I’m jumping in here to wish all a Happy Thanksgiving and to share a few words about a beautiful gift or devotional for Advent for those who may be searching for either. I keep bemoaning the fact that the calendar this year refused us our usual time between Thanksgiving and the start of Christmas. It seems to be coming at us as fast as a high-speed locomotive. Which naturally creates, at least for me, the desire to slow down. Because stamping my feet and shouting, STOP the world, I want to get off, usually does not get the response I am looking for in real life. Since living in my imaginary world is not an option for you – or me for that matter, I have something better to share.
My Latest Crossway Book Review
John Piper’s “Good News of Great Joy: 25 Devotional Readings for Advent” is the perfect slow your roll, and let’s pause with Jesus for a bit partner. It would make a great gift with it’s handsome blue hard cover and gold foiled lettering. The gold throughout also make it look classic & elegant.
Each of the 25 devotions is short. I appreciate this, but short in length, with wonderful depth. For example, In the Day 1 offering, we are focusing on preparation. (Luke 1:16-17). Piper reminds us “If you don’t need a Savior, you don’t need Christmas.” Ouch. I loved the point about building God – centered anticipation and expectancy. Oh, how we need this reminder in our consumer driven culture. Yes for our children, but even for we who are grown beyond those years. How we need to build into our days this same theme. Somehow we have to keep this alive in us- especially as adults. “If you can make Christmas exciting only with material things, how will children get a thirst for God?” Isn’t that the challenge of our day? Maybe for us all? Maybe we don’t grow out of needing to be reminded.
Each day’s reading has a gold page with the passage printed in white. The layout of the book, speaks its own peace in its design. It helps you, the reader, in uncluttered fashion focus on the words, and adore the focus of them. That focus is Jesus, and if you know Piper, he leads us by the fire of radiant and glowing hope in our journey to the manger.
A unique feature included in this book is the brief section at the back (an appendix) titled “Old testament Shadows and the Coming of Christ”. Again here we find brevity, but be not deceived- it does a great job warning us in important truths found in scripture which are meant to bring us into the full light of Christ. The point of the substance of Christ as the POINT of Christmas, but we must beware of allowing the shadow of rituals lead us away from the great and glorious Person of Christ. Oh how we need the full counsel of God in Scripture. We need to be well versed in the verses! There’s meat here in these few pages!
Piper shares his favorite “Christmas Text” in a conclusion worth reading as well. I won’t give it away, but it will bless you, at the end of the advent daily readings. If you enjoy listening to John Piper’s sermons or reading his books, or listen to “Ask Pastor John”, you will love this Devo. If you are new to Piper, you will become one who appreciates his devotion to Christ, and his heart for Him.
I have read ahead in this book, so I could give you my thoughts and input for this review. I received my copy in return for a review with my honest thoughts and opinions, which you have read if you got this far!
Our church will be reading through the “Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotional” (Paul David Tripp) this season, which I am super excited about as well. Let’s just say, in my neck of the woods, we like to have a Crossway reading kind of Christmas! Hoping this will support a proper perspective and finds me sipping cocoa calmly aboard the speeding locomotive of the season- instead of being run over by it!
Do you have a favorite Advent or Christmas Devotional? Are you looking for a new one? Let me know in the comments.
As always, thank you for reading this post. Please reach out with any questions or comments. I appreciate you taking the time. For time is all we ever really have, isn’t it?
Enthusiastically, Dawn
Enthusiastically, Dawn 