If you’re looking for a short yet thoughtful devotional for Advent, I recommend Daily Devotions for Advent 2018 by Deacon Greg Kandra.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Daily Devotions for Advent 2018 by Greg Kandra
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
As the Advent season approaches, it is important to consider how we will prepare ourselves during this period of waiting. I think that “Daily Devotions” would be a good option for those who want to connect Scripture with their daily lives in the Advent season.
This lightweight devotional is good for people who want a quick prayer prompt during their day. Each day includes prayer, a Scripture reference, reflection, something to do, and closing prayer. I think this format readily guides the reader through the messages. This layout is what impressed me most about this book. I also thought that the reflections connected very well with each of the day’s readings. Deacon Kandra did a great job making such thoughtful connections.
Though I enjoyed several aspects of this book, it also had some flaws which is why I’m only giving it three stars. Before I explain them, I want to explain that these criticisms are much more about my personal preferences than actual problems with the devotional.
My biggest complaint is that it didn’t have the actual Bible verses; it only had references. While I understand the reasons why an author and/or publisher might choose not to do this, it kind of detracted from the portability and ease-of-use. To be fair, that is a personal preference, but if you’re looking for in all-in-one devotional, know that you will need to carry a Bible with you for this one.
The other aspect I wasn’t thrilled with was the simplicity of the reflections. I want a devotional that challenges me to grow deeper in my faith. Though a fair number of the reflections did, there was also a notable number where it didn’t have the depth that I wanted. Again, this is a personal preference.
Overall, I think this would be a good resource for a family looking for a quick Advent devotional or people who want reflections that are good without requiring too much thinking.
I received a free copy of this devotional in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.