25 Powerful Advent Bible Verses (with Free Printables)

Christmas is a wonderful season filled with joy and wonder–and advent Bible verses are great ways to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. If you are looking for meaningful ways to focus on the beauty of the holiday season, check out these inspiring Scriptures that will encourage your soul.

You can also download a FREE list of these Advent Scriptures and a Christmas Prayer journal at the end of this post!

What is Advent?

The word advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” (source). During the holiday season it is a time when many Christian churches around the world prepare their hearts for the advent season and celebrate the first coming of Jesus through his miraculous birth. We as the church also eagerly look forward to his second coming (Revelation 22:12).

How Can I Prepare my Heart for Advent?

There are many ways we can prepare our hearts for the Advent season. One of those ways is by reading Scriptures that focus on the birth of Jesus. There are many other Bible verses on joy and peace that can also calm our hearts during this busy season and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

We can also prepare our hearts for the Advent season by spending time in prayer as we read through Advent Bible verses and other Scriptures that give us encouragement and hope. If you enjoy bible journaling or creating your own prayer journals, you could create an Advent prayer journal to help prepare you for this glorious season. 

There are also many books, Bible studies and devotionals that are great resources to help you keep your heart and mind focused on the love of Christ during the Advent season. Many churches have special Advent candle lighting services and other programs and events to remind us of the true reason for the season. Check out what events may be happening in your local church or in your city.

Advent Bible Verses to Prepare your Heart for Christmas

There are many advent Bible verses that we can focus on as we prepare our hearts for this wonderful season. Since there are usually 22-28 days in Advent (starting with the last Sunday in November,) here are 25 Scripture passages you can read throughout the Advent season!

Prophecies of Jesus’ Birth from the Old Testament

Here are some Advent Scriptures from the Old Testament. These Scriptures were prophecies declared from different prophets about the coming of Christ.

Prophecy of Jesus being Born of a Virgin

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

This prophecy was declared by the prophet Isaiah, and was fulfilled in Luke 1:35, when the angel Gabriel declared to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus. Mary asked the angel how this would happen, since she was a virgin. The angel replied,

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

What a powerful fulfillment of prophecy that had been foretold hundreds of years prior!

Prophecy of Jesus being Born in Bethlehem

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2

When King Herod heard from the Magi that they were looking for a king born among the Jews, he was disturbed by this (Matthew 2:3). He gathered the chief priests and the teachers of the law and asked what had been prophesied about where the Messiah would be born. 

The Magi told Herod that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, based on the prophecy from the prophet Micah (Matthew 2:4-6). Even though Bethlehem was considered one of the smaller clans among Judah, the Messiah of the world would come from this humble town.

Prophecy of Jesus Fleeing to Egypt

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Hosea 11:1

This is another passage that prophesied about Jesus. When Jesus was born, the Magi from the east went to King Herod in search of the child. After Herod discovered the Magi found Jesus, Herod had plans to kill him (Matthew 2:13). The Lord instructed Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt and to stay there until King Herod died (Matthew 2:14-15). It is in this passage that the prophecy from Hosea 11:1 is mentioned,

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:14-15

Advent Bible Verses Recounting the Birth of Jesus

These Advent Bible verses provide detail into the accounts of Jesus’ birth. Here are a few excerpts from these wonderful passages:

Luke 1

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him 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 Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:26-33

Luke 2:1-40

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:18-21

Hope-filled Bible Verses to Read and Reflect on During Advent

These Scriptures mention Jesus as the Messiah, who would come to reign with all power in his hands. These are great Bible verses to read and reflect on during the Advent season, and to rejoice in the goodness of our great God.

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” Deuteronomy 18:15-16

The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. Deuteronomy 18:16-19

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’” Psalm 89:1-4

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:1-3

A Voice of one Calling: (Isaiah 40:1-5)

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

“In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:1-5

Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’ Zechariah 6:12-13

A Prophecy of the Lord’s Coming (Malachi 3:1-6)

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.

“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:1-6

Jesus as the Light of the World (John 1:1-8)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. John 1:1-8

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:9-13

Jesus Coming as Immanuel, God with Us (John 1:14)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” Mark 1:1-3

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2

Advent Bible Verses on Joy

The advent season is a special time that brings joy to the heart. Here are some great Bible verses on joy to read during the Advent season to remind you of the wonderful joy we can experience in our hearts.

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy… Psalm 30:11

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10

Advent Bible Verses on Peace

Jesus came to earth to not only fill our hearts with joy, but to fill our hearts with peace. Here are some powerful Scriptures on peace to focus on as you reflect on the beauty of the Advent season.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11 

For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” Psalm 122:8

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

A Prayer During Advent Season

Precious Lord, we give you thanks for the beauty of this Christmas season. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, grant us peace and hope as we reflect on the hope of Christ Jesus. During Advent, we remember the gift of eternal life that we have through Jesus, the Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1). 

We joyfully wait for the blessing of Christmas Day, when we celebrate the glorious birth of Jesus Christ. We celebrate the good things you have done in our lives, and we forever give you praise for the Christmas story that gives us hope and salvation. Amen.

Free Printable Advent Scripture Reading Plan and Prayer Journal

You can download a FREE Advent Scripture Reading Plan and prayer journal by clicking on the button below. Feel free to keep this Scripture reading plan handy during the Advent season, and focus on one Scripture passage each day!

In Conclusion

I hope that these Advent Bible verses are an encouragement to you as you prepare your heart for this wonderful season. Reading these Scriptures is a great way to focus on our God of hope–and his name is Immanuel. May God’s Word fill you with comfort and joy as we reflect on the beauty and wonder of his love!

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