When does Advent start?

On the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which always falls between November 27 and December 3. In 2026 it is November 29, and in 2027 it is November 28.

What are the themes of the four weeks of Advent?

Many churches use hope, peace, joy and love, one for each candle of the Advent wreath. Some traditions use different names or a different order, and this plan follows the most common one.

What if Christmas comes before I finish week 4?

The fourth week of Advent has between one and seven days. On December 25, move to the Christmas Day verse and leave the rest of week 4.

Advent Scripture Writing Plan: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love

Advent is the season of waiting before Christmas. It starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25 and lasts between 22 and 28 days. This plan gives you one verse a day to write out by hand, with a theme for each week. It is not tied to one year, so you can use it again next Advent.

How to use this plan

Start on the first Sunday of Advent with Week 1, Day 1.
Write one verse a day, in any translation you like. Read the verses around it first.
Under the verse, write one line about the week’s theme.
On December 25, move to the Christmas Day verse, even if you have not reached Day 7 of week 4.
Missed a day? Pick up at today’s verse. There is no need to catch up.

When Advent starts

Year	First Sunday of Advent	Christmas Day	Days in week 4
2026	November 29	Friday	5
2027	November 28	Saturday	6
2028	December 3	Monday	1
2029	December 2	Tuesday	2
2030	December 1	Wednesday	3

Week 1: Hope

The prophets promised a child, a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and God’s people waited for Him.

Day	Verse
Day 1 (Sun)	Isaiah 7:14
Day 2	Isaiah 11:1
Day 3	Jeremiah 33:14
Day 4	Psalm 33:20
Day 5	Psalm 62:5
Day 6	Hebrews 10:23
Day 7	Titus 2:13

Week 2: Peace

Peace between nations, peace with God, and the peace Jesus gives to His disciples.

Day	Verse
Day 1 (Sun)	Isaiah 2:4
Day 2	Isaiah 32:17
Day 3	Isaiah 52:7
Day 4	John 16:33
Day 5	Philippians 4:7
Day 6	Colossians 1:19–20
Day 7	Psalm 29:11

Week 3: Joy

From Isaiah’s songs to the wise men who rejoiced when they saw the star.

Day	Verse
Day 1 (Sun)	Isaiah 61:10
Day 2	Psalm 30:5
Day 3	Isaiah 55:12
Day 4	Luke 1:44
Day 5	Philippians 4:4
Day 6	Psalm 96:11
Day 7	Matthew 2:10

Week 4: Love

God’s everlasting love, shown when He sent His Son. This week is often cut short by Christmas.

Day	Verse
Day 1 (Sun)	Jeremiah 31:3
Day 2	1 John 4:16
Day 3	Ephesians 2:4–5
Day 4	Romans 8:38–39
Day 5	John 15:13
Day 6	1 John 4:19
Day 7	Titus 3:4–5

Christmas Day

On December 25, write out the verse that tells of the birth itself:

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7, BSB)

If you have time, read Luke 2:1–20 before you write.

A dated plan for December 2026

If you would rather follow the calendar, the December 2026 scripture writing plan has a verse for every date in December, including the week after Christmas. None of its verses repeat this plan.

Print a page

Use the free lined scripture writing page, or the SOAP page if you would like space for a short reflection each day.

Or write it in the app

Penned Grace lets you handwrite each verse on iPhone, iPad or Android with Apple Pencil or your finger. Your handwriting stays in the passage, and the calendar keeps a mark for every day you wrote.

The app also has its own Advent plan, Advent in 28 Days, and it is free. It uses different verses from the plan on this page, from Isaiah’s promises to the birth of Jesus, and it remembers which day you are on. Open the Plans tab and choose it on the first Sunday of Advent.