Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always

by Ruth Chou Simons

Let Your Christmas Hope Last All Year Long

If there’s one name for Jesus that captures the whole heart of God, it is Emmanuel —God with us. No other name similarly expresses the fullness of God’s eternal desire for His image-bearers. He’s always wanted us to be with Him.

From the bestselling author and artist behind GraceLaced and Beholding and Becoming comes this gorgeously illustrated Advent exploration of what it means to intimately experience God’s presence in our daily lives. Ruth Chou Simons welcomes you and your family to partake in a season of surrender as you discover the true miracle behind that while we journey to grow in our relationships with Jesus, He has already come so He can be with us forever.

Christmas Day is not the end of our celebrations, but the beginning! Emmanuel is an invitation to rejoice in the everlasting fellowship and hope God extended to us on the day of His Son’s birth, guiding us to realize that having God with us all year long is Christmas’s most incredible gift.

Genres: Christmas, Christian, Nonfiction, Devotional, Christian Living, Faith, Audiobook

236 pages, Hardcover

Published September 13, 2022

About the author

Ruth Chou Simons is a Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author of several books and Bible studies, including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, When Strivings Cease, and Now and Not Yet. She is an artist, podcaster, speaker, and the founder, CEO, and Chief Creative Officer of GraceLaced, an art and lifestyle brand. Simons uses each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts, making deep truths beautifully accessible with her signature art and relatable communication style.

Simons has been featured on Good Morning America, Fox, Christianity Today, and Hallmark Home and Family. Ruth and her husband, Troy, live in Western Colorado and are grateful parents to six boys—their greatest adventure.

Connect with Ruth on social media at @ruthchousimons.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

For into you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ~ Luke 2:11

Using this book for December devotions was like being immersed in a lush garden all month. Ruth Chou Simons has included her gorgeous artwork to accompany the verses and themes she expounds upon for the days before and including Christmas. I especially enjoyed the Christmas song she featured with each day's reading. Taking the time to listen to each song and read the lyrics reminded me of the indescribable gift we have in our Savior. While my reading of the book may be finished, the biblical principles featured in the daily readings will stay with me all year long.

To the ones who believe it's possible
to know God with us all year long. . .
long after the twinkle lights are tucked away.
You are my people
This one's for you and yours. ~ Ruth Chou Simons

[Alissa J. Zavalianos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved rereading this devotional for the Christmas season, and what a great way to end the year 💛

[Laura and Literature · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025-
5 stars, all the way. ✝️💛


2024-
“Only in Christ- the Prince of Peace- can we know the peace that replaces disagreement with unity, turmoil with calm, strife with harmony, restlessness with contentment, angst with joy.”

This book is stunning. Full of the authors personal artwork and beautifully written words.

She described this as an “unconventional advent” and I agree. It’s different than your traditional advent and I very much enjoyed it.

It’s written so you can reread for years to come and I plan to do just that.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emmanuel, An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always was written by Ruth Chou Simons and narrated by the author. I gave this a 4⭐️. I chose to listen to this book on audio and I was touch by the authors voice and sincerity. It was a carefully laid out 25 day journey about Christ and Christmas. She addressed “our posture” to begin this and gave wonderful advice and scripture about facing my Christmas Season. Reminding me what it’s for. Each day is left for something to ponder and a special prayer. If you’re like me and look every year for a Christmas devo then this might be for you.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.

[Lydia Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, always

Needs to be an Advent repeat annually

[Rachel {bibliopals} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing theologically deep, but solid. I really enjoyed how she ended with a week focused on different names of Jesus. Pointing to who we are to be celebrating.

[Ashley Hoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, first of all, if you listen to the audiobook on this one, you will have Ruth Chou Simon’s calming and soothing voice to great you every morning. She has an amazing reading voice. Secondly, this book is really great for if you want to reflect on God’s goodness during the holiday season. As I went through it, every day was ushering in the opportunity to focus on Christ and the gift of his birth in a beautiful way. This would be a great devotional to do by yourself or as a family. I’m not sure it would be suited for a small group study, though.

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas devotional my heart needed this season! I know I’ll return to this again and again as Ruth’s warm wisdom points repeatedly back to Truth & Jesus, the Real Reason for the season. 💛

[Miranda Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This devotional is just “okay.” It isn’t great but it is not terrible.
It overall is kind of theologically weak, but not inaccurate. Week one was really hard to get through, and then it picked up in week too. There is a heavy focus on taking your eyes off of the present commercialized season and turning your eyes to Christ, which is not a bad thing at all. But it’s very prevalent in the book, and got annoying when it kept being brought up.
All the scriptures and quotes were very good, and there were many little lines that I marked that were encouraging and helpful. Very overly feminine though, but I guess most of her marketing is to women.

[Erin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been so helpful to sit down with every morning, to center my thoughts in the chaos of Christmas, to focus on the Gospel, the Good News of Christ's birth.

It is absolutely lovely with beautiful artwork by Ruth herself, and bite-sized daily devotions that are rich with truth that gives freedom in a season that can easily be filled with pressures and stress.

[Shana OkieCozyReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really loved this advent devotional. Each day has a message, then ends with a prayer and a suggested hymn for worship, and beautiful art that goes with it. So many of the messages have been meaningful and heartfelt.

[Chloe ✿ Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christmas, don't miss the joy and peace that comes when you surrender the throne of your heart to the Lord of lords, Jesus, and recognize that He alone is deserving-- "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11)

(Day 23, p. 211-215)

I loved this devotional and I can't wait to read it again next Advent. A daily reminder to keep your heart in the right place during Christmas time (and the whole year)!

Also, all the artwork in here is STUNNING.

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

I love Ruth’s words! They have a way to pierce and sooth my soul. She writes like no other. This book is a gorgeous collection of her paintings paired with Christmas thoughts.

This was the first Advent that I have finished my book. If you are looking for a deeper study with lots of scripture, this is not it. She uses a short passage of scripture and gives her thoughts about the simple truth of Christmas.

Each short day ends with a question and application for that day. For a deeper study I would read the whole passage if I had time for that day. This was exactly what I needed for the season!

💬𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/

[Jennifer Holeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book! Loved reading it daily through the Advent season. Ruth continuously weaves the strength and glory of the gospel into the Christmastime thoughts and devotions. I loved the “Ponder (a reflection question), Praise (a Christmas hymn or carol), and Pray (a short prayer)” at the end of each day.

Written in a way that is accessible and very enjoyable to new believers yet so rooted in the gospel that it absolutely strengthens those who have been walking with Jesus through many Advent seasons.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Ruth Chou Simons. Her writing and her voice is so peaceful and calming. Her entire teaching fits her personality as well. This advent devotional was such a reset. A beautiful way of refocusing on the important of the Christmas season: Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this because I haven’t read any of her books and it helped me do the dishes a couple of times. I have listened to her and followed her for years, so I know the paintings in the book had to be lovely but in full disclosure I haven’t seen them.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful (both the artwork and words) and thought-provoking Advent devotional that I will definitely be doing again!

[Amelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

God-honoring and lovely in every way.

[Maris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful advent devotion. Will be keeping to reread each year.

[Caylee Connelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great lead into the advent season and recentering your heart & mind on the true reason.

[BrontëKas · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Of all the ways God can show His might and power, He chooses to sing over us, rejoice over us, quiet and comfort us. That ought to stop us in our tracks. While we covet dramatic solutions and pine after miraculous wonders, God wants us to be overcome with His mighty love.”

This is an excellent read and one I can imagine coming back to year after year. And because it’s Ruth Chou Simons, it’s also gorgeous!

[Jennifer Trzeciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite Christmas devotional. Simons is so good at bringing great and awesome truths down to a personal level and asking the hard questions. Plus, the artwork is a delight to look at.

[Lauren Klomparens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A re-read, but well worth it. Ruth beautifully captures our posture, promise, response, and Messiah. Here's a favorite quote:

"Jesus was not born to stay in a manger; He was born to go to the cross."

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by the depth of this Advent devotional. The author gave passages of the Bible interesting connections to the season. For example, on Day 2 our Scripture was about Mary and Martha, and as I'm reading the Scripture passage, I'll admit to wondering how it was going to tie into the Christmas season. But, she tied it in beautifully! Not only did I enjoy the devotions for the season, but the book itself is filled with her beautiful watercolor artwork. Just lovely to look at. I will definitely pick up another of her devotions.

[Natalie Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This advent devotional was fantastic. I didn't start it on time to end on Christmas, but it was still great into the new year. Emmanuel, God is with us! The artwork was also very pretty in the book and made it more fun to read!

[Kay Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good and also aesthetically pleasing advent!

[Paige Redwine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each day from December 1-25 is marked by Scripture, a devotional, a question to ponder, a song suggestion, and a prayer. This audio version of the book is read by the author. Lovely!

[Karīna Liepiņa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ja meklējat skaistu Adventa lasījumu katrai dienai. Tad noteikti iesaku šo Rutes grāmatu! Baudījums acīm, sirdij un dvēselei! ❤️🙌

[Sylvia Kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Christmas advent book! It truly helped prepare my heart for Christmas and how to allow the gift of Jesus birth to not only impact my life on the 25th but all throughout the year.

[Teena Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!!! Loved this book!