24 days
Advent: on the way to Christmas
Twenty-four days of longing for fulfilment: the promises of the prophets and the first chapters of Luke and Matthew.
Advent means 'coming'. In the four weeks before Christmas, Christians look out for the coming of Jesus: back then in Bethlehem, today in our lives, and at the end of time. This plan begins with the first promise in Genesis, goes past the prophets who announce a king and a prince of peace, and arrives in Bethlehem by way of Zechariah, Mary and Joseph. Start on 1 December, or on the first Sunday of Advent, and read one short passage each day.
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- Day 1Read Genesis 3
The first promise
Still in the garden, just after the fall, a promise is already heard: an offspring of the woman will crush the serpent's head (3:15). The Church Fathers called this verse the 'first gospel'. Everything that follows is God making this promise come true.
What does it mean to you that God already promises to save at the very moment things go wrong?
- Day 2Read Genesis 12
A blessing for all nations
God calls Abram away from his country and promises: in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (12:3). From the very beginning, the story of one family is meant for the whole world.
Where might God be calling you to be a blessing to others?
- Day 3Read 2 Samuel 7
A king for ever
David wants to build a house for God, but God promises him a house: a royal house that will last for ever (7:16). Centuries later, when there is no king any more, Israel is still waiting for that Son of David.
How does God keep a promise, even when it takes centuries?
- Day 4Read Isaiah 7
Immanuel
King Ahaz is afraid of two hostile kings. Isaiah gives him a sign: a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, Immanuel, 'God with us' (7:14). Matthew sees these words fulfilled in Jesus.
Where do you need God to be 'with us'?
- Day 5Read Isaiah 9
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light
In a dark time of war, Isaiah promises light. A child is born, and his names are great: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (9:6). At Christmas, many churches read this chapter.
Which of those four names do you need most today?
- Day 6Read Isaiah 11
A shoot from the stump of Jesse
David's tree seems to have been cut down, but a new shoot comes up from the stump. The Spirit of the LORD rests on him. The wolf shall live with the lamb: a king who brings peace even into nature.
Where would you like to see a new beginning grow out of something that seemed cut off?
- Day 7Read Isaiah 35
The desert blooms
Isaiah sees the desert blossom and says to those who are afraid: be strong, God is coming. Then the eyes of the blind are opened and the lame leap like a deer (35:5–6). Jesus points to these words when John the Baptist asks whether He is the one.
What would need to blossom in your life?
- Day 8Read Isaiah 40
Comfort my people
After years of exile, a new word is heard: comfort, comfort my people. A voice cries out: in the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD (40:3). The gospels hear John the Baptist in that voice.
What path could you clear for God in your own days?
- Day 9Read Micah 5
Bethlehem, the least
Bethlehem was a small village, but Micah says that out of Bethlehem will come a ruler whose origin is from of old (5:2). When the wise men in Jerusalem ask about the new king, the scribes quote this verse.
Why does God so often choose what is small and unremarkable?
- Day 10Read Isaiah 60
Arise, shine
'Arise, shine, for your light has come' (60:1). Nations come to the light, bringing gold and frankincense (60:6). This is the text behind the wise men from the east, and the reason they were later pictured as kings.
Who would you like to bring with you to the light?
- Day 11Read Malachi 3
A messenger before his face
The last book of the Old Testament in Christian Bibles promises a messenger who prepares the way, and then the Lord will come to his temple (3:1). After that, no new prophet arises for centuries, until an angel appears in the temple.
How do you deal with long silences, when God seems to say nothing?
- Day 12Read Psalms 80
Let your face shine
The prayer of a people in distress, with a refrain that comes back three times: restore us, O God, let your face shine, that we may be saved. It is the longing of Advent in one sentence.
Pray the refrain three times today. Who or what are you praying it for?
- Day 13Read Luke 1:5–25
Zechariah falls silent
An old priest and his wife Elizabeth have no children. In the temple, Zechariah hears from the angel Gabriel that they will have a son, John. Because he does not believe it, he is unable to speak until the birth.
What would you not dare to believe God for today?
- Day 14Read Luke 1:26–38
Mary says yes
The same angel comes to a young girl in Nazareth: you will conceive and bear a son, Jesus. Mary asks how this can be, and then says: 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord' (1:38). This is the story of the Annunciation.
What would it mean for you to say yes, like Mary, without understanding everything?
- Day 15Read Luke 1:39–56
Mary's song
Mary visits Elizabeth, and the child in Elizabeth's womb leaps. Then Mary sings the Magnificat: he has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly (1:52). Many churches sing this song every evening at Evening Prayer.
Which line of Mary's song touches you most?
- Day 16Read Luke 1:57–80
Zechariah sings
John is born, and as soon as Zechariah writes down his name, he can speak again. He sings the Benedictus: God has come to his people, and the dawn from on high shall break upon those who dwell in darkness (1:78–79).
Where have you seen God keep his promise, after a long time of waiting?
- Day 17Read Matthew 1:1–17
A family tree full of stories
Matthew begins with a list of names, from Abraham to Jesus. It includes four women, among them Rahab and Ruth, who were not Israelites, and people with a dark past. Jesus comes into a real, broken family.
What does it say to you that God wants to become human in a family like this?
- Day 18Read Matthew 1:18–25
Joseph dreams
Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant and wants to leave her quietly. In a dream an angel says: do not be afraid, the child is from the Holy Spirit. You shall call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (1:21).
In the gospels Joseph does not say a single word, but does what he is told. What do you learn from him?
- Day 19Read Isaiah 61
Good news for the poor
'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor' (61:1). Years later, Jesus reads these words in the synagogue at Nazareth and says: today this has been fulfilled.
For whom should the good news of Christmas really be good news this year?
- Day 20Read Galatians 4
When the fullness of time had come
Paul sums up Christmas in one sentence: when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman (4:4). He came to make us children, who may say 'Abba, Father'.
What changes when you may call God 'Father'?
- Day 21Read John 1:1–18
The Word became flesh
John tells no birth story, but goes back to before creation: in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God. Then comes the sentence Christmas is all about: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (1:14).
God became a human being you could touch. What does that say about how close He wants to be?
- Day 22Read Luke 2:1–7
No room
An imperial decree sends Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. There Jesus is born and laid in a manger, because there was no room for them in the guest room. The Lord of all begins his life on the margins.
Where is there still room for Him in your life?
- Day 23Read Luke 2:8–20
Shepherds in the field
The first news goes to shepherds, people of little standing, keeping watch over their sheep by night. An angel says: to you is born this day a Saviour. The heavenly host sings: glory to God, and peace on earth (2:14).
The shepherds go to look straight away and pass the news on. Who would you tell?
- Day 24Read Matthew 2:1–12
Wise men from the east
Scholars from the east follow a star and come with gold, frankincense and myrrh. The first to worship the child are foreigners; the king in Jerusalem wants to kill it. Many churches celebrate this on 6 January, the Epiphany.
What would you like to give Jesus today?