The Meaning of Advent and How to Make This Season Spiritually Meaningful
For many Christians, Advent is one of the most meaningful rhythms of the entire year—but also one of the most overlooked. With busyness, shopping, holiday events, and the pressure to “make it magical,” it’s easy to get to Christmas morning and realize we rushed right past Jesus on the way there. Advent invites us to slow down. It reminds us that Christmas isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s the celebration of God stepping into our world to bring hope, peace, joy, and love.
Advent is more than a tradition. It’s a way to center our hearts on Jesus and remember the story we’re actually celebrating. You don’t need a seminary degree to practice Advent. You just need a few simple rhythms, a Bible, and a desire to make room for Jesus in the middle of real life.
What Is Advent?
The word Advent means “arrival” or “coming.” For centuries, the global Church has set aside the four weeks before Christmas as a time of preparation—looking back at Jesus’ first coming in Bethlehem and looking forward to His promised return. Advent teaches us to slow down long enough to remember that God always keeps His promises, even if we’ve been waiting a long time.
Each week of Advent focuses on a theme:
Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
These aren’t just words we put on Christmas cards. They reflect the character of Jesus and what His arrival makes possible for us. When we light a candle or read Scripture during Advent, we’re anchoring ourselves in the truth of God’s story rather than getting swept up in the pressure of the season.
Why Advent Matters for Our Faith
Advent isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about replacing hurry with intention. When we take time to reflect on these four themes, we learn how to see God in the small moments—at the dinner table, in conversations with our kids, and in quiet moments before the day begins.
Practicing Advent helps us:
Re-center our hearts on Jesus instead of distractions.
Create simple rhythms that form our faith.
Connect Scripture to daily life, not just December 25.
Slow down and remember what we’re actually celebrating.
Advent matters because it shapes us. It teaches us to wait with expectation instead of anxiety. And it helps us remember the miracle of God becoming human for our sake (John 1:14).
Simple Ways to Practice Advent at Home
You don’t need a perfect setup. You just need a plan. Here are a few easy and meaningful ideas for individuals, couples, families, and small groups.
1. Light One Candle Each Week
Traditionally, Advent uses four candles—one for each week’s theme: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. And then sometimes a 5th candle center candle is lit on Christmas Eve to represent Christ. This is a reminder that Christ is at the center of our lives and at the center of this holiday season.
Choose one night each week (or every night at dinner) to light that week’s candle and read a short passage together as a family. We have each kid light a specific candle for each week’s theme.
You can keep it simple:
Light the candle.
Read a verse connected to the theme.
Share one thought or prayer.
That’s it. Don’t overcomplicate it. Kids love lighting candles!
Ask questions about how that word entered your day, or just pray together. Whatever you decide, it becomes a sweet tradition that your family won’t forget.
2. Keep the Conversation Going During the Week
You can set the candle on your table and light it a few nights in a row. Use it as a reset when the day feels overwhelming. Ask a simple question—“Where did we see hope today?” or “Where do we need God’s peace?”
Small moments like this shape our spiritual life more than we realize.
3. Use a Bible Reading Plan
If you like structured plans, YouVersion has great Advent reading plans. “She Reads Truth” and “He Reads Truth” also release annual Advent devotionals with short reflections and Scriptures.
If you’re leading a family, couple, or small group, reading one passage and one simple prayer is enough. Advent doesn’t demand perfection—just presence.
4. Watch a Bible Project Video Together
The Bible Project has a clear and helpful video called “What Is Advent?” that explains the themes and biblical purpose of the season. It’s a great tool for starting conversations and helping kids and teens understand why Advent matters.
A 24-Day Advent Reading Plan (Dec 1–24)
This plan walks through the full Christmas story—Old Testament prophecies, Gospel accounts, and key passages pointing toward Jesus. It’s intentionally short so families, teens, and new believers can participate. It may not fully align with the start of advent depending on when the first of 4 Sundays before Christmas is, but it’s a great reading plan to follow during the 24 days leading up to Christmas.
DAY 1: Isaiah 9:1–7 – The promise of a coming King
DAY 2: Isaiah 11:1–10 – A shoot from the stump of Jesse
DAY 3: Micah 5:2–5 – The prophecy of Bethlehem
DAY 4: Genesis 3:14–15 – The first promise of a Savior
DAY 5: Luke 1:1–17 – The angel appears to Zechariah
DAY 6: Luke 1:18–38 – The angel appears to Mary
DAY 7: Luke 1:39–56 – Mary visits Elizabeth
DAY 8: Luke 1:57–80 – The birth of John the Baptist
DAY 9: Matthew 1:18–25 – The angel appears to Joseph
DAY 10: Luke 2:1–7 – Jesus is born
DAY 11: Luke 2:8–20 – The shepherds hear the good news
DAY 12: Matthew 2:1–12 – The wise men begin their journey
DAY 13: Matthew 2:13–23 – Escape to Egypt
DAY 14: John 1:1–5 – Jesus is the Word
DAY 15: John 1:9–14 – The Word becomes flesh
DAY 16: Philippians 2:5–11 – Jesus humbles Himself
DAY 17: Galatians 4:4–7 – God sent His Son
DAY 18: 2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be to God for His gift
DAY 19: Psalm 96 – Worship the Lord
DAY 20: Isaiah 40:1–11 – Comfort for God’s people
DAY 21: Malachi 3:1–4 – The messenger who prepares the way
DAY 22: Luke 2:21–35 – Simeon sees the Messiah
DAY 23: Luke 2:36–40 – Anna gives thanks
DAY 24: Matthew 2:1–12 (again) – The joy of finding Jesus
You can print this, put it on your fridge, or read it together on the Bible app.
The Four Themes of Advent
Hope
Hope isn’t wishful thinking. It’s confidence that God keeps His promises. Advent begins with hope because God’s people waited centuries for the Messiah. We wait for His return today with the same trust.
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him…”
Peace
Peace isn’t the absence of problems; it’s the presence of Jesus. When the angels announced His birth, they declared “peace on earth” because the Prince of Peace had arrived (Isaiah 9:6). Advent helps us practice receiving the peace Jesus freely offers.
Joy
Joy isn’t tied to circumstances. It comes from the reality that Jesus came for us. When the shepherds heard the good news, it brought “great joy for all people” (Luke 2:10). Advent invites us to practice noticing joy in everyday moments.
Love
Love is the heartbeat of Christmas. John 3:16 reminds us that God so loved the world that He sent His Son. Advent ends with love because Christmas is the ultimate declaration that God doesn’t stay far away—He draws near.
Reflection Questions for This Advent Season
What do I need to slow down or say “no” to in order to make room for Jesus?
Which Advent theme—Hope, Peace, Joy, or Love—do I need most this year?
What simple rhythm can I commit to for the next four weeks?
Where have I seen God show up unexpectedly this season?
Final Encouragement
Advent is one of the simplest ways to recenter your life around Jesus during the Christmas season. You don’t need a perfect plan or long devotionals. You just need a few intentional moments each week to remember the story that changed everything. Whether you light a candle, read through this plan, or watch a Bible Project video with your family, Advent can help you slow down long enough to experience Jesus in a fresh way.
If you try this plan or one of these ideas, share it with a friend or invite someone to join you. Advent was never meant to be experienced alone.
Book Recommendations From THE BIBLE PROJECT
Watch For The Light: Readings For Advent And Christmas by a collection of writers
Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ by Fleming Rutledge
Advent for Everyone: A Journey through Luke by N.T. Wright
