Last year, I read an Advent devotional for the first time. And I tremendously enjoyed it! Reading short reflections on Christ’s coming helped me remember the significance of the incarnation and prepare my heart for the Christmas celebration. I made this a new personal tradition and have been looking out for new advent releases for this year. So I decided to compile a list of old titles I have enjoyed and new ones that piqued my interest.
I have provided the editorial description for the new releases but briefly reviewed the old ones (the first three) since I read them last year. Whether you are a new or seasoned Advent devotional reader, I hope you will find something that interests you!
Note: all links in these articles are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase anything through the links, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you :).
1. Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent – Sinclair Ferguson
Unlike other advent devotionals, Love Came Down at Christmas is not based on your typical Christmas bible verses. The reflections in this devotional are based on 1 Corinthians 13. Why? Because Christmas, at its core, is about love! It is about the Son of God coming down from Heaven and becoming the most glorious expression of God’s love for the world. And in this devotional, Ferguson brilliantly ties every verse in 1 Corinthians 13 to the incarnate Christ. The book has 24 readings, each featuring a question, reflection, and prayer. This is the first advent devotional I read, and I highly recommend it! It will refresh you, encourage you, and renew you with awe at the wonders of Christ Jesus.
2. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas – Nancy Guthrie
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus is an anthology of twenty short readings for Advent. It features writings from past theologians, such as Charles Spurgeon, Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, John Calvin, and Augustine. But also, contemporary giants like John MacArthur, R. C. Sproul, John Piper, Alistair Begg, and J. I. Packer. As you can tell from the line-up, this book is rich in biblical truths and gospel teachings. The writings are short, Christ-centered, and easy to read. Reading this book during Advent last year was fantastic! I got to learn from outstanding theologians and be blessed by their reflections. I can’t recommend it enough!
3. Hosanna in Excelsis: Hymns and Devotions for the Christmas Season – David and Barbara Leeman
Hosanna in Excelsis is a devotional based on hymns and carols. It has 43 hymns divided into three groups: the advent hymns to prepare us to celebrate Christ’s first coming and anticipate His return, the hymns of the nativity to celebrate the birth of Christ and address its significance, and the hymns of Epiphany (twelve days after Christmas) to help us honor Him with awe and reflect on the importance of what we have just celebrated. There are many wonderful gems in our favorite Christmas songs, and this book invites us to stop and consider them; to glory in the precious truth of Christ’s coming, and respond in heartfelt praise. It is a must-have book in your library! It’s beautiful, theological-filled, and will cause you to meditate deeply about the wonders of Christmas. Not to mention, enrich your celebration with beautiful songs.
4. The Dawn of Redeeming Grace: Daily Devotions for Advent – Sinclair Ferguson
“As dawn broke on that first Christmas morning, the sun rose on a new era: God’s king had come to earth to bring about his kingdom. Join Sinclair Ferguson as he opens up the first two chapters of Matthew’s Gospel in these daily devotions for Advent. Each day’s reflection is full of insight and application, and will help you to arrive at Christmas Day awed by God’s redeeming grace and refreshed by the hope of God’s promised king.”
5. The First Songs of Christmas: Meditations on Luke 1 & 2 – Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
“During the holidays, the musical tunes of the season are everywhere. Their nostalgic melodies warm our hearts. But the original Christmas songs are different; they lift our hearts to a holy God. They reveal the greatness, glory, and goodness of our Savior. Taking us beyond quaint imagery and feel-good lyrics, the Advent songs of the Bible unfold God’s redemptive plan for the world and His eternal purpose for the ages.
Reflecting her own love for the season, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth offers meditations on the first two chapters of Luke’s gospel in The First Songs of Christmas. This 31-day Advent devotional shines new light on the ancient yet inspiring songs of Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon.
These readings will lead you to contemplate the loveliness and essence of Christmas. Let this book be your companion as you spend the days surrounding Christmas the way these men, women, and angels did, your gaze fixed on our great God and Savior.”
6. Tidings of Comfort & Joy: 25 Devotions Leading to Christmas – Mark Yarbrough
“Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day. The Christmas season easily overwhelms, and meaning can be lost in the busyness. In Tidings of Comfort & Joy, Mark M. Yarbrough reminds us why we celebrate. These twenty-five short devotions focus December on Jesus through a combination of Scripture reflections, winsome stories, advent applications, and guided prayers. This is a book that you and your family will turn to annually, as you prepare your heart for the wonder and meaning of Christmas.”
7. The Weary World Rejoices: Daily Devotions for Advent – Melissa Kruger
“For generations, churches and families have used Advent wreaths to help prepare for celebrating the Lord’s birth at Christmas. The evergreen wreath symbolizes eternal life and includes four candles—typically three purple and one pink, with a white candle in the middle that symbolizes the purity of Christ. Various traditions assign different topics to each candle, and the candles are usually given names to remind us of the good news of Christ’s birth
To celebrate this season, TGC’s editorial team put together 25 devotional readings that use the Advent wreath as a guide to focus hearts and minds on Christ during the month of December. Structured around traditional Advent themes—hope, peace, joy, love, and faith—these reflections will encourage your heart in this season of celebrating Christ’s first coming, and longing for his second.”
8. Good News of Great Joy: 25 Devotional Readings for Advent – John Piper
“Come, Let us Adore Him. This beloved Advent refrain captures the heart of the season. Advent is for adoring Jesus. It is a season of preparation to ready our hearts for the glory of Christmas Day as we celebrate the coming of the eternal God in our frail humanity. These twenty-five short devotional readings from John Piper aim to help you keep Christ at the center of the Advent season.”
