Advent Bible Reading Plan (2026)

Each year, followers of Jesus celebrate a season called Advent that starts four Sundays before Christmas. Advent looks ahead to both the birth of Jesus and the second coming of Jesus when he will return to earth and make all things new.

During Advent, we think about hope, peace, joy, and love. The Bible reading plan below follows those themes. Each week includes scripture from Isaiah (an ancient prophet who delivered God's words to his people), the Psalms (a collection of songs and poems written between 1100 and 400 B.C.), a gospel (the first four New Testament books that tell the story of Jesus), and a letter or epistle (written to the first followers of Jesus).

The scripture passages from Isaiah and the Psalms were written before Jesus was born. God's people had been through many difficult experiences. They'd been enslaved in Egypt for 400 years when God miraculously rescued them (that story is in the Old Testament book called Exodus). Later they had disagreements and battles among themselves, finally dividing into two smaller nations. Eventually strong enemies defeated both of those small nations and exiled God's people into foreign lands filled with false gods.

Through all their circumstances, God's people cried out for his help and rescue over and over again. Even when God's people ignored and walked away from him (which they often did), God always listened to and answered them, in his own way and his own time.

When you read the Advent Bible passages, imagine how the first listeners might have heard the words. What do you think it meant to them? What does it mean to you today? Pick one or two verses from each day's passage to write out for yourself. Then think about each week's question. Ask God for his insight and wisdom. Read and talk about the verses with your leader and friends. This Advent season, take time to learn more about Jesus and grow closer to him.

*** If you don't have a printed copy of the Old Testament (the books of the Bible written before Jesus was born) you can find them on the Blue Letter Bible app​ or the Bible Gateway app. Be sure to choose an easy to understand version, like the NLT (New Living Translation).