In 2026, Advent begins on Sunday 29 November and runs to Christmas Eve, Thursday 24 December. This page belongs to our Christian holidays in the Bible series and leads into Christmas in the Bible. Below you will find where the Advent themes come from, key verses, and a day-by-day reading plan for 2026.
Is Advent in the Bible?
The season itself developed in the church centuries after the New Testament was written, and churches mark it in different ways. What is biblical is its content: waiting for God to keep his promises. Israel waited for a promised king from David’s family; the Gospels announce his birth; and the New Testament letters describe Christians as waiting again, for Christ’s return. Advent holds both kinds of waiting together.
Where are the Advent readings in the Bible?
The prophets: a light and a king
Isaiah, writing to a nation under threat, promises light in darkness and a child who will reign. Christians read these chapters as pointing to Jesus. See our guide to the Book of Isaiah for the setting.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
Isaiah 9:2 (BSB)
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 (BSB)
Bethlehem named in advance
Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, names the small town of Bethlehem as the birthplace of a ruler for Israel. In Matthew 2:4-6, after the Magi arrive, the chief priests quote this when Herod asks where the Christ is to be born.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel — One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.”
Micah 5:2 (BSB)
A voice in the wilderness
Isaiah 40 opens with comfort for exiles and a call to prepare a road for the LORD. All four Gospels apply it to John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus. Many churches read about John on the second and third Sundays of Advent.
“A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.”
Isaiah 40:3 (BSB)
The announcements in Luke 1
Luke’s first chapter tells of two announcements by the angel Gabriel: to Zechariah, that his elderly wife Elizabeth will have a son (John), and to Mary in Nazareth, that she will bear a son to be named Jesus. Mary then visits Elizabeth and sings the song often called the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55).
“Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!””
Luke 1:31-33 (BSB)
The events of Advent in order
- Gabriel announces John’s birth to Zechariah in the temple (Luke 1:5-25).
- Gabriel announces Jesus’ birth to Mary in Nazareth (Luke 1:26-38).
- Mary visits Elizabeth; Mary’s song (Luke 1:39-56).
- John the Baptist is born and named; Zechariah’s song (Luke 1:57-80).
- An angel speaks to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1:18-25).
- The census sends Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born (Luke 2:1-7). The full account continues in the nativity story.
How do churches observe Advent?
- Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and many other churches follow a lectionary with set readings for each Sunday and often use purple or blue for the season. Many use an Advent wreath with four candles, lighting one more each Sunday, and sometimes a fifth on Christmas.
- Many Protestant churches give the four candles themes such as hope, peace, joy and love, though the names and order vary.
- Orthodox churches keep a longer Nativity Fast of forty days before Christmas, beginning on 15 November (28 November on the civil calendar for churches that follow the Julian calendar).
- At home, families often use Advent calendars, a daily reading, or a Jesse Tree, which follows Jesus’ family line from Isaiah 11:1.
Advent 2026 daily reading plan
One short passage a day, from the first Sunday of Advent (29 November) to Christmas Eve. Weeks 1–2 follow the prophets, week 3 John the Baptist, week 4 the events of Luke 1.
| Date | Read | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 29 Nov | Isaiah 2:1-5 | Week 1: hope. Walk in the light |
| Mon 30 Nov | Isaiah 9:1-7 | A child is born |
| Tue 1 Dec | Isaiah 11:1-10 | A shoot from Jesse |
| Wed 2 Dec | Jeremiah 33:14-16 | A righteous Branch |
| Thu 3 Dec | Micah 5:2-5 | From Bethlehem |
| Fri 4 Dec | Isaiah 7:10-14 | The sign of Immanuel |
| Sat 5 Dec | Romans 13:11-14 | The day is near |
| Sun 6 Dec | Isaiah 40:1-11 | Week 2: peace. Comfort my people |
| Mon 7 Dec | Malachi 3:1-4 | My messenger |
| Tue 8 Dec | Isaiah 35 | The desert will bloom |
| Wed 9 Dec | Psalm 85 | Righteousness and peace |
| Thu 10 Dec | Isaiah 52:7-10 | Good news on the mountains |
| Fri 11 Dec | Zephaniah 3:14-20 | Sing, Daughter of Zion |
| Sat 12 Dec | 2 Peter 3:8-15 | Patient waiting |
| Sun 13 Dec | Matthew 3:1-12 | Week 3: joy. John in the wilderness |
| Mon 14 Dec | Mark 1:1-8 | Prepare the way |
| Tue 15 Dec | John 1:6-9, 19-28 | A witness to the light |
| Wed 16 Dec | Matthew 11:2-11 | Are you the one? |
| Thu 17 Dec | Isaiah 61:1-4 | Good news for the poor |
| Fri 18 Dec | Philippians 4:4-7 | Rejoice, the Lord is near |
| Sat 19 Dec | Luke 1:5-25 | Gabriel and Zechariah |
| Sun 20 Dec | Luke 1:26-38 | Week 4: love. Gabriel and Mary |
| Mon 21 Dec | Luke 1:39-56 | Mary visits Elizabeth |
| Tue 22 Dec | Luke 1:57-80 | John is born |
| Wed 23 Dec | Matthew 1:18-25 | Joseph’s dream |
| Thu 24 Dec | Luke 2:1-20 | Christmas Eve: the birth |
Ready to test what you have read? Try the Christmas Bible quiz on Christmas Eve.
In summary
- Advent means “coming” and covers the four Sundays before Christmas (from 29 November in 2026).
- The season is a church tradition; its readings come from the prophets and Luke 1.
- Key texts: Isaiah 9:2-7, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 40:3 and Luke 1:31-33.
- Churches observe it differently: lectionaries, wreaths, the Orthodox Nativity Fast.
- A short daily reading is the simplest way to keep Advent.