Advent begins on Sunday, November 29 this year, and this gentle guide will help you prepare your heart for Advent before the busiest month of the year arrives. The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. One minute it's early November, and the next the calendar is full of parties, shopping lists, and travel plans. If you'd love to make a little room for Jesus instead of rushing straight into December, these simple steps are a sweet place to start.
What Is Advent, Really?
The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which means "coming" or "arrival." It's the season of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, when Christians remember the long wait for the Messiah and look forward to the day Jesus will come again. Christianity.com has a helpful overview of the history and traditions of Advent if you'd like to learn more.
At its heart, Advent is about waiting with hope. God's people waited hundreds of years for the Savior He had promised. Then, one quiet night in Bethlehem, the promise came true:
"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." (Isaiah 9:6, KJV)
Advent invites us to slow down and remember just how good that news is.
Why Prepare Your Heart for Advent Before It Starts?
It's easy to spend the whole month of December decorating the house and forget to get our hearts ready. Just before Jesus began His public ministry, John the Baptist was sent to call people to get ready:
"Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (Mark 1:3, KJV)
A little preparation now means you won't be scrambling once the first candle is lit. You'll already have a plan, a quiet spot, and a heart that's open to what God wants to show you.
Simple Ways to Prepare Your Heart for Advent
1. Make Room in Your Calendar
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, "there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7, KJV). It's a gentle question to ask ourselves: is there room for Jesus in my December?
Before invitations start piling up, sit down with your calendar. Block out a few quiet evenings. Decide ahead of time which events truly matter to you and which ones you can lovingly decline. Saying no to one more commitment can be a way of saying yes to peace.
2. Choose a Simple Scripture Plan
You don't need a complicated reading plan. The Gospel of Luke has 24 chapters, so reading one chapter a day is a lovely way to walk through the story of Jesus' birth and life during Advent. You might also read the prophecies in Isaiah, or pick one verse a week to sit with.
If opening your Bible each day feels a bit new to you, this post on how to start reading the Bible walks you through it one small step at a time.
3. Set Up a Quiet Corner
Pick one spot in your home where you can meet with God each morning or evening. Keep your Bible, a notebook, and a pen there. If you like, set out a candle or a small Advent wreath. Having a place ready makes it easier to show up.
4. Light a Candle Each Week
Many families light a new candle on an Advent wreath each Sunday. In many churches, the four candles stand for hope, peace, joy, and love, though traditions vary. Read a short passage, say a prayer together, and let the growing light remind you of this promise:
"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:5, KJV)
5. Clear Out What Crowds Your Heart
Just as we clean house before guests arrive, Advent is a good time to tidy up our hearts. Is there a grudge you've been holding? A worry you keep turning over? A habit that keeps pulling you away from God? Bring it to Him honestly. You don't have to fix everything before Christmas. You only need to be willing to let Him in.
Learn to Wait Well
Waiting isn't something most of us enjoy. We wait in traffic, in checkout lines, and for answers to prayer that seem slow in coming. But Advent teaches us that waiting on God is never wasted time.
"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope." (Psalm 130:5, KJV)
If you're in a hard season of waiting right now, you may find comfort in this post about waiting on God in the in-between seasons. Advent reminds us that God keeps His promises, even when the wait feels long.
Ponder Like Mary
After the shepherds came and went, Scripture tells us that "Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19, KJV). She didn't rush past the moment. She held it close.
You can do the same. At the end of each day this Advent, take a few minutes to ask, "Where did I see God today?" Jot down a line or two in your notebook or prayer journal. Over four weeks, those small notes can become a beautiful record of His faithfulness.
On busy days when sitting still isn't possible, short breath prayers can keep your heart turned toward Him. Something as simple as "Come, Lord Jesus" can carry you through a crowded store or a long drive.
Be Gentle With Yourself
You might start strong and then miss a few days. The kids might get sick, or work might get busy. That's alright. Advent isn't a test you can fail. God isn't waiting for a perfect performance. He simply wants your heart.
Your Next Gentle Step
You don't need to do all of these ideas at once. Pick one or two that feel right for this season of your life. Maybe this week you'll clear a few evenings on your calendar and choose a Scripture plan. Then, when Advent begins on November 29, you'll be ready.
When you take time to prepare your heart for Advent, Christmas becomes more than a busy holiday. It becomes a celebration of the One who came for you. Make a little room, friend. He is coming, and He is worth the wait.