Advent means arrival. The four weeks before Christmas are a time of waiting – for the festival, but actually for Christ himself. Here you will find 19 Bible verses for Advent: the great prophetic promises that are read during Advent, and verses about expectation, silence, and preparation. For Advent calendars, Advent wreath devotionals, or cards.
Waiting for the Light
Prophetic verses that are read during Advent.
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The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; and it will shine brightly on those who dwell in the land of darkness.
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For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government is upon his shoulder; and his name is Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
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And you, Bethlehem Ephrata, though you are the least among the cities of Judah, out of you shall come unto me he that is called to be Lord in Israel, whose going forth hath been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:1Messiah
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And there shall be a voice in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God!
Isaiah 40:3Prophecy
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And there shall come forth a rod from the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall bring forth fruit from his roots, upon which the Spirit of the Lord shall rest.
Isaiah 11:1-2aMessiah
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Behold, the time cometh, saith the Lord, when I will raise up unto David a righteous Branch, which shall be a King, and shall reign with equity, and shall do justice and righteousness in the land.
Jeremiah 23:5Messiah
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But you, O daughter of Zion, rejoice greatly; and you, O daughter of Jerusalem, shout for joy: behold, your King cometh, righteous and having salvation in his arms, and riding upon an ass's colt, and upon a young colt of a she-ass.
Zechariah 9:9Palm SundayMessiah
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Prepare yourself, be ready! for behold, your light cometh, and the glory of the Lord shall arise upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth.
Isaiah 60:1-2aLight
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But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise, and under his wings shall ye trust.
Preparing
Verses about expectation, silence, and watchfulness.
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Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; that the King of Glory may come in!
Psalm 24:7Praise
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And because we know this, namely, that the time is now to arise from sleep—for behold, our salvation is now nigh, because we believed; the night is far spent, and the day is at hand.
Romans 13:11-12aReturn
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But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31EncouragementBaptismal verses
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Through the great mercy of our God, by which the morning arose from the east, to shine upon them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to direct our feet into the way of peace.
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I wait upon the Lord; my soul waiteth upon him, and I hope in his word.
Psalm 130:5Patience
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Rejoice always in the Lord: and be not sorrowful. Let your meekness be known unto all men: the Lord is nigh!
Philippians 4:4-5Joy
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Be ye patient, and strengthen your hearts; for the time of the Lord is nigh.
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Prepare the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight!
Luke 3:4bRepentance
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It is written, and he that testifieth it saith, Surely, I come quickly. Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20Return
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
Related Topics
This goes well with it
Advent is the anticipation of what comes from heaven. These four pieces fit the season of waiting – and under the Christmas tree.
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Where the Advent verses come from
Most classic Advent verses come from the prophet Isaiah. Centuries before Jesus' birth, he prophesies a light for a people in darkness (Isaiah 9:1), a child named "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:5), and a new shoot from the stem of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1). Micah 5:1 even names Bethlehem as the birthplace. Christians read these promises during Advent because they see their fulfillment in Jesus. Psalm 24:7 – "Lift up your heads, O ye gates" – is known by many as an Advent hymn.
Advent as a time of waiting
Advent is not only a look back at Bethlehem, but also a look forward: The New Testament speaks of Christ's return (James 5:8; Revelation 22:20). That is why verses about patience, silence, and watchfulness also belong to the Advent season. A beautiful ritual: choose a verse for each Advent Sunday and read it aloud when lighting the candle. For the festival days themselves, it continues with Bible verses for Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible passages are read during Advent?
Traditionally, especially Isaiah 9, 11, 40 and 60, Micah 5, Zechariah 9:9 and Psalm 24. In the New Testament, the song of praise of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79) and texts about the return of Christ are also included.
Which Bible verse is suitable for an Advent calendar?
Short verses work best, for example Isaiah 9:1, Psalm 24:7, Philippians 4:4 ("Rejoice always in the Lord") or John 1:5 about the light in the darkness.
