Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
If you’ve been a Christian for a while, chances are you’ve heard the word “Advent” pop up as Christmas approaches. Even if church wasn’t part of your life growing up, the term might still ring a bell (no pun intended)—it’s woven into devotionals, Bible studies, and even some holiday traditions. But what does Advent really mean, and why is Advent important?
Advent marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas, a time to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. It’s not just a countdown to December 25—it’s a season of reflection, anticipation, and hope.
This time of year, Advent invites us to intentionally center our celebrations on Christ, reflecting on the true reason for the season. It’s a way that we can intentionally celebrate His birth and invite His love, peace, and joy to fill our hearts.
In this post, we’ll explore how Advent enriches the Christmas season and offers us a deeper connection to the hope and anticipation of Jesus’ arrival.
Why Is Advent Important?
Before we dive into why Advent matters, let’s take a moment to reflect on what it truly means.
At its core, Advent is about anticipation—the eager expectation of someone or something extraordinary. In the church, we celebrate Advent in different seasons, like Easter, as we anticipate the resurrection of Christ. But during Christmas, Advent focuses on the miraculous moment when God stepped into our world through Jesus’ birth, bringing hope, salvation, and life.
Advent is an invitation to pause. To realign our hearts and minds with the miraculous birth of christ, the beauty of His incarnation—the moment when the Creator clothed Himself in humanity, stepping into our brokenness to restore us to the Father.
It’s more than a tradition or religious activity; it’s an opportunity to reconnect with the heart of the Christmas season.
This season offers us space to grow spiritually, to let gratitude and worship flow freely as we reflect on the immeasurable gift of Jesus. Advent nudges us to look beyond the familiar story we’ve heard so often and marvel at its depth. God wrapped Himself in flesh, endured the rawness of human life, and gave us eternal hope.
Recognizing this truth through Advent stirs our hearts with awe and ensures we don’t take this gift for granted.
But Advent isn’t just about looking back to His birth—it’s also about looking forward with anticipation. The birth of Jesus reminds us that the story isn’t over. We live in the “already but not yet,” holding onto the promise of His return. Advent is the perfect time to reflect on Christ’s arrival as a baby, as well as His upcoming return as our King.
How to Celebrate Advent
Let’s use Advent as a chance to slow down. A chance to fix our eyes upon Jesus and celebrate His birth, reflecting on the hope, light, peace, love, and joy that He came to bring us.
Throughout the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, we’re invited to draw closer to Him and engage in activities that will prepare our hearts to celebrate His birth.
Here are some meaningful ways that you can celebrate Advent this year:
Read Scriptures & Advent Devotionals
There’s no better way to center your heart on Christ than by spending time in His Word and reflecting on devotionals tailored to this season.
You can start with passages like Isaiah 9:6, Luke 1:26-38, and John 1:1-14. Pair these with an Advent devotional to guide your reflections—look for recommendations in our Worship in My City app and community. Create space for quiet moments with God where His presence can bring you peace and joy during this busy time of year.
Reflect on the Four Themes of Advent
Each week of Advent invites us to focus on a theme that reveals what Jesus brings into our lives: hope, peace, joy, and love. Many people light a candle each week on an Advent wreath, symbolizing these truths.
Here are ideas on how you can embrace these themes:
- Hope: As you light the first candle, reflect on the promises of God fulfilled in Jesus. Pray for renewed hope in your life and the lives of those around you, remembering that Christ is our ultimate hope.
- Peace: The second week is an opportunity to seek Christ’s peace in the midst of the holiday rush. Reflect on John 14:27 and invite Jesus to quiet your heart, knowing His peace is unshaken by circumstances.
- Joy: The third candle reminds us to celebrate the incredible joy brought by Christ’s birth. Just as the shepherds and wise men rejoiced, allow the truth of Emmanuel—God with us—to fill your heart with gratitude and gladness.
- Love: The fourth week is a time to allow Christ’s love to fill your heart. Reflect on His sacrifice–not only on the cross, but also the sacrifice He made by coming down to earth. Reflect on this question: How does His love transform your life? Ask God to overflow His love through you, so you can share it with others in tangible ways this season.
Engage in Advent Activities & Celebrations
Advent is for everyone—and it can be celebrated as a family, a couple, a church community, or on your own.
Here are some ways to make the season meaningful:
- As a family: Create an Advent wreath and light a candle each week. Pair it with a Scripture reading and prayer centered on the week’s theme. Make it a time to connect, reflect, and grow closer as a family.
- In your personal time: Design a cozy prayer space with candles, devotionals, and a journal. Play Christmas worship music as you pray, reflect, or simply rest in God’s presence. (Idea: Feel free to share ideas and photos of your personal Advent time within our Worship in My City community!)
- Through giving: Share God’s love in tangible ways by volunteering, donating, or offering your time and attention to those in need. Remember, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (John 3:16). This is how we can celebrate His birth and spread His love this season–by giving of our time and resources in sharing the hope, peace, love, and joy that we have found in Jesus Christ.
How to Use an Advent Calendar
Many households love the tradition of a “countdown to Christmas” calendar—a simple way to build excitement for the big day. You may already do this with your family as well.
As a kid, I cherished the thrill of marking off each day, eagerly awaiting the celebration ahead. But what if your countdown could do more than build anticipation for Christmas morning? What if it helped you truly savor the beauty and wonder of Advent?
When you use an an Advent calendar, it can become a creative, meaningful way to reflect on Christ’s birth throughout the season, infusing each day with joy, intention, and worship.
Traditional Advent calendars often feature small windows or doors that open to reveal Scriptures, prayers, or Nativity-themed images. Some include surprises like chocolate or tiny gifts, while others focus on faith-based reflections or acts of kindness.
If you can’t find an Advent calendar that resonates with your style, why not craft your own? Tuck Scriptures, prayer prompts, or faith-filled activities into envelopes or create a simple DIY calendar with personal touches. This gives you the freedom to design something that perfectly fits your family or individual journey through Advent.
The heart of an Advent calendar isn’t just to count the days—it’s to draw closer to Christ as you prepare to celebrate His birth. Pair each day’s “window” with activities that make this season come alive and draw you closer to Jesus.
Creative Ideas for Your Advent Calendar
Here are various ways you can use an Advent calendar:
- Scripture Reading: Explore verses that tell the Christmas story, reveal messianic prophecies, or highlight the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
- Prayer Prompts: Dedicate each day to praying for someone, a specific need, or an area of your life. You can also tie your prayers to the weekly Advent themes for a deeper connection.
- Acts of Kindness: Spread God’s love with simple daily actions—write an encouraging note, donate to a cause, volunteer your time, or brighten someone’s day with a gesture that shows you were thinking about them.
- Creative Worship: Why not reflect on the meaning of Advent through your art? (See this post for ideas on how to glorify God through your creativity.) There are many Christmas-themed advent coloring books for adults you can consider using as a creative way to slow down, reflect on advent, and worship God through your creativity. Other creative ideas include: journaling your reflections, creating Nativity-inspired art, or worshipping God through your music.
Rather than viewing an Advent calendar as a mere checklist, see it as part of your faith journey—ways you can express worship and devotion to Christ for this incredible gift of a relationship with Him. Each day becomes an invitation to worship, anticipate, and marvel at the unfolding story of His love.
By Christmas morning, your heart will be filled with joy, gratitude, and awe for the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ.
Inspiring Advent Quotes to Reflect On
If you’re looking to enrich your Advent journey, why not explore the beauty and depth of Advent quotes from Christians and Scriptures? These words can help to center your heart and draw you closer to the wonder of Christ’s incarnation. Consider writing them in your prayer journal, reflecting on them throughout the season, or starting a collection that grows each year. You could even share them with others in the Worship in My City community as a way to spread inspiration and spark conversation.
Allow these Advent quotes and Scriptures to bring fresh perspective to this season. I pray these words will inspire your worship and help you enter this season with renewed purpose.
1. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.” – Isaiah 9:2
Reflection: This prophecy celebrates Jesus as the light that pierces through the darkness of our lives. His coming assures us that even in life’s challenges, His radiance transforms everything—not just in our personal struggles but in the world’s greatest needs.
Journaling Prompt: Where do you need Jesus’ light to shine today? How can you reflect His light to others during Advent, especially to those longing for hope?
2. “Advent is the perfect time to clear and prepare the way. Advent is a winter training camp for those who desire peace.” – Edward Hays
Reflection: Advent invites us to make room in our hearts for Christ, clearing away distractions that the enemy tries to bring us through the world–distractions that keep us from furthering relationship with Jesus. It’s a season to refocus and align our hearts with His peace, no matter the noise of the world around us.
Journaling Prompt: What distractions can you lay aside this season to find stillness with God?
3. “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.” – Advent Hymn
Reflection: This hymn captures the deep longing of God’s people for a Savior. It’s a longing we still share as we wait for Emmanuel—“God with us”—to move in our lives.
Journaling Prompt: What are you longing for this Advent season? How can you invite Emmanuel into those areas of need and hope?
4. “We wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” – Titus 2:13
Reflection: Advent is a season of hopeful waiting. We can rest in the promise that Christ’s glory will appear again, just as it did on that first Christmas.
Journaling Prompt: How can you nurture a spirit of hope in your waiting? Which promises of God encourage you to trust in His perfect timing?
5. “God of hope, I look to You with an open heart and yearning spirit. During this Advent season, I will keep alert and awake, listening for Your Word and keeping to Your precepts.” – Henri Nouwen
Reflection: Advent invites us to stay spiritually awake, attuned to God’s presence and His voice. It’s a time to practice attentiveness and trust as we watch for His work in our lives.
Journaling Prompt: How can you remain spiritually awake during this season? What practices help you tune out the noise and hear God’s gentle whispers?
Final Thoughts
At Worship in My City, we’re passionate about creating a welcoming space where you can nurture your spiritual journey and grow in your relationship with the Lord. Through our community and app, we want to help provide a space for you to connect with others, stay accountable, and take meaningful steps toward deepening your faith.
This Christmas season, we invite you to embrace Advent as a way to intentionally draw closer to God. Advent offers a beautiful opportunity to quiet your heart amid the season’s busyness and focus on the hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus brings. It’s more than a time of remembrance—it’s a chance to invite His presence into your everyday life and eagerly anticipate His return with joy.
Why not start a meaningful Advent tradition this year? Whether it’s opening an Advent calendar, reflecting with devotional readings, or setting aside moments for quiet worship, these practices can center your heart on Christ and transform the way you experience Christmas. And as you draw closer to Him, let the true spirit of Christmas inspire you to share His love, peace, joy, and hope with the people around you.
This Advent, I challenge you to allow your journey be one of joyful anticipation and heartfelt worship. Celebrate not just the miracle of His birth 2000 years ago, but the gift of His presence available to you every day—and the glorious promise of His return.
May this season be filled with wonder, inspiration, and the deep joy of walking with the One who is our greatest gift.