The God Who Is with Us: 25-Day Devotional for Advent

by Ronnie Martin, Nathan Schroeder (Illustrator)

The God Who Is with Us takes readers through a twenty-five day Advent journey. Daily reflections on gospel truths drawn from Scripture will stir the imagination of the season while also reminding readers that God never abandons his people, but is present with them even in their most difficult seasons. Complete with beautiful, unique, thought-provoking illustrations and space for daily journaling and reflection, The God Who Is with Us provides readers with a meaningful keepsake to prepare them for the challenges of the New Year in light of the beauty of Advent.
 
This beautiful, contemplative book will be a staple for many individuals and families around Christmastime for years to come!

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Faith, Devotional

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 18, 2022

About the author

Ronnie Martin is an internationally known Dove Award–nominated recording artist with more than 20 album credits spanning three decades. He is lead pastor of Substance Church in Ashland, Ohio. He lives in Ashland with his wife and daughter.

Reviews

[Ashley Hoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

The biggest thing that comes to mind about The God Who is With Us is the word “reflective.” Through this advent devotional, Ronnie Martin walks through 25 passages of scripture and gives the reader an opportunity to be comforted by many of the attributes of God. He reminds us of the gospel at every turn. The devotionals are not overly long, yet are still wise. This is definitely one I would consider good for a personal read or a family read.

[Andrew Wolgemuth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family and I very much enjoyed reading this Advent devotional over dinner (even as some of the reading extended to after Christmas). Thoughtful and engaging.

(full disclosure: the agency of which I'm a partner represents Ronnie and this book)

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big journaling guy, but if you are, this would be a fantastic Advent devotional for you. Lots of fun art and plenty of space to respond to the readings.

[Chris MacLeavy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quickly realised that Ronnie Martin's advent book was written for people like me. People for whom the shine of Christmas is somewhat tarnished by the hardship and loss of the year that was. But it's also written for people like me because in ordinary and glorious ways it points me to the God who came to share in my suffering; to comfort my sadness; and to give me undying hope. The God Who is with Us reminds me in real and wonderful ways that Christmas shines brightest of all.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas/Advent devotionals make me really happy. Reeeally happy. They're like Advent calendars, lol--counting down to one of my favorite holidays. "What treat will be on the spiritual quiet-time docket today?"

This book is an excellent addition to the Advent-devotional collection. Martin is a new-to-me author (and musician, for that matter), and I really appreciated his fresh but no-less-biblical take on the Christmas season and all that entails ... the struggles on all the levels, and yet also the magic of anticipation, the real "why" of our celebrations and "what"--Who, truly--we celebrate.

Each devotional includes a Bible verse(s), stories, and poignant questions to inspire the imagination and reflect on Christ, the true reason for the season. Well done.

4/5 stars.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Ted Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've long been a fan of Ronald J. Martin vis a vis his co-hosting of the Happy Rant Podcast. "Big R" and "Baby" as he's affectionately known around the pod. While his humor and musings have been steady companions over the last six years, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see his serious side.

This short devotional book not only took me to a variety of Scriptures, it also asked great questions, helping me think not just about Christmas, but about the coming New Year. How can I remember Jesus, not just in the Advent season, but across the entire year. I enjoyed the trek through both expected and unexpected passages of Scripture, the quick exegesis, the connections Martin makes to his personal life, the penetrating analysis he makes, and the invitation to have a refreshed perspective on following and loving Jesus.

[Scott Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would appear that I took a side on the Advent Civil War of 2022 between Ronnie Martin and Jared Wilson. Don’t tell Jared that I didn’t read his book, though living at MBTS currently.

Ronnie provides brief, thought provoking, and worshipful contemplations of Christ throughout the Biblical narrative. Often grounding the reader into the realities of the Christmas season, especially the hardships of grief and consumerism, I found this an excellent compassion through the month of December.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love The God Who Is with Us : 25-Day Devotional for Advent by Ronnie Martin! Ronnie Martin approaches The God Who Is with Us : 25-Day Devotional for Advent from the beginning of the Bible with Adam and Eve. The 25-Day Devotional really made you think about Christmas season through the Bible verses mentioned each day and the thoughts the author wrote about. There is also a "Pause, Ponder, and Pray" section at the end of the devotion entry with lines to write your thoughts on the devotion. I believe The God Who Is with Us : 25-Day Devotional for Advent is a great way to help you remember the true meaning of the season and get you in the right mode for the Season. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

[Jennie Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A devotional to prepare you for Christmas-time and celebrating the birth of our Lord. Good overall, and I like that it challenges us to repent of sin and make things right. There were a couple of spots that weren't quite clear, and one that seemed off in what the author was saying, but may be cleared up in the final version.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance e-copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Shirley Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remembering Our Lord

This is such a great 25-Day Advent devotional. It is so well written and the daily topic are so pertinent during the season when God’s son faced His greatest assignment. This season of Advent, we are reminded of how much God loves all His children, no matter where we are on our spiritual journey or not.

I highly recommend this book for to remember our Lord, Jesus, during the upcoming days of Advent, and the sacrifice God made to show us, how great His love is for us.

[Kasia Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read to help slow us down and think intentionally about the season before us, where we are and how God meets us there. Through hardship, trials, joy and celebrations. Starting of with the verse, "In the beginning, God..." and has us pause there to really think about what that means and why and then moves us through twenty five days of highlighting the God who is with us. Fantastic read and thought provoking.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

[David Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting Advent devotional by a musician and pastor. The Reflections were not traditional advent Reflections as one might expect. I enjoyed Martin's use of scriptures outside of the nativity story. I recommend this for deeper Reflections that speak to a soul that is tired, burdened, and looking for hope this Advent season.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Day by day new insights, brilliant interpretations with space to record my own thoughts love the hard copy

[Christy Carmean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Devotional with beautiful pictures. Geared more towards adults and teens, not children. Each day has pages where you can journal & reflect.

[Justin Armitage · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Joseph Louthan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every devotion was deep and rich and pointed us to the love of our blessed Christ. This was a quick favorite and would easily go through this again for future Advents.

[Caleb Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasant companion for a weary season. Focuses on joy and contentment in the face of adversity.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Physical Book

One of my favorites in a long time - short and sweet but so great for the season. I love advent so much and this was a good daily book for it.

[Paige Lacker · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t get into this specific Advent at all and found it hard to read each day. I think it just doesn’t top doing the King is Coming at night with my baby girl!