(…and a new Christmas fiction book just for fun!)
The first Sunday of Advent is less than a month away! What will you do this year to celebrate, reflect, and renew your sense of awe that God the Son would hunker down and wizen up and enter the darkness of this world? The incarnation is the greatest rescue mission in history, but we can lose sight of it in all the tinsel and noise.
I’ve had the privilege of previewing four books by four very different authors, each bringing their unique perspectives to the kind of heart preparation Advent calls for. I’d love to know—what are your plans for Advent? If you decide to include one of these books, I hope you’ll tell me which one and why.
Embracing Advent: Rediscovering Christmas in the Chaos
If you have a young family, or if you have an impossible schedule and you’re wondering if you’ll even get around to reading Luke 2 in December, this is the Advent book for you. Jen Ludwig has created an Advent primer, using the four major themes of hope, peace, joy, and love as her outline and providing a mercifully short but scripturally rich reading for each day. If you have never celebrated for the entire month of December and need a foundation to help you introduce the observance to your family, start with Embracing Advent. Ludwig will encourage you to open your Bible, but she also gets down to the business of talking about your habits, your concept of God, and our tendency to lose our bearings: “I have repeatedly found that some of the traditional activities we most closely associate with Christmas become the very things that distract us from Jesus.”
What Other Reviewers Are Saying
“Embracing Advent is a wonderfully encouraging and helpfully motivating devotional for the Christmas season! Because Jen has insightfully captured the transformational truth and meaning of Christmas afresh, her book is a great companion to walk with through Advent!” – Dr. Brandon Cash, Christian Ministry and Leadership Department Chair at Biola University and Chaplain for the L.A. Dodgers
Advent for Exiles: 25 Devotions to Awaken Gospel Hope in Every Longing Heart
Caroline Cobb is a singer and song-writer, but in my estimation, she is also a storyteller, and in her showing and telling, she has captured the fragrance of lament that is the essence of Advent. Jesus is “the joy of every longing heart” because we wait for him to end our exile once and for all. In Advent for Exiles, Cobb traces the biblical theme of exile from our banishment from Eden to the ashes and ruin of Jerusalem and on to the hunger for home that you might be feeling today. Digging into the rich biblical imagery of a sunrise, a seed, a king, a highway, and a city she encourages readers to put their hope in God’s bright promise of rescue as we wait for all things to be made new. Each reading comprises a song lyric, a scripture reading, a reflection, and a prompt to respond. The message is strong and true: “We do not despair in the darkness of our exile or our longing for home because the hope of Christ is as sure as the sunrise.”
What Other Reviewers Are Saying
“Advent for Exiles weaves a glorious tapestry of good news that will help you experience Advent in a meaningful new way.”
—Ruth Chou Simons, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, artist, and founder of gracelaced.com
The Joy of Advent
Rebecca and Stephen Grabill have provided something for every member of the family in this warmly illustrated and creatively framed celebration of Advent. Each day of Advent and Christmastide through Epiphany invites believers into a deep appreciation of God’s redemptive love. The Joy of Advent supports that goal with a personal reflection, a scripture reading, a description of the day’s Jesse Tree symbol, a song, discussion starters, suggestions for “Together Time,” and a prayer prompt. The book is supported by a lovely website with holiday recipes, tutorials for creating the Jesse Tree ornaments, craft ideas, traditions, and more stories. Busy parents will appreciate this ready-made deep dive into the riches of the Advent season, a daily time of togetherness that is sure to be the foundation for good memories, happy traditions, and family habits of holiness.
What Other Reviewers Are Saying
“For those of us who have longed for a rewarding Christmastime reading experience for ourselves and our families, the search is over. The Joy of Advent is a rich, guided companion through the rhythms and themes of the season—anchored in Scripture and brought to life by the beautifully written word, wonderful artwork, musical recommendations, and activities for all ages and stages. Prepare your hearts each day of Advent and Christmastide and bring your gifts as you bring yourself to the One who offers hope, peace, joy, and love throughout the season and the whole year long.” —Timothy J. Beals, Author of The Red Letters, Teach Us to Pray, and When Grief Goes Deep
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas
This one’s been around since 2020, but I discovered it this year, and regular readers know about my respect for Nancy Guthrie’s work. She created Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus out of her own desire for a book of short readings on Advent themes from writers she could trust. She was looking for something with a high view of scripture and a view of the incarnation as part of God’s unfolding plan of redemption. Coming up with nothing in bookstores, she began the editorial process herself. She has selected excerpts from writings and sermons from theologians and Bible teachers both past and present. George Whitefield, Martin Luther, and Charles Spurgeon share space with John Piper, Tim Keller, and Joni Eareckson Tada. Each reading opens with the Bible verses that provide its context, taking the reader through the entire story in 22 days, a joyful and challenging heart preparation for the Advent season.
And now for a bit of Christmas fiction…
Christmas with the Queen
When Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952, she changed the royal vibe once and for all. English newspapers and magazines had a field day with a young family at Buckingham Palace and a stylish young monarch on royal tours. In Christmas with the Queen, coauthors Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb imagine all this through the experience of Olive Carter, a single mother and ambitious reporter for the BBC, looking to make a name for herself on the royal circuit. The authors masterfully weave historical details (e.g. the tension between Elizabeth and Phillip, the first televised Christmas speech) with the narrative arc making for the perfect accompaniment to your first cup of Christmas tea.
Olive reconnects with an old friend, now a recently widowed chef in the royal kitchens, and their paths cross at Christmas time as their connections with the royal family take them to unexpected places. Will the secret that lies between them bring them together—or will it ultimately drive them apart? (Available November 19th)
And now back to simply November, to our celebration of gratitude as we thank God for blessings big and small and look forward to gathering with friends and family on Thanksgiving Day!
Holding You in the Light,
I’m reviewing four books by four very different authors, each bringing their unique perspectives to the kind of heart preparation Advent calls for.
Tweet
Free Encouragement in Your Inbox!
On the third Thursday of every month, I send a newsletter with biblical encouragement straight to my subscribers’ email inboxes. Frequently, I share free resources, and the newsletter is where everything lands first.
CLICK HERE to read my most recent newsletter where you’ll be given the opportunity to subscribe. I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and I want to help you along that path.
Looking for Challenging Devotional Reading that Encourages You to Seek Intimacy with God Every Day?
As you know, I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and it’s my goal to help you along that path. At Living Our Days, I provide biblical content and resources to encourage biblical literacy and faithful living, and now I’m sharing devotional content on the YouVersion app. Visit my profile page to get free access to the reading plans!
I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees. If you should decide to purchase any of the books or products I’ve shared, simply click on the book title, and you’ll be taken directly to the seller. If you decide to buy, I’ll receive a few pennies at no extra cost to you.
Many thanks to 4Sundays, BH Publications, Paraclete Press, HarperCollins, NetGalley, and Crossway for providing advance copies of these books to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
Living Our Days 
These look fabulous!
LikeLike
Definitely a good year for Advent books! (And the fiction was really fun, too!)
LikeLike
I’ve read Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus a few times–it’s great! I had not heard of the others, so thanks for bringing them to my attention. Christmas with the Queen sounds very appealing.
LikeLike
It really was! I don’t usually get around to reading Christmassy fiction, so it felt like a real treat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michele, your reviews are an excellent nudge to get my advent readings out and ready to roll. And I’m next on the list at the library for Hazel Gaynor’s Christmas novel. Can’t wait!
LikeLike
Get your favorite tea mug ready and prepare for a sweet intro to the Christmas season!
LikeLike
Nancy Guthrie’s book caught my eye–it’s on my TBP list! Thank you for the well-chosen books you recommend!
LikeLike
I would picture that particular book appealing to you!
LikeLike
[…] seen recommendations for Advent devotionals popping up this week from Michele Morin and Tim Challies. I’ve not read any on either list except Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, […]
LikeLike
I am finding there is much anticipation and joy already as we all look forward to this Advent season. Thank you for sharing all these books with us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love sharing books with friends!
LikeLike
[…] December, I’m giving myself permission to read less and enjoy it more. My Advent Resource round-up post went out to the world the first week of November. Now it’s time for me to settle into the […]
LikeLike