Our Advent calendar

Come back every day to read a different part of the Christmas story.

18th December

The Announcement to the Shepherds

Out in the fields near Bethlehem, shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks at night. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, filling them with terror. The angel quickly calmed them, saying, "Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord." The angel gave them the sign: they would find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Today, read these verses from the Gospel of Luke 2:8-12.

A passage of promise:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
(Taken from the Gospel of John 3:16)

Prayer for the day:

God of great surprises, thank you for choosing the humble shepherds as the first to hear the good news. Help us to share your good news with joy, and may your glorious light banish every fear in our hearts.

Amen.

17th December

Swaddling clothes and the manger

Following his birth, Mary wrapped her baby in cloths, a standard practice of the time, and laid him in a manger, which was a feed trough for the animals. The manger served as the child's first crib. This detail is significant, as it further emphasises the humble, unassuming nature of Jesus’s arrival. The sign given to the shepherds later would be this very detail: a baby lying in a feeding trough, a symbol of the spiritual food and sustenance he would one day offer the world.

A passage of promise:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.
(Taken from the book of Isaiah 53:5)

Prayer for the day:

Lord, help us to understand the deep meaning behind the simple symbols of your birth. May we always find spiritual nourishment and healing by focusing on your saving work, from the manger to the cross.

Amen.

16th December

The birth of Jesus Christ

While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for the baby to be born. Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. This was the moment that fulfilled centuries of prophecy: the Incarnation. The eternal Word became flesh, God became man, and the Saviour of the world entered human history. This miraculous birth was the physical manifestation of God's immense love for humanity.

Today, reflect on the Gospel of Luke 2:6-7.

A Passage of Promise:

And the word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
(Taken from John 1:14)

Prayer for the day:

Joyful God, fill our hearts with the wonder and awe of the Nativity. Thank you for the incomparable gift of your Son, Jesus, who brought light and hope into a world of darkness.

Amen.

15th December

No Room at the Inn

Due to the lack of space in Bethlehem, the best lodging that could be found for Mary and Joseph was a place used for animals - likely a stable, a cave, or a lower floor of a home where livestock were kept at night. This humble setting stands in stark contrast to the birth of any earthly king. The Son of God, who spoke the universe into existence, was born not in a palace, but in a place of dirt, straw, and quiet desperation.

Today, reflect on this verse from the Gospel of Luke 2:7.

A passage of promise:

The foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
(Taken from the Gospel of Matthew 8:20)

Daily Prayer:

Humble King, thank you for your willingness to embrace poverty and discomfort for our sake. Help us to seek greatness not in earthly wealth or recognition, but in serving others with humble hearts.

Amen.

14th December

Arrival in Bethlehem

Joseph and Mary finally arrived in the small town of Bethlehem, the ancestral city of David. However, because of the census, the town was severely overcrowded. Every available room, whether in the main lodging houses or in the private homes where travellers typically stayed, was completely full. The tired couple could find no hospitable place to rest and prepare for the imminent birth.

Today, read from the Gospel of Luke 2:6-7.

A passage of promise:

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.
(Matthew 2:6)

Daily Prayer:

Lord, when we feel overwhelmed or rejected, remind us that you chose to enter our world amidst noise and lack of space. Help us clear the clutter in our own lives to make proper room for you.

Amen.

13th December

The Journey to Bethlehem

Because Joseph belonged to the house and line of David, he had to make the difficult journey from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. He travelled with Mary, who was now very near the time for her baby to be born. This journey would have been arduous, especially for a woman in her advanced state of pregnancy, highlighting the physical hardship and vulnerability that surrounded the coming of the King of Kings.

Today, read the Gospel of Luke 2:4-5.

A passage of promise:

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Taken from the Book of Isaiah 9:6)

Prayer for the day:

God of the traveller, be with all those whose journeys are difficult or dangerous this season. Give us compassion for the vulnerable, and help us remember that your Son walked a hard road to bring salvation to us.

Amen.

12th December

The Decree for the Census

As the time for Jesus's birth drew near, a political event set the stage for the prophecy to be fulfilled in the exact place foretold. Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. All people were required to go to their own town to register. This worldwide order, unknowingly to the Emperor, was the divine instrument used to move Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Today, read the Gospel of Luke 2:1-3.

A Passage of Promise:

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will.
(Taken from the book of Proverbs 21:1)

Prayer for the day:

Sovereign Lord, we recognise that you are at work even in the grand movements of nations and history. Help us to trust that your ultimate purpose cannot be thwarted by any human government or worldly power.

Amen.

11th December

Joseph's Obedience and Faith

Joseph woke up from the dream and immediately acted upon the Lord's command. He did exactly what the angel had told him to do: he took Mary home as his wife. This act was one of deep faith and obedience. He put aside his own reputation and personal plans to fulfil God's divine purpose. However, Joseph honoured Mary's unique role. His faithful protection ensured the safety and integrity of the Christ child's lineage and upbringing.

Today, read the Gospel of Matthew 1:22-25.

A passage of promise:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
(Taken from the book of Proverbs 3:5-6)

Prayer for the day:

God of faithfulness, we praise you for the quiet, strong obedience of Joseph. Give us the wisdom to trust you completely, even when your plan deviates from our own expectations, and the strength to follow your direction without hesitation.

Amen.

10th December

The Annunciation to Joseph

In Nazareth, Joseph, who was a righteous man, discovered that Mary was pregnant. Because he did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he planned to divorce her quietly. As he considered this difficult path, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel reassured Joseph, explaining that the child conceived in Mary was from the Holy Spirit, and that he should not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The angel revealed that the child would save his people from their sins, fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Emmanuel, "God is with us."

Today, read the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-21.

A Passage of Promise:

‘Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means ‘God is with us’.
(Taken from the Gospel of Matthew 1:23)

Prayer for the day:

God of clarity, thank you for guiding Joseph through his fear and uncertainty. When we face decisions that cause us worry or confusion, send your light and guidance to us in our quiet moments, reassuring us of your presence.

Amen.

9th December

Zechariah's Prophecy (The Benedictus)

After regaining his speech, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and uttered a beautiful prophecy, the Benedictus. He praised God for coming to redeem his people and for raising up a horn of salvation in the house of David. He prophesied that his son, John, would be called a prophet of the Most High, who would go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, and to guide their feet into the path of peace.

Today, read the Gospel of Luke 1:67-80.

A Passage of Promise:

Because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
(Taken from the Gospel of Luke 1:78-79)

Prayer for the day:

Prince of Peace, we thank you for the gift of your salvation and the knowledge of forgiveness. Lead us by your Holy Spirit today, guiding our thoughts and actions toward the path of peace and reconciliation.

Amen.

8th December

The Birth of John the Baptist

When the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and relatives shared her joy. On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they intended to name him Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth insisted, "No! He is to be called John." When they signed to his mute father, Zechariah, he wrote on a tablet, "His name is John." Immediately, Zechariah could speak again, and his first words were praise to God, confirming the truth of the angel's original prophecy.

Today, read the Gospel of Luke 1:57-66.

A passage of promise:

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
(Taken from the Gospel of John 1:6-7)

Prayer for the day:

God who makes all things new, thank you for the voice of John, the one who prepared the way for Jesus. Open our ears to hear the call to repentance and readiness, that we may be prepared for the full light of Christ.

Amen.

7th December

Mary's Song (The Magnificat)

In response to Elizabeth's blessed recognition, Mary burst forth in a song of praise known as the Magnificat. Her song was revolutionary, praising God for looking upon her lowliness, proclaiming that God is mighty, and declaring that he lifts up the humble but brings down the powerful. It was a song steeped in tradition and prophecy, foretelling the radical reversal of the world's power structure that Christ's coming would inaugurate. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months before returning home to Nazareth.

Today, read the Gospel of Luke 1:46-56

A Passage of Promise:

My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowly state of his servant."
(Taken from the Gospel of Luke 1:46-48)

Prayer for the day:

Loving God, help us to remember your deep concern for the humble and the marginalised. May our hearts overflow with praise for your mercy, and may our lives reflect the justice and humility you bring to the world through your Son.

Amen.

6th December

The visit to Elizabeth

Soon after her divine encounter, Mary quickly travelled to the town in the hill country of Judea where Elizabeth and Zechariah lived. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb (John) leaped for joy. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth called out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." She recognised Mary as the mother of her Lord, a moment of profound recognition between the two women and their unborn children.

Today, read the Gospel of Luke 1:39-45

A passage of promise:

A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God."
(Taken from the book of Isaiah 40:3)

Daily Prayer:

God of connection, thank you for the joy of sharing faith with others, just as Mary and Elizabeth shared their wonder. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so that our actions and words bring recognition and joy to those who encounter Jesus in us.

Amen.

5th December

Mary's acceptance and humility

Confused but obedient, Mary asked the angel how this could be, since she was a virgin. Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. He also confirmed Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy as proof that "nothing is impossible with God." Mary's response was one of profound humility and faith: "Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." With her humble acceptance, the most pivotal event in human history was set in motion.

Today, read the Gospel of Luke 1:34-38.

A passage of promise:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.
(Taken from St Paul's letter to the Hebrews 4:15)

Prayer for the day:

Lord Jesus, grant us the trusting, obedient heart of Mary. Help us to surrender our own understanding and plans, and to declare our readiness to be your servants, trusting that your power will accomplish what we cannot.

Amen.

4th December

The Annunciation

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary, who was pledged to be married to a man named Joseph. Gabriel greeted her, saying, "Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you." Gabriel then delivered the astonishing message: she would conceive and give birth to a son, and she was to call him Jesus. He would be great and would be called the Son of the Most High, and his kingdom would have no end.

The Gospel of Luke 1:26-33

A passage of promise:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.
(Taken from Isaiah 7:14)

Prayer for the day:

Almighty God, we stand in awe of Mary’s favour and the incredible calling you placed upon her. Help us to find favour in your eyes and to be willing vessels for your perfect plan, even when it seems impossible or overwhelming.

Amen.

3rd December

Elizabeth conceives in her old age

After Zechariah returned home, his wife Elizabeth did indeed become pregnant, just as the angel had promised. She remained in seclusion for five months, recognising the miracle God had performed for her, as she had long been considered unable to have children. Elizabeth praised God for removing her disgrace, knowing her child was a gift from the Lord and a sign that God was beginning to move to fulfil his ancient promises to Israel.

Today, read the Gospel of Luke 1:24-25

A passage of promise:

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
(Taken from Psalm 145, verse 18)

Prayer for the day:

God of miracles, thank you for showing your power in the life of Elizabeth, proving that you act in unexpected ways. Help us to recognise the miracles, both great and small, that you work in our own lives each day.

Amen.

2nd December

The announcement to Zechariah

Our story opens in the Temple in Jerusalem, where an old priest named Zechariah is performing his duties. While offering incense, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him, causing him great fear. Gabriel announced that Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, who was past childbearing age, would conceive a son. This son was to be named John and would "go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Because Zechariah doubted the angel's word, he was struck mute until the day the prophecy was fulfilled.

Perhaps today, read from the Gospel of Luke 1:5-25.

A passage of promise:

He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
(Taken from the Gospel of Luke 1:16-17.)

Prayer for the day:

Heavenly Father, forgive our own doubts and slowness to believe the promises you speak into our lives. Help us to accept that nothing is too hard for you, and give us courage to prepare the way for your Son in our hearts.

Amen.

1st December

The long wait and ancient promises

Advent begins with a deep reflection on the many centuries that God’s people waited for the promised Messiah. The covenant made with Abraham, the promises given to King David, and the words of the prophets all pointed to a day when God himself would intervene and save his people. Although the New Testament story begins with the promise being fulfilled, we start here, remembering that the birth of Jesus was not a sudden event, but the culmination of God's ancient, meticulous plan for redemption. Today, perhaps read about this from the Old Testament Prophets, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah.

A passage of promise:

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.
(Taken from the letter of Paul to the Galatians 4:4-5)

Prayer for the day:

Merciful God, as we begin this season of expectant waiting, quiet our hearts to remember your faithfulness throughout history. Help us to see the birth of Jesus not just as a story, but as the fulfilment of every promise you have ever made.

Amen.

Advent Calendar December 2025

Season's Greetings from St. Mary-the-Virgin

St Mary-the-Virgin, Dover, 15/11/2025

Our Advent calendar

18th December

The Announcement to the Shepherds

A passage of promise:

Prayer for the day:

17th December

Swaddling clothes and the manger

A passage of promise:

Prayer for the day:

16th December

The birth of Jesus Christ

A Passage of Promise:

Prayer for the day:

15th December

No Room at the Inn

A passage of promise:

Daily Prayer:

14th December

Arrival in Bethlehem

A passage of promise:

Daily Prayer:

13th December

The Journey to Bethlehem

A passage of promise:

Prayer for the day:

12th December

The Decree for the Census

A Passage of Promise:

Prayer for the day:

11th December

Joseph's Obedience and Faith

A passage of promise:

Prayer for the day:

10th December

The Annunciation to Joseph

A Passage of Promise:

Prayer for the day:

9th December

Zechariah's Prophecy (The Benedictus)

A Passage of Promise:

Prayer for the day:

8th December

The Birth of John the Baptist

A passage of promise:

Prayer for the day:

7th December

Mary's Song (The Magnificat)

A Passage of Promise:

Prayer for the day:

6th December

The visit to Elizabeth

A passage of promise:

Daily Prayer:

5th December

Mary's acceptance and humility

A passage of promise:

Prayer for the day:

4th December

The Annunciation

A passage of promise:

Prayer for the day:

3rd December

Elizabeth conceives in her old age

A passage of promise:

Prayer for the day:

2nd December

The announcement to Zechariah

A passage of promise:

Prayer for the day:

1st December

The long wait and ancient promises

A passage of promise:

Prayer for the day:

Advent Calendar December 2025

Planning your Visit

Service times at St Mary's, Dover

Sunday worship:

Choral evensong:

Wednesday worship:

Service times at
St Mary's, Dover