The Carols of Christmas: Daily Advent Devotions on Classic Christmas Carols (28-Day Devotional for Christmas and Advent)

by Alan Vermilye

The most beloved Christmas carols arranged in 28 daily devotions for the Advent season.

The Carols of Christmas is a heart-warming devotional inspired by some of the most beloved Christmas carols of all time. Inside, you’ll enjoy a fresh glimpse of some of the same joyful and nostalgic melodies you sing every year now set to personal reflections in this 28-day devotional journey.

The carols include "O Holy Night", "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", "O Little Town of Bethlehem", and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." You’ll also discover intriguing stories and thought-provoking details like who wrote the carol; what was going on in their life that perhaps inspired the hymn; and how has God used this hymn throughout time.

The book is divided into four weeks of daily devotions, perfect for celebrating Advent or Christmas. Each week you begin by reading the history of the carol, followed by six daily devotions that reflect on a verse from the hymn along with a Scripture reflection. Traditionally, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, but the devotions are undated, allowing you to start at any time.

The Carols of Christmas

28 Daily DevotionsInspiring stories behind each carolLyrics for each carol, including the original versionsBrief scriptural reflectionsLarge print format available for readers of all agesAudio book available for those on the goThe Carols of Christmas is the ideal resource for personal reflection or as a tool to engage in family worship during the busy holiday season. It also makes for the perfect Christmas gift to friends, family, co-workers, and those who are homebound.

This Christmas, you can continue to enjoy the nostalgic songs that warm our hearts each year along with a better understanding of the carols and how they reflect our Savior’s birth.

Genres: Christmas, Christian, Nonfiction, Devotional, Religion, Inspirational, Holiday

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2022

Reviews

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the deepest and most spiritually resonant of the four Advent devotionals I read this year. Over the course of four weeks Vermilye takes four beloved Christmas songs, “"O Holy Night," "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and gives us the history behind, and spiritual insights drawn from, each. There was nothing dry in the presentation of this history. I actually found myself in tears reading about the sorrow behind Longfellow’s “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” and fascinated by the rich history behind “O Holy Night.” These first days of each week where we were given the history behind that week’s carol were the longest but by far my favorites. The six days following each were more of a straightforward devotional inspired by the lyrics of said carol, and these were fairly brief but always varied and interesting and thought-provoking. I’m going to try to track down a physical copy of this one, because it is well worth rereading.

[Christina Weigand · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great job of putting us in the historical context of the carols while keeping the reader inspired as they travel the Advent journey toward Christmas.
I loved reading the history of the carols and will no longer sing them without thinking about the way they came down to us through the ages.
I highly recommend this both for the history and the devotional aspects and will use it during my Advent journey as I prepare for the miraculous birth of our Savior Jesus.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about a devotional available through Kindle Unlimited (their Christian selections are generally lackluster), but this was fantastic! Each week of readings focuses on a different Christmas hymn: O Holy Night, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. The weeks start with a history of the song, followed by six days highlighting specific verses in light of Scripture. I enjoyed my time with this so much that I took a single day to read each week of content to get a cohesive view of each carol.

Thankfully there are further volumes in this series, which I suspect I'll be reading all in the coming weeks!

[Cathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This daily Advent devotional discussed 4 traditional Christmas hymns (one for each week). He gave a history of each song which were very educational. He gave a daily verse and an insightful devotion. They often touched my heart and were theologically sound. So thankful for Jesus’ gift of reconciliation.

[Spencer Morphis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this Advent Devo this Christmas season! As a huge fan of Christmas music, it was neat to learn about the backstory of some classic Christmas Carols and see the Gospel displayed in each of them. 10/10 will read again

[Marguerite Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four nostalgic carols with personal, inspirational reflection. I'm buying Vol 2 for next year!

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read for the holiday season. Alan Vermilye created an advent reader around four Christmas carols: "O Holy Night," "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." This book is designed to start on the first day of Advent but can be started on any day. Each week, Vermilye introduces one of the four carols and provides a history of the song and, often, its many versions. Then, each day of that week, the author has a short Christian devotional with themes inspired by the carol, reminding the reader of the reason for the season.

Although this is very much a Christian-inspired read, it is not overly "preachy." It is a nice way to put the reader in a holiday frame of mind and reflection. This book is the first of the current 3 volumes.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had planned to read this as a family Advent devotional, but ended up just reading on my own. It would be fine for children but I think mine are too young for them to really enjoy it so I went with another book for us all to read together.

The format of this book was nice. It has 4 different classic Christmas carols, with a history of each one, and then daily devotionals that go along with specific lines from the carols. Each one is only a few pages and they are very well written. I enjoyed reading it and will probably read again in a few years with my family.

[Janice J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Carols of Christmas

The perfect book to read during the Christmas. You get an excellent history on the songs we sing each year and beautiful pages of our celebration of the birth of Christ. This was perfect to read and end on Christmas Day! Everyone should read this one.

[Katrina Lybbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book for advent. I was able to learn more about 4 Christmas carols and then read a daily devotional that tied in to a line from the carol. This was Volume 1. We will read from Volume 2 next year.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful!

I really enjoyed this exploration of Christmas carols! Very interesting, especially to see the original verses and why/how they have changed over time.

[Pauline Yu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Inspirational Book

I love this 28 daily advent devotional with four of my favorite Christmas carols. It' s like revisiting each song armed with new knowledge and encouraging messages of love and hope. I highly recommend this book to everyone who needs to read and reread God's message of love especially on Christmas.

[Kimberly DuBois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book especially as I read it during Advent. The author addresses 4 traditional Christmas carols or hymns and goes into great detail and explanation of their lyrics and how they came to be. I learned so much more than I thought I already knew about the Story of the Birth of Jesus. The carols are broken into daily readings which were quick and so easily understood. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to dig deeper into this story. It would be great for a Bible Study, for a personal daily devotion, and for a pastor preparing a weekly message.

[Diane Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sad when my church did not provide an Advent devotional for 2022. A search on Amazon led me to this book. Unfortunately, by the time it arrived, it was almost Christmas. Forgot about it after Christmas, then decided to finish. I enjoy Christmas carols, so I found the book both interesting and meaningful. But strongly advise ordering it before December!

[H L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Advent devotion

The background information about the hymns is interesting and helps reinforce the messages. Taking a closer look at these hymns brings home the powerful words that swirl through the airwaves at Christmas and can enrich the meaning of the season if only we listen to their message of comfort and joy.

[Heidi Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book of famous Christmas Carols. I appreciate the history behind each song; adding such richness and meaning.
Thank you Alan for writing this book. I’ve already purchased another book you’ve written-It’s a Wonderful Life Study Guide, can’t wait to absorb it as well.

[Bytownmary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Classic

I really enjoyed this book. I learned so much about the background of some of our classic hymns. The devotionals with Bible references are perfect. I can’t wait to share this with my friends. Highly recommended. I will use this in December for a Bible study.

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book. It was “free” on Kindle Unlimited but it turned out to have great value to me in turning my eyes to Christ this holiday season. Well written and thought provoking. Can’t wait to read the second volume next year. I’ve already downloaded it.

[Laura Reinwald · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful devotional

This devotional was a great daily read through out the Christmas season. The reference and history to some of the favorite Christmas carols was very interesting.
Highly recommend.

[NancyInWI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Advent devotional around 4 classic Christmas carols. History behind the song and devotions built around lyrics. I received Volumes 2 and 3 for Christmas and look forward to reading them the next 2 Advent seasons.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed spending the month of advent with this book.

[Laura-Jane Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially loved the history of the featured songs.

[Deann Doolittle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read just wish there were more songs

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good advent devotional. I especially liked the history of the Christmas carols. I will return to this book yearly at Christmas.

[Diane Sugars · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, I was just not wowed by this book. It is not bad, it just was not what I thought it would be.

[Andrea Hoogwerf · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful advent devotional

This is a wonderful advent devotional. I learned a lot about Christmas Carols framed from a biblical perspective. I Olán to get it out every advent.

[Miriam R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this for an Advent Sunday School class. Interesting and generated good discussion.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting to learn about some of the hymns for Christmas

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute little devotion book with the stories of some of the best Christmas carols.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this content and that it was done as a daily advent devotional.