Christmas and Advent Plans

The very rich parables of the virgins and the talents are grounded in the same context, in which Jesus uses them to speak about obedience, commitment, and loyalty.
Jesus is speaking about His coming, the condition in which human beings will be, and the condition in which He expects to find His disciples on earth when He returns.
I want to invite you to dive into what Jesus intended to say with the parable of the ten virgins and, subsequently, with the parable of the talents, understanding in depth their real application in our daily lives and in the church.

The Virgins and the Talents

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

This 9-day devotional invites you to rediscover the miracle of Christmas through the lens of Heaven's gift. From Mary’s surrender to the Magi’s pursuit, from the shepherds’ awe to the wonder of incarnation itself, each reflection reveals how Jesus—Emmanuel—is with us in our waiting, our weakness, our worship, and our wonder. Written by Jemima Gleeson this devotional is rooted in Scripture and pastoral insight. 'Gift of Heaven' offers a fresh perspective on the Christmas story and a renewed invitation to draw near to the God who first drew near to us.

Gift of Heaven: A Christmas Devotional Series

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

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

This Advent, spend time in the opening verses of John’s Gospel reflecting on what these verses reveal to us about who Jesus is. 

Who Is Jesus?

This Advent reading plan guides you through the key themes of hope, love, joy, and peace, helping them connect God’s promises to their everyday lives. Each day includes a scripture passage, a brief reflection, and practical application, encouraging deeper faith and meaningful moments of reflection. As you prepare for Christmas, you will grow in understanding and experience the Advent season in a personal and impactful way.

Radiant YTH Advent

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

No trips on donkeys. No angels singing. Not even a baby in a manger. Yet, there are still 25 gifts God wants to give you for Christmas. We can find them in a little, six-chapter book halfway through the New Testament. These are The Greatest Gifts, as revealed in Ephesians. Along the way, you'll find the gift of love, the gift of salvation, the gift of unity, and many more. Prepare your heart in a special way this Christmas season by receiving, and giving, God's greatest gifts.

The Greatest Gifts

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

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 

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

Advent is not only the anticipation of Christmas. It’s a time when we’re facing the darkness of this world and at the same time seeing the rise of the Light. The Light that no darkness can ever overcome. 
For the next seven days, we’ll reveal that Christ has not just come once but that He comes to us today. 
This plan will help you feel Christmas not merely as an event from the past but as a living hope that renews your personal heart, family, and the nation.

Advent: The Light That Rises in the Darkness

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

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

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

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

Exploring the four angelic appearances found in the Christmas story and what they can teach us about our own call this Advent season.

Angels We Have Heard on High

Advent

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

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

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

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

Joy is here –– in the middle of the struggle, in our everyday lives, and in the places we least expected. Start finding joy in the big and small this Christmas season.

JOY IS HERE

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

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 

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

Not many people knew about the first Christmas when Jesus was born physically on earth. Just a handful of people celebrated the first Christmas and were blessed. Even today, while many people celebrate Christmas, not everyone is blessed during this season. Let's take time to learn how to position ourselves for heaven's attention this Christmas. 

Get Positioned for Christmas

Why was Jesus born? This may seem like a simple question, too familiar to ponder. But as you prepare for Christmas this year, take time to reflect on the deep meaning and purpose of Jesus's birth for your life, and for the whole world. This 5 day series was written by Scott Hoezee, and is an excerpt from the Words of Hope daily devotional.


Why Jesus Was Born

Does comparison steal your holiday joy? Do you feel constant pressure to look better, be better, or have better things during the holiday season? If you've ever felt discouraged after scrolling social media or disheartened after learning about a friend's fabulous holiday--stress not! This plan is for you. Author and podcast host Heather Creekmore takes you on a 4-day practical and relatable journey to help you enjoy a comparison-free Christmas.

Have a Comparison-Free Christmas

Our Christmas story starts with the angel’s annunciation to Mary and concludes with the visit of the Magi.  In these reflections and applications of the Christmas narrative I will mostly refer to Luke, as his is the fullest of the gospel accounts.

Christmas Reflections

In "The Songs Tell the Story," Janet Denison covers 25 carols in 25 days, leading you to marvel at the gift God gave us at Christmas. Each devotional tells an origin story and features an insightful spiritual reflection. You’ll sing these timeless carols with new life, knowing that the God who inspired their words still meets us in the miracle of Christmas.

The Songs Tell the Story: A 25-Day Advent Devotional

It was the most significant birth in the history of the world. The longed-for Messiah, the Savior, had come. And He was wrapped in cloths lying in a manger. Helping you reflect on these glorious truths is the goal of this Advent reading plan. Each day offers a Scripture reading, a brief reflection and summary of the passage, and a suggestion for prayer.

To Us a Son Is Given

In Charles Wesley’s famous Christmas hymn, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” we sing that Jesus is the joy of every longing heart. This Advent, discover how the divine orchestration of human events and various responses to his coming, exposes the longing of our hearts. From kings and rulers to shepherds and expectant virgins, Jesus’ advent reveals what we treasure. Find him the joy of your heart this Christmas.  


Every Longing Heart

Advent is a word full of anticipation, preparation, and celebration – the Latin word means “coming” or “to come.” Christ has come as a babe, is coming to each heart that invites Him, and will come again to bring you home. Our 25-day Advent plan includes short daily devotionals based on Scripture and focused on Light, Peace, and Hope. Prepare your heart for Jesus as you prepare to celebrate Christmas!

Light, Peace, & Hope for Your Christmas

The vocations represented in the characters of Christmas can teach us a lot about God and how our work is a means of co-laboring with “the newborn King.” In this four-day plan, we’ll look at the vocations of Joseph, Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds to draw out applications for our own work today.

Christmas Vocations

The first coming of Jesus Christ produced many different responses from those who heard the news. In this devotional, we will reflect on the five reactions of those who were the first to hear of the arrival of the Messiah and prepare our hearts as we celebrate and remember the first coming of our Lord and Saviour.

And When They Heard — A Christmas Devotional

Do you look forward to Christmas with eager anticipation… but then the season flies by in a flash? Do you intend to be present and focused… only to find yourself pulled every direction? Do you long for a meaningful celebration… yet feel like you’re missing something? Embracing Advent includes daily readings to encourage you to step away from the chaos and hold on to HOPE this first week of Advent. 


Embracing Advent: Hold on to HOPE

Christmas is filled with wonder. Still, its promise can be lost in must-do lists, preparing for celebrations when provisions seem slim, or the advent of sometimes-messy family relationships. Let's invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s gifts for us by Unwrapping Christmas refreshments from Luke's Gospel. Realizing that in this lifetime, we will only begin to scratch the surface of who Jesus is and what He has done.   

Unwrapping Christmas - Viewing the Nativity Through Luke's Eyes

Our world has taken a joyful event and turned it into a frenzy of materialism and exhaustion. God never planned it that way. The birth of Jesus was meant to bring love to the lonely, hope to the hurting, and peace to the weary. Reclaim the joy of Jesus this holiday season!

Hope for the Holidays: Reclaim the Joy of Jesus This 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

Christmas isn’t just about gifts—it’s about The Gift. In this 6-day devotional, explore the heart of Christmas through the lens of love, hope, joy, peace, fulfillment, and grace. Each day ties in a powerful Bible story with key Scriptures, thoughtful reflection, heartfelt prayer, and a practical action step. Let the true meaning of Christmas draw you closer to the One who came for you.

Love Came Down: A Christmas Devotional

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.