Fixated: Advent Meditations from the Book of Hebrews

by Tim Chester

We all know that Jesus ought to be the focus of our celebration at Christmas. And yet, we so easily fall into the trap each year of sidelining Him.

In these 24 Advent devotions, Tim Chester encourages us to look away from the distractions of our culture and instead by engrossed by Jesus. This might not sound very practical, but it is life-changing. Using the opening chapters of Hebrews as a tour guide, these devotions show us the key sights of the Lord's glory and invite us to fix our eyes on Jesus this Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Devotional, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Religion

73 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

Dr Tim Chester is involved in The Crowded House, a church planting initiative in Sheffield, UK. He was previously Research & Policy Director for Tearfund UK, and has been published widely on prayer, mission, social issues and theology. He is married to Helen and has two daughters.

Reviews

[RyanG37 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, sadly I did just finish this, despite the fact that it is March. It functioned as a devotional for my wife and I for some of December, and we have used it since then when we haven't had time to spend a longer period of time in the bible that day, so that we ensure we do something.

Overall, I think this is a really excellent little devotional.

There are some oddities - the fact the majority slowly works through Hebrews 1 and 2, then suddenly races through Hebrew 3, 4 and 5 in a couple of days, the odd unnecessary tangent or almost irrelevant anecdote, and a couple of sentences that weren't quite as precise theologically as they could have been.

But there was a great consistent focus on Christ and how glorious he is, there is some real theological depth to the reflections, with complex christology explained simply, and the application, which was more 'look at Christ' than 'do this' was helpful. Also, choosing Hebrews rather than some of the more 'classic' Christmas texts brings a lesser known but no less important biblical angle on the incarnation to life.

Glad to have read it.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing style: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Engagement:🌟🌟🌟
Content: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Purpose:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Value:🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 4/5

[Adam Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m very thankful that Tim Chester keeps writing Advent devotionals, because each one is wonderful. This year’s offering journeys through the first five chapters of Hebrews - not normal Christmas fare, even though the incarnation is referenced quite a number of times. Tim uses these chapters to encourage us to fix our eyes on Jesus (hence the title) - Jesus the King (1:5), Jesus the True Man (2:5-9), Jesus our Inheritance (3:7-4:2), and so on. The devotions go in order through Hebrews, sometimes looking at a single verse, sometimes at a group of verses. The reflections are clear and engaging, and there’s a prayer at the end. Highly recommended!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable advent-styled devotion on Hebrews 1-5. Fixated prompted me to study Hebrews 1-2 and write my own 5-week advent study.

Stay Fixated on Christ’s Glory This Christmas - Hebrews 1–2

1st Sunday of Advent: Promise Candle - Hebrews 1:1-2a
Stay Fixated on God’s FINAL REVELATION "in Son”: LISTEN Up!

2nd Sunday of Advent: Preparation Candle - Hebrews 1:2b-4
Stay Fixated on God’s FLAWLESS RADIANCE "in Son”: WAIT Up!

3rd Sunday of Advent: Proclamation Candle - Hebrews 1:5-14
Stay Fixated on God’s FIRSTBORN RULER “in Son”: SPEAK Up!

4th Sunday of Advent: Participation Candle - Hebrews 2:1-4
Stay Fixated on God’s FIERCEST RETRIBUTION by the Son: KEEP Up!

Christmas Eve/Day of Advent: Purpose Candle • Part 1 - Hebrews 2:5-9
Stay Fixated on Our FOREMOST REPRESENTATIVE “in Son": KEEP On KEEPING Up!

Christmas Eve/Day of Advent: Purpose Candle • Part 2 - Hebrews 2:10-18
Stay Fixated on Our FOREMOST REPRESENTATIVE “in Son": KEEP On KEEPING Up!

[Elise Haroldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a few days into the month of January to finish this devotional. (My fault, not the devotionals!)

I never would have thought the first five chapters of Hebrews would be the perfect scriptures to reflect on during Christmas, but this devotional was so powerful for me this past Advent season. The overarching theme is “Fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Each day you focus on one or a group of verses and end with a prayer. I definitely will revisit this one in another year or so!

I plan to continue on with Chester's Lent devotional "Forgiven," which focuses on the second half of the book of Hebrews.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Loved reading this with friends. Hebrews makes a sweet alternative to re-reading the Nativity, and is soaked in all the gorgeous flavours of what it means for Jesus to be God Incarnate.

I found the pace and structure a bit random - like a slightly tipsy reindeer stepping reaalllly slowlyyyy through Hebrews chapter 1 and then absolutely careering through 4 and 5. And the application was occasionally a bit off-piste.

But some total gems: the nativity is a peace mission; our hope and anchor are a person; Jesus claims us as his family in the heavenly throne room; our salvation has a lifetime guarantee.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, short devotional for Advent. I have no complaints as far as its theological accuracy and trueness to Scripture, but it wasn’t the top Advent book I’ve ever read stylistically.

I tend to prefer more poetic, meditative writings at Christmastime, and this book read more like several short articles. If that’s what you prefer, this might be the right pick for you!

Overall, it was a fine Advent read, and I’m thankful for any book that magnifies Christ and shares the story of His indescribable gift!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for Goodreads.

[Colin Michaelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This advent devotional is very good. Using the first few chapters of the book of Hebrews as its text, we reflect on the incarnation of Christ. There were many times when the perspective was new and fresh and yet always solidly based on the text in Hebrews.

Due to travel during the advent season, we finished this a little late (but at least before the next Christmas season).

[Jason Wilson]

Good Advent devotional. Taking us through Hebrews was different.

[Meghann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short devotions for Advent through the first few chapters of Hebrews. I enjoyed this one and will return to it in future years.

[Rodie King · Rating 4 out of 5]

P 23 To Chapter 16
P 56 Chapter 21
P 60 Chapter 22 Interesting quote chapter 4 v 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any doubled-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
P 65 Chapter 23
Sad that it did not cover the whole of Hebrews

[Teresa Forsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023 re-read. This is one of my favorite advent books. The author walks the reader through the first five chapters of Hebrews to become fixated on Jesus during the Christmas season.

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas signifies the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. This is the time for us to stop and meditate of His coming to earth as a baby. His incarnation found in the Gospels help us grasp this momumental event in history.

However, there is more than his incarnation that is needed to be known. That is just part of who Christ is that we should affirm as a Christian. His deity, His part in the Trinity, His death, burial and resurrection are also needed to be highlighted not a scattered truths we designate a day or week during the year. We need to focus on this person and all His important aspect this Christmas. To guide us to better understand these truth during this holiday season, we go to the a book in the Bible that might not be your best pick for the Christmas Story.


Fixated is devotional that will invigorate your soul in meditating on Jesus Christ. Everyday you’ll look forward to encounter and get to know him more . For 24 days you’ll get spiritual encouragement as the book takes a look at some early chapters of Hebrews. As we all know, Hebrews try to connect New Testment to the Old Testament particularly, Jesus Christ as a fulfillment of this written on that part of God’s Words. Chester carefully articulates and sometimes carries it over to the next entry which I really like.


Fixated really gives solid excursions on the glory of our Lord found on Hebrews that will draw you and your family to the most important person this Christmas. We might get caught in the busyness of life or get discouraged. Let Fixated fill in these truths about Jesus and let it permiate our life.


Fixated is a reader friendly and biblically sound devotional for the family. The unlikely book of the Bible and as well as the unlikely topic for Christmas is highlighted in this book. Nevertheless, there is no better time that this to look at Jesus. Tim Chester did an excellent job on this book. This Christmas and everyday stay focus on Christ. Highly recommended!


My verdict:
5 out of 5

[Sophie Newman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a useful set of devotions into the book of Hebrews and how the birth, death, and person of Jesus rightly should be celebrated at Christmas!

“We’re celebrating the birthday of Jesus, but he ends up not being invited to his own party”

After day 12 though, questionable bits of theology cropped up here and there (hence the 3 stars):

“After Christ returns, and our humanity is fully restored, we will look out across what we have made of this world with all its corruption and brokenness and in our renewed humanity, we will roll up our sleeves and say to one another, ‘Let’s put this right again.’ “ - nope! God will be the one who does that!

But overall the message was very much this:

“we have in these verses a promise that God will keep us. It’s a promise not just in words but in a person - a gentle saviour and faithful High Priest who descended to earth so that he could empathise with us and ascended into heaven so that he could represent us before God.”

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short daily reflections with passages from Hebrews. Overall, it made for a good Bible study but some of the early reflections were repetitive, going over the same ground multiple days in a row. I personally found that a bit tedious though others might enjoy the reinforcement and reassurance of having the key themes repeated.

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A set of 24 short devotionals in the book of Hebrews (going up to chapter 5). Some of the devotionals and reflections are excellent, with a clear point derived from the text, enhanced by a deeper understanding from knowledge of Greek and OT allusions, communicated well and warmly, with some good points of reflection. Others are lackluster, where the devotional seems to go off on a tangent and the discussion questions go further on another tangent. Overall though, recommended, and in general they do a good job of keeping to the theme of being fixated upon Jesus.

[Haddon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a lovely way to study Hebrews, with a constant focus on Christmas. Some of the material was lovely to read. I’m not too big of a fan of Tim Chester’s writing. I feel that his Trinitarian writing wasn’t strong and doesn’t hold close to the reformers and early Church Fathers. It was an insightful book and lovely read nonetheless.

[Cyndia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this to be my Advent book, but life got in the way. I decided to save it for January. I thoroughly enjoyed these devotionals. I’m studying through Hebrews and these were great review of the first part of the book. Although written for Advent, I found this book worked for a non-Advent 25 days too.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homely (a plus), workmanlike (perhaps inevitable in a format that only allows two pages per day), a slightly unexpected choice of texts for Advent, Hebrews 1-5 (another plus), and not unrelatedly, therefore, a good way of getting people to read my favourite book of the Bible (am I allowed a favourite!?)

Apparently there is a sequel for Lent on the second half of Hebrews.

[Sarah Poling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh perspective on fixing our eyes on Jesus during the month of December, or anytime! I didn't read it during Christmas season- I ready it at some other time, but it helped me think differently about the awe, the wonder, and the glory due to the Lord because of who He is, what He has done, and will do for those who put their faith in Him.

[Geetha Chandran · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fabulous read in advent . jesus the one we are to look to, the one who came to us to bring peace with God.
" the gentle saviour and faijthful high preist who descended to earth so that he could emphathise with us and ascended into heaven so that he could reoresentd us before God ."

[Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0. One of the best advents I have gone through. I like that it went through Hebrews. There was some really funny humor and some wording/takes I hadn’t heard before that were valuable. Strong recommend.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never expected that Hebrews would be a natural match for spiritual preparation for Christmas but these Advent devotions were excellent.

[Rex Libris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Advent devotional booklet using the first half of the book of Hebrews. OK quality. Some very thoughtful and penetrating questions are posed through the days; others just kind of sit there.

[David Meiklejohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great wee book to buy for the run-up to Christmas, with a message each day for the 1st to the 24th. A daily dose of God’s word is better than a piece of chocolate from your advent calendar. And if you know me that’s saying a lot!

[Genieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great advent devotional full of biblical truths. There are quite a bit of editing errors though, which was quite distracting (ex: a missing "the" or "is" here and there).

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reminder and encouragement to keep our eyes fixated on Jesus

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helps to really focus on Jesus this Christmas during all of the hustle and bustle, parties, shopping, and everything else that come with the busy Christmas season.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite advent book ever! Will be rereading next year.

[David Muir · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting way to look at the. Christmas story: through the eyes of the writer of Hebrews. A great collection of Advent readings.