Read the Book of Luke in December: A 25-Day Christmas Journey
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For years I treated December like a race I could never quite win.
So many events, gifts, expectations—and then somehow I’d realize I’d barely slowed down long enough to actually sit with Jesus.
Then I discovered something simple that changed my Decembers:
Reading through the Gospel of Luke during the first 25 days of the month.
Luke has 24 chapters. If you read one chapter a day from December 1–24, you’ll walk through the entire life of Jesus—from the angel’s announcement to Mary all the way to the empty tomb. On December 25, you can pause, re-read the Christmas story, and celebrate that this isn’t just a seasonal tradition—it’s the story of our salvation.
In this post, I want to share why reading Luke in December matters, how you can follow this simple 25-day plan, and practical ideas to make it meaningful for you (and your family, if you’d like to include them).
Why Luke Is the Perfect December Gospel
Luke tells us at the very beginning why he wrote his Gospel:
“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us… with this in mind… I too decided to write an orderly account… so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
— Luke 1:1–4
Luke is like a careful, Spirit-led historian and pastor rolled into one. Here’s why it’s such a beautiful book to soak in during December:
Luke begins with Advent-like waiting
Before shepherds and angels, Luke introduces us to Zachariah and Elizabeth, an older couple who have prayed for years and are still waiting (Luke 1). There’s silence, longing, and then suddenly… God speaks again.
That feels a lot like December, doesn’t it? We carry deep prayers, unfulfilled hopes, and sometimes quiet disappointment. Luke doesn’t skip that part—he starts right there.
Luke gives us the most detailed Christmas story
If you’ve ever heard the Christmas story read in church or at home, it was probably from Luke 2:
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree…” (Luke 2:1)
“…She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger…” (Luke 2:7)
“…I bring you good news of great joy…” (Luke 2:10)
Luke doesn’t just tell us that Jesus was born—he draws us into the scene:
angels, shepherds, songs, and a baby laid in a manger.
Reading this slowly in December pulls my heart back to the real center of Christmas.
Luke highlights Jesus’ heart for the overlooked
Throughout Luke, Jesus is constantly stopping for the people others walk past:
the poor (Luke 4:18)
the sinful woman who wept at His feet (Luke 7:36–50)
Zacchaeus up in the tree (Luke 19:1–10)
the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39–43)
If you feel unseen or small during the holidays, Luke whispers over and over:
“Jesus sees you.”
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
— Luke 19:10
Luke shows Jesus praying and inviting us closer
Luke especially emphasizes Jesus in prayer:
at His baptism (Luke 3:21)
before choosing the disciples (Luke 6:12)
on the mountain of transfiguration (Luke 9:28–29)
in Gethsemane (Luke 22:39–46)
The disciples eventually ask, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1), and He does.
December can be noisy, but Luke gently calls me back to prayerful dependence, not just seasonal busyness.
A Simple 25-Day Luke Reading Plan for December
Here’s an easy way to structure the first 25 days of December around Luke:
Days 1–24: One Chapter of Luke Each Day
By Christmas Eve, you’ll have walked with Jesus from His promised coming to His resurrection.
Day 25: Revisit the Christmas Story
On December 25, instead of trying to “add on” a reading that feels like homework, I like to:
Re-read Luke 2:1–20 slowly
Or read Luke 1–2 in one sitting if I have extra time
Or choose a favorite passage from Luke that really spoke to me and revisit it
This helps Christmas Day feel like a culmination of the whole month, not just a standalone holiday.
How I Like to Structure My Daily Luke Time
You can absolutely just open your Bible and read a chapter a day. God can use that beautifully.
But if you want a little more structure, here’s a rhythm that has helped me:
1. Prepare Your Heart (2–3 minutes)
Before I read, I pause and pray something simple like:
“Lord Jesus, as I read about You, let me see You clearly, love You more deeply, and follow You more closely. Open my eyes and soften my heart. Amen.”
Even a short prayer shifts my mindset from “checking a box” to meeting a Person.
2. Read the Chapter Slowly
As you read:
Notice the people in the story.
Notice what Jesus says, what He feels, where He goes.
Pay attention to repeated words like “today,” “rejoice,” “faith,” “forgive,” “save.”
If a phrase stands out, underline it or jot it down.
For example:
“Do not be afraid…” (Luke 1:30, 2:10, and so many times in spirit)
“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50; 8:48; 17:19; 18:42)
3. Reflect: What is God Showing Me?
After reading, I like to ask myself three simple questions:
What does this chapter show me about Jesus?
Is He comforting, confronting, healing, teaching, forgiving?What does this reveal about my own heart?
Am I more like the Pharisee or the tax collector? The thankful leper or the nine who walked away?What is one way I can respond today?
Is there a sin to confess? Someone to forgive? A step of faith to take? A promise to hold on to?
You don’t have to write pages. Even a few bullet points or short sentences can help anchor what you read.
4. Pray It Back
End with a short prayer that ties into what you read. For example, after reading Luke 15:
“Father, thank You that You run to meet me when I come home. Forgive me for the times I’ve wandered into ‘far country’ or stood outside like the older brother, resentful and self-righteous. Help me receive Your grace and extend it to others. Amen.”
Themes to Watch for as You Read Luke in December
Reading an entire Gospel in order lets you see patterns you might miss when you only read isolated stories. Here are some themes you can keep an eye out for:
1. Joy in the Midst of Mess
Luke is full of singing and rejoicing:
Mary’s song (Luke 1:46–55)
Zechariah’s prophecy (Luke 1:67–79)
Angels praising God (Luke 2:13–14)
Disciples rejoicing when demons submit in Jesus’ name (Luke 10:17)
Celebrations when the lost are found (Luke 15)
But none of this was in a perfect world. There was Roman occupation, poverty, sickness, and oppression.
That tells me: God’s joy is not fragile. It’s not dependent on everything going smoothly in December.
2. The Great Reversal
Luke loves showing how Jesus turns everything upside down:
The mighty brought low and the humble lifted (Luke 1:52)
The poor blessed, the rich warned (Luke 6:20–26)
The last becoming first (Luke 13:30)
The tax collector going home justified while the religious man does not (Luke 18:9–14)
If you feel “behind,” “less than,” or not enough this season, Luke reminds you: God doesn’t measure like the world does.
3. “Today” Salvation Has Come
Luke often uses the word “today” in connection with salvation and God’s action:
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you…” (Luke 2:11)
“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)
“Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Reading Luke through December reminds me that Christmas isn’t just about something God did back then—it’s about what He is doing today in my heart.
4. Jesus’ Tenderness in Suffering
As you move toward the later chapters in December, you’ll walk with Jesus through betrayal, denial, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection.
In Luke’s account we see:
Jesus praying for His enemies: “Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus comforting the thief beside Him: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Jesus making hearts burn within His disciples as He opens the Scriptures (Luke 24:32)
Christmas is beautiful, but it makes the most sense in light of the cross and resurrection. Luke lets us see the whole story, not just the nativity scene.
Including Your Family in the Luke Plan
If you want to bring your family into this journey, here are some simple ideas:
1. Read a Short Portion Together
You don’t have to read the entire chapter aloud if you have little ones or busy evenings. You could:
Pick a key scene each night
Read just 10–15 verses
Or read the full chapter on your own and spotlight a shorter section with your family
For example:
From Luke 2, read verses 8–14 (the angels and shepherds).
From Luke 15, read the parable of the lost sheep or the prodigal son.
2. Ask One Simple Question
After reading, ask something that everyone can answer:
“What stood out to you?”
“What did you learn about Jesus tonight?”
“Where did you see God’s love in this story?”
Sometimes the simplest answers from kids are the most profound.
3. Tie It Practically to the Day
If you read about generosity, look for a way to be generous as a family.
If you read about forgiveness, talk about what it means to forgive.
You could even make a simple “Luke in December” paper chain or chart and let kids check off each day as you read.
When You Miss a Day (or Three)
Can I be honest? There have been years when I started strong on December 1… and by December 7 I was already behind.
Old me would feel defeated and give up.
But that’s not the heart of the Gospel, and it’s certainly not the heart of Luke.
If you miss a day:
Don’t quit.
Simply pick up where you left off.
Or, if you want to stay matched to the calendar date, skim to catch up or read an extra chapter on a quieter day.
This is not a performance; it’s an invitation.
Jesus isn’t standing over you with a checklist; He is welcoming you to walk with Him through His story.
What I Pray Happens as We Read Luke This December
As I read through Luke in the first 25 days of December, here’s what I’m praying—for myself and for you:
That we would see Jesus more clearly than we see our to-do lists.
That our hearts would be softened, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus who said,
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)
That we would remember Christmas is not about how “together” we are, but about how faithful He is.
That as we watch Jesus love the broken, heal the sick, forgive sinners, and walk to the cross, we would realize again:
He did this for me.
So if you’re longing for a December that is less about rushing and more about Jesus, I invite you to join me:
One chapter of Luke each day from December 1–24.
A quiet, intentional pause on December 25 with Luke 2.
Let’s let the story of Jesus reshape our Christmas from the inside out.
Recommended Books to Further Study the Subject
