Anticipating Christmas: A 5-Day Advent PlanSample

Anticipating Christmas

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV

What are you looking for this Christmas? Maybe you’re trying to process a difficult decision, and you’re in need of a Wonderful Counselor. Perhaps you’re feeling like you’ve reached the end of yourself, and you’re looking for a Mighty God. Maybe you aren’t able to be with your family this Christmas, and you need an Everlasting Father. Or maybe your thoughts are waging war, and you’re in desperate need of the Prince of Peace. 

So often, the holidays come and go before we’ve had a chance to focus on the true reason for Christmas … but it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Advent serves as a season of anticipation and reflection leading up to Christmas. Translated from the original Latin, Advent means important arrival, approach, or coming. It’s a time marked with remembrance for all God has done and anticipation for all He is going to do. 

Advent is our way of remembering that God came to be with us, is still with us, and will come again. We have access to God’s mighty, everlasting counsel and peace because He sent His Son to become Immanuel, “God with us.” We wait in prayerful expectation for the return of our Savior, the same way the Israelites eagerly awaited the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. 

Our hope is that this Plan will help you to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Each day, we’ll explore one of the defining themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy, and love. 

Join us in preparing your heart for the coming arrival of our Savior.