Christian Monthly Journal Prompts for December: Advent Waiting & Hope

31 Christian journal prompts for December to reflect on Advent, practice waiting with hope, and prepare your heart for the coming of Christ.

December is a month of waiting. We wait for Christmas morning, for family gatherings, for the joy of giving and receiving gifts. But beneath it all, Advent reminds us of a deeper waiting—the longing for the Messiah who has come, and the hope of His return.

Waiting isn’t easy. It often stretches us, slows us down, and reminds us of how little control we really have. But in the waiting, God is at work. Advent is an invitation to pause, reflect, and lean into hope.

This month’s journal prompts will help you reflect on Scriptures of waiting, promise, and hope. Each day offers a verse and a question (or simple practice) to guide your journaling as you prepare your heart for Christ this Advent season.

December’s Journal Prompts

December 1

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” – Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)
Where am I longing for God’s light to break into the darkness?

December 2

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” – Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
What does it mean to me personally that Jesus came for us…and for me?

December 3

“My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning.” – Psalm 130:6 (ESV)
Write about something you are waiting for. How can you wait with hope instead of despair?

December 4

“The Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
How have I experienced “God with us” in my life this year?

December 5

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” – Psalm 39:7 (ESV)
Take a few minutes to sit quietly and write a prayer of hope, naming what you’re waiting for.

December 6

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37 (ESV)
What situation in my life feels impossible? How can I entrust it to God?

December 7

“Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” – Luke 1:45 (ESV)
Where is God asking me to trust His promises even before I see fulfillment?

December 8

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” – Luke 1:38 (ESV)
What does surrender look like for me this Advent season?

December 9

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger.” – Luke 2:7 (ESV)
Why does it matter to me that Jesus came in humility?

December 10

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” – John 1:14 (ESV)
How does knowing Jesus dwelt among us change the way I view my own struggles?

December 11

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” – Luke 2:14 (ESV)
Where do I most need God’s peace in my life right now?

December 12

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy.’” – Luke 2:10 (ESV)
What is one source of joy I can thank God for today?

December 13

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.” – Galatians 4:4 (ESV)
How does God’s perfect timing give me comfort in my current waiting?

December 14

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12 (ESV)
What part of this verse do I need most today – hope, patience, or prayer?

December 15

“For our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20 (ESV)
How does remembering my heavenly citizenship shift my perspective on daily life?

December 16

“They that wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” – Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
What area of my life feels weary? How do I need God to renew me?

December 17

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:12 (ESV)
Reflect on the humility of Christ’s birth. What does that teach me about God’s ways?

December 18

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” – Lamentations 3:25 (ESV)
Write about a time you saw God’s goodness clearly after waiting on Him.

December 19

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” – Luke 1:31 (ESV)
How does the name of Jesus bring me hope today?

December 20

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Behold, your king is coming to you.” – Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)
What does it mean to me that Jesus, our King, came not just for the world but for me personally?

December 21

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29 (ESV)
Take time to thank Jesus specifically for what He has taken from your life.

December 22

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” – Psalm 37:7 (ESV)
Take 5 minutes of stillness today. Afterwards, write down what surfaced in your heart.

December 23

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.” – Galatians 4:4 (ESV)
How do I see God’s perfect timing at work in my life right now?

December 24

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11 (NIV)
What does it mean to me that Christ was born to me?

December 25

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.” – John 3:16 (ESV)
Spend time writing a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of Jesus.

December 26

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)
How will I carry the gratitude of Christmas forward into the days after?

December 27

“The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.” – Isaiah 60:20 (ESV)
What does God’s promise of everlasting light stir in me today?

December 28

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” – 1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
What does it mean for me personally that Jesus came to save me?

December 29

“The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’” – Revelation 22:17 (ESV)
Write a prayer of longing for Christ’s return.

December 30

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’” – Revelation 22:20 (ESV)
What would it look like for me to live today with the expectancy of His return?

December 31

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” – Revelation 22:21 (ESV)
Looking back on this year, where have I experienced God’s grace most clearly?

A Blessing for December

May this Advent season draw your heart into the holy tension of waiting and hope.

May you see God’s light shining in your darkness, His presence in your ordinary days, and His promises steadying you in your waiting.

And may your heart overflow with joy at the gift of Jesus – our Immanuel, our Savior, and our coming King.