If you're looking for a way to actually stay focused on Jesus this December, the red letter challenge advent is honestly one of the best tools I've found. We all know how it goes—every year we promise ourselves that this time, we aren't going to get swallowed up by the stress of shopping, the endless parties, and the sheer noise of the holiday season. But then, December 1st hits, and suddenly we're underwater. This specific challenge is designed to pull you back to the surface and keep your eyes on what Jesus actually said.
Why This Isn't Just Another Devotional
Most of us have a stack of Advent books gathering dust on a shelf somewhere. Don't get me wrong, those daily readings are great, but the red letter challenge advent feels a bit different because it's not just about sitting there and soaking up information. It's about movement. If you've ever looked at a Bible, you know the "red letters" are the words spoken directly by Jesus. This challenge takes those words and asks, "Okay, now what are you going to do about it?"
It's easy to read a verse about peace and then immediately go yell at someone in a parking lot because they took your spot. It's much harder—and much more rewarding—to take a specific command of Jesus and try to live it out for twenty-four hours. That's the heart of this whole thing. It turns Advent from a passive waiting period into an active season of following.
Getting Into the Rhythm
The hardest part of any habit is just starting, right? With the red letter challenge advent, the structure is pretty straightforward, which is a lifesaver when your calendar is already packed. Usually, it's broken down into daily readings and small, actionable steps. You aren't being asked to move mountains on a Tuesday morning before work. You're just being asked to listen to Jesus and take one small step in His direction.
I've found that the best way to handle this is to carve out ten minutes in the morning. If I wait until the end of the day, my brain is fried, and I'm just going to skim the words so I can go to sleep. But if I do it with my first cup of coffee, that "red letter" thought stays in the back of my mind all day. It changes how I talk to my coworkers and how I handle the stress of holiday traffic.
The Five Targets of the Challenge
If you aren't familiar with the framework, the challenge usually revolves around five core targets: Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going. During a red letter challenge advent, these themes get filtered through the lens of the Christmas story.
Being with Him
In the chaos of December, "being" is the hardest thing to do. We are constantly "doing." We're doing the shopping, doing the decorating, doing the cooking. But Jesus constantly invited people to just be with Him. This part of the challenge focuses on stillness and prayer. It's about remembering that before Jesus did anything for us, He was simply with us—Emmanuel.
The Power of Forgiving
Christmas is a weird time for relationships. You're around family members you might have tension with, or you're feeling the sting of old wounds. Focusing on Jesus' words about forgiveness during Advent is incredibly healing. It's a reminder that the whole reason He came in the first place was to bridge the gap between us and God, so maybe we can bridge the gap between us and someone else.
Serving Others
It's easy to get "me-focused" during the holidays. I want the best gifts, I want the best food, I want the best experience. The red letter challenge advent pushes back against that by highlighting Jesus' words on service. Maybe it's helping a neighbor clear their driveway or taking a moment to genuinely listen to a cashier who looks stressed out. It shifts the focus outward.
Keeping It Simple When Life Gets Messy
One thing I love about this approach is that it doesn't require you to be a Bible scholar. You don't need a degree to understand what Jesus meant when He said to love your neighbor. The red letter challenge advent keeps the "main thing" the main thing.
Let's be real—some days you're going to fail. You're going to miss a day of reading, or you're going to have a day where you're just not feeling particularly "Christ-like." That's okay. The point of this isn't to be perfect; it's to be intentional. If you fall off the wagon on December 12th, just hop back on on the 13th. The red letters will still be there waiting for you.
Doing It Together
While you can totally do this on your own, there's something really cool about doing the red letter challenge advent with a group. Whether it's your family, a small group at church, or just a couple of friends over a group text, having that accountability makes a huge difference.
It's fun to text a friend and say, "Hey, how are you handling today's challenge?" or "Man, that verse really hit me hard today." It turns a solitary practice into a community experience. Plus, it's a great way to keep each other sane when the holiday pressure starts to mount. If you're doing it with kids, it's a fantastic way to teach them that Christmas isn't just about the stuff under the tree—it's about the person who the tree is actually for.
What to Expect by Christmas Eve
By the time you hit Christmas Eve, if you've been sticking with the red letter challenge advent, you'll probably notice a shift in your perspective. Usually, by the end of December, I'm just tired. I'm ready for it all to be over so I can take the lights down and stop eating sugar.
But when you spend 25 days focusing specifically on the words of Jesus, Christmas Eve feels different. It feels earned, in a way. Not that we earn grace, obviously, but you feel more "tuned in" to the miracle of the incarnation. You've been practicing His ways for weeks, so when you hear the story of His birth again, it carries more weight. You aren't just celebrating a baby in a manger; you're celebrating the King whose words you've been trying to live out all month.
Some Practical Tips for Success
If you're going to dive into the red letter challenge advent this year, here are a few tips to keep you on track:
- Pick a consistent time. Like I said, mornings are usually best, but if you're a night owl, do it then. Just make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.
- Keep the book (or app) visible. Put it on your nightstand or your kitchen table. If it's buried under a pile of mail, you'll forget it exists.
- Don't overcomplicate the "action" steps. If the challenge is to serve someone, it doesn't have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes the simplest things are the most impactful.
- Give yourself grace. This is meant to be a blessing, not another item on your to-do list that makes you feel guilty.
At the end of the day, the red letter challenge advent is about one thing: Jesus. It's about cutting through the cultural clutter and getting back to the basics of what He taught. It turns the season of Advent into a training ground for your faith, and honestly, I can't think of a better way to spend December. So, if you're tired of the same old holiday routine, give this a shot. It might just change the way you see Christmas forever.