The First Songs of Christmas: Meditations on Luke 1 & 2 is a 31-day Advent devotional by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. In this devotional, Wolgemuth explores six songs about Jesus’ birth in the first two chapters of Luke. These are Elizabeth’s Song (Luke 1:39-45), Mary’s Song, also known as The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), Zechariah’s song (Luke 1:67-79), The Angels’ song (Luke 2:10-14), and Simeon’s song (Luke 2:28-32).
The devotional runs from December 1st to December 31st. And each day, Wolgemuth provides a short and thoughtful devotion or commentary based on one or two verses. Every entry also features a brief prayer, a few related verses for further reading, and a question for personal meditation.
When I discovered this new devotional by Wolgemuth, I was intrigued because I had never considered the Christmas songs in the Bible. I have read these songs many times but never reflected on them, and I really enjoyed doing so this year. These songs are beautiful, joyful, and rich with profound truths about the Messiah. I am thankful Wolgemuth invites us to feast and meditate on them this Christmas season.
I also really like the book’s new design (it was initially published in 2018). The 2021 edition comes in a sturdy deep blue hardcover, a red ribbon marker, and lovely decorations.
My only drawback with this devotional is its lack of depth. I found Wolgemuth’s reflections on the verses a bit shallow and not meaty enough. But it could be because I read it simultaneously with The Dawn of Redeeming Grace by Sinclair Ferguson, which has profound reflections.
Nevertheless, The First Songs of Christmas is a good Christmas devotional, and I recommend it.
Moody Publishers graciously gave me a complimentary copy, and this is my honest review.
