Nancy Guthrie. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, August 1st, 2008. 142 pp.
5 out of 5!
First let me say that I have a hard time with devotional books; I prefer heavier theology books since I find most devotionals to be rather shallow. But I enjoyed this particular collection of devotional readings for the Advent. So if I enjoyed this book in light of my bias against devotionals, I think that this work might be something worthwhile for others too.
The devotional was biblically solid and yet warms the soul spiritually with twenty two short chapters that focuses on the narrative of Christ’s birth and the incarnation. The author Nancy Guthrie mentioned that the reason why she put this work together was because of her disappointments with other short readings on the advent out there. In her own words from the preface Guthrie explained how she did not found any advent readings out there that “reflected a high view of Scripture; and that put the incarnation in the context of God’s unfolding plan of redemption. And not finding such a book available, I embarked on what has been a sacred adventure of putting such a collection together” (10). I’m glad she did edited this delightful book and compiled the writings that she did.
The book has a good mix of classic preachers from the past and contemporary Christians who are known for their faithfulness to biblical truths. For instance you have chapters featuring men from the past such as Martin Luther, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Augustine and Charles Spurgeon. What these saints of old have to say is timeless. Then you have chapters by living saints such as John Piper, Ligon Duncan, John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul and Joni Eareckson Tada. The first chapter by George Whitefield had me hooked when Whitefield encourages the readers to contemplate upon the birth of Christ by saying “Other conversations, by often repeating, you become fully acquainted with, but of Christ there is always something new to raise your thoughts; you can never want when the love of the Lord Jesus Christ is the subject” (13). How true that has been in looking back in my own thought life about the Lord. I don’t know why but this first chapter really drew me into the book. Personally I also thought Joseph “Skip” Ryan’s chapter on “Tabernacle among Us” and Randy Alcorn’s chapter on “Shepherd Status” also stood out; I was thinking about the truth found in both chapters for days.
I enjoyed this work and I recommend it. I recommend it as a personal individual reading. When I read this book I read it aloud with my wife as part of our marriage devotionals. The chapters are short enough to allow a couple with busy ministry and multiple kids under five to really get the day going spiritually. We enjoyed it very much and I recommend this as a book for family devotionals as well.
Purchase:Westminster | Amazon
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks Vince for the reblog of this book review!
my pleasure Pastor Jim 🤓
I’m glad you reviewed this book…I’ll look forward to reading it. There are so many devotionals intended for those who are still sipping milk but I prefer a bit more meat myself so thanks! 🙂
Thanks Lorra B. for reading this review. I think you would enjoy this devotional as it has more meat but its still devotional in its flavor!
Saaaaweet! 👍🏻😁
Looks like a great gift for someone to bring more of Christ into the Christmas celebration. Crossway has some good stuff.
I think it makes a great gift! And a great gift for Christmas. I too appreciate what Crossway publish, I hope they never change in their intent of publishing works that are biblically solid. Sadly there are some publishers that historically was “Reformed” but have changed to another agenda with what they publish of works that are not biblical. Or they have been bought out by non-Christian publishers and therefore are giving in. My, the state of Christian publishing can be sad just thinking of it…what’s your favorite publishers by the way?
Most of the books that I buy are devoted to examining Catholicism and are generally older, used books. Some of the publishers have gone under or have become a lot more liberal as you mention. Here’s a list of the publishers of the books in my library from the spreadsheet I keep. I’m sending it only because I know you’ll appreciate the detail:
Crossway
Zondervan
Routledge
Berean Beacon Press
The Banner of Truth Trust
Solid Ground Christian Books
Solid Ground Christian Books
Presbyterian & Reformed
Bob Jones University Press
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Zondervan
Zondervan
Zondervan
Chick Publications
Christ’s Mission
Apologetics Resource Center
Christian Focus
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Broadman Press
Christ’s Mission
Baker Book House
Matthias Media
Great Mountain Publishing
Loizeaux Brothers
White Horse Inn Publishers
Harvest House Publishers
Chick Publications
White Horse Publications
Published by author
Published by author
Chick Publications
Brazos Press
Abundant Publishing Company
Baker Books
Crossway
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Christian Research Institute
Harvest House Publishers
Harvest House Publishers
Gospel Folio Press
Harvest House Publishers
Harvest House Publishers
Harvest House Publishers
Baker Book House
Cowman Publications
Sword of the Lord Publishers
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Chick Publications
Protestant Heritage Press
Harvest House Publishers
Sword of the Lord Publishers
Sword of the Lord Publishers
Trafford
Kingsport Press
Zondervan
Book and Bible House
Baker Books
Baker Books
Reformation Trust Publishing
Reformation Press
Eternal Productions
Eternal Productions
Banner of Truth
Bethany House Publishers
Crowne Publications
Crowne Publications
Bethany House Publishers
Ralph Woodrow Evangelistic Association
Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Loizeaux Brothers
White Horse Publications
White Horse Publications
Good stuff! Wow you keep a spread sheet? I see publishers I like on that list. How long have you done the spread sheet for? I’m wondering if I should do something like that to track my readings.
I keep a spreadsheet only because I’m scrupulous nerd! Actually, my job requires that I create and maintain spreadsheets on a daily basis so it’s somewhat affected my life outside of work as well. I used to have quite a collection of books about Catholicism and Mormonism but threw everything out in my “prodigal season.” I started collecting books about Catholicism again in the Spring of 2014.
Loved reading this book, thanks for the review SlimJim, great book choice!
[…] not a fan of devotional books but after being impressed with the editor’s previous book titled Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas I actually looked forward to reading this book. The editor Nancy Guthrie did an excellent job […]
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