More than any other time of year, Christmas brings with it an undeniable sense of wonder and awe. The Advent season gives us the opportunity to delight in the promises we celebrate at the HOPE that Jesus will return and make all things new; the JOY that comes from worshiping Him today and for eternity; the PEACE we experience with God today and we long for our world to experience when it is redeemed; and the LOVE of a God who sacrificed His own Son to be in relationship with us. In The Wonder of Advent , spend a week considering each of the themes of Advent—hope, joy, peace, and love. Each week you'll trace that theme throughout Scripture by looking 1) an Old Testament prophecy; 2) a scene from the Christmas story; 3) a moment from Jesus’s earthly ministry; 4) a teaching of Jesus; and 5) a promise from Revelation. When your eyes are opened to these threads in Scripture, you'll stand in awe of the glory and love of God, and you'll be motivated to share the wonder of Advent with the world.
3.5 stars. I went through this book with my Bible study group, and it is a unique approach to the topic of Advent. The book is divided into 4 weeks, each week having a corresponding video that you can stream on the Lifeway website. Every week has 5 days of homework, and each day’s homework was written by a different author. This provides a lot of variety in the writing style. The study covers Scripture from all over the Bible, not just about the birth of Christ. It covers messianic prophecies, passages about the birth of Christ, stories from His ministry on earth, and Scriptures from Revelation that help us imagine what His future coming will mean for us and the world. This book has some great material that helped me reflect on God’s goodness and love, and it reminded me that my true hope is in Him alone. Each week of study also includes recipes, crafts, and activities that you could do with your teenagers and kids. It was a very good study over all, but it wasn’t quite a 5 star read for me because some of it felt kind of surface level and basic. I will also say that there is quite a bit of homework. If you’re looking for a Bible study that you can easily fit in during the busy Christmas season, this may not be your first choice. Some of the homework sessions were a bit long, and they required looking up quite a few Scriptures to answer the questions or fill in the charts. I’d guess that each day takes around 30 to 45 minutes. If this book sounds good to you and you have the time to invest in it, then I do recommend it as a great way to prepare for the Advent/Christmas season.
I wish I knew there was a video to go with this. When I went searching for a Bible study to prepare for the holidays and focus on the real meaning of Christmas, I found this book. I think I would have gotten more out of it if I had done the study with someone else and could discuss the questions. But the questions at the end of each day did get me thinking. I wish I had taken more notes. I was happy for an audio version so I could listen while I drive to work and focus on what God has done for me, but I want to do the study again next year with a hard copy so I can have the notes for the future.
The study is definitely Scripture-based, and for that I am thankful. Lots of examples from the Bible and not just stories from female speakers. Some of the days felt repetitive in their verses and explanations, but it makes sense since anyone can be doing the study and not just someone with many years of Biblical influences and knowledge like I have.
I loved the music introductions since music is my form of worship.
Really a 4.5 ⭐️ book. This book takes each week of Advent (Hope, Joy, Peace & Love), and has 5 daily readings for each week. Day 1 deals with an Old Testament prophecy. Day 2 is something from the nativity story. Day 3 shows how that week’s Advent topic is amplified with Jesus’ interactions with people. Day 4 ties Jesus’ teachings to the Advent topic of the week. Day 5 shows a glimpse of the future with verses from Revelation. While occasionally it seems to jump around a bit, it is very well thought out. This is a study that can be done by a group or can be done independently. Excellent explanations in the book. I would definitely recommend this study.
While I don't feel I peacticed advent very well this year, this book really did help me sent time aside for the anticipation of Christ. I loved that it was written by a number of authors; each devo was still relevant and connected but offered fresh perspectives. It was an exceptionally well done audiobook, as each passage was read out not only as a reference but the words themselves, and the narrator would pause for you to reflect on their questions, meaning you didn't need to pause the book every 5 seconds.
This is the second Advent study I have done with Lifeway and I enjoyed this as much as the first study last year. I wasn't a fan of the music of Adrienne Camp and skipped over that but the rest of the study was great for getting me ready for Advent, even though I just finished it. Looking forward to the 2023 Advent study.
This book delved into the advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. This study included five days each week and during the hustle and bustle of this time, it seemed like a lot. Also, it was reinforcing but not many new nuggets. I think I was supposed to study and be at peace in Gods word, but I was frazzled.
Absolutely loved the way that each week ended with Revelation and the reminder that He is coming again! How faithful He is to keep His promises. I loved the perspective of each different author but how cohesive the work was as a whole. Great advent study and would highly recommend!
What a wonderful book to work through during the season of Advent! I absolutely loved how this book showed me key passage in scripture to focus on and learn from. This book help me grow spiritually. I enjoyed refocusing on the Advent wreath and candles this year.
An easy 4 week study to keep you focused on the true reason for Christmas. You watch a video each Sunday of Advent and have 5 personal study days each week. Each week also includes optional activities for women, teens and kids. The back of the book includes a leader's guide for group study.
This advent study is my first. I do a Christmas study every December, but this dug deeper into each subject of advent. It was an entirely new thing to me, as I knew much about Advent before. It was challenging as it grew my knowledge even more of the Bible.
Nice, easy to follow study with readings, messages, recipes, songs, video portions, activities! It had you all over the Bible, not just reading about the birth, which was a different change of pace. Can’t tell if I liked that or if I wish I got the black and white Jesus’s birthday story 🤔 Great for all ages! Christmas advent is my favorite! 💚
This journey through the Bible enriched me. I loved the journal style which helped me study the Bible and reflect on the meaning of Christ coming for me...for us. I will save this and do it again next year with fresh eyes. I highly recommend it.
This is a nice advent study. Similar to ones I’ve done in the past. It’s kind of all over the place like those. But I do love reflecting on Jesus before Christmas.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. If you are looking for an advent devotional this is the one. I loved how real and raw it was. This is a great book for anyone who is going through a painful holiday season.
I haven’t done a true advent study before, and this one was the perfect way to start. The photographs and design of the book impressed me upfront, getting me excited for Christmas! The study itself moves at a wonderful pace and I felt like I grew a lot after completing the book. I lol to response questions, the weekly memory verses and activities and more. I will be recommending this study to my friends.
This was a nice Christmas Bible study to focus on over the holidays. I did it at my own pace and not with a group so I didn't feel rushed and took my time.
My Bible study group picked this book to do this year, so I went through it again with them. It is a great way to refocus on the true meaning of Christmas. We had a lot of good discussion.