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Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent
Love is at the heart of Christmas—it's the reason behind all our gathering and gift-giving at this time of year. In this Advent devotional, Dr Sinclair B Ferguson refreshes our hearts as we reflect on the source it all—love incarnate, Jesus Christ.
Over the course of December, this devotional walks through 1 Corinthians 13 phrase-by-phrase, showing us that "love is" the Lord Jesus himself.
Sinclair Ferguson brings the rich theology of the incarnation to life with his trademark warmth and clarity. Drawing on stories from the Gospels, we'll see what “love” looked like in the life of Christ, and be challenged us to love like him during the Christmas season. Each day's reading finishes with carols and hymns for reflection and prayer.
However you're feeling—weary or frantic, lonely or lovesick—your heart will be refreshed as you wonder again at the truth that love came down at Christmas in the person of Jesus Christ.
Over the course of December, this devotional walks through 1 Corinthians 13 phrase-by-phrase, showing us that "love is" the Lord Jesus himself.
Sinclair Ferguson brings the rich theology of the incarnation to life with his trademark warmth and clarity. Drawing on stories from the Gospels, we'll see what “love” looked like in the life of Christ, and be challenged us to love like him during the Christmas season. Each day's reading finishes with carols and hymns for reflection and prayer.
However you're feeling—weary or frantic, lonely or lovesick—your heart will be refreshed as you wonder again at the truth that love came down at Christmas in the person of Jesus Christ.
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2018
247 people are currently reading
1112 people want to read
About the author
Sinclair B. Ferguson
218 books562 followersSinclair B. Ferguson is Associate Preacher at St Peter's Free Church in Dundee and also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina and prior to that, he was minister of St. George's-Tron Church in Glasgow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
December 31, 2024
I don't know if there's such a thing as a perfect Advent devotional, but this one is awfully close. Working through 1 Corinthians 13 to show Christ as the embodiment of love, I was challenged and encouraged. I'm a few days ahead because I started at the beginning of Advent, not Dec 1, but that's kind of nice as the last few days get busier.
I loved the poems he chose as prayers - some really excellent, uncommon selections.
I loved the poems he chose as prayers - some really excellent, uncommon selections.
January 3, 2026
This was my Advent devotional, but I finished it a few days after Christmas. As with every other Sinclair Ferguson book I’ve read, I came away with not only deeper knowledge but deeper love for Christ. This book moves through 1 Corinthians 13 and applies it to Jesus coming to earth for us as love incarnate. Highly recommend! I loved it.
January 14, 2020
Sinclair Ferguson is the most stable and edifying author I know in the reformed world today. So many others try to provoke for attention, but Ferguson writes without the glitz and sensationalism. If you stick with him through some of his Scottish and older generation eccentricities, he is rich food for the soul.
There are 24 short chapters (about 6 pages each), one for each day of December leading up to Christmas. It’s an advent devotional, but trust me, you don’t need to wait for next December to read this.
The 13th chapter on love not rejoicing in evil was especially good. What we rejoice in says a lot about who we are. Convicting stuff.
Ferguson uses examples and illustrations very well, in both frequency and aptness.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, as an exploration of the idea of biblical love, and as an application commentary on 1 Corinthians 13.
There are 24 short chapters (about 6 pages each), one for each day of December leading up to Christmas. It’s an advent devotional, but trust me, you don’t need to wait for next December to read this.
The 13th chapter on love not rejoicing in evil was especially good. What we rejoice in says a lot about who we are. Convicting stuff.
Ferguson uses examples and illustrations very well, in both frequency and aptness.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, as an exploration of the idea of biblical love, and as an application commentary on 1 Corinthians 13.
November 20, 2022
Why I Read the Book: I’ve been looking for a good advent devotional, and this was available from Truth for Life.
Format: Paperback
Synopsis: There are 24 entries in Love Came Down at Christmas; it seems meant to be read from December 1-24, instead of from the beginning of advent (usually the last Sunday of November.) Instead of focusing on the traditional topics of advent, Sinclair Ferguson goes through 1 Corinthians 13. The entries were longer than I was expecting - each one is 3 or 4 pages.
What I Thought: Love Came Down at Christmas was not what I was expecting. When I heard it mentioned on Truth for Life, I somehow had the impression that Sinclair Ferguson had drawn parallels from the traditional advent topics (hope/prophecy, expectation/faith, joy, love/peace). Instead this is simply a phrase by phrase study through 1 Corinthians 13, relating back to Christmas, because it’s an advent study.
Overall it was good study. I had been planning to read it again for the 24 days before Resurrection Day, but forgot. It was difficult to get over my disappointment that it didn’t relate to the traditional advent themes, and I did not enjoy it as much as I would have if I were using it to help me study 1 Corinthians 13.
The Bottom Line: I would recommend Love Came Down at Christmas to anyone looking for a study on 1 Corinthians 13. I'm not sure I would recommend it as an ‘advent study’ but more as a ‘thinking about God’s love at Christmas time study’.
Format: Paperback
Synopsis: There are 24 entries in Love Came Down at Christmas; it seems meant to be read from December 1-24, instead of from the beginning of advent (usually the last Sunday of November.) Instead of focusing on the traditional topics of advent, Sinclair Ferguson goes through 1 Corinthians 13. The entries were longer than I was expecting - each one is 3 or 4 pages.
What I Thought: Love Came Down at Christmas was not what I was expecting. When I heard it mentioned on Truth for Life, I somehow had the impression that Sinclair Ferguson had drawn parallels from the traditional advent topics (hope/prophecy, expectation/faith, joy, love/peace). Instead this is simply a phrase by phrase study through 1 Corinthians 13, relating back to Christmas, because it’s an advent study.
Overall it was good study. I had been planning to read it again for the 24 days before Resurrection Day, but forgot. It was difficult to get over my disappointment that it didn’t relate to the traditional advent themes, and I did not enjoy it as much as I would have if I were using it to help me study 1 Corinthians 13.
The Bottom Line: I would recommend Love Came Down at Christmas to anyone looking for a study on 1 Corinthians 13. I'm not sure I would recommend it as an ‘advent study’ but more as a ‘thinking about God’s love at Christmas time study’.
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December 26, 2025This was beautiful... I wasn't sure what to expect as the few advent devotionals I've read up until now (one also by this same author) have each been very different stylistically. I wasn't expecting a close reading of 1 Corinthians 13 but enjoyed how Ferguson explored the famous passage by looking at how Jesus' advent WAS love in its purest form coming down to us.
December 26, 2021
Excellent meat for Advent.
December 6, 2023
An advent devotional that has resources for year round? Yes, please! Sinclair Ferguson’s Love Came Down at Christmas is a 24-day journey through 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 at the thoughtful pace of one phrase a day. With sweet glimpses into Ferguson’s personal & family life, a convicting look at our own hearts, and an unwavering eye on Jesus as the fulfillment of this well-known chapter of the Bible, this is a book I looked forward to picking up each day of December.
But beyond? Oh, yes. Each day’s reading ends with a selection of poetry from the annals of Christian literature. And I don’t mean Catherine Marshall & Janette Oke. We’re talking about verses penned in the 4th, 5th & 6th centuries. Some newer, of course, but nothing modern. I have bathed in A.W. Tozer’s The Christian Book of Mystical Verse: A Collection of Poems, Hymns, and Prayers for Devotional Reading, cover to cover, and yet, had never come across most of the poetic gems that Ferguson brings to this holiday feast! 24 freshly introduced works of ancient mystical poetry that are “must-haves” for meditative reading throughout the year.
Added bonus? Even the book designers were mindful of giving this little volume some seasonal sparkle. The cover with its gilded illustration glints in the glow of my holiday lights as I snuggle up with a cup of morning coffee to read each day’s lesson. Ah, the simple joys of good design! 😊
~Jen
But beyond? Oh, yes. Each day’s reading ends with a selection of poetry from the annals of Christian literature. And I don’t mean Catherine Marshall & Janette Oke. We’re talking about verses penned in the 4th, 5th & 6th centuries. Some newer, of course, but nothing modern. I have bathed in A.W. Tozer’s The Christian Book of Mystical Verse: A Collection of Poems, Hymns, and Prayers for Devotional Reading, cover to cover, and yet, had never come across most of the poetic gems that Ferguson brings to this holiday feast! 24 freshly introduced works of ancient mystical poetry that are “must-haves” for meditative reading throughout the year.
Added bonus? Even the book designers were mindful of giving this little volume some seasonal sparkle. The cover with its gilded illustration glints in the glow of my holiday lights as I snuggle up with a cup of morning coffee to read each day’s lesson. Ah, the simple joys of good design! 😊
~Jen
December 25, 2022
By far my favorite Advent book I’ve read. Convicting and encouraging as he walked you through 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Oh how much Christ loves his people ❤️❤️
December 24, 2020
How do we know that God loves? He sent us His son to save us (John 3:16). In I Corinthians 13, Paul gives us instruction on what love is. My daily readings in this Advent season have been from this new book by Sinclair B. Ferguson. Each devotional expounds on a verse in this famous passage on love, adds questions for reflection and includes a relevant poem. Meditating on I Corinthians 13 this December has been a blessing and has expanded my understanding of God's love and how I can love others. My favorite poem was one from Amy Carmichael and was attached to the very first reading. I will not include the entire poem here, but the stanza that most resonated with me:
"Shine through me, Joy of God;
Make me like thy clear air;
That thou dost pour thy colours through,
As though it were not there."
--Amy Carmichael (1867-1951),
"Shine through me, Joy of God;
Make me like thy clear air;
That thou dost pour thy colours through,
As though it were not there."
--Amy Carmichael (1867-1951),
December 24, 2018
Book 196 of 2018. Finished my advent devotional this morning. Instead of the traditional scriptures, Ferguson spends the 24 devotions going through I Corinthians 13. This was beautiful for Christmas, but could be a meaningful read for any time of the year.
December 24, 2020
In the incarnation the Son of God became "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). But we are not justified, or adopted into Gods family, or sanctified, or glorified simply because the Son of God shared our flesh and sorrows. Yes, that means He can sympathize with us in our weakness because He experienced it. But He came to accomplish much more—something we could never do for ourselves—He came to die for us. Only when we can say, "He was wounded for our transgressions" have we grasped the meaning of the Gospel and the wonder of Love. This is the heart of the matter. This is what we should never forget on Christmas... The Son of God was born for us in order to die for us. When we see that, then we have begun to understand Love. For this reason, Love came down at Christmas.
December 24, 2023
By reading two advent devotionals by Sinclair B. Ferguson, I have come to really appreciate his thoughtful & insightful commentary on Scripture, his rich & clear understanding of and appreciation for the Gospel, and his love for thought-provoking hymns and prayers of old.
This particular work takes the Love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13 and shows how the incarnation of Jesus, His life on earth, and ultimate sacrifice on the cross for us is the whole and perfect display of love.
“That is what we should never forget on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Som of God was born for us in order to die for us.”
Truly Love Came Down at Christmas- for us.
This particular work takes the Love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13 and shows how the incarnation of Jesus, His life on earth, and ultimate sacrifice on the cross for us is the whole and perfect display of love.
“That is what we should never forget on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Som of God was born for us in order to die for us.”
Truly Love Came Down at Christmas- for us.
January 12, 2023
Wonderful devotion for advent or any time! Convicting, encouraging, and beautifully written. Ferguson takes the reader through 1 Corinthians 13, the “love” chapter, showing us how we fall short but how Christ does not. I love sitting at the feet of Dr. Ferguson. He is a faithful and compassionate Bible teacher.
December 20, 2022
The best Advent devotional I’ve read. It is based on 1 Corinthians 13. Highly recommend! And you could read this in any season.
December 24, 2024
Such a beautiful and convicting devotional for the Advent season. With a lot of explanation, we read this with our smaller children (ages 5-8) and a lot of great discussions came from this book!
December 31, 2024
excellent! worthy of repeated readings!
December 24, 2023
First time doing an advent and it was great! Really enjoyed how thorough and applicable the advent was! Great way to start every morning
December 31, 2021
I was not expecting this to be a walk through 1 Corinthians 13, but now that I think about it, what could possibly be a better passage to dwell on and seek to apply at Christmas time? It’s the time of year that we have the most contact with relatives and we have desires and expectations for our celebrations, so there’s no better time to dwell on where we need to be patient and not seek our own and so on. It’s a convicting read, but it also repeatedly reminds the reader of the hope for change that every believer has because of the Holy Spirit working in him or her. Definitely consider reading this book for your advent countdown next year! I will be eagerly and prayerfully breaking it out again next year.
December 28, 2024
4⭐️ This will be an annual advent read for me!
Fave quotes:
So I ask thee for the daily strength, To none that ask denied,
And a mind to blend with outward life
While keeping at thy side;
Content to fill a little space, If thou be glorified ...
In a service which thy will appoints
There are no bonds for me,
For my inmost heart is taught "the truth"
That makes thy children "free";
And a life of self-renouncing love
Is a life of liberty.
Anna Laetitia Waring (1820-1910)
You probably don't have the gifts of an Ambrose.
And perhaps you would find meeting someone as intellectually gifted as Augustine a little intimidating. Few of us feel we have the brain power to persuade somebody like that to become a Christian. But it isn't brain power that draws people to Christ. That isn't what first drew Augustine to Christ. It was kindness.
Then the Old Man of the Earth stooped over the floor of the cave, raised a huge stone from it, and left it leaning. It disclosed a great hole that went plumb-down.
"That is the way," he said.
"But there are no stairs."
"You must throw yourself in. There is no other way."
Why do those who do not know the Lord find this so difficult to understand? Because they see God as the spoiler of their pleasure; for them, glorifying him would be a recipe for losing control of their own lives. The truth is, however, that there is no lasting enjoyment without this enjoyment of God. And without it we can never find ourselves and our true destiny. For we were made by God, as his image, for loving fellowship with him.
Fave quotes:
So I ask thee for the daily strength, To none that ask denied,
And a mind to blend with outward life
While keeping at thy side;
Content to fill a little space, If thou be glorified ...
In a service which thy will appoints
There are no bonds for me,
For my inmost heart is taught "the truth"
That makes thy children "free";
And a life of self-renouncing love
Is a life of liberty.
Anna Laetitia Waring (1820-1910)
You probably don't have the gifts of an Ambrose.
And perhaps you would find meeting someone as intellectually gifted as Augustine a little intimidating. Few of us feel we have the brain power to persuade somebody like that to become a Christian. But it isn't brain power that draws people to Christ. That isn't what first drew Augustine to Christ. It was kindness.
Then the Old Man of the Earth stooped over the floor of the cave, raised a huge stone from it, and left it leaning. It disclosed a great hole that went plumb-down.
"That is the way," he said.
"But there are no stairs."
"You must throw yourself in. There is no other way."
Why do those who do not know the Lord find this so difficult to understand? Because they see God as the spoiler of their pleasure; for them, glorifying him would be a recipe for losing control of their own lives. The truth is, however, that there is no lasting enjoyment without this enjoyment of God. And without it we can never find ourselves and our true destiny. For we were made by God, as his image, for loving fellowship with him.
December 31, 2024
Encouraging, edifying, convicting, challenging, and comforting! Ferguson walks us through 1 Corinthians 13, the famous Love chapter, preaching to our hearts the love of Christ given to us and how we are to spread that love to others.
The Christmas season is regarded by many as a time for spreading love and good cheer to our fellow men. Christians and unbelievers alike share this sentiment, but for the Christian we love because He first loved us. Love Came Down at Christmas reminds us page after page of God’s love in Christ and offers daily reflections on how that love impacts our daily lives right now, both personally and relationally toward others.
As a sweet bonus, each daily reading wraps up with a perfectly fitting poem.
This was my second or third time reading this for Advent and won’t be the last, Lord willing. I look forward to reading this again and again!
The Christmas season is regarded by many as a time for spreading love and good cheer to our fellow men. Christians and unbelievers alike share this sentiment, but for the Christian we love because He first loved us. Love Came Down at Christmas reminds us page after page of God’s love in Christ and offers daily reflections on how that love impacts our daily lives right now, both personally and relationally toward others.
As a sweet bonus, each daily reading wraps up with a perfectly fitting poem.
This was my second or third time reading this for Advent and won’t be the last, Lord willing. I look forward to reading this again and again!
December 24, 2021
I loved this book! It brought a different spin to advent readings which took a little getting used to since it was not what I was expecting. But it paired well with the more traditional advent readings I did with my son. Overall, this book contained wonderful daily readings to prepare my heart for WHY Jesus was born for us.
December 24, 2019
Read for Advent 2019. Begins with the poem "Love Came Down at Christmas" and then expounds on that by gradually working through 1 Corinthians 13.
January 27, 2022
I really enjoyed this book!! We used it as a part of our family worship. Some of it went over our kids heads but it still sparked good conversations!! I totally recommend!!
December 21, 2023
Best advent book I’ve read this year
December 24, 2025
Not the typical advent devotional centered around the characters of Christmas, but entries that walk through I Corinthians 13 through the lens of Christ. Very good!!
December 24, 2023
“This is what we should never forget on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Son of God was born for us in order to die for us. When we see that, then we have begun to understand Love.”
December 26, 2024
This was a wonderful devotional which made you look at Christmas from a different perspective. For someone who has heard the Christmas story many times, this one caused me to pause and think about why Jesus came and the love shown in coming.
January 14, 2025
I really loved this. It took me longer to finish, but it was wonderful. I don’t know that I have ever thought of I Corinthians 13 as an Advent reading, but after this, I think, how can I not.
December 25, 2021
Might be my favorite advent devotion book so far!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews