The First Songs of Christmas: Meditations on Luke 1&2

by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

The First Songs of Christmas 31-day Advent devotional was written to help you make the most of this season of Advent. In fact, each day revolves around a single line from one of the songs recorded in Scripture surrounding the first Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Devotional, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christian Non Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2021

About the author

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth also known as Nancy Leigh DeMoss is the host and teacher for Revive Our Hearts and Seeking Him, two nationally-syndicated programs heard each weekday on over 1,000 radio stations. She is a mentor and spiritual mother to thousands of women and a leader of the True Woman movement.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hark the herald angels sing! Glory to the newborn King! Many are all familiar with the song of the angels in Luke 2, but there are also other songs that bear worship and witness in Luke's gospel. The first is Elizabeth who proclaims the truth of the Messiah to Mary at their first meeting after both are with child. Then there is Mary. She sings of the great things God has done for her in Luke 1. The third song comes from Zechariah when his tongue is loosed at the birth of his long-awaited son, John the Baptist. The angels proclaim the birth of our Lord to the shepherds in Luke 2. Next, Simeon sings over the baby Jesus when he is brought to the temple "for purification according to the Law of Moses." And don't forget about Anna, the prophetess who gave thanks to God after years of waiting to meet the Messiah.
This devotional covers the entire month of December rather than ending on Christmas. Each day includes verses from one of the song and a meaningful devotional reading helping us to apply those words to our day. Also included each day is My Prayer, Keep Reading (verses from a Psalm, a book of prophecy, and the New Testament), and My Response.
I will be hanging onto this book for future Decembers. Not only did the readings make my Advent more memorable and meaningful, but I am better prepared to worship and witness in the New Year.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice devotional for Christmas

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ended up being a bit different from what I was expecting. It has short daily snippets that correspond with a particular verse or verses pertaining to the birth of Jesus. "Elizabeth's Song" is when Mary went and visited her and her response to Mary according to Luke. It is an interesting way to break down each verse and actually nice to just go verse by verse on what happened. I think the length of each day's reading is the perfect amount if you are wanting a fairly quick read. It would be fun to read as a family or on your own. Each day has extra verses for reference at the end to read further if you wish.

While I think this is a nice book I am not sure it is my favorite advent type devotional. But I think if you are looking for something to help remind you the Reason for the season this might be the book for you!


Four Stars.

"I received this book from Moody Publishers for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

[Susy C. *MotherLambReads* · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy devotional/ study book to keep up with during the Christmas season. I especially enjoyed the last few days the most.

Always have liked her writing and how she gets truth across to her readers.

[Lauren Acosta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love devotionals. Especially those that focus on my favorite season—Christmas! Christmastime is a festive time for families to connect and reflect on the true meaning of the season. And one way we do that is through Christmas music and songs. The First Songs of Christmas encourages us to look up and focus on the blessings and teachings of lines of Scripture and song.

Each titled devotion opens with verses of Scripture. This sets the tone for what the rest of the day’s reading reveals. The reading is brief and is able to be read and reflected upon in just a few minutes but stays in my mind throughout the day. (Just like a song stays in your head after listening to it.) The devotions close with other pertinent verses to read, solid impact statements, and an example prayer.

I love the structure of this book and its beautiful messages. An attached ribbon bookmark is an added plus. This 31-day devotional is a wonderful way to focus on Christ and makes a lovely gift for the holidays.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. My review was not influenced.

#MPNews

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous insights into the biblical story of Christmas!

[Sue L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike other Advent books this is short entries for each day during the entire month of December. I enjoyed the songs of Christmas and the perspective but I found myself wanting a bit more each day. It's not that I disliked this advent book, or that I did not find thoughts to ponder and it's pages, I think I was just searching for a bit more depth or reflection . There is scripture referenced at the end of every chapter however it is paraphrased and it would be nice to have had those printed out. I did search them out on some of the days but as we all know December is a very busy month....

[Kathleen Garber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good advent devotional. When it mentions the first songs of Christmas, it doesn’t mean Away in a Manager or The First Noel. The title refers to the songs Mary and Elizabeth sing in Luke 1 and 2. That is the focus of the book. Luke 1 and 2. The Christmas Story.

There are extra verses given at the end of each devotional if you wish further study. The book has 31 devotionals and so is for the whole month of December, not just until Christmas Day.

It is not too short and not too long. Perfect if you want to connect with God during December but don’t have a lot of time.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Erica Schrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise but deep advent devotional packed with truth that focuses the reader’s gaze upward to the great love, sovereignty, kindness, and glory of our great God. Highly recommend! I read through it quickly the first time to see if I could recommend it and now I’m really looking forward to going through it daily and slowly in the month of December!

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally bought this book for the cover, plus the fact that I needed a new Christmas devotional. Since I’ve enjoyed other books from the author, I was willing to give this one a try.

The style was easy & engaging, and each day’s reading—though short—was memorable. A refreshing look at the familiar account of Luke 1 & 2. I would definitely reread it again!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this devotional so much. This is my second time through and probably won't be my last.

[Bret Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The First Songs of Christmas: A 31-Day Advent Devotional by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth (Paper). This is an easy read devotional for Advent (of sorts). It goes thru 5 songs in Luke 1-2, and then gives shorter readings, thoughts, extra Scriptures, prayers, and questions for reflection for each day from December 1-31. Our Advent series this year is covering these same songs, and I was looking at this as a devotional guide for everyone in BRCC. I thought it was a good book for what it is aiming at. If you are looking for a good devotional for Advent and Christmas this year, it is a good one. Each day only takes a few minutes so it is not overwhelming, but there is plenty of content to ponder. As a side note, this book is a good example of the beauty and the strangeness of my job. It is wonderful that I get to read as part of my job. I was able to read this book during my study week. The weird thing is that I have to read Advent materials in the summer or fall 😂.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've quickly read this book through this year, and thought it was very good. Can't wait to go through it again next year. I will definitely be reading it more slowly, look up all the additional scripture suggestions and write down my answers to the questions at the end.

What I loved about this book is the author's firm belief that you will be touched by (the Word of) God when reading this purposefully. I believe it too, and therefore recommend everyone to take the time to carefully read and ponder this advent devotional next Christmas, or whenever you feel like it.

[Ktmattison · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't really what I expected... The "songs" were verses from Scripture, which I don't mind, but I really was expecting music to be included in some way, and it wasn't... I did still enjoy most of this devotional thought, but the last few days of it went a bit off the rail for me and I wish I could remember how, but it's now been a year since I finished this book.... All I remember is being very disappointed in the last few days and almost not wanting to finish it at all.... But until that point it was good..

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I simply adore the songs in the first chapters of Luke! Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, the angels, Simeon and Anna. They are beautiful and songs for all ages and eras.
So I was probably expecting way too much from this little devotional! It wasn’t bad, it just seemed a little lackluster, or really, some of the reflections were good but others felt uninspired.
But I appreciate that it slowed me down to read and reflect on these beautiful songs of praise and wonder snd glory at the Incarnation!!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely look at the songs of Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, and the angels as they prepare for the birth of the Messiah. Each song is broken up over several days to dig into the meaning and history of the singer(s). For the days after Christmas, the words of Simeon and Anna are analyzed. A nice way to prepare for the Christmas season.

[Teresa Forsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a 31 day devotional for the month of December (although I often read more than one day at a time) looking at the first songs in the Christmas story: Elizabeth’s song, Mary’s song, Zechariah’s song, the angels’ song, and Simeon’s song. Each day had a short devotional, a prayer, further Scripture reading, and a call of response.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid little (literally, the book is tiny) advent devotional. Wolgemuth examines the first five "Christmas songs" in Luke--Elizabeth's, Mary's, Zechariah's, the angels', and Simeon's. Not my favorite of Christmas devotionals, but definitely one worth returning to in a future year, possibly with my children.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST ADVENT DEVOTIONAL! Highly recommend as a wonderful source to prepare your heart for the celebration of Christ's birth!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking devotionals for the month of December. Insightful and practical.

[Sheila Nielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent devotional for Advent. I will use again.

[Rachel Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful

[Stephanie Ellis]

Lovely Christmas time devotional.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this book took the songs sung by Mary, Elizabeth, Zechariah, etc. and wrote devotionals around them. It's such a unique approach to a Christmas devotional.

[Monica Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful Christmas devotion. Looking at the beauty, wonder, and love of God who sent his only Son to redeem fallen and sinful mankind.

[Jann · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice recap of origins of some of the lesser-known songs of Christmas. Some our choir sang during our Christmas concert this year - Benedictus, and Song of Mary.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!

“Life is our great opportunity both to worship and witness.”

[Heather Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Christmas devotional with 3 Bible passages to read each day along with a prayer and an application questions.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there a reason to sing this Christmas season? In The First Songs of Christmas, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth shares a 31 advent-devotional of meditations on Luke 1 & 2.

Background and the Bigger Story

In just under 150 pages, this book looks at the 5 songs featured in the Christmas story. Elizabeth’s Song, Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song, The Angel’s Song, and Simeon’s Song are covered. Each devotion centers on a single line from one of these songs. You’ll learn about the background of the songs and how they fit in the bigger story of the Bible.

Celebrate the Christmas Season

While the devotionals are short, only 3-5 pages each, they are meant for meditation. You will think about how each songwriter must have felt as they were making melodies. Wolgemuth provides a suggested prayer, supporting Bible verses for further reading, and personal response questions. This book will be perfect for your quiet times as you prepare to celebrate the Christmas season.

Singing and Sharing the Good News

What I appreciated most about this book was how it helped me feel the excitement and emotions in the Christmas songs of Scripture. The words on the page became joys in my heart. And the joys in my heart became songs on my lips. I am moved to be like the shepherds and angels, who can’t help but keep singing and sharing the Good News.

I received a media copy of The First Songs of Christmas and this is my honest review.