Devotions for Advent: Meditations Based on Best-Loved Hymns

by Robert J. Morgan

The lyrics of our favorite hymns are rich in images that can help us in our daily walk with God--they are miniature Bible studies that lead us effortlessly toward worship, testimony, exhortation, prayer, and praise. They're bursts of devotional richness with rhyme and rhythm. They clear our minds, soothe our nerves, verbalize our worship, summarize our faith, and sing our great Redeemer's praise. Bestselling author Robert J. Morgan has gathered favorite hymns, as well as classic, lesser-known gems to guide your quiet time with God during Advent.

Each devotional begins with Scripture, includes a story about the hymn or its writer and the lyrics to the hymn, and ends with a prayer. An index of hymn titles and first lines is included. What better way to end your devotional reading than with a song in your heart?

Genres: Devotional, Nonfiction

69 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm very happy with this ebook short about Christmas-themed hymns. It provides you with a special Christmas song each day, for 30 days of Advent.

I learned so much about several hymns and favorite songs to listen to around the holidays. You get a little bit of song-history every day a month. Definitely recommend!

"Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a thorny end."

[Go2therock · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Advent devotional focused on worshiping in song. Each day's reading begins with a background of origin for the selection chosen, followed by the music itself. I had to go looking online for some of them, but enjoyed thinking of these brothers and sisters in the faith who's hearts strove to compose these words and melodies of praise to our Lord and Savior. The day's devotion closed in words of scripture. Beautiful addition to rightly aligning our hearts for the season.

[Judson Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories of Christmas Carols We Sing

The author combines brief accounts of favorite Christmas carols and lesser known ones in this devotional. Each day features a carol and the origin of the lyrics. These devotional will help keep Christ in Christmas. You’ll sing the carols with greater appreciation. I recommend this devotional.

[Tammie Gitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short reflections, classic hymns

These short reflections for the Advent season share the history of the hymn itself or of the writer, connecting the words of the song to the greater themes of the season. Highly recommended!

[Frans Kempe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 30 day devotional containing a short history of a hymn and the lyrics

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't bad, it just didn't live up to the promise in the title. It wasn't very Christmassy and it wasn't very devotional. Each devotion simply included a very brief biography of the hymn, the hymn itself and a Bible verse. The most Christmassy aspect of the devotional was the few carols that were included among the hymns.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros: well-formatted for Kindle and each day's reading was clear and interesting

Cons: Not all the hymns are Christmas hymns, although the author connected them to December in one way or another (For example, he includes a non-Christmas John Newton hymn on December 21st since that is the day Newton died.)

[Edward Jr. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Provided history of the Advent Hymns but there was no devotional material. Book was poorly planned in my opinion.

[Debra · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was NOT a book of devotions. It was a collection of hymns, presented one a day, with a bit of background on the lyricist. I was very disappointed in it.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hymn history.

I really enjoyed learning the history of each of these beloved hymns during the advent season. Most of which, the date was significant for the authors.