Advent can easily become one of the busiest times of the year. Between Christmas shopping, school events, church services and preparations at home, it can be surprisingly difficult to make time for the story at the heart of it all.

This simple 25-day Advent Bible reading plan is designed to help.

Beginning on 1 December and finishing on Christmas Day, it takes you through the promises of the Old Testament, the events surrounding Jesus' birth and the wonderful truth of God coming to live among us.

You don't need an hour a day or a shelf full of study books. Set aside five or ten quiet minutes, open your Bible and journey through the Christmas story one day at a time.

When Does This Advent Reading Plan Start?

Traditional Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, so its starting date changes from year to year.

This plan is deliberately simpler.

It runs from 1 December to 25 December, giving you one Bible reading for every day leading up to and including Christmas Day.

If you've found the plan after 1 December, don't worry. You don't need to catch up perfectly. Start where you are, combine a couple of shorter readings or simply continue after Christmas.

The aim isn't to complete a challenge. It's to make space for Jesus during the Christmas season.

Week 1: The Promise of a Saviour

Long before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God's people were waiting.

The Old Testament contains promises of a King, a Saviour and a coming light. Our Advent journey begins with that expectation.

Day 1: Light in the Darkness

Read: Isaiah 9:2, 6–7

Isaiah speaks to people living in darkness and tells them that light is coming. The promised child will bring justice, peace and a kingdom without end.

Christmas begins long before Bethlehem. It begins with a God who makes promises and keeps them.

Reflect: Where do you especially need God's light and hope at the moment?

Pray: Lord, help me trust Your promises even when I cannot yet see how You will fulfil them.

Day 2: The Branch From Jesse

Read: Isaiah 11:1–5

Isaiah describes a new ruler coming from the family line of Jesse, the father of King David.

This King will not judge by appearances or rule selfishly. He will be filled with God's Spirit and marked by righteousness and faithfulness.

Reflect: Which quality in this description of the coming King encourages you most?

Pray: Jesus, help me to know You not only as the baby of Christmas, but as my faithful and righteous King.

Day 3: Bethlehem Is Chosen

Read: Micah 5:2–5

Bethlehem was small and seemingly insignificant, yet God chose it as the birthplace of the promised ruler.

Again and again, the Christmas story shows us that God often works through people and places the world might overlook.

Reflect: When have you seen God work through something small or unexpected?

Pray: Lord, help me notice the quiet and unexpected ways You are at work.

Day 4: Emmanuel — God With Us

Read: Isaiah 7:14

One of the great promises connected with Christmas is contained in a single name: Emmanuel, meaning God with us.

Christian hope is not simply that God sends help from a distance. In Jesus, God comes near.

Reflect: What difference does it make to know that God is with you today?

Pray: Thank You, Lord, that I never face life alone. Help me recognise Your presence.

Week 2: Preparing the Way

As the Christmas story begins in the New Testament, ordinary people find themselves caught up in God's extraordinary plan.

Day 5: A Prayer Answered

Read: Luke 1:5–17

Zechariah and Elizabeth had waited many years for a child. Then an angel announces the birth of John, who will prepare people for the coming Messiah.

God's timing had not been forgotten.

Reflect: Is there something you have been waiting or praying for?

Pray: Lord, give me patience when Your timing is different from mine.

Day 6: Zechariah's Doubt

Read: Luke 1:18–25

Zechariah struggles to believe the angel's announcement.

His doubt does not prevent God from accomplishing His purpose. Even when our faith feels small, God remains faithful.

Reflect: Where do you find it difficult to trust God?

Pray: Lord, meet me in my doubts and strengthen my faith.

Day 7: Gabriel Visits Mary

Read: Luke 1:26–33

Mary receives an astonishing message: she will give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High.

The long-promised King is coming.

Reflect: Imagine hearing these words for the first time. What might have gone through Mary's mind?

Pray: Jesus, help me rediscover the wonder of who You are.

Day 8: Mary's Yes

Read: Luke 1:34–38

Mary doesn't understand everything that lies ahead, but she responds with trust.

Her willingness is a powerful example of faith: obedience before knowing every detail.

Reflect: Is God asking you to trust Him with something you cannot fully understand?

Pray: Lord, give me Mary's willingness to trust You one step at a time.

Day 9: Mary Visits Elizabeth

Read: Luke 1:39–45

Mary doesn't carry this extraordinary experience alone. She travels to Elizabeth, where the two women encourage one another and celebrate what God is doing.

Faith is strengthened in community.

Reflect: Who encourages you in your faith?

Pray: Thank You, God, for the people who help me recognise what You are doing.

Day 10: Mary's Song of Praise

Read: Luke 1:46–55

Mary responds to God's goodness with worship.

Her song celebrates a God who remembers His promises, lifts up the humble and shows mercy.

Reflect: What could you thank God for today?

Pray: Lord, turn my attention away from Christmas busyness and towards gratitude and worship.

Week 3: The Saviour Is Born

The waiting becomes arrival. The promised Saviour enters the world not in a palace, but in humility.

Day 11: Joseph Chooses Faith

Read: Matthew 1:18–25

Joseph faces circumstances he could never have expected.

When God speaks, Joseph responds with obedience. His quiet faithfulness becomes part of the Christmas story.

Reflect: What can Joseph teach you about faithful obedience?

Pray: Lord, help me do what is right even when the path ahead feels uncertain.

Day 12: Jesus Is Born

Read: Luke 2:1–7

After centuries of promise and expectation, Jesus is born.

There is no royal palace or earthly celebration. Mary lays Him in a manger.

The King arrives in humility.

Reflect: What does the manner of Jesus' birth tell you about the character of God?

Pray: Jesus, thank You for coming into our world. Help me make room for You in my life.

Day 13: Good News for the Shepherds

Read: Luke 2:8–12

The first public announcement of Jesus' birth comes not to kings or religious leaders, but to shepherds watching their flocks at night.

The angel calls it good news of great joy for all the people.

Reflect: Who might need to hear good news and encouragement from you this Christmas?

Pray: Lord, thank You that the good news of Jesus is for everyone.

Day 14: Glory to God

Read: Luke 2:13–14

Suddenly the night sky is filled with praise.

Christmas draws our attention towards God's glory and His gift of peace.

Reflect: What might it look like for you to make worship part of your Christmas preparations?

Pray: Glory to You, God, for the gift of Your Son. Fill my heart with Your peace.

Day 15: The Shepherds Go to Bethlehem

Read: Luke 2:15–20

The shepherds don't simply hear the message. They act on it.

They go to Bethlehem, see Jesus and then tell others what they have discovered.

Reflect: How have you responded personally to the good news of Jesus?

Pray: Lord, give me the shepherds' eagerness to seek You and share what You have done.

Day 16: Simeon Sees the Saviour

Read: Luke 2:25–32

Simeon has spent years waiting for God's promised Messiah.

When he finally sees Jesus, he recognises that God's salvation has arrived.

Long waiting ends in worship.

Reflect: What helps you continue trusting God during seasons of waiting?

Pray: Lord, give me patient faith and eyes to recognise Your faithfulness.

Day 17: Anna Gives Thanks

Read: Luke 2:36–38

Anna has spent years worshipping and praying.

When she encounters Jesus, her response is immediate: she gives thanks and tells others about Him.

Reflect: What has God done that you want to thank Him for this Christmas?

Pray: Lord, make gratitude my first response to Your goodness.

Week 4: The King Is Revealed

Matthew's Gospel shows people travelling from far away to worship Jesus and reminds us that His coming has significance for the whole world.

Day 18: Wise Men Seek the King

Read: Matthew 2:1–6

The Magi arrive in Jerusalem asking a remarkable question: where is the King who has been born?

They have travelled a long way because they believe He is worth seeking.

Reflect: What distractions can keep you from seeking Jesus during Christmas?

Pray: Jesus, help me seek You above everything else this season.

Day 19: Following the Star

Read: Matthew 2:7–10

The journey continues until the star leads the Magi to Jesus.

Their response is joy.

Reflect: What helps point you towards Jesus?

Pray: Lord, guide my attention towards You when other things compete for it.

Day 20: Gifts and Worship

Read: Matthew 2:11

The Magi bow down and worship Jesus, offering Him gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Before Christmas became associated with exchanging gifts, its central gift had already been given: Jesus Himself.

Reflect: What can you offer Jesus this Christmas — your attention, time, worship, generosity or obedience?

Pray: Jesus, You are worthy of my worship. Help me give You the best of myself.

Day 21: God Protects the Child

Read: Matthew 2:13–15

The Christmas story contains both joy and danger.

Joseph is warned to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, and again he responds in obedience.

God's saving plan continues through difficult circumstances.

Reflect: How does this passage challenge an overly sentimental picture of Christmas?

Pray: Lord, be close to those facing fear, danger or displacement this Christmas.

Day 22: Returning Home

Read: Matthew 2:19–23

After Herod's death, Joseph brings his family back and they settle in Nazareth.

The extraordinary events surrounding Jesus' birth give way to years of ordinary family life.

God is present in both.

Reflect: Where might God be at work in the ordinary routines of your life?

Pray: Lord, help me recognise You in both extraordinary and everyday moments.

Christmas: The Word Became Flesh

For our final three days, John's Gospel invites us to step back from the events themselves and consider their deeper meaning.

Day 23: The Word Was With God

Read: John 1:1–5

John begins his Gospel not in Bethlehem, but before creation.

The child born at Christmas is the eternal Word through whom all things were made.

The light shines in the darkness, and darkness cannot overcome it.

Reflect: How does this passage change or deepen the way you think about Jesus at Christmas?

Pray: Jesus, open my eyes to the wonder of who You truly are.

Day 24: The True Light

Read: John 1:9–13

Jesus comes as the true light for the world.

John also tells us that those who receive Him are given the extraordinary privilege of becoming children of God.

Reflect: What does it mean to you personally to receive Jesus?

Pray: Father, thank You for welcoming me into Your family through Christ.

Day 25: The Word Became Flesh

Read: John 1:14–18

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

Christmas Day brings us to the heart of the Christian story.

God did not remain distant. He entered our world.

The Creator stepped into His creation. The eternal Son became human. In Jesus, we see God's grace, truth and glory.

Today isn't simply the end of an Advent countdown. It is an invitation to worship.

Reflect: After these 25 days, what have you discovered afresh about Jesus?

Pray: Jesus, thank You for coming to dwell among us. Help me carry the hope, joy and truth of Christmas into every part of the year ahead. Amen.

Make it Your Own: A Tip for Deeper Reflection

To get the most out of your daily reading, try keeping a simple journal. After you've read the passage, take five minutes to jot down your thoughts using a simple method like this:

• One thing I learned about God:
• One thing that encouraged or challenged me:
• A short prayer in response:

A beautiful Journaling Bible or a dedicated Advent Devotional can be a wonderful companion for this journey, giving you the space to record your reflections.

The Perfect Companion for Your Advent Journey:

If you want to get more from our Advent journey, check out this year's new Advent Bible Study Guides

Not sure which Bible is right for you? You can learn more in our complete, free 97-page ebook, 'How to Choose Your Bible'.