A 25-Day Christmas Reading Plan: December 1 to 25

Christmas is easy to rush. This plan slows it down: one short Bible reading a day from December 1 to Christmas morning, following the story the way the Bible tells it — from the first promise in Genesis, through the prophets, to a baby in Bethlehem and the reason He came.

Use it at the dinner table with kids, with a friend over text, or alone with your coffee. Five minutes is enough. If you miss a day, just pick up the next one.

Days, December 1 to 25

25

A day is enough

5 min

Advent 2026 begins

Nov 29

Christmas Day 2026

Fri

Week 1: The promise (December 1–7)

Dec 1 — Genesis 3:8–15: right after things go wrong, God promises an offspring who will crush the serpent. Dec 2 — Genesis 12:1–3: through Abraham's family, all peoples on earth will be blessed.

Dec 3 — Isaiah 9:2–7: “For to us a child is born.” Dec 4 — Isaiah 11:1–10: a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a kingdom of peace. Dec 5 — Micah 5:2–5: a ruler will come from little Bethlehem.

Dec 6 — Isaiah 40:1–11: “Comfort, comfort my people” — prepare the way for the Lord. Dec 7 — Isaiah 53:1–6: the servant who would be pierced for our transgressions.

Week 2: The announcements (December 8–14)

Dec 8 — Luke 1:5–25: an angel tells an old priest, Zechariah, that he will have a son, John. Dec 9 — Luke 1:26–38: Gabriel visits Mary. “I am the Lord's servant.”

Dec 10 — Luke 1:39–56: Mary visits Elizabeth and sings her song of praise. Dec 11 — Luke 1:57–80: John is born, and Zechariah prophesies.

Dec 12 — Matthew 1:1–17: Jesus' family tree — full of surprising names. Dec 13 — Matthew 1:18–25: an angel speaks to Joseph. “They will call him Immanuel — God with us.” Dec 14 — Isaiah 7:14: the sign Matthew points back to.

Week 3: The birth (December 15–21)

Dec 15 — Luke 2:1–7: no room, a manger, a firstborn son. Dec 16 — Luke 2:8–14: shepherds, angels and “good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Dec 17 — Luke 2:15–20: the shepherds go and see, and Mary treasures it all.

Dec 18 — Luke 2:21–40: Simeon and Anna meet the baby in the temple. Dec 19 — Matthew 2:1–12: the Magi follow the star. Dec 20 — Matthew 2:13–23: the family flees to Egypt — Christmas in a dangerous world. Dec 21 — John 1:1–5: the Word who was with God from the beginning.

Week 4: Why He came (December 22–25)

Dec 22 — John 1:9–14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Dec 23 — Philippians 2:5–11: He made Himself nothing and became a servant.

Dec 24, Christmas Eve — Luke 2:1–20: read the whole story aloud, slowly. Dec 25, Christmas Day — John 3:16–17 and 1 John 4:9–10: God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.

How to use it with family

Keep it short. Read the passage, then ask one question: What did God do here? or What would it have been like to be there? Light a candle, pray one sentence, and stop while everyone still wants more. Younger kids love acting out the story with whatever is in the house.