This December, write the Christmas story by hand, one short passage a day.
The Promised King is a 31-day plan with 53 verses from the King James Version. It starts with the prophets on December 1, reaches the angels' song from Luke 2 on Christmas Day, and ends the year with Simeon's words in the temple.
How the plan is shaped
- One to three verses a day. Most days take a few minutes, so you can keep going on busy days.
- One verse a day in Christmas week. From December 19 to 25 you write Luke 2:8–14 one verse at a time, and Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the highest," falls on Christmas Day.
- The days follow the story. The prophets (Dec 1–8), the angel's visit to Mary (Dec 9–12), Mary's song (Dec 13–14), Joseph (Dec 15–16), the birth (Dec 17–18), the shepherds and the angels (Dec 19–25), the shepherds' visit (Dec 26–27), the wise men (Dec 28–29), and the Word made flesh (Dec 30), closing with Simeon on December 31.
The 31 days
| Day | Passage | Verses | Section |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1 | Isaiah 9:2 | 1 | Prophecy |
| December 2 | Isaiah 9:6-7 | 2 | |
| December 3 | Isaiah 7:14 | 1 | |
| December 4 | Isaiah 11:1-2 | 2 | |
| December 5 | Isaiah 40:3-5 | 3 | |
| December 6 | Micah 5:2 | 1 | |
| December 7 | Jeremiah 23:5-6 | 2 | |
| December 8 | Isaiah 40:11 | 1 | |
| December 9 | Luke 1:26-28 | 3 | The angel's visit |
| December 10 | Luke 1:30-32 | 3 | |
| December 11 | Luke 1:35 | 1 | |
| December 12 | Luke 1:37-38 | 2 | |
| December 13 | Luke 1:46-48 | 3 | Mary's song |
| December 14 | Luke 1:49-50 | 2 | |
| December 15 | Matthew 1:20-21 | 2 | Joseph |
| December 16 | Matthew 1:22-23 | 2 | |
| December 17 | Luke 2:4-5 | 2 | The birth |
| December 18 | Luke 2:6-7 | 2 | |
| December 19 | Luke 2:8 | 1 | The shepherds |
| December 20 | Luke 2:9 | 1 | |
| December 21 | Luke 2:10 | 1 | |
| December 22 | Luke 2:11 | 1 | |
| December 23 | Luke 2:12 | 1 | |
| December 24 | Luke 2:13 | 1 | |
| December 25 | Luke 2:14 | 1 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Luke 2:15-16 | 2 | Response |
| December 27 | Luke 2:19-20 | 2 | |
| December 28 | Matthew 2:1-2 | 2 | The wise men |
| December 29 | Matthew 2:10-11 | 2 | |
| December 30 | John 1:14 | 1 | The Word made flesh |
| December 31 | Luke 2:29-30 | 2 | Simeon's song |
Printable PDF
Download the printable plan (PDF)
One page, letter size: all 31 days with a check box for each day. Print it, tape it inside your journal, and tick the box when you finish a day.
If you miss a day
Write the missed passage the next day before today's, or simply pick up where you are. The plan works either way. Copying the passage in order matters more than the date on the page.
Writing in your own notebook
Any notebook works. Many people use a lined journal and write the reference at the top of each entry, then the verse, then one line about what stood out.
Keep your place with Pen & Verse
We are building Pen & Verse, a small app for writing scripture in your own notebook. It shows today's verses, remembers which days you have written, and keeps any missed day on your list until you write it. The Promised King is its December plan.