The Wonder of Advent Devotional {Books 4 Christmas}

Collecting beautiful books for Christmas is a tradition that started many years ago. Each year I add one new book to my collection.  This year when exploring our local Christian bookshop I came across a beautiful devotional specifically for Advent.

Today marks the beginning of the second week of Advent for 2018. The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God.

 The Wonder of Advent Devotional

• Format Hardback | 160 pages 
• Dimensions 145 x 193 x 15mm | 272g 
• Publication date 01 Oct 2017 
• Publisher Tyndale Momentum 
• Language English 
• ISBN10 149641909X 
• ISBN13 9781496419095 
• Language: English
• Author: Chris Tiegreen
• Scripture: New Living Translation

This book is beautiful.  It's cover is royal blue, the title is gold in-lay. When I hold this book I feel like I am holding a treasure beyond measure.  Chris has masterfully written short daily devotions which focus you on the One who calls us to Himself and eternity. I have found each day's reading to be thought provoking.

Rediscover the heart of the Advent season As the year comes to a close and the stress and busyness of the consumer Christmas holiday grows, it can be easy to lose sight of what the season really calls us to: worship. In today's world, is it even possible to slow down, to ponder, to wonder in the coming birth of Christ?This Advent, recapture the mystery and beauty of the season with The Wonder of Advent Devotional. In this insightful and thought-provoking book, beloved devotional author Chris Tiegreen brings you into a deeper experience of this integral time in the church calendar. After completing a week of short readings to prepare your heart for the Advent season, you'll journey through December with daily Scripture readings, prompts for reflection, and guided prayer to help you savour this remarkable divine story. With each day, The Wonder of Advent Devotional will reconnect you with what happened in Bethlehem long ago--and experience it anew in your life right now. - Book Depository  

The book is divided into three sections:

1. Introduction
2. Preparation: 24 - 30 November
3. Advent: 1-31 December

As you can see the daily devotions do not follow the traditional four Sunday's before Christmas but rather the last week of November and the entire month of December.

What's your favourite Advent resource?

An Angel's Story by Max Lucado {Books 4 Christmas}

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to reenforce the story of our Christian heritage with our children.  Yes commercialisation has grabbed it fully and as Christians we have the power within us to give our children beautiful stories to carry with them where ever they go in life for they will see Christmas which will remind them of the stories we have filled their lives with.  Angels brought the news to Mary, Angels brought the news to the Shepherds that night long ago.  They announced HIS birth to the world.  This beautiful book:  An Angel's Story gives us a glimpse into that special aspect of Christmas.

An Angel's Story by Max Lucado

• Format Hardback | 64 pages 
•  Dimensions 181.4 x 184.9 x 9.9mm | 258.55g 
• Publication date 06 Oct 2002 
• Publisher Thomas Nelson Publishers 
• Language English 
• Illustrations note Illustrations, unspecified 
• ISBN10 0849917786 
• ISBN13 9780849917783 
• Author - Max Lucado

Spiritual beings populate the stories of Scripture. Angels singing. Demons infecting. Heavenly hosts fighting . . . Ignore the armies of God and Satan and you ignore the heart of Scripture. Ever since the snake tempted Eve in Eden, we've known: there is more to this world than meets the eye. In this classic Christmas novella, best-selling author Max Lucado imagines the spiritual conflict that surrounded the coming of Christ. Surely there was much. If Satan could pre-empt Christ in the cradle, there'd be no Christ on the cross. Journey back in time to the very throne of God ... and witness firsthand the glory, the wonder, and the battle that took place on the very first Christmas.

Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien {Books 4 Christmas}

A few years back our family went on an odessy journey with Mr Bilbo Baggins curtesy of J.R.R. Tolkien. I was admiring a beautifully illustrated version of The Hobbit when my friend showed me the cutest book with real pull out Letters from Father Christmas.  I couldn't resist adding this book to my Christmas collection. Sadly this version is out of print however there are paperback and hardback editions still in print today to delight children of every age.

 Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

• Format Paperback | 160 pages 
• Dimensions 129 x 198 x 13mm | 330g 
• Publication date 01 Oct 2009 
• Publisher HarperCollins 
• Language English Edition statement Enhanced edition 
• Illustrations note 60 col illus 
• ISBN10 0007280491 
• ISBN13 9780007280490 
• Author - J.R.R. Tolkien
• Edited - Baillie Tolkien

Tolkien's complete Father Christmas letters, including a new introduction and rare archive materials. Every December an envelope bearing a stamp from the North Pole would arrive for J.R.R.Tolkien's children. Inside would be a letter in strange spidery handwriting and a beautiful coloured drawing or some sketches. The letters were from Father Christmas. They told wonderful tales of life at the North Pole: how all the reindeer got loose and scattered presents all over the place; how the accident-prone Polar Bear climbed the North Pole and fell through the roof of Father Christmas's house into the dining-room; how he broke the Moon into four pieces and made the Man in it fall into the back garden; how there were wars with the troublesome horde of goblins who lived in the caves beneath the house! Sometimes the Polar Bear would scrawl a note, and sometimes Ilbereth the Elf would write in his elegant flowing script, adding yet more life and humour to the stories. No reader, young or old, can fail to be charmed by the inventiveness and `authenticity' of Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas.