The Christmas We Didn’t Expect
Reflections for Advent that help us to adore Jesus: the One who came to save us and make our futures certain.
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns and this has been particularly so in 2020.
But the most unexpected and significant event in the history of the world actually happened over 2000 years ago when God himself became one of us in the person of Jesus Christ.
These Advent reflections, written by David Mathis, help us to lift our eyes to the wonder of the incarnation and worship the One who came to save us and make our futures certain.
Be amazed once more by the unexpected details of Jesus’ unique birth and saving work with these short daily devotions and prayers, and renew your worship of our humble, generous, and loving Savior.
About the Author:
David is executive editor of desiringGod.org, pastor at Cities Church, and adjunct professor for Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is married to Megan and father of four children.
When we think of Christmas devotionals often what comes to mind is the same sort of thing. The devotionals promise to either change how we feel about Christmas or they allow us to think that Christmas is all about us. David Mathis devotional is nothing like this. He lays rock-solid theology in front of you and shows you where you often fall short and he makes points that cause you to wonder why you have never thought of.
In this book, Mathis shares 24 short devotionals including an introduction that can be read on November 30th and an epilogue that can be read on Christmas. Each day, Mathis walks you through the power of Jesus being born as a baby. The thing about the devotionals is that rather than spending hours read about what Mathis has to say each day, you are able to spend a few minutes reading. This really helps for those who have a busy work life or young adults and adults with a short attention span. Such as myself. While these devotionals are short, Mathis in no way shortens or takes away from the points he lays down. During the 24 days of this devotional Mathis reflects on Christ’s birth and what it means to us. He flushes out the story of Advent in a way that helps everyone understand the point he is trying to make.
During the course of the book, you are able to answer some of your burning questions. Such as, what does Mary’s song mean, why did he come as a baby, why a virgin birth, and so many more questions. If you are like me then the part about Mathis answering these questions is one of the best parts. I know that without my questions being answered I struggle to understand the purpose of things such as Mary’s song. Instead of sitting and trying to find the meaning of it, I choose to skip over things because I do not understand. Reading this book helped me not only dive into the word of the Lord, but it helped me to better understand it. So often I find myself becoming numb to what all Christ has done for us. Matt Chandler puts it this way;
If the sight of the cross has lost its impact on you, then maybe you’ve grown too accustomed to it.
An Even Better Christmas
I found myself becoming too accustomed to the story of Christmas, I have lost sight of what it truly meant all because I thought the questions I could not answer would never be answered. Mathis sparked in me a new understanding of Christmas in his devotional. Rather, God used me reviewing this book to spark in me a new love and understanding of his word. God took me away from going through the motions of Christmas and showed me something new. He showed me ‘A Christmas that I Didn’t expect.’
“Christmas does mark a conception and a birth.”
Day 2: The Eternity Before Christmas
“The virgin birth shows that humanity needs a saving that it cannot bring about for itself.”
Day 3: The Glory of the Virgin Birth
“The manger is for all sinners because the cross is for all sinners.”
Day 4: What Child is This?
I received my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
