A common approach for a four-week Advent study involves dedicating one week to each of the following themes, often aligned with the lighting of candles on an Advent wreath:
December 1
- Hope: The first week’s theme, “Hope,” reflects on the anticipation of the Messiah and God’s promises of redemption found in Old Testament prophecies, particularly from the book of Isaiah. It is about a steadfast trust in God’s faithfulness, even in times of darkness or uncertainty.
Romans 8:18-25
18-21 That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
22-25 All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
December 8
Peace: Celebrated during the second week, “Peace” focuses on the reconciliation and wholeness (shalom) that Jesus brings to the world. Study can center on Jesus as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and how believers are called to be peacemakers in their daily lives.
Philippians 4:4-7
4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
December 15
Joy: The third week (known as Gaudete Sunday in some traditions) emphasizes “Joy” in anticipation of Christ’s imminent arrival. This is a profound, resilient gladness rooted in God’s presence, going beyond mere happiness. Scripture from Luke’s Nativity account, such as the angel’s announcement to the shepherds, is often used.
1 Peter 1:6-9
6-7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
8-9 You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation.
Romans 8:18-21
18-21 That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
December 22
Love: The final week’s theme, “Love,” highlights God’s immense love for humanity in sending his Son. The study can explore biblical passages like John 3:16 and 1 John 4:7-12, encouraging participants to embody God’s self-giving love through acts of compassion and kindness.
Matthew 22:37-40
37-40 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”
Sunday lectionary readings for Advent
1st Sunday of Advent
- Isaiah 2:1-5
- Psalm 122
- Romans 13:11-14
- Matthew 24:36-44
2nd Sunday of Advent
- Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
- Romans 15:4-13
- Luke 3:2-6
3rd Sunday of Advent
- Isaiah 35:1-10
- James 5:7-10
- Luke 1:39-45
4th Sunday of Advent
- Isaiah 7:10-16
- Romans 1:1-7
- Luke 1:46-55