Christian Advent Reading For Families

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Count Down to Christmas with a Christian Advent Wreath

My family has a tradition each December to count down to Christmas with an Advent Wreath. 

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The ancient practice dates back to early Christianity; although, it has evolved through the centuries and looks slightly different in every country, denomination, and family. 

There is no wrong way to use an Advent Wreath.

We use a metal circle with four candle holders arranged evenly around
the outside. 

Some people place a wreath of evergreen branches around the outside to symbolize the everlasting nature of God. 

The Advent candles are purple (3) and pink, and sometimes there is a white candle in the middle that is lit only on Christmas Day. 

A new candle is lit every Sunday to be added to the amount of candles lit each week.  One candle on week one, two candles on week two, etc.

When Should We Light The Candles For Advent?

Some people only light the candles and do Bible readings on the Sundays of Advent.  Others read every day from Dec. 1 to Dec. 25th. 

I believe the Catholic Church (and possibly other liturgical denominations) count the season strictly based off the four Sundays before Christmas, which doesn’t always coordinate with the days of December countdown. 

We’re fortunate this year (2019) because the first day of Advent is also on December 1st.  This makes it a lot easier to keep track of the readings and eliminates any confusion about which calendar we’re using.

Every denomination or group has their own schedule for Bible readings,
but I made my own list of suggested passages. 

I used the names of the candles as inspiration for arranging the Old Testament and New Testament Scripture readings to teach about Jesus and His first coming. 

Scroll down for a printable PDF to use with your own family.

Hope (purple) or Prophesy Candle

Hymn- Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel

DECEMBER 1 –

John 1:1-14  (Jesus in Eternity)
Discussion- What is incarnation?

DECEMBER 2 –

Genesis 1:1-5 and Colossians 1:15-16 (Jesus as Creator)
Discussion- How do we know Jesus is God?

DECEMBER 3 –

John 1:1-10 (Jesus is Light)
Discussion- Does light have a shadow?

DECEMBER 4 –

Isaiah 9:1-7 (Jesus Promised)
Discussion- What kind of a ruler is promised?

DECEMBER 5 –

Isaiah 61:1-3 (Jesus is Good News)
Discussion- What did Jesus do when He came to Earth?

DECEMBER 6 –

Isaiah 53:1-6 (Jesus is the Suffering Servant)
Discussion- Why do we need a Savior?

DECEMBER 7 –

Isaiah 53:7-12 (Jesus the Savior)
Discussion- Why was Jesus crucified?

Faith (purple) or Bethlehem Candle

Hymn- Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

DECEMBER 8 –

Micah 5:2-4 (Bethlehem Prophesied)
Discussion- Why does the Bible care where Jesus was born?

DECEMBER 9 –

Matthew 1:1-17 (The Genealogy of Jesus)
Discussion- Why is this in the Bible?

DECEMBER 10 –

Ruth 1:1-22 (Ruth was from Bethlehem)
Discussion- Why are we reading this at Christmas time?  Who was Ruth?

DECEMBER 11 –

1 Samuel 16:1-13 (King David was from Bethlehem)
Discussion- Who was King David?

DECEMBER 12 –

Luke 2:1-7 (Jesus Born)
Discussion- Why were Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem?

DECEMBER 13 –

Matthew 2:1-12 (Three Kings Visit Bethlehem)
Discussion- When did this happen?

DECEMBER 14 –

Luke 2:22-40 (Jesus is Named)
Discussion- Why were Joseph, Mary, and Jesus in Jerusalem?

Joy (pink) or Shepherds’ Candle

Hymn- How Great Our Joy

DECEMBER 15 –

Luke 2:8-15 (the Shepherd hear the Good News)
Discussion- What was the angel’s message?

DECEMBER 16 –

John 1:29 and Revelation 5:6-10 (Jesus the Lamb)
Discussion- Why do we call Jesus the Lamb of God

DECEMBER 17 –

Ezekiel 34:11-16 (Jesus the Shepherd Prophesied)
Discussion- What does the Good Shepherd do?

DECEMBER 18 –

Isaiah 40:6-11 (Jesus the Shepherd King)
Discussion- What does Jesus do as the Shepherd King?

December 19 –

Psalm 23 (Jesus the Gentle Shepherd)
Discussion- Why does the Bible talk so much about shepherds?

December 20 –

Jeremiah 23:1-6 (Jesus the Branch of David)
Discussion- How will Jesus be different from the bad shepherds?

December 21 –

Luke 2:15-20 (the Shepherds Tell Everyone)
Discussion- How can we tell others this Christmas?

Peace (purple) or Angels’ Candle

Hymn- Angels We Have Heard on High

December 22 –

Luke 1:26-38 (Gabriel visits Mary)
Discussion- What’s special about Mary?

December 23 –

Matthew 1:18-25 (Gabriel visits Joseph)
Discussion- What was the angels’ message?

December 24 –

Luke 2:1-20 (Jesus is Here)
Discussion- What is the greatest gift of all?

Free Printable Advent Reading Guide

For your convenience, I’ve also created a PDF version of this printable.  Click on the button to download the reading list. Print it off to keep alongside your Advent wreath to use every day

For your convenience, I’ve included a PDF version of this printable, shared with me from my friend Missy at homeschoolingmykinetickids.com.  Click on the button to download the reading list. Print it off to keep alongside your Advent wreath to use every day.

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Christian Advent Reading For Families