Love Came Down at Christmas

Christopher Ash

These devotional meditations are deeply soaked in Scripture, rich, vivid, always nourishing, sometimes challenging, often thrilling. I thank God for them.

Chris Larson

Church history will remember Dr. Ferguson as one of this generation's most insightful theological writers and biblical preachers. When you read or listen to him, you know he cares for you. And this book illumines his ability to lovingly communicate the grand themes of God’s love-filled redemptive purpose.

“Wonderful devotional for advent!”

Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent by Sinclair B Ferguson

I just finished this wonderful book that includes 24 devotions on 1 Corinthians 13, aka "the love chapter." The advent readings focus on the theology of the incarnation while challenging us to love like Christ. I appreciated how each verse of 1 Corinthians 13 was examined in the context of the perfect love that was displayed by Jesus, both in coming to earth as a baby, his ministry and his death and resurrection. As I read this, I felt challenged and encouraged to love like Christ and follow his example.

Each days reading was around 4 pages long and ended with a reflection question and a prayer. I appreciated the phrase by phrase look at this famous chapter of the Bible. I think sometimes it can be easy to become so familiar with parts of the Bible that we forget to look at it with fresh eyes, this devotional helped me do just that. I'd highly recommend this one! I'd also recommend Ferguson's other advent devotional, "The Dawn of Redeeming Grace" (I read that one the past two years and it's wonderful).

“One of the best Christmas devotionals I’ve read”

In ‘Love Came Down at Christmas’, Scottish Theologian Sinclair Ferguson walks readers through arguably some of the most well known and most beloved verses in all of Scripture, as he explores why love came down at Christmas in the person of Christ, and the difference this makes in our lives.

My expectations as I began reading the introduction were that the devotions would be based on traditional passages such as Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, and maybe even Isaiah 9. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that 1 Corinthians 13 would be the focus of these Christmas meditations.

I thought Ferguson did an excellent job at taking such a famed passage, typically used at all kinds of celebratory events to evoke “warm and fuzzy” feelings, to instead use it to challenge the reader, utilising the passage to analysis of our spiritual lives.

Inside you’ll find twenty-four concise daily readings taken from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 that are full of pastoral warmth, wisdom and humour. Devotions conclude with a reflections from Ferguson & prayers from saints gone by.

Throughout, Ferguson provides momentary glimpses into his personal & family life with the occasional vignette, which provided levity in each reading.

I’ve had friends say to me that this is one of those devotionals you can read again and again, and come back to year after year, and I can understand why. Ferguson is gospel-centered, theological, communicates clearly as always, making this book a joy to read.

There’s not too much more I can say, but to grab a copy, get reading, and enjoy gazing upward to Heaven and meditating on why Jesus, the Saviour of the World came down at Christmas.

This book was sent to me by thegoodbookcompanyuk in exchange for an honest review.

“Fantastic read”

I am 11 days in and have found each day to be very readable (both in length and style). Each day presents a helpful, loving challenge to my attitudes and behaviour. I have already decided to read it again at the start of the new year and am recommending it to all.

“Helpful and very readable”

A helpful, reflective Jesus centred book, just right for quiet times during the busy lead up to Christmas.

“More than just an advent devotional”

Love Came Down At Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson brings the message of Christ’s love to you in a unique and special way. Rather than simply focusing on traditional Christmas themes or sections of scripture, Ferguson chose to walk readers through 1 Corinthians 13—the Bible’s famous love chapter.

He reminds us that the words of 1 Corinthians 13 can profoundly move us during the Advent season. We are shown that “when you slow them down, and read them phrase by phrase, and apply them to yourself, they transpose into a different key altogether. They cease to be rhetorically pleasing and emotionally soothing; instead they become an analysis of your spiritual life. They are deeply challenging” (p. 11).

Each day, you get a little bit of exposition, Ferguson’s warm personality and affectionate teaching style, and Christ-focused application. You also get some helpful reflection questions and poetic prayers from various saints throughout church history. The concise, truth-packed chapters are a wonderful way to start each day leading up to Christmas.

“Wonderful”

I bought copies of this book as Advent gifts for my bible study group. I can't wait each morning to read the day's pages! Seriously, this is the best and most comprehensive Advent book I have used and it goes way beyond Advent. It is a very readable and inspiring treatise on love. Thank you Sinclair for this gift to us all. Everyone should have a copy!

“Outstanding”

I am blown away by this book. I am reading it each day via the PrayerMate app but like it so much I am now coming online to order a paper copy. A wonderful (and challenging and deep) meditation. Could be read any time of year - not just Christmas. Superb.

“Bring Sunglasses this ones a blinder”

I came to this book knowing that Sinclair Fergusen is a great thinker, a writer with a deep love of God, His word and His people. But taking the oft-used 1Cor 13 and rescuing it from Weddings, to use coming up to Christmas is a novel and great place to start. But the exposition, reflections and more importantly the beautiful and timeless prayers often featured at the end of each short (but absolutely densely packed) reflections on the verses or sometimes parts of a verse are wonderful. I have enjoyed many a good book, but this feels like several books worth in small easily digestible sizes. Thank God for the wonderful gifts He gives to men, who can take the scripture and give us new insight and understanding without going over our heads, or missing our hearts. Highly recommended.

“Ferguson at the top of his game”

These delightful and deep meditations are insightful, full of Scripture, full of Christ, well illustrated with stories, deep - generally a must buy. Only 5 pages a day and not big pages, with stories; so thoroughly readable. Get one for everybody in your church.