Advent means "coming," and its Scriptures look forward: "unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given" (Isaiah 9:6); "Prepare ye the way of the LORD" (Isaiah 40:3); "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light" (Isaiah 9:2). Advent also looks ahead to Christ's return: "unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time" (Hebrews 9:28).
Advent is the season of waiting and preparing before Christmas; in 2026 it begins on Sunday, November 29. These twelve King James passages follow Advent's themes (the promise foretold, the way prepared, and a hope that waits) while looking toward both Christ's first coming and His return. For the manger story itself, see Christmas verses. Want a daily rhythm? Our free 25-day Advent Scripture reading plan gives you one short KJV reading a day from December 1 to Christmas Day.
The promise foretold
1. Genesis 3:15
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
Often called the first gospel. Right after the fall, God promised a seed of the woman who would crush the serpent's head. Advent begins here, with a promise.
2. Isaiah 9:6
"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."
Seven centuries before Bethlehem, Isaiah named the coming child: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Advent waits for this King.
3. Isaiah 11:1-2
"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;"
From the stump of Jesse, David's family line cut down, a Branch would grow, filled with the spirit of the LORD. Hope rises out of what looked finished.
4. Jeremiah 23:5
"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."
God promised a righteous Branch from David who would reign with justice. Advent longs for the King who sets things right.
Prepare the way
5. Isaiah 40:3
"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."
A voice in the wilderness calls for the way of the LORD to be prepared. The Gospels apply this to John the Baptist (Matthew 3:3). Advent asks: what needs straightening in my heart?
6. Malachi 3:1
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts."
The last book of the Old Testament promises a messenger and then the Lord coming suddenly to His temple. Then came about four hundred quiet years, Israel's long Advent.
7. Isaiah 9:2
"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."
Light breaks into deep darkness. Many churches light one more Advent candle each week to picture this growing light.
8. Luke 1:78-79
"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."
Zacharias sang of "the dayspring from on high," the sunrise, visiting those in darkness to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Waiting in hope for His coming
9. Romans 15:13
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."
The God of hope fills us with joy and peace. Hope, peace, and joy are traditional Advent candle themes, and all three come from Him.
10. Isaiah 60:1
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee."
Arise, shine; for thy light is come. Advent turns waiting into readiness: getting up to reflect His light.
11. Luke 1:68
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,"
Zacharias's song begins with praise that God has visited and redeemed His people. Advent celebrates a God who comes near.
12. Hebrews 9:28
"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."
Advent faces two directions: remembering His first coming and looking for His second. Christ will appear again "unto salvation" for those who look for Him.
A short prayer
Lord God, as Advent comes, quiet my heart to wait for You. Thank You for keeping every promise, from Eden to Bethlehem. Prepare the way in me, shine Your light into my darkness, and fill me with hope, peace, joy, and love. Keep me ready for the day You come again. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Get the free 25-day Advent reading plan · Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
What does Advent mean?
Advent comes from the Latin adventus, "coming." It is the four Sundays before Christmas, when Christians prepare to celebrate Christ's birth and look forward to His return.
When does Advent start in 2026?
Advent 2026 begins on Sunday, November 29, and runs until Christmas Eve.
What are the four themes of Advent?
Many churches use hope, peace, joy, and love for the four candles; some traditions use prophecy, Bethlehem, shepherds, and angels. Romans 15:13 ties hope, joy, and peace together.
Is Advent in the Bible?
The word and the church season are not, but its themes are: the prophets' promises of a coming King (Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2) and the call to look for His return (Hebrews 9:28).
Is there a free Advent Bible reading plan?
Yes. Our free printable 25-day Advent Scripture reading plan (KJV, US Letter and A4) gives one reading, key verse, and reflection question for each day from December 1 to 25.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about Christmas · Free Advent reading plan · Bible verses about hope · Bible verses about light · Bible verses that say Jesus is God · Bible verses about peace
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
