This is a book review of Unwrapping the Names of Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu: An Advent Devotional.

Stars: ****

Moody Publishers (2017)
Seasonal/Advent

I received this book in exchange for a review. This post contains affiliate links. A purchase through these links will make me a small commission.

Summary: Most Christians agree that Christmas is all about Jesus, yet most of us spend little time preparing our hearts to celebrate Him. Why is this? Partly because we don’t know how.

This devotional can be used by readers in their own personal worship times or as a tool to engage in family worship during the busy holiday season. Either way, participants will gain a greater sense of awe and wonder at who Jesus is.

By focusing on the person and character of Jesus throughout the Advent season, readers will prepare their hearts so that when they admire the live nativity, sit in the candlelight service, or wake up on Christian morning, they can join the faithful who sing from the bottom of their hearts, “O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!”

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus

This little devotional book wants to bring back the meaning of Christmas and help us celebrate Jesus by giving us specific things to focus on. The book is centered on the many, many names of Jesus such as King of Kings, Light of the World, Holy One of God, Lamb of God, Prince of Peace and such.

The book starts with an introduction on why we should celebrate Advent and the author then gives a beautiful prayer to the person reading the book.

Book Layout

After that the book is separated into the 4 topics of advent (which she explains in the introduction can vary slightly from church to church.) In the book they are Hope, Preparation, Joy and Love.

Each week starts with a Sunday devotional that includes an urge to say a prayer, then light your candle, a verse to read aloud, a very short back and forth which you can say yourself or share the parts with your family, another verse and then a bible reading, followed by discussion questions and a carol.

NOTE: The author directs you to a website where you can print out the questions and scripture readings on separate slips of paper to pass out to family members so they can participate. Unfortunately that website isn’t working. Although you could still pass the devotional and bible around easily enough. I’ll take this down if and when the author fixes this.

For each day of the week Monday-Friday there is a name of Jesus to read about including a challenge and prayer related to that name. A few bible versus are given after that for further study.

At the end of five days is a list of fun activities you could do on Saturday to help celebrate the season. Think regular Christmas activities with a faith twist such as baking cookies for your mail carrier, singing gospel centered carols, make snow angels outside or with paint and reflect on the angels role in the nativity story and such.

Remember!

I especially like what the author says in her introduction about the use of the devotional:

“Any time you spend quieting your heart before God and worshipping Him is time well spent. But be assured of this: God is not going to be disappointed if you miss a day (or a week’s) devotional or challenge. Nor is He going to be impressed if you check it off each day.

The purpose of this devotional is not to get more favor with God – Jesus already secured His approval when He took our place on the cross…” – pg 15

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