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Journey to Bethlehem: A Treasury of Classic Christmas Devotionals
A 30-Day Anthology of Classic Christmas Writings
For centuries, Christians have treasured the same classic hymns and passages at Christmas. While these works have stood the test of time, believers can be tempted to adopt them as commonplace and fail to consider their deeper meaning.
Journey to Bethlehem presents an insightful selection of Christmas classics from the greatest English and American poets to important historical church figures such as Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Spurgeon. Ideal for reading during the month of December, yet applicable for use year-round, each of the 30 readings consists of a classic work, literary analysis, takeaway summary, and Bible passage.
Literary expert Leland Ryken analyzes hymns, poems, and prose, highlighting how each passage is edifying and stylistically satisfying. Readers will experience a new fondness for these classic works as they meditate on the mystery of Christ’s incarnation.
30-Day Christmas Each daily reading guides readers through the month of December Features Classic Christian Writings by historical church figures, including Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Spurgeon Written by Leland Literary expert and author or editor of over 60 books including The Soul in Paraphrase and The Heart in Pilgrimage Offers a Fresh Examines classic works from a literary perspective to provide Christians with new insights
For centuries, Christians have treasured the same classic hymns and passages at Christmas. While these works have stood the test of time, believers can be tempted to adopt them as commonplace and fail to consider their deeper meaning.
Journey to Bethlehem presents an insightful selection of Christmas classics from the greatest English and American poets to important historical church figures such as Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Spurgeon. Ideal for reading during the month of December, yet applicable for use year-round, each of the 30 readings consists of a classic work, literary analysis, takeaway summary, and Bible passage.
Literary expert Leland Ryken analyzes hymns, poems, and prose, highlighting how each passage is edifying and stylistically satisfying. Readers will experience a new fondness for these classic works as they meditate on the mystery of Christ’s incarnation.
30-Day Christmas Each daily reading guides readers through the month of December Features Classic Christian Writings by historical church figures, including Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Spurgeon Written by Leland Literary expert and author or editor of over 60 books including The Soul in Paraphrase and The Heart in Pilgrimage Offers a Fresh Examines classic works from a literary perspective to provide Christians with new insights
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2023
43 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Leland Ryken
119 books137 followersDr. Ryken has served on the faculty of Wheaton College since 1968. He has published over thirty books and more than one hundred articles and essays, devoting much of his scholarship to Bible translations and the study of the Bible as literature. He served as Literary Chairman for the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible and in 2003 received the distinguished Gutenberg Award for his contributions to education, writing, and the understanding of the Bible.
He is the father of Philip Graham Ryken
He is the father of Philip Graham Ryken
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 30, 2023
What a beautiful way to get to know other literary/ theological giants at Christmastime. JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM is a collection of daily classic devotionals centering on the incarnation of Christ. There are 30 devotions divided into 3 parts:
#1-10 are Christmas Hymns
#11-20 are Classic Prose Devotionals
#21-30 are Christmas Poems
Featured writers include Charles Spurgeon, Augustine, the virgin Mary (Magnificat), Ben Johnson, T.S. Eliot, Charles Wesley, and more.
Each day begins with reading the writer’s work then taking a deep dive into a quick literary analysis from Leland Ryken, followed by a short biography of the writer, and ending with spiritual application for the reader.
This book was surprisingly delightful as I’ve never read a devotional book quite like it. I was educated and challenged to a deeper understanding of Christmas. I especially enjoyed discovering the creative perspectives of each writer and found myself wanting to know more of each. I am also more in tune with reading poetry. What a fresh way to experience Advent and Christmas.
#1-10 are Christmas Hymns
#11-20 are Classic Prose Devotionals
#21-30 are Christmas Poems
Featured writers include Charles Spurgeon, Augustine, the virgin Mary (Magnificat), Ben Johnson, T.S. Eliot, Charles Wesley, and more.
Each day begins with reading the writer’s work then taking a deep dive into a quick literary analysis from Leland Ryken, followed by a short biography of the writer, and ending with spiritual application for the reader.
This book was surprisingly delightful as I’ve never read a devotional book quite like it. I was educated and challenged to a deeper understanding of Christmas. I especially enjoyed discovering the creative perspectives of each writer and found myself wanting to know more of each. I am also more in tune with reading poetry. What a fresh way to experience Advent and Christmas.
December 26, 2024
This Advent devotional is a collection of some of the greatest Christmas literature. I enjoyed reading the hymns, prose and poetry and taking time to let my analysis of the literature guide my devotional time. Ryken includes his own analysis of the literature as part of the devotional, which I found helpful. I also appreciated that he included background information for each piece such as a short bio on the author, when they wrote it and who it was written for. These bits of included context can help with your own analysis. Overall, I found Journey to Bethlehem to a thoughtful and refreshing Advent devotional and I’ve been encouraged to read more anthology/liturgy by Leland Ryken.
December 13, 2023
See my review here:
https://preachertalk.blog/2023/12/13/...
https://preachertalk.blog/2023/12/13/...
December 17, 2023
Leland Ryken’s anthologies never disappoint.
January 8, 2024
Rating: Put it on your list
Level: Easy, Short (5ish minutes a day/30 days)
Summary
In some ways, this is a typical 30-day devotional, with a section to read, then reflection, etc. However, I think Ryken has done something unique in his choices. It is easy to find a 30-50 day devotional that has writings from numerous authors in the past, but Ryken has only reserved 10 of the days to pure thoughts of others, the remainder of the days are reflections on hymns or poems.
The book is broken into three sections, the first being Hymns, then what he calls 'Classic Prose Devotionals', and finally Poems. Each day follows the same format - the text (e.g. Joy to the World, an excerpt from On The Incarnation, The Magnificat), then a commentary/reflection, then a brief 'devotional takeaway', before a final note and word of scripture. There is also a short intro into each of the three sections. Finally, what he calls 'notes' which is essentially a bibliography, if you want to find more info, as well as two indexes - one for the people in the book, another referenced scripture.
My Thoughts
I'll start with the only thing I didn't like, and that was the choice of categories. Choosing Hymns and then Poems, is too similar to me (he acknowledges as much in his into to Hymns, stating, 'Every Hymn begins its life as a poem.' That is very minor and nit-picky, maybe I just like symmetry too much, but I wonder if the book would have been better off as just hymns/songs/poems.
Other than that, the book is great, it should be on everyone' s list/rotation to read around Advent/Christmas. Ryken is a great write, and maybe an even better editor. I really appreciate the summary takeaway and then ending with scripture. His choices for each day are interesting and spread out (there are so many options), but there are plenty you will be familiar with, while adding some that may be new.
I knew six of the Hymns (and four are probably one everyone sang at a Christmas Eve service), the Prose included big names (Calvin, Luther, Augustine) but then other maybe not everyone has heard of (Bernard of Clairvaux, Spurgeon, Athanasius). Interestingly, he added the Nicene Creed to this section, which I really enjoyed. Similarly, the Poems included works of Chesterton, Milton, and Eliot, but I didn't know any of the others. Except he put the Magnificat in this section, which was a good and interesting point to make. If you aren't familiar with that name, it is the historic name for the section in Luke 1:46-55w here Mary responds to Gabriel after being told she will give birth to Jesus (it also kind of answer the question Mary Did You Know?, but I'm not trying to start a fight a Christmas).
Overall, I highly recommend this book, the devotions are short enough to fit into a busy time and his choices of authors and especially hymns/poems makes it interesting and different enough compared to the so many other great and traditional ones out there. So, if you didn't get to a devotional reading this past December or you did and are looking for something different next year, this is a book to put on your list.
*I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. More reviews at MondayMorningTheologian.com
Level: Easy, Short (5ish minutes a day/30 days)
Summary
In some ways, this is a typical 30-day devotional, with a section to read, then reflection, etc. However, I think Ryken has done something unique in his choices. It is easy to find a 30-50 day devotional that has writings from numerous authors in the past, but Ryken has only reserved 10 of the days to pure thoughts of others, the remainder of the days are reflections on hymns or poems.
The book is broken into three sections, the first being Hymns, then what he calls 'Classic Prose Devotionals', and finally Poems. Each day follows the same format - the text (e.g. Joy to the World, an excerpt from On The Incarnation, The Magnificat), then a commentary/reflection, then a brief 'devotional takeaway', before a final note and word of scripture. There is also a short intro into each of the three sections. Finally, what he calls 'notes' which is essentially a bibliography, if you want to find more info, as well as two indexes - one for the people in the book, another referenced scripture.
My Thoughts
I'll start with the only thing I didn't like, and that was the choice of categories. Choosing Hymns and then Poems, is too similar to me (he acknowledges as much in his into to Hymns, stating, 'Every Hymn begins its life as a poem.' That is very minor and nit-picky, maybe I just like symmetry too much, but I wonder if the book would have been better off as just hymns/songs/poems.
Other than that, the book is great, it should be on everyone' s list/rotation to read around Advent/Christmas. Ryken is a great write, and maybe an even better editor. I really appreciate the summary takeaway and then ending with scripture. His choices for each day are interesting and spread out (there are so many options), but there are plenty you will be familiar with, while adding some that may be new.
I knew six of the Hymns (and four are probably one everyone sang at a Christmas Eve service), the Prose included big names (Calvin, Luther, Augustine) but then other maybe not everyone has heard of (Bernard of Clairvaux, Spurgeon, Athanasius). Interestingly, he added the Nicene Creed to this section, which I really enjoyed. Similarly, the Poems included works of Chesterton, Milton, and Eliot, but I didn't know any of the others. Except he put the Magnificat in this section, which was a good and interesting point to make. If you aren't familiar with that name, it is the historic name for the section in Luke 1:46-55w here Mary responds to Gabriel after being told she will give birth to Jesus (it also kind of answer the question Mary Did You Know?, but I'm not trying to start a fight a Christmas).
Overall, I highly recommend this book, the devotions are short enough to fit into a busy time and his choices of authors and especially hymns/poems makes it interesting and different enough compared to the so many other great and traditional ones out there. So, if you didn't get to a devotional reading this past December or you did and are looking for something different next year, this is a book to put on your list.
*I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. More reviews at MondayMorningTheologian.com
October 24, 2023
This beautiful book features thirty daily readings of classic hymns, prose writings, and poems about the birth of Christ. Literary expert Leland Ryken chose each of these with an eye to their enduring value, literary quality, and depth of insight into different elements of Christ's birth. I found these selections inspiring and enriching, and after each one, Ryken shares about two pages of analysis and reflection. He shares the historical context for each work, explains the literary devices that the author used, and reflects on the unique ways that each reading engages with the Nativity and exalts Christ. At the end, he always shares a Bible verse related to that day's reading.
I have previously enjoyed other treasuries from this author, and I would recommend Journey to Bethlehem to Christians who are looking for an unconventional Advent devotional. Instead of moving through the Christmas story from beginning to end or sharing modern reflections on the Christmas holiday, this book engages with multiple biblical topics and themes, with different selections focusing on varied facets of the incarnation and the many people involved in the Nativity. The selections also remain fresh and interesting, and although I wish that this book involved more global diversity, it reflects a wonderful range of different voices, writing styles, and insights.
Journey to Bethlehem is a lovely anthology of Christmas readings. I enjoyed the many different selections and Ryken's guidance in interpreting them, and he enriched my understanding of some familiar hymns, since his literary observations revealed deeper shades of spiritual meaning. I also enjoyed encountering many of the prose writings and poems for the first time. This book is beautifully crafted, with its cloth cover, gold trim, ribbon bookmark, and high-quality cream paper, and it would make a nice gift and a beautiful coffee table book to use throughout the Christmas season. This is a great Advent devotional, especially for people who love literature and writing.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have previously enjoyed other treasuries from this author, and I would recommend Journey to Bethlehem to Christians who are looking for an unconventional Advent devotional. Instead of moving through the Christmas story from beginning to end or sharing modern reflections on the Christmas holiday, this book engages with multiple biblical topics and themes, with different selections focusing on varied facets of the incarnation and the many people involved in the Nativity. The selections also remain fresh and interesting, and although I wish that this book involved more global diversity, it reflects a wonderful range of different voices, writing styles, and insights.
Journey to Bethlehem is a lovely anthology of Christmas readings. I enjoyed the many different selections and Ryken's guidance in interpreting them, and he enriched my understanding of some familiar hymns, since his literary observations revealed deeper shades of spiritual meaning. I also enjoyed encountering many of the prose writings and poems for the first time. This book is beautifully crafted, with its cloth cover, gold trim, ribbon bookmark, and high-quality cream paper, and it would make a nice gift and a beautiful coffee table book to use throughout the Christmas season. This is a great Advent devotional, especially for people who love literature and writing.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2024
“There is no scarcity of Christmas poems, nor anthologies of them. But there is a scarcity of Christmas poems of sufficient quality and depth to make a significant impact on us.” The entries in this anthology serve as a sieve for selections of famous classic texts into a mixture of three categories: hymns-as-poems, prose selections, and poems, with each passage accompanied by a five-hundred-word analysis. All entries “follow an identical format: (1) the devotional text; (2) an analysis and explication of the text; (3) a summing up paragraph that identifies the practical takeaway of the entry; (4) a parallel Bible passage that clinches and enhances the devotional experience.”
The reflections on the incarnation by Athanasius and Augustine most resonated with me: "You marvel. He is God! You must not marvel. Let our surprise yield to thanksgiving." It reminded me of my five year old niece saying, "Don't be proud of me." She is so right! We should direct our pride to the Source of any accomplishments that garner praise! “The Christmas season is an excellent time for us to allow the shock of the incarnation to seize our imagination as we seek to realize the fact of deity becoming human.”
“The human race showed itself incapable of adequately seeing God through his creation and providence, so God repainted his portrait of perfect humanity by sending his Son in human form…To redeem us and to reveal God to us…For in mercy God chose us for himself, sinners though we were, rescued us from the abyss of death and had compassion on us…There is no greater blessing than the gospel’s assurance that God desires to be reconciled to us, not imputing our sins to us but fully absolving us in Jesus’ name.”
“This is the heart of the gospel: salvation is for those who see their need…See how God invites you...He places before you a Babe in whom you may take refuge...Here is the Child in whom is salvation…there is no greater consolation given to mankind than this, that Christ became man, a child, a babe, playing in the lap…of his most gracious mother…if you come to this gurgling Babe and believe that he is come, not to judge you, but to save.”
The reflections on the incarnation by Athanasius and Augustine most resonated with me: "You marvel. He is God! You must not marvel. Let our surprise yield to thanksgiving." It reminded me of my five year old niece saying, "Don't be proud of me." She is so right! We should direct our pride to the Source of any accomplishments that garner praise! “The Christmas season is an excellent time for us to allow the shock of the incarnation to seize our imagination as we seek to realize the fact of deity becoming human.”
“The human race showed itself incapable of adequately seeing God through his creation and providence, so God repainted his portrait of perfect humanity by sending his Son in human form…To redeem us and to reveal God to us…For in mercy God chose us for himself, sinners though we were, rescued us from the abyss of death and had compassion on us…There is no greater blessing than the gospel’s assurance that God desires to be reconciled to us, not imputing our sins to us but fully absolving us in Jesus’ name.”
“This is the heart of the gospel: salvation is for those who see their need…See how God invites you...He places before you a Babe in whom you may take refuge...Here is the Child in whom is salvation…there is no greater consolation given to mankind than this, that Christ became man, a child, a babe, playing in the lap…of his most gracious mother…if you come to this gurgling Babe and believe that he is come, not to judge you, but to save.”
October 4, 2023
Where can you find the best Christmas writing? In Journey to Bethlehem, Leland Ryken delivers a treasury of classic Christmas devotionals.
Style and Beauty
Ryken hopes to counteract the “lightweight Christmas books that flood the market.” He has curated an anthology of 30 classic writings that have stood the test of time. He is clear that this book is not about the institution that we know as Christmas. Rather, it is about the events and meaning of the nativity and incarnation. These are masterpieces about the most wonderful time of the year.
The book is divided into sections: (1) Christmas hymns, (2) classic prose devotionals, and (3) Christmas poems. Ryken provides a short analysis of each work, giving pointers on style and beauty. It is clear that Ryken appreciates the written word, and he is passionate about beautifully proclaiming the incarnate Word. You will see with new eyes.
Wonder and Worship
Reading with Ryken breathed new life into the classics, and I was happy to have him point me to unfamiliar works. I was especially moved by Ben Jonson’s A Hymn on the Nativity of My Savior - with its apparent simplicity but progressing complexity. In the Bleak Midwinter is a personal favorite, and I was satisfied in understanding how its surprise ending actually works.
This book is rich and will reward rereading. Writers will find it to be an absolute pleasure, and lovers of reading will find buried treasure. They are words of wonder and worship.
I received a media copy of Journey to Bethlehem and this is my honest review.
Style and Beauty
Ryken hopes to counteract the “lightweight Christmas books that flood the market.” He has curated an anthology of 30 classic writings that have stood the test of time. He is clear that this book is not about the institution that we know as Christmas. Rather, it is about the events and meaning of the nativity and incarnation. These are masterpieces about the most wonderful time of the year.
The book is divided into sections: (1) Christmas hymns, (2) classic prose devotionals, and (3) Christmas poems. Ryken provides a short analysis of each work, giving pointers on style and beauty. It is clear that Ryken appreciates the written word, and he is passionate about beautifully proclaiming the incarnate Word. You will see with new eyes.
Wonder and Worship
Reading with Ryken breathed new life into the classics, and I was happy to have him point me to unfamiliar works. I was especially moved by Ben Jonson’s A Hymn on the Nativity of My Savior - with its apparent simplicity but progressing complexity. In the Bleak Midwinter is a personal favorite, and I was satisfied in understanding how its surprise ending actually works.
This book is rich and will reward rereading. Writers will find it to be an absolute pleasure, and lovers of reading will find buried treasure. They are words of wonder and worship.
I received a media copy of Journey to Bethlehem and this is my honest review.
November 28, 2023
Leland Ryken brings his considerable skill as an editor to a compilation of classic Christmas devotionals featuring hymns and carols, prose, and poetry. Journey to Bethlehem incorporates the music of the season, the wisdom of ancient writers, and the lyrical poetry of celebration and joy into an anthology of delight. Each of the thirty entries includes Ryken’s 500-word analysis of the text to bring clarity and provide a practical takeaway for the devotional experience.
Because the entries are not dated, the reader is absolutely untethered in how she approaches the book. Those unfamiliar with some of the more traditional Christian writings will appreciate this unveiling of an entire celebratory vista. Others who have sung the carols and read the classic works throughout their lifetime will read them anew as, one by one, they shed new light on the mystery of Christ’s incarnation.
Many thanks to Crossway for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
Because the entries are not dated, the reader is absolutely untethered in how she approaches the book. Those unfamiliar with some of the more traditional Christian writings will appreciate this unveiling of an entire celebratory vista. Others who have sung the carols and read the classic works throughout their lifetime will read them anew as, one by one, they shed new light on the mystery of Christ’s incarnation.
Many thanks to Crossway for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
January 11, 2024
This was my other Advent/Christmas devotional. 30 days — 10 Christmas hymns, 10 Christmas sermons/devotionals, and 10 Christmas poems from all throughout church history. It can be any 30 days in the Christmas season, so you don’t feel bad for missing one and then picking right back up the next day.
This exposed me to so many Christian writers and pastors I had never heard of, and for the ones I was familiar with (like the hymns), it made me see things I had never before noticed. Short, simple, savory. A little gold nugget to think about for the day. Will hopefully read these to my kids one day.
This exposed me to so many Christian writers and pastors I had never heard of, and for the ones I was familiar with (like the hymns), it made me see things I had never before noticed. Short, simple, savory. A little gold nugget to think about for the day. Will hopefully read these to my kids one day.
December 31, 2024
I wasn’t sure how I would feel abt this when I found it in my search for an Advent devo but I loved it! It was a collection of Christmas hymns, devos, and poems that included explanations and the biblical text that inspired the piece each day. I learned a ton and, very pushed out of my comfort zone, was able to look at Advent and the birth in Jesus from many different perspectives. Would recommend for next year!
December 24, 2025
This collection of Christmas hymns, devotionals, and poetry is indeed a treasure. The poetry in particular was exceptional…beauty after beauty. Donne, Rossetti, Chesterton, Eliot, and an unknown to me work by Richard Wilbur (A Christmas Hymn) that I’ve thought about nonstop since reading it.
It should also be said that this book *looks* gorgeous as well. Deep forest green cover with patterned gilding.
It should also be said that this book *looks* gorgeous as well. Deep forest green cover with patterned gilding.
January 1, 2025
I liked the collection of various classic texts including some scripture, poems, hymns, and prose from various figures in church history- some of whom I hadn’t read before.
I gave it a four because the authors analysis seems unnecessary and not especially insightful besides on a few occasions. Overall a nice book that can be revisited each Advent season to meditate on the incarnation
I gave it a four because the authors analysis seems unnecessary and not especially insightful besides on a few occasions. Overall a nice book that can be revisited each Advent season to meditate on the incarnation
January 6, 2025
My wife and I included this book as a part of our Advent and Christmas devotionals (First Sunday of Advent to the Epiphany) this year. We appreciated the depth of the selections that Ryken choose as classic, their emphasis on the nativity and incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the author's analysis of each.
Read
December 28, 2023Academic-leaning devotionals.
December 10, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audio version from ONE Audiobooks.
Read
December 14, 2024I listened to this and enjoyed it, but it would be much better in the print edition. Maybe next year!
December 30, 2024
Nice little collection of Christmas hymns, poems, and devotionals. I really enjoy it.
December 30, 2024
A marvelous literary analysis of Christmas poetry and hymns. Highly recommend to anyone that wants a deeper understanding and appreciation of Christmas poems.
January 9, 2025
Loved the format of this treasury! Beautiful selections and so perfect for the holiday season.
February 17, 2025
This was a lovely stroll through some meditations on Christmas.
December 9, 2025
Beautiful collection of hymns, essays, and poems on the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Explanations and history of authors that spanned hundreds of years of Christianity.
Explanations and history of authors that spanned hundreds of years of Christianity.
February 20, 2025
5 ⭐️
I really loved this read. I would definitely enjoy revisiting this in a future Christmas season.
I really loved this read. I would definitely enjoy revisiting this in a future Christmas season.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews