Christmas and Advent Plans

Do you feel like you're sitting in a waiting room waiting for a door to open? All of us are going to end up in a waiting room at some point. The problem is very few of us wait well. After all, waiting can make us feel powerless or even hopeless. However, the Advent season reminds us that God does some of His best work in the waiting room. Learn how to wait with God today!

The Waiting Room

Advent is the season when we prepare our hearts for the arrival of Jesus - the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth. In these five reflections, we’ll look at how Jesus reveals the fullness of God’s love and challenges us to live in that same balance of mercy and conviction. Each week offers a Scripture reading, a short devotional, and questions for reflection to help you draw closer to Christ. As you read, may you come to know that God’s grace meets you in truth, and His truth always leads you back to grace.

Grace & Truth

The Greatest Gift will take you through the Christmas story in ten days, reminding you of the reason why you can have hope, joy, and peace in a world filled with turmoil and despair. 

The Greatest Gift

Christmas is more than just a story about a child born in a manger. It’s also a story about a man who, in silence, trusted God even though everything around him was screaming that it was impossible. 
Joseph, a simple carpenter from Nazareth, became a man to whom God entrusted the most precious – His Son.

The Carpenter God Entrusted

Advent is a season of anticipation and hope. This 12-day journey through the Christmas story will remind you that when Jesus stepped into our world, everything changed. From shepherds in fields to wise men following stars, from a humble virgin to anxious parents, God broke into ordinary moments with extraordinary purpose. As you walk through these devotions, may you discover anew that the Light of the World has come… for you.

Light Has Come

Need help and ideas for savoring this Christmas season and enjoying each day with your family and friends? Join the Help Club for Moms community for encouragement and helpful tips for taking in each moment and focusing on what's really important this year!

Christmas Encouragement for Moms

Celebrating Christmas is a tradition many of us look forward to all year. We play music, decorate trees, and throw parties all through December. This Advent reading plan aims to help in those celebrations by exploring the themes of the Christmas story. This plan can be read with friends or as a family (kids too!). Use the “Application Questions” for groups to center the conversation on Jesus. And, for families, use “Next Steps”, to find creative ways to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. 

Advent: I Love Christmas

Advent is a church tradition to help believers across the globe prepare their hearts for the arrival of Jesus. Over four weeks, we’ll look at themes of hope, peace, joy, and love in the biblical narrative leading up to Jesus’ birth, and how these themes can be applied to our Christmas season this year.

Advent: A 25-Day Countdown to Christmas

One Baby For The World takes you on an unforgettable Advent journey seen through the eyes of missions. Author Shari Tvrdik offers a unique perspective through Advent. She connects the powerful story of the nativity to her experiences with life among the suffering poor of Mongolia's ger district. Adapted from the book, One Baby For The World.


One Baby for the World: 24 Days of Advent From a Missions Perspective 

Discover the wonder and purpose behind Jesus' miraculous birth as told in Matthew 1. From Joseph’s courage to the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, these devotionals invite you to embrace the depth of God’s love, the reality of Emmanuel (God with us), and the ultimate gift of salvation. Rediscover Christ’s story and its life-changing significance.

Born to Save: The Christmas Story of Jesus

Immanuel, Prince of Peace, The Humble Servant, Promised Messiah, Our Coming King – Jesus!

Join us in this 7-day series as we explore the uniqueness of Jesus’s character as revealed through the Christmas narrative. Let us give Him glory and praise this Christmas!

The Uniqueness of Jesus

Distractions can pull us in all directions at Christmastime. It’s hard to figure out how to celebrate the birth of Christ in a meaningful way when there are gifts to buy, treats to make, and events to add to the calendar. This devotional will help you experience the birth of Jesus—the Light that was and is and is to come—in a richer, deeper way.

Everyday Prayers for Christmas

Spark awe and recapture the wonder of Christ’s birth in this 4-day Plan. Join Bible teacher Jen Weaver and explore Isaiah’s ancient prophecies, revealing the beauty and majesty of Jesus nearly 700 years before His arrival. Let these timeless truths inspire worship in your heart and draw you closer to Christ.

In Awe of Jesus: Christmas Foretold in Isaiah

In the Christmas special “Holy Night,” the creators of The Chosen have told the Story of the first Christmas really well. And this 6-day reading plan lets you peek in on some of the most powerful moments from “Holy Night,” setting the stage for deep reflection as you prepare room in your heart for the arrival of Jesus this Christmas.          

Christmas With the Chosen

In this 19th installment, Who Do You Say I Am? explores how Scripture answers Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” Through Job, we wrestle with God’s wisdom amid suffering. 1–3 John and Jude call us to love, discernment, and faithfulness, while Revelation points to Christ’s ultimate victory. During Advent, weekly readings from the nativity story draw our hearts to the wonder of Christ’s coming. May the Spirit strengthen our faith, deepen our hope, and lead us to boldly confess: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Who Do You Say? Reading With the People of God #19

Seven hundred years before Christ was born, Isaiah prophesied the Messiah would be called a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Only in the divine foreknowledge of God could all of these titles be perfectly fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This Advent, be awed and amazed at the Wonderful Counselor who’s a wonder of a counselor. Oh, come, let us adore him! 


He Shall Be Called

Over the first 25 days of December, we will cover the genealogy of Christ, the characters of Christmas, the prophecies Jesus fulfilled, who Jesus is, and the Christmas story. 

The Christ of Christmas

This four-week series is an introduction to the Advent season and the things that the people watching and waiting for Jesus found when He came to Earth. You will learn that the birth of Jesus is just the beginning of the hope, peace, joy, and love He brought to the world. And the best news is—we don't just get to experience it on Christmas.

Not Just on Christmas: A 4-Week Devotional About Advent

During a season that often feels busy and stretched thin, we invite you to pause and remember what matters most: following Jesus. The birth of Christ is more than a story we tell in December. It's the beginning of our Savior's life on earth — and the pattern for our own life with Him. Our prayer is that these 25 days prepare your heart to celebrate His birth, deepen your walk with Him today, and stir your hope for His return. We’ve also created a companion worship playlist –  search “Following Jesus Through the First Christmas” on Spotify to listen. 

Following Jesus Through the First Christmas: 25 Days of Advent Truths

The birth of Jesus is the best news ever!
His birth brought great joy in Heaven and on Earth, a joy that still remains today since that special day.
Why not take the time to discover or rediscover this good news and share in this great joy?

CHRISTMAS - ADVENT - Good News, Great Joy - Jean-Luc Trachsel

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas. It’s an invitation to hope. Advent teaches us to choose peace over fear, receive joy in God’s presence, and behold the One who has come, is coming, and will come again. Whether your waiting is full of longing, uncertainty, or anticipation, these devotions will help you slow down and experience the transforming presence of Jesus, the God who is with us.

Waiting for Jesus

As you rediscover Christmas in these devotions, you will find your heart opening to the wider field of God’s Love, empowering you to participate in the new Creation Story launched at Christmas and extending far beyond the Christmas season. 

Rediscovering Christmas

In all the holiday hustle and bustle, it can be easy to lose sight of why we’re celebrating. In this 5-day advent plan, we’ll dive into the promises fulfilled by the birth of Jesus and the hope we have for the future. As we learn more about who God is, we’ll discover how to live through the holiday season with hope, faith, joy, and peace.

Living Changed: At Christmas

The Christmas story reminds us that hope is not found in perfect circumstances but in our faithful God. Over the four weeks of Advent, journey through the readings of this devotional plan to help you reflect on the promise of Immanuel, God with us, and discover how He meets us in every season of waiting with faithfulness and hope.

Advent: Hope in the Waiting by Wycliffe Bible Translators

Forgiveness is a big word, but what exactly does forgiveness mean? And what are the consequences if we don't forgive? And what is the difference between forgiving, pardoning and reconciling? This reading plan is structured like an Advent calendar: 24 “doors” and behind each one a little treasure awaits you about the incredible gift that Jesus gave you for Christmas.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Advent

This year and last year have felt chaotic, stressful, uncertain, but God (I love those two words!) is unchanging, faithful, and our source of peace. Christmas is a time of remembrance, to reflect on what our God really did when Jesus was born in a manger. Follow along as we meditate on Christmas, joy, peace, love, and hope this Advent season. -Matthew West

We Need Christmas With Matthew West 

In a brand new devotional series titled, The Reason for the Season, Pastor Jim Cymbala provides fresh insight into the Christmas story. As he addresses the unspoken sadness that many carry at this time of the year, Pastor Jim Cymbala challenges us to think about what would mean the most to Jesus this holiday season.

The Reason for the Season

Is it really possible to experience peace when life is painful? The short answer: yes, but not in our own power. In a year that has left us feeling overwhelmed, many of us are left with questions. In this 7-day Bible Plan, accompanying Pastor Craig Groeschel’s message series, we’ll discover how to find the Missing Peace we all crave.

Missing Peace

The celebration of Jesus' birth during Christmas time is about much more than a single event. Long before the Son of God took His first breath here on earth, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit determined a plan that would provide the greatest gift to all humanity: Jesus, the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God. Join us in this 5-day devotional as we celebrate the Gift That’s Freely Given.

The Gift That's Freely Given

What if this Christmas, we were to remember the miracles that Jesus performed in the lives of those who came to Him? This Advent season, I pray you enjoy these 25 compelling stories based on the New Testament characters from The Chosen series. May their diverse, powerful testimonies inspire you to experience and become a miracle of God for others! Are you ready? You are a Miracle! Christian Misch

Chosen to Be a Miracle! Advent Plan Based on “The Chosen"

In Isaiah 9:6, we see that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. In this 5-Day Plan, we'll celebrate the arrival of Jesus by learning about His different names, and how they apply to our lives today.

Unto Us: Celebrating the Arrival of Jesus

When was the last time you did a really deep dive into the Christmas story? From King Herod to the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, to the wise men and Zechariah, there is much to learn from the events surrounding the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Over the next 10 days, we’ll look at truths from the Christmas story we should live all year long. 

10 Days of Christmas Truths to Live All Year

Christmas is a time when we as believers celebrate God’s heart to write himself into our story. Prior to Jesus, we had no real picture of God’s love. All we had to know him by was through stories of old and commandments written into law. But only in Jesus was a pathway created whereby we could walk in intimacy with the Father again. Only in Jesus was the veil torn, allowing God’s manifest presence into the earth. We owe all that we have to Jesus. We owe all that we have to Christmas.

Emmanuel

Though Christmas bears the name of Jesus Christ, it’s becoming more rare to hear his name in public. But December doesn’t bring just another holiday, it brings a celebration of the advent of hope and joy—the birth of the Savior of the world. This Christmas season, let the wonder of Christ’s love stir you to Make Room for him with Mark Hall From Casting Crowns.

Make Room: A Devo by Mark Hall From Casting Crowns

Year after year, millions of people do their best to make the excitement and festivities of Christmas Day match the anticipation that precedes it. But what about the first Christmas? Why did it happen? And was anyone disappointed? This plan focuses on the wonder, mystery, and purpose of the first Christmas—challenging us to praise God for His goodness as we receive and remember His gift of salvation.

The Wonder and Mystery of Christmas

Provident Label Group, home to Christian music’s premier artists, presents a nine-day Countdown to Christmas Reading Plan inspired by Christmas music from Casting Crowns, Zach Williams, Tenth Avenue North, Matt Maher, Matthew West, and more! 

Countdown to Christmas Reading Plan by Provident Label Group

Shepherd, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Emmanuel, Light of the World… Jesus is called all these names, but what do they really mean? Each name shows us a different aspect of the heart of Jesus, and how it all leads back to the love He has for us. Come be encouraged this Christmas season as together we draw closer to who Jesus is.

Names of Jesus by Change Conference

The Christmas story is found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. An Angel visits Mary to tell her that she would give birth to the Son of God. Jesus is born in Bethlehem. The shepherds come to see him, and the Magi from the east follow a star to Jesus.

Christmas Story: 5 Days on the Birth of Jesus

The false gods invented by humankind to give definition to a god they knew must exist, were, unsurprisingly, very much like humankind. They had to be cajoled and bribed by acts of devotion to take notice of us. 
But the one true God has taken the initiative and seeks us out––to rescue us back to himself. And that is the Christmas story.


CHRISTMAS: God's Rescue Plan Realised

In this seven-part study, you and your family can dive deeper into the true meaning of Christmas and study Scripture, explore ways to love those near and far in a greater way, and just have fun experiencing Advent together—a celebration of God’s love, joy, hope and peace.

Join us and experience Christmas differently...with a renewed sense of anticipation for God’s greatest gifts!

Feel like the wonder of the Christmas gets lost amidst all of the digital distractions and busyness of the season?

This 3-day plan will help you to adorn your heart with wonder. Each day includes a "Wonder Challenge," a short, practical activity that will help to bring some wonder into your life through a reflection on a part of the story of Jesus' birth.

Hearts Adorned With Wonder

During the Christmas season, many Christians sing the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," which depicts the longing of the people of God for their Savior. This hope for the Savior is grounded in the Old Testament and its revelation of the Messiah. In this plan, we will look closely at the Old Testament promises about the Messiah and see how Christ perfectly fills that role.

The Coming of the Messiah

We’re filled with anticipation as we lean into this season of celebration with the intention of tuning into the heart of God. Join us for 4 weeks as we: Behold Beauty, Break Barriers, Make Room, and are Surprised by God. Like all the best stuff in life, this journey is best taken with others—so grab a friend or two and your sense of wonder and roll into Advent Season.

Infinitum Family Advent, Week 1

Christmas is a season of wonder. So, let’s lay aside our lists, distractions, and cares to receive refreshment by reflecting upon a few of the nativity’s highlights. Reminding ourselves, that the story we love so well speaks directly into our lives today by pointing us to Lord Jesus. Realizing that in this lifetime, we will only begin to scratch the surface of Who He is and what He has done.

A Week of Christmas Wonder

The following devotionals are designed to help you in your spiritual journey. Each article has been selected to help you understand more about God's love for you, and we hope that through this plan you will find encouragement, comfort, and true joy this Christmas season. 

Our Daily Bread Christmas: God With Us

In this seven-day plan for teenagers and young adults, you’ll get to read all about the gift of peace that comes through Jesus and how we can experience it. 

Christmas: 7 Days of Peace 

In the middle of the craziness that the Christmas season brings, we need to remember why we celebrate: Jesus! Over the next 5 days, we'll look at the Christmas story to help us prepare our hearts and minds for this time of year.

Christmas

Christmas Plans

This 5-day devotional explores the hope, peace, joy, love, and light found in Jesus. Use it daily or as an Advent guide for the four Sundays before Christmas and Christmas Eve. This Christmas, don’t just celebrate a season — spend some time with the Savior who stepped into our story. Once distant, now among us, God came near so we could draw near. 

Light of the World

Christmas isn’t simply about celebrating what God did thousands of years ago but what He is doing for you when you trust His Son. Jesus is Immanuel, God-With-You, right here and now. Embark on this journey to unwrap the greatest gift. 

Christmas: The Greatest Gift

What have we missed about the Christmas story?
Through brand new Salt + Gold artwork, scripture, and real-life stories, explore the people, interactions, moments, and objects often unnoticed within the familiar Christmas story. From messy mangers to wild dreams, come and see the things you may have missed about Emmanuel - and the God who never misses you.

Christmas: The Things We May Have Missed

When hope feels distant—buried in silence, barrenness, or delay—Jesus is quietly at work, bringing life where we least expect it. 

In this five-day Advent journey, uncover fierce hope: hope that waits with expectation, trusts God’s work in the silence, chooses joy in uncertainty, believes against all odds, and prepares Him room. 

Each day offers Scripture, a short devotion, and a prayer to steady your heart with fierce hope this Advent season.

Fierce Hope: An Advent Journey of Waiting and Wonder

I love Christmas. The movies, the lights, the food, the time with friends and family—it all feels so warm and bright. But for many, this season is also heavy. Christmas has a way of exposing loss, disappointment, and the ache of “what used to be.”

In the Darkness... Light

As the month of Christmas begins, you can begin the journey towards the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counsellor, and Mighty God.

From the book of Isaiah to the gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus - Give space for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the reality of Jesus Christ, who was, is, and is to come. The King is here! 

Journey to Christmas

This reading plan serves as a guide through the Advent season, traditionally celebrated during the four weeks leading up to Christmas. We’ll explore the biblical themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, diving deeper into human longings for healing and restoration—our anticipation for God’s new world.  

Anticipating Christmas: An Advent Overview

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER and Kingdom Story Company have created this reading plan to help individuals and groups explore the biblical themes of compassion, community, and Christmas in the new film from the creators of Jesus Revolution. In this five-day Bible reading plan, you’ll see clips from THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, a video from Dallas Jenkins, and find reflection questions to help you study what the Bible says about the role of the church.