jesus came to bring us peace to our hearts, even when things are going wrong around us.

Reading Schedule

Family Activity

  • Attend the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at HTC. This service is created for you, your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Join us December 24th at 9am, 10:45am, and 5pm.
  • Write a letter to someone special recounting a special Christmas memory you have with them. (Children, parent, spouse, friend, neighbor, etc.) Describe the scene with as much detail as possible, including where you were, who else was there, and how you felt. Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, the love behind it will show.
  • Have coffee/hot chocolate with a significant friend or family member. Look for opportunities to affirm and speak words of encouragement to them. 
  • Do something unexpected for a co-worker or neighbor to bless them. Some examples might be taking in their trash cans, doing yard work, bringing their favorite coffee, picking up their newspaper, etc. Pray for them as you do the task and look for opportunities to share the truth of Jesus’ love.