The Advent season is a season of preparation – of prayer, contemplation, fasting, and spiritual renewal. It is a time in which the people of God, by God’s grace, make straight His paths in their hearts. Rather than simply being an extension of the Christmas celebration, Advent prepares us to more truly and fully celebrate Christ’s birth. As George Grant and Greg Wilbur commented, Advent is a “time to slow down, to take stock of the things that matter the most, and to do a thorough inner housecleaning. Advent is, as the ancient dogma of the Church asserts, a Little Pascha – a time of fasting, prayer, confession, and reconciliation.”
To help us observe Advent, here is a collection of Scripture readings for each day of the season. The readings for week one focus primarily on the promise of the Messiah, which first takes place in the Garden of Eden, after man’s Fall.
Sunday, November 29th – First Sunday of Advent
Genesis 3:1-15 – The consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin are pronounced by the Lord, along with the first promise of the Redeemer who would one day be born of a woman.
Monday, November 30th
Genesis 22:15-18 – Abraham hears the promises of God, that all nations will be blessed by his seed, which will be as numerous as the stars in heaven and the sands on the seashore.
Tuesday, December 1st
Isaiah 7:14 & 9:2-7 – Christ’s virgin birth is foretold, as well as His everlasting Kingdom.
Wednesday, December 2nd
Isaiah 11:1-9 – More promises about the righteous reign of the “shoot from the stump of Jesse”
Thursday, December 3rd
Micah 5:2-4 – Messiah’s birth foretold as being in the little town of Bethlehem
Friday, December 4th
Malachi 4:1-3 – The promise of the “sun of righteousness” arising with “healing in its wings”
Saturday, December 5th
Numbers 24:15-19, 2nd Peter 1:19, Revelation 22:16 – All verses to confirm the great and precious promises of God about the Messiah, promised all the way back in the Garden of Eden.