26 Advent Bible Verses

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 KJV

The sign is given to Ahaz, a king of Judah shaken by an alliance of enemies, and it is an unexpected sign: not an army but a child, whose name, Immanuel, means God with us. Matthew's Gospel applies the verse to the birth of Jesus, and much Christian reading of Isaiah follows it. Scholars also discuss how the sign spoke to Ahaz's own day. Either way, Advent stands inside the hope that God's answer to fear is his presence.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Isaiah 9:2 ESV

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah 9:2 KJV

A great light is seen by people who walked in darkness and lived in a land of deep shadow. Isaiah speaks of it as though it has already happened, a way the prophets sometimes speak of what God has promised. Matthew's Gospel sees it fulfilled when Jesus begins preaching in Galilee. For anyone whose December feels dim, the verse does not deny the darkness. It says the light came to people living in it.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV

A child born, a son given, with the government on his shoulder and names that stretch language: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The KJV punctuates the first title differently, but the weight is the same. The promise is a kingdom on David's throne, upheld with justice and righteousness, with no end to its peace. The passage credits all of it to the zeal of the LORD of hosts, not to human effort.

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 11:1-2 ESV

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Isaiah 11:1-2 KJV

A shoot comes from the stump of Jesse, the father of King David. A stump is what is left when a tree has been cut down, so the image suggests a royal line that looks finished and is not. The Spirit of the LORD rests on this coming ruler, bringing wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Advent hope often looks like this: green growth where everything seemed dead.

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’

Jeremiah 23:5-6 ESV

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 KJV

In the same chapter Jeremiah condemns shepherds who scattered God's flock, and alongside that judgment comes a promise. God will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a king who reigns wisely and does justice and righteousness in the land, and he will be called The LORD is our righteousness. Readers who have been let down by leaders find here a ruler of a different kind, and a name that, read one way, places righteousness in God rather than in the king's own record.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Micah 5:2 ESV

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Micah 5:2 KJV

Bethlehem Ephrathah is described as too small to count for much among the clans of Judah, yet from it will come a ruler whose origins are from of old, from ancient days. Matthew's Gospel records the chief priests and scribes citing this passage when Herod asks where the Christ is to be born. God's purpose runs through a place most people would overlook, and Advent keeps noticing that pattern.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Isaiah 40:1-5 ESV

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Isaiah 40:1-5 KJV

God tells his messengers to comfort his people, twice over, and to speak tenderly to Jerusalem, whose warfare is ended and whose iniquity is pardoned. A voice calls for a highway for the LORD through the wilderness, valleys raised and mountains brought low. All four Gospels connect that voice with John the Baptist. Preparation for Advent begins here, not as an effort to impress God, but as clearing room for a God who is already coming with comfort.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

Psalm 130:5-6 ESV

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

Psalm 130:5-6 KJV

In a psalm that cries to God out of the depths, the writer waits for the LORD with the whole soul, hoping in his word, more than watchmen wait for the morning. The picture is of someone on duty through the night who knows dawn is coming but cannot make it come sooner. That is close to what Advent asks: alert and honest waiting that trusts the morning without pretending it has already arrived.

but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

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; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 KJV

The ESV speaks of those who wait for the LORD, the KJV of those who wait upon him, and both promise renewed strength: rising on wings like eagles, running without growing weary, walking without fainting. In the same chapter Isaiah addresses people who feel their way is hidden from God. The promise is not that the waiting will be short, but that strength is given to those who keep waiting on him.

The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:25-26 ESV

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:25-26 KJV

The voice in Lamentations has seen Jerusalem fall, and amid that grief it says the LORD is good to those who wait for him and seek him, and that it is good to wait quietly for his salvation. Quiet here is not the same as cheerful. It sounds like the patience of someone who has run out of words and still expects God to act. Advent has room for that kind of waiting too.

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—

Isaiah 64:1 ESV

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

Isaiah 64:1 KJV

A raw prayer that God would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would tremble at his presence. It belongs to a lament from people who feel God has been silent and far away. Some church calendars set it for Advent, and it gives a reader permission to want more of God than they are seeing and to say so plainly. Christians hear an answer in the birth of Jesus, though it came far more quietly than the prayer imagines.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation

Luke 2:25-30 ESV

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Luke 2:25-30 KJV

Simeon is described as righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit had revealed that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ. When Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple, Simeon takes the child in his arms and blesses God, saying he can now depart in peace because he has seen God's salvation. Faithful waiting is answered by a baby, and for Simeon that is enough.

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Luke 1:30-33 ESV

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Luke 1:30-33 KJV

The angel Gabriel tells Mary not to be afraid, because she has found favour with God, and that she will bear a son and name him Jesus. He will be called Son of the Most High, given the throne of his father David, and his kingdom will have no end. The promises of Isaiah and Jeremiah gather into one announcement to one person in Nazareth. Mary's response, in the same passage, includes an honest question, and the angel answers it.

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:21-23 ESV

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Matthew 1:21-23 KJV

An angel speaks to Joseph in a dream and tells him to name the child Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. The name is the Greek form of Joshua, usually explained as meaning the LORD saves. Matthew also connects the birth with Isaiah's sign of Immanuel, God with us. Two names, two sides of Advent: God comes to rescue, and God comes to be present.

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Luke 1:46-55 ESV

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Luke 1:46-55 KJV

Mary's song, often called the Magnificat, praises God for looking on her humble estate and doing great things for her. Then it widens: God scatters the proud, brings down the mighty from their thrones, lifts up the humble, fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty. Advent can look soft on a greeting card. In Mary's song the coming of God overturns the world's rankings, and that is good news for anyone overlooked.

because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:78-79 ESV

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1:78-79 KJV

Zechariah had been unable to speak since doubting the angel's message, and when his voice returns he praises God. He describes God's tender mercy as a sunrise from on high, the KJV's dayspring, visiting those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, and guiding their feet into the way of peace. The light here is not only beautiful; it has a direction. It leads somewhere, and where it leads is peace.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 ESV

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 KJV

Shepherds keeping watch over their flock at night hear an angel tell them not to be afraid, because he brings good news of great joy for all the people. A Saviour has been born that day in the city of David, Christ the Lord. The announcement goes to working people in a field rather than to a palace, and the joy is said to be for all the people, which leaves no one outside it.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5 ESV

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:5 KJV

John describes a light that shines in the darkness. The ESV says the darkness has not overcome it; the KJV says the darkness comprehended it not. The Greek word can carry both senses, seizing and grasping, and both are worth hearing. The verse does not claim the darkness has gone. It claims the light is still shining in it, which is a sturdier hope for a hard winter than pretending everything is bright.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 KJV

The Word who was with God became flesh and dwelt among us, and those who saw him beheld his glory, full of grace and truth. Many readers hear in the word dwelt an echo of the tent where God's presence lived among Israel in the wilderness. Advent is not only about God sending help from a distance. In this verse God takes on a human life, with all its limits, and lives it among us.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4-5 ESV

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Galatians 4:4-5 KJV

Paul says that when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman and born under the law, to redeem those under the law so that they might receive adoption. The fullness of time suggests the timing was God's and not an accident, though Paul does not explain why that moment. For anyone tired of waiting, it is a reminder that God keeps time even when we cannot read the clock.

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Philippians 2:6-7 ESV

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Philippians 2:6-7 KJV

Christ, though he was in the form of God, did not treat equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself, or in the KJV made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant and being born in human likeness. Paul writes this to urge humility among believers, asking them to share the same mind. Here the incarnation is not only a doctrine to admire but a pattern for how to treat other people this December.

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Romans 13:11-12 ESV

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Romans 13:11-12 KJV

Paul tells his readers it is time to wake from sleep, because salvation is nearer now than when they first believed. The night is far gone and the day is at hand, so they are to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. Advent looks back to a birth and forward to a day that has not yet come. This passage leans forward, and treats that hope as a reason to live awake now.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Titus 2:11-13 ESV

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:11-13 KJV

Two appearings sit in these verses. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation and training believers to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. And believers wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Advent holds both: what has already come and what is still awaited, with ordinary faithful living in the space between them.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9 ESV

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9 KJV

In the same chapter the letter answers scoffers who ask what happened to the promise of Christ's coming. The reply is that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day, and that the Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness. He is patient, not wishing that any should perish. Read this way, the delay is not neglect but mercy, which changes how the waiting feels.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:3-4 ESV

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21:3-4 KJV

A loud voice announces that God's dwelling place is with people, that he will live among them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death, mourning, crying and pain will be no more. Advent is often described as a season of longing, and this is what it longs for: not an escape from the world but God making his home in it, and the end of every grief this season can make sharper.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:20 ESV

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:20 KJV

The one who testifies to these things says he is coming soon, and the response is a brief prayer of agreement asking the Lord Jesus to come. It may be one of the simplest prayers in Scripture, and it suits Advent well. It can be prayed in a full church or a hospital corridor, with great faith or very little. It asks for the one thing every other Advent hope depends on.