Waiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal: An Advent Christmas Devotional

by Rich Villodas

Through this 25-day Advent devotional, enjoy morning and evening readings that help you slow down, savor the season, and deepen your relationship with Jesus—from the bestselling author of The Deeply Formed Life.

The holidays often feel like a marathon, as we dash from one event, errand, or party to another. In the chaos, it’s easy to neglect what really reflecting on the glory of Jesus. We want to pray more—to spend time with God—but the tyranny of the urgent leaves us distracted and depleted. 

As the lead pastor of New Life Fellowship in bustling Queens, New York, Rich Villodas understands the tension of trying to connect with God in a fast-moving world. And he’s here to help. In this devotional, he leads readers through 25 days of an ancient practice called "the daily office," which refers to morning and evening prayers to help you connect with God. This twice-a-day rhythm offers relief and rest from the incessant to-dos of the holiday season. In these pages, you will be reminded to release worry and embrace wonder as you reflect on Christ's nearness. 

Each day in this devotional features a short reflection from Rich, followed by a four-fold

Silence and prayer: Pause for a few moments. Take a breath. Rest.Scripture: Read a short passage about the wonder of Jesus.Quotes: Read short, inspiring thoughts from Christians through the ages.Self-reflection: Bring your full self to God and enjoy his presence.
As you journey with Rich Villodas through Advent, reclaim joy and wonder as you behold the wondrous love of God.

Genres: Christmas, Faith, Devotional, Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Non Fiction, Christianity

160 pages, Hardcover

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large, multiracial church with more than seventy-three countries represented in Elmhurst, Queens. Prior to becoming lead pastor, he gave oversight to New Life's small group ministry and served as preaching pastor. Rich graduated with a BA in pastoral ministry and theology from Nyack College. He went on to complete his master's of divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He enjoys reading widely, and preaching and writing on contemplative spirituality, justice-related issues, and the art of preaching. He's been married to Rosie since 2006 and they have two beautiful children, Karis and Nathan.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like Badvent.

Trite, thin, fairly lame. Best part is the quotes from OTHER authors.

Be better Christian authors.

[Katie Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(4.5)

Thank you @waterbrookmultnomah @prhaudio for the books! #PRHAudioPartner

Release date: September 16, 2025

The holiday season often leaves us distracted and depleted, longing to connect with God. This 25-day Advent devotional invites you into the daily office—morning and evening prayers that weave silence, Scripture, reflection, and worship. Step away from the chaos, release worry, and rediscover joy as you embrace Christ’s presence with fresh wonder.

If you’re a fan—as I am—of Rich’s pastoral heart, everyday anecdotes, cultural insight, and formational purpose, this devotional is an excellent summation of them all. Advent is a time for us to be formed by waiting, and that is exactly what this devotional sets the table for.

Daily, you’ll find:
* engaging explanation
* a Scripture passage
* invitation to stillness and silence
* an insightful quote from a leading spiritual formation voice
* a reflection question
* opening and closing prayers

A truly unique aspect of this Advent devotional is that it’s also available as an audiobook! I had to check it out. I think it’s an excellent way to weave the devotional into your day—and maybe even better with others. Solitude before the Lord is important, but families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors often miss out on waiting on the Lord together. This audiobook offers a beautiful motivation to invite that shift during the Advent season.

My only complaint from the three audiobook days I listened to is that it doesn’t include the Scripture passage. It lists the reference but immediately moves on. The book itself also only provides the reference, which is fine when reading because I naturally reach for my Bible. But with audio, it felt distracting to pause, open the Bible app, listen to the passage, then return to the audiobook. I don’t know why it feels different than physically opening my Bible alongside the devotional, but it did—and it took away some of the distraction-free flow of listening.

Perfect for you if you like:
Contemporary devotionals
Spiritual formation devotionals
Waiting well in busy seasons

Similar to:
The Season of Waiting by Kate Bowler
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by Jonathan Gibson

[Karisa Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

chef’s kiss. Merry Christmas!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waiting for Jesus is a 25-day devotional for Advent, but it really can be read any time of year. It is broken up into 4 parts (one per week) like traditional Advent, but the topics are Waiting, Peacemaking, Rejoicing, and Beholding. I really enjoyed the way the author guides you through the devotion each day. It’s very easy to read and provides so many good thoughts to carry with you throughout the day. I also really liked the scriptures chosen each day. The author uses many of the traditional Christmas passages, but brings in other verses to bring depth to the study. Again, it doesn’t have to be Advent season to get benefit from this book. I highly recommend putting this Advent devotion on your TBR this year, for Christmas or anytime!

(Thank you to NetGalley for providing this devotional to me in exchange for an honest review.)

[Angela Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to have an Advent companion each year leading up to Christmas. It helps me to slow down and devotionally approach a holiday that is significant to me. I have some favorite guides, but chose a new one this year - Rich Villodas. I appreciated his thoughts, insights, illustrations, and the format. It was not revolutionary, but it was a solid choice for an Advent companion.

[Charlotte Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great advent book to slow down, reflect and pause in the busy Christmas period.
With daily encouragement to pause, prayer and dive into scripture- I loved embracing more the joy of Christmas and discovering again the incredible saviour born unto us!

[Lindsay Mizell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple + Thoughtful in all of the best ways.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read. It didn’t make me dig deep but I think I needed that this year. Really liked the quotes from other people.

[Rose Rockecharlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This needs to be your advent book next year trust me

[Victoria McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great - would recommend!

[Lizzy Brannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Advent is a time to hold in tension the reality of darkness and the presence of light; the reality of grief and the presence of joy."

A timely and timeless missive for our broken, busy world. Villodas provides a fresh, personal look into the incarnation of Jesus.

"With Christianity, it's easy to focus on believing and behaving, but what often goes overlooked is the spiritual habit of beholding."

This daily devotional for the season of Advent (November 30th - December 24th), with a special Christmas Day bonus, is divided into four sections: waiting, peacemaking, rejoicing, and beholding. Each day contains
- Devotional: written by Villodas unpacking a portion of scripture related to one of the four themes
- Prepare: inviting the reader to spend time in silence and stillness
- Prayer for Presence: inviting Jesus to speak in a personal way
- Scripture reading
- Guide: a quote from a variety of Theologians and authors
- Questions: inviting the reader into personal interaction with the text
- Closing Prayer: usually a benediction

"Chances are, if we're out of touch with our need for grace, we're probably out of touch with the depth of our brokenness."

I've walked with Jesus a long time, and I found these daily invitations to be dynamic and fresh. Villodas is not preachy or concerned with a five-point sermon. His daily invitations summoned me into stillness, reflection, and listening. I actually used this book as a 25-day devotional because I wanted to experience Villodas's intentions. While I do agree that devotionals are effective based on the reader's efforts, Villodas does not write surface-level fluff. These devotionals encourage depth of relationship between the Creator and the created. His fresh writing spurs the Christian on toward a way of being. The world needs this.

Thank you Rich Villodas, NetGalley, and Penguin Random House Christian Publishing for this powerful eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many other church musicians, I both anticipate and dread Advent. Preparing for Christmas starts in September—at least—and by the time the Christmas Eve service is over, it is easy to find yourself sick of the whole thing. The church sometimes competes with the culture by scheduling more and louder things to bring people in, all of which must be staffed by church members who feel guilty saying no. This is added to all the non-church events and parties and to-dos, of course.

So Rich Villodas hit me right where I live in his Advent devotional, Waiting for Jesus: “The fast-paced life creates a worn-down soul.” (118) The book is a 25-day devotional through December that uses different themes than the familiar four weeks of Advent (peace, hope, love, joy). Instead, he centers waiting, peacemaking, rejoicing, and beholding. I am not particularly good at any of these virtues, but Villodas gently offers new ways to think about each both within the Christmas story and in my life right now. Each day encourages the reader to still themselves before God, read Scripture, pray, and respond through an unusually thought-provoking question. I found myself grabbing my journal regularly to capture a new insight into the familiar Christmas themes.

The prompt to stillness every day is Villodas’ true focus. By inviting us to stop for just a few moments, offering God space in the day to bless us or speak, the Advent roller coaster stops speeding down the tracks. Some days a particular phrase from Villodas’ reflection or quotes from a range of Christian thinkers resounded in my body. Some days I just took a breath and was glad for it. This book can also be used in small groups, and my own small group has decided to use it during Advent. Waiting for Jesus can help us all take the breath, “create the space to connect with God.” (126)

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, PRH Christian, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love and deeply appreciate Rich Villodas' voice in this devotional. As a Dominican campus minister and chaplain (Dominican, as in ethnically-- not as in the Dominican Order), it is important to me to read Latine pastors and theologians. Our ethnicities shape us and how we engage with Scripture, ancient voices in the Church, and each other. That said, Villodas has a much-needed voice in the global Church, and I'm thankful he shares it.

Each day of Advent follows this format: silence before the Lord, a written prayer, Scripture, a spoken word of wisdom from a (an ancient?) spiritual leader, a brief exposition by Rich Villodas, a journal prompt, and a closing prayer.

Steering away from the traditional words/values (of hope, peace, joy, and love), Villodas centers each week on Waiting, Peacemaking, Rejoicing, and Beholding. Starting with "Waiting" has helped me enter into this Advent season with integrity, naming: 1) just how hard waiting is, 2) the particular things I'm waiting for from the Lord, 3) surrendering these things and simply "being" with the Lord in the waiting. While I skimmed this devotional to write this review with integrity, I look forward to how it will help shape my daily waiting on the Lord this Advent.

Even though it's three days into Advent, it's not too late to jump into this devotional. It's like an oyster with precious pearls (i.e., Scripture, voices, reflections) that can help us commune with God each day as we wait for Jesus' arrival/birth on Christmas Day.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through goodreads giveaway.
When you are looking for a devotional for advent or lent, you are looking for one that is for a group or family setting or a personal book for you to dive into.
This book could be used for family but only for adults - it is more a personal setting that goes day by day into the advent season. It begins with explaining what advent is and follows each day with a story, reflections and prayers. It isn't a light hearted book and takes the advent season seriously. It includes Christmas day and in the back are notes for you to go through if you want to do further reading.
I highly recommend it if you are wanting something Christian and to have a deeper Christmas feeling for the season. I am in the middle of a seperate advent bible study with a church group and this has went with that book very neatly so glad that I won this. Rich did a great job with being clear with his devotions for advent.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Villodas's reflections and writing style. It engages the reader and brings a fresh perspective to the Advent season.

This devotional runs for the 25 days of Advent, each chapter being two to three pages in length. Each chapter starts with a reflection from Villas that leans into an Advent lesson. He then invites the reader to spend two minutes in silence awaiting on the Lord to see if the Lord will magnify the experience with a word. A short quote from another source, eg, Bonhoeffer, Willard, etc follows and closes with a brief prayer.

I felt the quotes could have been better utilised and the prayers were one of a handful of standard ones like the Aaronic blessing which felt like a missed opportunity to connect the 'lesson/reflection' with a prayer of substance.

I appreciated receiving an early ebook copy from Waterbrook via Net Galley, however, this has had no bearing on my review.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read a book by Villodas, I find a lot to ponder. And this Advent devotional is no different. What I really appreciate is the focus is on helping the reader enter into the waiting of Advent. Villodas does write thought-provoking pieces for each day, but more importantly, he acts as a guide through making quiet space, reading a Bible passage, and reading a short excerpt from another writer. This is an Advent guide I can see returning to year after year. My only small critique: Villodas abandons the format he used throughout the book on Christmas day, a day where I think many of us need more than ever help finding space to worship. A minor complaint for a book I highly recommend.

Review based on a DRC received through NetGalley.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a 25 day advent journey that prompts you to slow down and take a breath at a really crazy time of year. Divided into 4 categories: waiting, peacemaking, rejoicing and beholding, each day has a devotional with a prayer, reflection point, idea to live out and journal or processing point.
I loved the length of each devotional and the different quotes shared on each day, leading you to other writers and thinkers to explore.
Being the time of year that it is, I didn’t stop to do each prompt or take time to linger, but I really look forward to opening up this book on December 1st and taking my time through it.
I respect Rich Villodas’s writing and his take on being a follower of Jesus and have really enjoyed the other books of his that I’ve read also. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital arc of this poignant book. Highly recommended for the upcoming Christmas season ❤️🙌🏻🙏🏼

[John Minch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to the same themes of faith hope joy and love during the season of Advent helped lead to greater resilience, patience, and appreciation for the ways God may be working in the background this Christmas. I used the audio book version as I drove into work each morning, pausing for prayer at the appointed spots, and reading the assigned passages at some point during the day. the big ah-ha moments usually came over dinner when sharing thoughts on the days advent reflection and reading with my wife Deanna who read it with me. I highly recommend not just reading this, but doing so in a way that fits your life and doing so in community who will help you naturally reflect on what you are waiting on, hoping for, beholding and rejoicing in.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a perfect Christmas gift as we count down to the celebration of the birth of Christ in December. However, it is more than just a Christmas-time relevant book.

In fact, the book touches on various topics which would be relevant to us anytime, anywhere in this world. Personally, I found the chapters on “waiting” to be the most impactful as I am by nature definitely not a patient person. The truth that waiting is not passive was a revelation to me. It reminded me that while I want things at my pace, at the end of the day, God is sovereign and all things will be done on His timing.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading a different advent devotional each year, and this year I was excited to see a new one by @richvillodas. I have loved his previous books and I find his approach to life and faith to be insightful, challenging and encouraging. I loved the way he framed this devotion, and the structure of each reading (which includes a space for silence and prayer👏). Although I loved Rich’s narration and the audiobook was particularly accessible for me this year, I think I would have preferred using a hard copy to be able engage more quietly and slowly with each reading (although this probably says more about my reading preferences than anything else!)

[Gerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice contemporary devotional for the Advent period. There’s a reading for each day which is a message or homily from the author. It’s written in a very relatable way. Then there’s a reflection prompting you to spend 2 minutes in silence before God, a short prayer, scripture, a guide from the author related to the reading and theme, a question and closing prayer. These are relatively short daily exercises and readings that will easily fit into and enrich your busy Advent life. It will help to keep our focus where it belongs during this holy season.

#WaitingforJesus #NetGalley

[Julia Shelburne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this Advent devotional, Villodas highlights the waiting involved in the preparation for and anticipation of Christ. The devotionals contain Bible verses, prayers, and short passages by other writers. They are organized by Advent themes. I enjoy Villodas' work, so this book was a delight. If you are looking for an easily digestible yet profound devotional that calls for slowing down and refocusing your eyes on Jesus, then this is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and WaterBrook for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Jae Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book for advent centered around the four major themes of the season but presented as waiting (hope), peacemaking (peace), rejoicing (joy), and beholding (love). Each day has a reflection which includes preparing to encounter God, a prayer for presence, a recommended scripture, a quote, a question to reflect on, and a closing prayer. The book helped me to slow down and stay focused on Jesus during the Christmas season. The reading is short and manageable and takes about 5-10 minutes to complete.

[Ty Fullenkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an awesome addition to the Advent season. I can’t recommend this book highly enough to anyone looking for a way to deepen their relationship with Jesus through understanding the Christmas story more. I personally broke it down with a chapter a day and it’ll take less than 15 minutes of your day. Rich knocked it out of the park with this one and I always love an author that spends the time doing the audiobook version on their own! Highly recommend and I will absolutely be reading this again next December!!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished a day late, but thoroughly enjoyed the devotional. It's a warm, thoughtful invitation to slow down and reflect on the significance of the Gospel in Christmas. Each day includes a devotional section and a guided reflection section. The reflection portion of each day offers a prayer, a passage, a quote, a question, and a closing prayer. The devotional is broken up into four major parts: waiting, peacemaking, rejoicing, and beholding, each of which have 6-7 days dedicated to them.

[Jessica Hardy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I typically enjoy Rich Villodas but I am pretty picky on devotionals. I did enjoy this for Advent and would recommend but some of it felt repetitive and additionally, the verses didn’t always match with the written devo so it felt confusing sometimes. I liked the moments of silence, the scripture, and prayer. I less enjoyed the written devo part (which is typically how I feel about devos in general.)

[Loreli Cockram · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this together as a church. Villodas is good at pulling out thoughts and themes that deepen our understanding of Advent. His reflections were articulate and concise, but left me wanting more. And a minor criticism is that the scripted prayers didn't always "match" the heart of each devotional. I would call it more of an Advent primer than a deep dive.

I did appreciate his thoughts on "beholding" God, in the latter week.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful advent reading book. The book takes you through the days of December, waiting for Jesus, and focusing on: Waiting, Peacemaking, Rejoicing, and Beholding.
This is very readable and relatable and is a good reminder of what Christmas is really about.
I intend to use it again next year as the messages and format are worthy of repeat.

[Karla Osorno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4 stars.

I came to this devotion after advent had already started. Someone shared one of the early devotions so I ordered it. Being “behind” wasn’t fun but I am so glad I it was recommended. The format and content was good - inviting scripture reading and reflection as well as silence and prayer. The stories relayed by the author were engaging and I really enjoyed the words of wisdom by someone in recent church history. I journaled throughout and had some really sweet moments with Jesus. I recommend this devotion and have thought about many parts of it in the days since I finished.

[Chesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Advent devotional following the weekly themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. A contemporary voice with short, thoughtful readings and question prompts. His chapter on peace making vs. peace keeping was especially memorable.