Advent is the church's countdown to Christmas — four weeks of anticipation, reflection, and preparation. Each week carries a traditional theme that builds toward the celebration of Christ's birth.
Week 1: Hope — The Promise
Passages: Isaiah 9:2-7, Romans 15:12-13, Jeremiah 33:14-16. The first candle is lit in anticipation. Preach hope not as wishful thinking but as confident expectation rooted in God's character. Israel waited centuries — and God delivered.
Light the first Advent candle during the sermon, not before it. Let the moment of lighting illustrate the sermon's climax.
Week 2: Peace — The Preparation
Passages: Isaiah 40:1-5, Luke 3:1-6, Philippians 4:6-7. John the Baptist prepares the way. Peace in Advent isn't the absence of chaos — it's the presence of God in the midst of it. Address the stress and busyness that robs December of its meaning.
Week 3: Joy — The Proclamation
Passages: Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 1:46-55, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24. Mary sings the Magnificat. Joy is deeper than happiness — it persists through difficulty because it's rooted in who God is, not in circumstances.
Week 4: Love — The Fulfillment
Passages: Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:39-45, Romans 8:38-39. Love arrives in a manger. God's love is not abstract theology — it has a name, a face, and tiny human hands. This week sets the stage for Christmas Eve.
Practical Planning Tips
- Begin Advent series planning by October at the latest
- Coordinate with children's ministry for Advent activities
- Use consistent visual branding across all four weeks
- Plan a Christmas Eve service that concludes the series arc
- Consider a "reverse Advent calendar" — giving one item per day to a food bank