Joy to the World! An Advent Devotional Journey through the Songs of Christmas

by Ray Pritchard

Christmas and music go together. Most of us can’t imagine celebrating Christmas without singing “Silent Night” or “The First Noel” or “Away in a Manger.” This year we’re going to take an Advent journey through the songs of Christmas. We’ll start with on December 1 with “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and end on December 25 with “Joy to the World.” In between we’ll look at a different song each day. In making my selection, I tried to include most of our familiar carols, but I intentionally included a few newer songs, including “Breath of Heaven,” “A Strange Way to Save the World,” and “Matthew’s Begats.” Each entry includes a link to a YouTube version of that day’s song. Plus we end with a brief prayer.

Please join us on this Advent journey as we sing our way to Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Non Fiction

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2021

About the author

Dr. Ray Pritchard serves as president of Keep Believing Ministries. He has ministered extensively overseas in China, Bolivia, Columbia, Paraguay, Belize, Haiti, Nigeria, Switzerland, Russia, India and Nepal. He serves as a regular co-host on "Today's Issues" on the American Family Network. He has written 27 books, including Stealth Attack, Fire and Rain, The Healing Power of Forgiveness, An Anchor for the Soul, The Incredible Journey of Faith, The ABCs of Wisdom, Leadership Lessons of Jesus (with Bob Briner), Why Did This Happen to Me?, and Credo: Believing in Something to Die For. For 26 years he pastored churches in Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago. He is a graduate of Tennessee Temple University (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.) and Talbot School of Theology (D.Min.). He has been married to Marlene for 39 years. Their three sons (Josh, Mark and Nick) have spent time in recent years teaching English in China. Josh and Leah were married in July 2006. They have one son (Knox) and a daughter on the way. Mark and Vanessa were married in July 2007. They have two children (Eli and Penelope). His hobbies include biking, surfing the Internet, and anything related to the Civil War.

Reviews

[Sam B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prepare to sing!

I really liked this book. The author goes through 25 well known and lesser known Christmas carols from December 1st to December 25th.
Each day, he provides a short background and description of one song and a YouTube link to listen to the song. I believe he did a nice job at varying the song styles. I didn't like all the versions provided, but there was a good diversity.

Overall a recommended read to get in the Holiday spirit!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the actual written devotions. I learned more about some well-known and some less well-known carols, and I enjoyed the way the author highlighted what the carols teach us about Jesus, as supported by scripture. What I wasn't keen on was most of the linked renditions of the carols on YouTube. I'd have preferred renditions that were more representative of the original carols, rather than variations on the carols that were trying to be "different" or were overly performative.

[Sally Durica-Tabone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Advent Devotional!

Loved this devotional - a history lesson on each carol along with an inspirational message. Loved the links to YouTube. Also introduced me to a few songs I had never heard before. As an active member of our church's music ministry, I thoroughly enjoyed this unique way of observing the Advent season. I highly recommend this book.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Songs of Advent

I loved this Advent devotional. I learned so much about the history of so many Christmas hymns and enjoyed the variety of music chosen for each day’s YouTube video. Highly recommend!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The songs of Christmas

I have just finished this Advent devotional. What a creative way to present the songs of Christmas, by giving the background to it and then giving us a youtube link to hear the song!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Material for Advent

These devotionals are a great source of meditation and reflection for Advent. At the end of each devotion there is song. A short but powerful way to prepare for Christmas.

[Vickie Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hymn History

This book has a short reading for each day leading up to Christmas. The neat part is that there is a video link to a version of that day's song. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love devotionals that tell about Christian Hymns, where they came from, their histories and origins, along with inspirational devotions. This was that in a nutshell except more specific to Christmas carols and hymns. Really well done!

[Sarah W · Rating 5 out of 5]

2021 family Advent Devotional. We loved the songs!

[Cathy aka The Attached Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun book that we used during our morning time at Christmas. Each morning we would read about the history of a song, learn what the lyrics meant, and then listen to the song while we sung along. The book also includes scriptural references which relate to the lyrics. It really gave many of these traditional carols some deeper meaning. The kindle version of this book has links to YouTube videos for every song. (This made completing the devotional very easy and open and go.) All of the videos/song selections were VERY nicely chosen. There was a lot of variety from boy's choirs to Celtic singers. The kids and I enjoyed this book very much. I think we will use it every year.

[Mellie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Musical Christmas Devotional

This was a fantastic Christmas devotional. Every day the author focused on a different Christmas carol, sharing the song's history and discussing it's message and how it applies to us. Then it has a link to watch and hear the song being performed (on YouTube). Finally, each day ends with a prayer. My family and I enjoyed this devotional, and the wide variety of carols - not to mention performers - that we got to read and listen to each day. This devotional really blessed us this Advent and Christmas season.

[Lynden · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone to whom 'music is breath,' this has truly been a joy to my heart at this hard time of year for me! I am thankful that I happened to see the post about it and that I got it. The history of the carols, the devotional thoughts, the links to HEAR the carols - all have made for a most enjoyable, thought-provoking daily experience. I have Shared often and with many about this eBook and will do so whenever it is appropriate. Thank You, Dr. Pritchard. Nice to 'meet' you this way - 8-]

[CM · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, interactive, Christmas devotional! I think I'd like to remember to read this every December. Some of these hymn stories were actually new to me, so it was fun learning their history.

[golden rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read then hear

25 days of reading about Christ's birth and then tapping the page and being taking to you tube for a singing of the song you just read about.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable! Most often I enjoyed the song version chosen by the author but other times I chose to listen to more than one version.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A neat collection of the history of many Christmas carols.