Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional

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.I didn't not grow up celebrating Advent. However, during our travels while my husband was Active Duty in the Army for 20 years, we added it in. It was only after we were exposed to it at a church we attended during one of our duty stations that we begin to understand what Advent was about. It has became a time of year that all of us look forward to and enjoy. The traditions and stories shared through the Advent season I hope will be come traditions my children will also pass on.Now for more about this book! Each day of the traditional week there is a name of Jesus that is read. This includes a challenge and prayer related to that name. Then there are a few more Bible verses for further study. Lastly, at the end of the week there is a list of activities that can be done on the weekend to help you celebrate the season and remember what it is about. All of these activities are fun, but faith filled to point us back to the ONE.I personally love this book and am so excited to add this into our regular Advent studies!

It’s been a very hectic year for our family…on the heels of three very hectic years in a row that included close family deaths, personal illnesses, job changes, homeschooling, online college classes, cleaning out and selling a parent’s house, cleaning out and selling our own house, and moving to a new community… I’m exhausted! And here comes Christmas!!!!! Oh boy…. (groan…)I was completely dreading Christmas this year. Like I have the past three years. My heart has been too sore and my body too tired to take any joy in the preparations. All the carols just made me cry. The weary world in my soul couldn’t find the energy to rejoice. This fall I’ve been pleading with God to help me find some joy, some rest, some simplicity in these celebrations. And He has provided wonderfully with this lovely book by Asheritah Ciuciu.We moved into a new house this fall, and I wanted to start a new tradition for Christmas, but I wasn’t sure what. I finally settled on studying the names of Jesus with our teen daughters and using those names to decorate for the holiday. I wasn’t sure where or how to get started, and then along came this book.I was relieved to read in the introduction the author’s attitude about perfection – that God won’t be disappointed if I miss a day (or even a week’s) devotional or challenge. Likewise, the author assured me that God would not be impressed if I checked it off my to-do list each day. She elaborated that the purpose of the devotional was not to get more favor with God, but rather to rest in the finished work of Jesus. Rest? At Christmas?!?!? Sign me up!Each week contains a special devotional reading for each Sunday of Advent plus five devotions for the week. Each devotion centers on one of the names of Jesus. In it, the author presents a main scripture passage and some thoughts about the selected passage. She then presents a challenge in regards to the name, scripture, and thoughts. She includes a brief prayer and then lists several more scriptures to study that name further. At the end of the week, the author presents a few ideas for activities to help cement the ideas of that week’s Advent focus and names of Jesus in our minds.I found the format of the book easy and gentle. None of the thoughts were taxing to my tired brain, and all of them were soothing and hope-giving to my heart. The book could easily be used either as a personal devotional or in a family setting. Small children would understand most of what is discussed, and older children and teens could be involved in looking up and reading the supplementary scriptures. Each night that we do the devotional, our family is going to decorate one ornament with the name of Jesus that we study that night. By Christmas, we will have four ornaments with the Advent themes and twenty ornaments of Jesus’s names – a nice start to a new tradition. I hope to add to these ornaments through the years as we study more names of Jesus.I gratefully received this book as an eARC from the author, publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. However, I liked the book so much, I bought a copy to keep.

I cou l don't put it down. it's was great!!

It inspired our family to want to learn more about our Salvatore God Jesus. Humbly written and confidently explained how to prep for the journey for welcoming our Lord God Jesus to this World.thank you

I can tell by reading that the author truly loves the Lord Jesus, as well as a promising talent for writing that the Spirit is building within her. It wasn't as in depth as I'd hoped given the title, but that's maybe more on me and my expectations, of what I don't know. Truthfully, I think this is one of my first advent devotions and it's been a while since I've added a devotion purely during advent. What's important to me is that in all things I do, I'm preparing my heart and soul for His second advent, which I think this book did. I think this book would be best suited for someone new or young in their walk with Jesus. I liked that it has sections for family involvement. I'm a Baptist, so participating in ritualistic things like the lighting of advent candles isn't something I was familiar with. This book is good for someone like myself in that respect. I pray the Lord's blessings on Mrs. Ciuciu & I can't wait to see where He leads her. God bless anyone who managed to stay with me to the end of this review ☺️

I have given several of these as gifts and loved it so much I bought one for myself. It stays on my side table year round.

I’m surprised at how many advent studies focus too much on the author or the reader. I searched high and low for a book that put all the focus on Jesus and this is it. I even took it one step further and made 25 names of Jesus advent cards which I plan to hang over my fireplace. You can find crafters on Etsy making these. I’m also giving this book, along with a set of cards, to each woman in my Bible Study group. The only thing that surprised me is how small the book is. The cards in my picture are postcard sized and you can see the book isn’t a whole lot bigger. Still, it has a beautiful cover, it’s hardback and it’s inexpensive, so can’t complain too much. Get this book if you want a quick reminder each day of the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

Second year going thru this book and gives real meaning to the reason for the season.

Absolutely love this book😍

This devotional is absolutely gorgeous! The compact size is so handy, the cover is durable (and beautiful!), and the content is well crafted and insightful. I love the daily challenges which encourage further reflection and how this devotional points the reader directly to Jesus. What a great way to celebrate Advent! Thanks Asheritah for creating an Advent devotional of such great calibre. I'm sure I will cherish it for years to come!!

Preparing to do it this year with my family. I am a Catholic Mom and is so blessed to have come across your book. Im living in Singapore. I loved everything about your book! Helps me and my family to know more and have a deeper encounter with Jesus thru His Name - the Name Above all Names! So we can call upon Him seek Him and learn also thru Scriptures!So beautiful! Very creatively done!May God bless u !

This was a good book with which to walk through Advent. It’s user-friendly for all ages, for families, and for individuals.

I purchased this devotional for me and my children to use throughout the Christmas season. It was amazing! I also loved the suggested family activities that accompanied the devotional. It was a wonderful way to prepare our hearts for Christmas.Highly recommend!