| Title | : | Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781784982898 |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 160 |
| Publication | : | First published October 1, 2018 |
Over the course of December, this devotional walks through 1 Corinthians 13 phrase-by-phrase, showing us that "love is" the Lord Jesus himself.
Sinclair Ferguson brings the rich theology of the incarnation to life with his trademark warmth and clarity. Drawing on stories from the Gospels, we'll see what “love” looked like in the life of Christ, and be challenged us to love like him during the Christmas season. Each day's reading finishes with carols and hymns for reflection and prayer.
However you're feeling—weary or frantic, lonely or lovesick—your heart will be refreshed as you wonder again at the truth that love came down at Christmas in the person of Jesus Christ.
Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent Reviews
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I don't know if there's such a thing as a perfect Advent devotional, but this one is awfully close. Working through 1 Corinthians 13 to show Christ as the embodiment of love, I was challenged and encouraged. I'm a few days ahead because I started at the beginning of Advent, not Dec 1, but that's kind of nice as the last few days get busier.
I loved the poems he chose as prayers - some really excellent, uncommon selections. -
Why I Read the Book: I’ve been looking for a good advent devotional, and this was available from Truth for Life.
Format: Paperback
Synopsis: There are 24 entries in Love Came Down at Christmas; it seems meant to be read from December 1-24, instead of from the beginning of advent (usually the last Sunday of November.) Instead of focusing on the traditional topics of advent, Sinclair Ferguson goes through 1 Corinthians 13. The entries were longer than I was expecting - each one is 3 or 4 pages.
What I Thought: Love Came Down at Christmas was not what I was expecting. When I heard it mentioned on Truth for Life, I somehow had the impression that Sinclair Ferguson had drawn parallels from the traditional advent topics (hope/prophecy, expectation/faith, joy, love/peace). Instead this is simply a phrase by phrase study through 1 Corinthians 13, relating back to Christmas, because it’s an advent study.
Overall it was good study. I had been planning to read it again for the 24 days before Resurrection Day, but forgot. It was difficult to get over my disappointment that it didn’t relate to the traditional advent themes, and I did not enjoy it as much as I would have if I were using it to help me study 1 Corinthians 13.
The Bottom Line: I would recommend Love Came Down at Christmas to anyone looking for a study on 1 Corinthians 13. I'm not sure I would recommend it as an ‘advent study’ but more as a ‘thinking about God’s love at Christmas time study’. -
Sinclair Ferguson is the most stable and edifying author I know in the reformed world today. So many others try to provoke for attention, but Ferguson writes without the glitz and sensationalism. If you stick with him through some of his Scottish and older generation eccentricities, he is rich food for the soul.
There are 24 short chapters (about 6 pages each), one for each day of December leading up to Christmas. It’s an advent devotional, but trust me, you don’t need to wait for next December to read this.
The 13th chapter on love not rejoicing in evil was especially good. What we rejoice in says a lot about who we are. Convicting stuff.
Ferguson uses examples and illustrations very well, in both frequency and aptness.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, as an exploration of the idea of biblical love, and as an application commentary on 1 Corinthians 13. -
By far my favorite Advent book I’ve read. Convicting and encouraging as he walked you through 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Oh how much Christ loves his people ❤️❤️
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How do we know that God loves? He sent us His son to save us (John 3:16). In I Corinthians 13, Paul gives us instruction on what love is. My daily readings in this Advent season have been from this new book by Sinclair B. Ferguson. Each devotional expounds on a verse in this famous passage on love, adds questions for reflection and includes a relevant poem. Meditating on I Corinthians 13 this December has been a blessing and has expanded my understanding of God's love and how I can love others. My favorite poem was one from Amy Carmichael and was attached to the very first reading. I will not include the entire poem here, but the stanza that most resonated with me:
"Shine through me, Joy of God;
Make me like thy clear air;
That thou dost pour thy colours through,
As though it were not there."
--Amy Carmichael (1867-1951), -
Book 196 of 2018. Finished my advent devotional this morning. Instead of the traditional scriptures, Ferguson spends the 24 devotions going through I Corinthians 13. This was beautiful for Christmas, but could be a meaningful read for any time of the year.
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Excellent meat for Advent.
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An advent devotional that has resources for year round? Yes, please! Sinclair Ferguson’s Love Came Down at Christmas is a 24-day journey through 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 at the thoughtful pace of one phrase a day. With sweet glimpses into Ferguson’s personal & family life, a convicting look at our own hearts, and an unwavering eye on Jesus as the fulfillment of this well-known chapter of the Bible, this is a book I looked forward to picking up each day of December.
But beyond? Oh, yes. Each day’s reading ends with a selection of poetry from the annals of Christian literature. And I don’t mean Catherine Marshall & Janette Oke. We’re talking about verses penned in the 4th, 5th & 6th centuries. Some newer, of course, but nothing modern. I have bathed in A.W. Tozer’s
The Christian Book of Mystical Verse: A Collection of Poems, Hymns, and Prayers for Devotional Reading, cover to cover, and yet, had never come across most of the poetic gems that Ferguson brings to this holiday feast! 24 freshly introduced works of ancient mystical poetry that are “must-haves” for meditative reading throughout the year.
Added bonus? Even the book designers were mindful of giving this little volume some seasonal sparkle. The cover with its gilded illustration glints in the glow of my holiday lights as I snuggle up with a cup of morning coffee to read each day’s lesson. Ah, the simple joys of good design!
~Jen -
In the incarnation the Son of God became "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). But we are not justified, or adopted into Gods family, or sanctified, or glorified simply because the Son of God shared our flesh and sorrows. Yes, that means He can sympathize with us in our weakness because He experienced it. But He came to accomplish much more—something we could never do for ourselves—He came to die for us. Only when we can say, "He was wounded for our transgressions" have we grasped the meaning of the Gospel and the wonder of Love. This is the heart of the matter. This is what we should never forget on Christmas... The Son of God was born for us in order to die for us. When we see that, then we have begun to understand Love. For this reason, Love came down at Christmas.
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Wonderful devotion for advent or any time! Convicting, encouraging, and beautifully written. Ferguson takes the reader through 1 Corinthians 13, the “love” chapter, showing us how we fall short but how Christ does not. I love sitting at the feet of Dr. Ferguson. He is a faithful and compassionate Bible teacher.
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The best Advent devotional I’ve read. It is based on 1 Corinthians 13. Highly recommend! And you could read this in any season.
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I was not expecting this to be a walk through 1 Corinthians 13, but now that I think about it, what could possibly be a better passage to dwell on and seek to apply at Christmas time? It’s the time of year that we have the most contact with relatives and we have desires and expectations for our celebrations, so there’s no better time to dwell on where we need to be patient and not seek our own and so on. It’s a convicting read, but it also repeatedly reminds the reader of the hope for change that every believer has because of the Holy Spirit working in him or her. Definitely consider reading this book for your advent countdown next year! I will be eagerly and prayerfully breaking it out again next year.
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I loved this book! It brought a different spin to advent readings which took a little getting used to since it was not what I was expecting. But it paired well with the more traditional advent readings I did with my son. Overall, this book contained wonderful daily readings to prepare my heart for WHY Jesus was born for us.
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Read for Advent 2019. Begins with the poem "Love Came Down at Christmas" and then expounds on that by gradually working through 1 Corinthians 13.
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I really enjoyed this book!! We used it as a part of our family worship. Some of it went over our kids heads but it still sparked good conversations!! I totally recommend!!
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Might be my favorite advent devotion book so far!
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4.5 stars. Enjoyed these short meditations on 1 Cor. 13 (the love chapter) to prepare my heart for Advent this month (but good for any season!). Ferguson is very practical, pastoral and insightful as he brings the Gospel into each verse of the chapter. Each section ends with reflection questions and a prayer.
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One of the challenges during Advent is that usually the same passages of Scripture are used over and over again. Now God's Word never loses its power, relevance or truth, but often the devotionals on the Christmas story can start to sound the same. Sinclair Ferguson is a gifted writer, speaker and preacher, and his devotional exhibits all the hallmarks of his ministry. It is clear, winsome, thoroughly Biblical, thoughtful and wise! He takes an unusual text, 1 Corinthians 13, to show how the Incarnation of Jesus Christ was the ultimate expression of the Lord's love, hence the title: Love Came Down At Christmas. I can't recommend this enough! If you want to grow in your understanding and apprehension of the Lord Jesus Christ's love for you, and be reminded of life-changing truths during the chaotic Christmas season, this is the devotional for you! My only gripe would be that I wish they had produced it in hardback, as the cover design (to me) would look even better on a dust jacket and with a ribbon bookmark. Regardless of the format, this is a Gospel-driven and faithful devotional that will help you in your walk with Christ!
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My new favorite Christmas devotional, and one that can be read year round not just at Christmas. Each day Ferguson describes an aspect of love in 1 Corinthians 13, and how Christ is the fulfillment of each attribute. Short, convicting, inspirational, and full of wisdom. A great daily reminder of what Christmas is all about in the busyness of December.
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Excellent exegesis of 1 Corinthians 13. We used this for family worship this Advent.
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Excellent
ETA: Read this again this year and it was excellent again. -
Absolutely phenomenal. Recommended to everyone, and not only at Christmas. Just read it. Challenging and encouraging and wonderful.
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I read a rather disappointing advent devotional last year from an author whose other works I loved, so I was nervous about this one. I sat under Dr. Ferguson's teachings in college, and they were life-changing, but I was nervous of being let down again.
My fears were unfounded! This is the Christmas devotional I had really wanted. It doesn't focus on the Christmas story, but rather on 1 Corinthians 13, and yet connects to the idea of the incarnation and who Jesus is. I read it to my students, to my roommate, to anyone who would listen. It was so good and convicting and encouraging. I will probably read it again next year.
Definitely my go-to recommendation, though if you want one that focuses on the actual birth narratives in Luke & Matthew, look elsewhere! -
Seriously - a great advent study! I was pleasantly surprised that the scripture focus was not on a 'traditional' Christmas passage. I enjoy seeing different parts of the word through a variety of lenses and this was a thoughtful way to slow down 1 Corinthians 13 and take it verse by verse. Thankful for the teaching of Ferguson and I found this book to be a comforting & convicting study to do during December. Highly recommend.
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This was a great exposition of 1 Cor 13 a chapter that isn't often associated with Christmas. This is the first book I have read from Ferguson and will certainly not be my last. Although I followed this over advent as was intended by the author; it would be profitable to read at anytime of the year. Ferguson explores how love was incarnate at Christmas in Jesus and challenges us to compare our lives to Jesus with each of the statutes listed in 1 Cor 13. Overall an easy to read book that provided a challenge to rethink my approach to Christmas in light of loving like Jesus in order to reflect him in the world.
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Highly Recommended Inspiration for Advent.
I used this as a devotional drawing up to Christmas Day 2019. I have found the 1 Corinthians 13 text to be both challenging and encouraging: something that can also be used throughout the year. -
An excellent Christmas/Advent devotional based on I Corinthians 13. Very beneficial, encouraging, and convicting! I appreciated how Ferguson dug deeper than some other good devotionals I have read, and would definitely revisit this work in the future.
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Love Came Down At Christmas will wreck your Christmas. In a good, but convicting way. I loved every word!
