Recommended Reading for Advent

Yesterday marked the beginning of the Advent season. This is a sacred time in the church year that always starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and concludes on Christmas Eve. For centuries, Christians around the world have used these weeks not merely to anticipate a holiday, but to prepare their hearts by contemplating both comings of Christ: His first coming in humility at Bethlehem, and His second coming in glory at the end of the age. Advent invites us to slow down, focus on Christ, and look forward in hope to His glorious return. Below, you’ll find several book recommendations (in no particular order) to help guide your meditation during this season. Also included is a very short Bible reading plan for the month.

Books For Advent

1. Christmas Thoughts – J.C. Ryle

   Ryle offers warm, pastoral reflections on the wonder of Christ’s incarnation and the meaning of Christmas. He urges believers to meditate on the humility of Jesus’ birth and the necessity of responding with faith and obedience.

   
   

2. The Glory of Christ – John Owen

   Owen unfolds the beauty, majesty, and transforming power of beholding Christ by faith. He argues that spiritual life and joy flow from fixing our minds and hearts on the person of Jesus.

   
   

3. Love Came Down at Christmas – Sinclair Ferguson

   Ferguson meditates on 1 Corinthians 13 through the lens of Advent, showing how divine love is revealed in Christ’s coming. Each short reading helps believers grow in Christ-like love as they celebrate His birth.

   
   

4. The Advent of Glory – R.C. Sproul

   Sproul traces the themes of the incarnation, prophecy, and redemption, showing how Christ’s coming fulfills God’s eternal plan. He helps readers see Christmas as the dawn of God’s glory entering the world.

   
   

5. What Did the Cross Achieve? – J.I. Packer

   Packer explains the meaning and purpose of Christ’s atoning death with clarity and theological precision. He argues that substitutionary atonement is the heart of the gospel and the foundation of Christian assurance.

   
   

6. Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus – Nancy Guthrie

   This collection gathers Advent writings from various pastors and theologians to help readers reflect on Christ’s first and second coming. Each chapter highlights a different biblical theme of longing, promise, and fulfillment.

   
   

7. 25 Readings for Advent – J.C. Ryle

   Ryle provides simple, Scripture-rich daily readings to prepare believers for Christmas. His focus is on personal holiness, genuine faith, and the centrality of Christ’s saving work.

   
   

8. The Fountain of Life – John Flavel

   Flavel presents fifty rich meditations on Christ’s person and work, emphasizing His glory, love, and redeeming grace. He draws readers into deeper worship through vivid portraits of Christ’s incarnation, life, death, and exaltation.

   
   

9. On the Incarnation – Athanasius

   Athanasius defends the full deity of Christ and explains why the Word became flesh for our salvation. He shows that only the God-man could destroy death, restore humanity, and renew creation.

   
   

10. The Cross of Christ – John Stott

    Stott gives a masterful explanation of the necessity, meaning, and power of the cross. He demonstrates that Christ’s self-substitution is the center of God’s love and the heart of Christian discipleship.

    
    

11. Knowing Christ – Mark Jones

    Jones explores the person and work of Jesus with Puritan richness and pastoral clarity. He highlights Christ’s graces, emotions, and offices to help believers love Him more deeply.

    
    

12. Cur Deus Homo (Why God Became Man) – Anselm

    Anselm argues logically and biblically that only a divine-human mediator could make satisfaction for sin. His classic work lays the foundation for understanding the necessity of the incarnation.

    
    

13. The Bruised Reed – Richard Sibbes

    Sibbes offers tender encouragement to struggling believers by showing Christ’s gentleness toward the weak. He portrays Jesus as the Savior who never breaks the bruised reed but heals and restores.

    
    

14. God the Son Incarnate – Stephen J. Wellum

    Wellum provides a thorough, scholarly treatment of the person of Christ, defending orthodox Christology against modern challenges. He integrates biblical, historical, and systematic theology to explain why the incarnation is essential to the gospel.

    
    

15. Child in the Manger – Sinclair Ferguson

    Ferguson offers short devotional reflections on the meaning of Christ’s birth, rooted in Scripture and rich theology. He shows how the incarnation reveals God’s grace and calls for joyful faith and worship.

Advent Bible Reading Plan

Week 1 — Promise

1. Genesis 3:14–15 — The first gospel promise

2. Isaiah 7:10–14 — A virgin shall conceive

3. Isaiah 9:1–7 — A child is born, Mighty God

4. Micah 5:1–5 — The ruler from Bethlehem

5. Isaiah 11:1–10 — The shoot from Jesse

6. Jeremiah 23:1–6 — The righteous Branch

7. Psalm 130 — Waiting for redemption

Week 2 — Preparation

8. Isaiah 40:1–5 — Prepare the way of the Lord

9. Malachi 3:1–4 — The messenger of the covenant

10. Luke 1:5–25 — John’s birth foretold

11. Luke 1:26–38 — The annunciation

12. Luke 1:39–56 — Mary’s song

13. Luke 1:57–80 — John is born

14. Mark 1:1–8 — John prepares the way

Week 3 — Joy

15. Matthew 1:18–25 — Birth of Christ foretold

16. Luke 2:1–7 — Christ is born

17. Luke 2:8–20 — Good news of great joy

18. Matthew 2:1–12 — The Magi come

19. Matthew 2:13–23 — The child preserved

20. John 1:1–14 — The Word became flesh

21. Galatians 4:4–7 — Born of a woman, to redeem

Week 4 — Hope

22. Titus 2:11–14 — Grace has appeared

23. Hebrews 1:1–4 — The Son who reveals God

24. Revelation 1:12–18 — The risen and reigning Christ

    
    

Christmas Day

25. Luke 2:1–20 (re-read) — Glory to God in the highest