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Old Made New
A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions
Be filled with the wonder of Christmas with thirty days of devotionals from the sermons of Charles H. Spurgeon, reminding us of the incarnation to be marveled at all year round.
Spurgeon was considered by many to be the greatest preacher of his generation and lived during the nineteenth-century revival of the celebration of Christmas in America and England. He loved Christmas and welcomed the holiday season as an opportunity for rest and being reunited with friends and family.
How can Christians properly celebrate Christmas today? Certainly, Christmas trees, gift-giving, family reunions, and many other customs can all be joyful traditions of the season. But Spurgeon would say that the primary way to celebrate Christmas is by faith in the incarnate, crucified, and risen Savior. That’s why A Wondrous Mystery amid a busy holiday season, it is meant to be a daily reminder of why we celebrate—that “the Infinite has become an infant” and “the joy of his coming is still in our hearts.”Thirty daily devotions to help keep your heart focused on Christ in the busy holiday season.First book in the Old Made New series, making the teaching of theologians and pastors who have left us a rich heritage of faith accessible for modern-day readers.Compiled by Geoffrey Chang, curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Spurgeon was considered by many to be the greatest preacher of his generation and lived during the nineteenth-century revival of the celebration of Christmas in America and England. He loved Christmas and welcomed the holiday season as an opportunity for rest and being reunited with friends and family.
How can Christians properly celebrate Christmas today? Certainly, Christmas trees, gift-giving, family reunions, and many other customs can all be joyful traditions of the season. But Spurgeon would say that the primary way to celebrate Christmas is by faith in the incarnate, crucified, and risen Savior. That’s why A Wondrous Mystery amid a busy holiday season, it is meant to be a daily reminder of why we celebrate—that “the Infinite has become an infant” and “the joy of his coming is still in our hearts.”Thirty daily devotions to help keep your heart focused on Christ in the busy holiday season.First book in the Old Made New series, making the teaching of theologians and pastors who have left us a rich heritage of faith accessible for modern-day readers.Compiled by Geoffrey Chang, curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published September 2, 2024
32 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
5,685 books1,637 followersCharles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 30, 2025
Excellent—maybe my favorite Advent devotional I’ve read!
“He has the reins of Providence gathered in his hands.”
“This is a wonderful fact, God the Infinite once dwelt in the frail body of a child, and tabernacled in the suffering form of a lowly man.”
“Oh, Son of Man, I know not which to admire most, your height of glory, or your depths of misery! Oh, Man, slain for us, shall we not exalt you? God, over all, blessed forever, shall we not give you the loudest song? Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor.”
“He has the reins of Providence gathered in his hands.”
“This is a wonderful fact, God the Infinite once dwelt in the frail body of a child, and tabernacled in the suffering form of a lowly man.”
“Oh, Son of Man, I know not which to admire most, your height of glory, or your depths of misery! Oh, Man, slain for us, shall we not exalt you? God, over all, blessed forever, shall we not give you the loudest song? Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor.”
December 28, 2024
Words cannot describe how incredible this book was. Every chapter takes you to the depths of the doctrine of God, arouses your affections towards God, and shows you how to apply the truths of God. Geoff Chang did an excellent job presenting these devotionals by Spurgeon. They are now my favorite advent devotional of all time!
December 27, 2024
I love Christmas and I love Spurgeon. What a mix! Good and very well done. Recommended
December 27, 2025
So incredibly rich! I have yet to come across anything by Spurgeon that doesn’t deeply stir my soul and leave me in awe of the Lord. Particularly loved this excerpt from the “Laid in the Manger” devotion:
“By being in a manger he was declared to be the king of the poor. They, doubtless, were at once able to recognize his relationship to them, from the position in which they found him.
“I believe it excited feelings of the tenderest brotherly kindness in the minds of the shepherds, when the angel said, ‘And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger’ (Luke 2:12). In the eyes of the poor, imperial robes excite no affection, but a man in their own garb attracts their confidence.
“With what tenacity will workingmen cleave to a leader of their own order, believing in him because he knows their toils, sympathizes in their sorrows, and feels an interest in all their concerns. Great commanders have readily won the hearts of their soldiers by sharing their hardships and roughing it as if they belonged to the ranks.
“The King of Men who was born in Bethlehem was not exempted in his infancy from the common calamities of the poor. Nay, his lot was even worse than theirs. I think I hear the shepherds comment on the manger-birth, ‘Ah!’ said one to his fellow, ‘then he will not be like Herod the tyrant; he will remember the manger and feel for the poor; poor helpless infant, I feel a love for him even now, what miserable accommodation this cold world yields its Savior; it is not a Caesar that is born today; he will never trample down our fields with his armies, or slaughter our flocks for his courtiers, he will be the poor man's friend, the people's monarch; according to the words of our shepherd-king, he shall defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy’ (see Psalm 72:4).
“Surely the shepherds, and such as they—the poor of the earth, perceived at once that here was the people's king; noble in descent, but still as the Lord has called him, "one chosen out of the people’ (Psalm 89:19).”
“By being in a manger he was declared to be the king of the poor. They, doubtless, were at once able to recognize his relationship to them, from the position in which they found him.
“I believe it excited feelings of the tenderest brotherly kindness in the minds of the shepherds, when the angel said, ‘And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger’ (Luke 2:12). In the eyes of the poor, imperial robes excite no affection, but a man in their own garb attracts their confidence.
“With what tenacity will workingmen cleave to a leader of their own order, believing in him because he knows their toils, sympathizes in their sorrows, and feels an interest in all their concerns. Great commanders have readily won the hearts of their soldiers by sharing their hardships and roughing it as if they belonged to the ranks.
“The King of Men who was born in Bethlehem was not exempted in his infancy from the common calamities of the poor. Nay, his lot was even worse than theirs. I think I hear the shepherds comment on the manger-birth, ‘Ah!’ said one to his fellow, ‘then he will not be like Herod the tyrant; he will remember the manger and feel for the poor; poor helpless infant, I feel a love for him even now, what miserable accommodation this cold world yields its Savior; it is not a Caesar that is born today; he will never trample down our fields with his armies, or slaughter our flocks for his courtiers, he will be the poor man's friend, the people's monarch; according to the words of our shepherd-king, he shall defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy’ (see Psalm 72:4).
“Surely the shepherds, and such as they—the poor of the earth, perceived at once that here was the people's king; noble in descent, but still as the Lord has called him, "one chosen out of the people’ (Psalm 89:19).”
December 31, 2025
Great Spurgeon Advent for the month of December.
January 14, 2025
(4.5) I am not typically a daily-devotional-book person, but I looked forward to reading this together aloud each morning in Advent. Spurgeon is the best at taking a verse—or even short phrase—from Scripture and exploding it in beauty.
January 2, 2026
It’s been hard for me to find a quality personal advent devotional that is rich theologically and not corny. This was that devotional. I recommend.
February 4, 2025
To be honest, I am not a fan of any daily devotional. The brief format of the readings doesn’t allow for development of full points, rather just restating the verse of the day. This book presents poetic chunks of Spurgeon’s sermons where he quotes lots of related scriptures and hymn texts. My favorite was the final entry where he waxes eloquent on Ecclesiastes 7:8—“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,”. I don’t mean just the end of this book, but Spurgeon’s exposition on the year’s end. Very good perspective for all believers.
January 1, 2026
this is fabulous. I will be reading this again every advent season.
December 31, 2024
Excerpts from sermons on the incarnation, preached by C.H. Spurgeon. The only negatives were the language which is antiquated at points but contemporary to the time. It sometimes took a moment to work out what he was saying. That points to my deficiency not the writing, though. Great compilation for Advent!
December 26, 2024
This advent devotional was really helpful in understanding the humanity of Christ more. Spurgeon is so great to push you to rejoice in the Gospel truths that we experience each day but so easily grow cold to. He has very lofty thought which challenges me to really think about what I was reading. What I love most about this devotional is that it could really be read year round because the incarnation is not only important to read and meditate on at Christmas, but year-round, everyday.
December 31, 2025
Loved it!
“God‘s great plan was this, that in as much as his justice could not overlook sin, and sin must be punished, Jesus Christ should come and take the sin of his people upon himself, and upon the cursed tree, …should suffer what was due on our behalf, and then through his suffering, the infinite love of God should stream forth without any contravention of his justice. This is what God did. He sent his son to Bethlehem; he sent his son to Calvary.”
“God‘s great plan was this, that in as much as his justice could not overlook sin, and sin must be punished, Jesus Christ should come and take the sin of his people upon himself, and upon the cursed tree, …should suffer what was due on our behalf, and then through his suffering, the infinite love of God should stream forth without any contravention of his justice. This is what God did. He sent his son to Bethlehem; he sent his son to Calvary.”
January 11, 2026
Always enjoy Charles Spurgeon!
December 28, 2025
Who makes an advent book 30 pages?!
December 19, 2024
Can’t go wrong with reading Spurgeon.
January 1, 2025
Dr. Chang has, once again, given us a gift from Spurgeon’s writings. This will be a treasure for years to come!
November 26, 2024
Geoffrey Chang takes thoughts and sermons by Charles Spurgeon and compiles them into a 30-day Advent devotional called A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions. Each devotional entry has a Bible verse that goes with that day’s theme. A Wondrous Mystery definitely is a great and deep way to help you get into gear about the True Meaning of Christmas.
I used Geoffrey Chang’s A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions as part of my own personal devotional time. I know of Charles Spurgeon, but I have not read much of Mr. Spurgeon’s writings. Each devotion entry was 2 pages in length or more due to the deepness of the subject of what Mr. Spurgeon was discussing in the entry. Because of this, I found myself really taking my time in reading the devotional because I felt like glossing over or speed reading wouldn’t do A Wondrous Mystery justice and I would miss out on something. I appreciated the depths of Mr. Spurgeon’s writings and the Wisdom he brings to the subject of Christmas and what it Truly Meant. I gleaned much from A Wondrous Mystery. To me, A Wondrous Mystery needs to be read more than once–anytime of the year–because, I believe, it’s a devotional that we can continuously glean something new from each time it’s read. If you are looking for a devotional to help you get to the root of the True Meaning of Christmas, then I recommend A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions based on Charles Spurgeon’s writings and compiled by Geoffrey Chang!
Have you read A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions? What did you think of the book?
I would like to thank New Growth Press for giving me a copy of A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions to review. All thought and opinions are my own.
My review is also on my blog, Leslie's Library Escape.
I used Geoffrey Chang’s A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions as part of my own personal devotional time. I know of Charles Spurgeon, but I have not read much of Mr. Spurgeon’s writings. Each devotion entry was 2 pages in length or more due to the deepness of the subject of what Mr. Spurgeon was discussing in the entry. Because of this, I found myself really taking my time in reading the devotional because I felt like glossing over or speed reading wouldn’t do A Wondrous Mystery justice and I would miss out on something. I appreciated the depths of Mr. Spurgeon’s writings and the Wisdom he brings to the subject of Christmas and what it Truly Meant. I gleaned much from A Wondrous Mystery. To me, A Wondrous Mystery needs to be read more than once–anytime of the year–because, I believe, it’s a devotional that we can continuously glean something new from each time it’s read. If you are looking for a devotional to help you get to the root of the True Meaning of Christmas, then I recommend A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions based on Charles Spurgeon’s writings and compiled by Geoffrey Chang!
Have you read A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions? What did you think of the book?
I would like to thank New Growth Press for giving me a copy of A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions to review. All thought and opinions are my own.
My review is also on my blog, Leslie's Library Escape.
December 27, 2025
First sentence: This [Genesis 3:15] is the first gospel sermon that was ever delivered upon the surface of this earth.
A Wondrous Mystery is a thirty-day devotional celebrating Jesus, specifically celebrating the first coming of Jesus the Messiah. It isn't exclusively on the birth of Christ. It does continue to expand to the fuller gospel, the bigger picture of WHY Jesus Christ came. It does go beyond the nativity to his life and mission.
I am not the biggest fan of devotionals HOWEVER I make an exception for meaty, substantive ones like this. This is not a SHORT devotional. Well, all things are relative. Some devotionals literally take up three or four inches of one page--maybe. And of that half is filler, a mild story that truly fails to provide nourishment. The other half is nice enough but hardly filling enough to be worth one's time. THIS is not that kind of 'short' devotional. Each devotional entry is three to four pages long. And these entries are compiled, I believe, from many, many, many Spurgeon sermons. THERE'S substance here. There's meat to nourish.
If all devotional books were this well done, I'd appreciate them more.
A Wondrous Mystery is a thirty-day devotional celebrating Jesus, specifically celebrating the first coming of Jesus the Messiah. It isn't exclusively on the birth of Christ. It does continue to expand to the fuller gospel, the bigger picture of WHY Jesus Christ came. It does go beyond the nativity to his life and mission.
I am not the biggest fan of devotionals HOWEVER I make an exception for meaty, substantive ones like this. This is not a SHORT devotional. Well, all things are relative. Some devotionals literally take up three or four inches of one page--maybe. And of that half is filler, a mild story that truly fails to provide nourishment. The other half is nice enough but hardly filling enough to be worth one's time. THIS is not that kind of 'short' devotional. Each devotional entry is three to four pages long. And these entries are compiled, I believe, from many, many, many Spurgeon sermons. THERE'S substance here. There's meat to nourish.
If all devotional books were this well done, I'd appreciate them more.
September 18, 2024
Spurgeon is a much beloved preacher. Chang collected the readings in this book from some of Spurgeon’s sermons. They are “designed to help you grow a deeper understanding of the theology of Christmas.”
Geoffrey Chang wrote a beautiful introduction to A Wondrous Mystery that gives some historical background to the Christmas holiday - some of which I was not aware of. I really appreciated having this cultural background at the start of the book.
The book contains 30 devotionals to be used throughout the Advent season. Each devotional is relatively short and could be read in less than 10 minutes, making this book appropriate even for those with busy schedules. Some of the topics covered in the book include: Moses, Bethlehem, Mary’s Song, The First Christmas Carol, The Lamb of God, and more.
Because these devotionals are written by a theologian - you won’t find a lot of “fluff.” These devotionals will make you think and truly appreciate our Savior.
If you are looking for a deep devotional book to read in the days leading up to Christmas, I do recommend A Wondrous Mystery.
Geoffrey Chang wrote a beautiful introduction to A Wondrous Mystery that gives some historical background to the Christmas holiday - some of which I was not aware of. I really appreciated having this cultural background at the start of the book.
The book contains 30 devotionals to be used throughout the Advent season. Each devotional is relatively short and could be read in less than 10 minutes, making this book appropriate even for those with busy schedules. Some of the topics covered in the book include: Moses, Bethlehem, Mary’s Song, The First Christmas Carol, The Lamb of God, and more.
Because these devotionals are written by a theologian - you won’t find a lot of “fluff.” These devotionals will make you think and truly appreciate our Savior.
If you are looking for a deep devotional book to read in the days leading up to Christmas, I do recommend A Wondrous Mystery.
September 19, 2024
“A Wondrous Mystery” offers thirty days of devotions from some of Charles Spurgeon’s Christmas sermons. These devotions are designed to be read during the Advent season, readying our hearts and minds for Christmas, in celebration of Jesus Christ and the significance of His birth.
This book presents thought-provoking readings remind us to celebrate, spend time with family and friends, and rest in the love and gift of Jesus. It’s sometimes easy to get lost in the lights, decorations, and gift-giving at Christmastime, but it’s imperative that we remember the true meaning and gift of Christmas.
First Line (Introduction): Thanks to English Puritanism in the seventeenth century, Christmas was largely forgotten in the English-speaking world for two centuries.
Genre: Devotional, Christmas
Author: Charles Spurgeon
Page Count: 144
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% mine.
This book presents thought-provoking readings remind us to celebrate, spend time with family and friends, and rest in the love and gift of Jesus. It’s sometimes easy to get lost in the lights, decorations, and gift-giving at Christmastime, but it’s imperative that we remember the true meaning and gift of Christmas.
First Line (Introduction): Thanks to English Puritanism in the seventeenth century, Christmas was largely forgotten in the English-speaking world for two centuries.
Genre: Devotional, Christmas
Author: Charles Spurgeon
Page Count: 144
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% mine.
December 31, 2024
This book makes a really lovely advent devotional. The editor took parts of Spurgeon’s sermons and divided them into themed daily readings that are perfect for Advent, but great any time of year. I learned a lot about Spurgeon and Christmas in England during his life through this short book. I loved seeing Spurgeon’s compassionate heart and how he desperately wanted people to know how deeply they are loved by Jesus no matter what their station in life.
My only complaint about this book (and it’s a minor one), is that there are 30 readings for Advent which feels a little strange as it doesn’t fit a typical Advent timeline or fit the month of December. Other than that, this is a resource I will enjoy rereading in the future.
My only complaint about this book (and it’s a minor one), is that there are 30 readings for Advent which feels a little strange as it doesn’t fit a typical Advent timeline or fit the month of December. Other than that, this is a resource I will enjoy rereading in the future.
December 29, 2025
I was given this book for free when I bought a set of Bible storybooks for my son for Christmas. I cannot express the spiritual benefit it was to me this Christmas season. Each daily sermon was so rich in godly wisdom and sound theology. I will keep this as an advent reading for years to come. I am not a devotional person. I have always preferred just reading the Bible, but this book was a wonderful companion to my own daily Bible reading. I think the difference to me is that this was not written as a devotional. It is a compilation of Charles Spurgeon’s sermons that he preached, related to Christmas.
December 29, 2025
Great advent devotional for my wife and I. Spurgeon’s love of Christ and his deep affection for his church shine through just like his Mornings and Evenings collection.
As with any nineteenth century writing, the prose can be tricky to follow, but not nearly as bad as I was concerned it might.
We’ve read 7 or 8 advent devotionals now, and sometimes the vibe can be entirely jiggle belles or entirely unrelated to Christmas as side from a mention or two of the nativity scene. I’d say this book lands towards the jingle bells, but still largely feels like sermon excerpts from across the year
As with any nineteenth century writing, the prose can be tricky to follow, but not nearly as bad as I was concerned it might.
We’ve read 7 or 8 advent devotionals now, and sometimes the vibe can be entirely jiggle belles or entirely unrelated to Christmas as side from a mention or two of the nativity scene. I’d say this book lands towards the jingle bells, but still largely feels like sermon excerpts from across the year
December 29, 2025
This is a wonderful book for the Advent season. "Visit good books, but live in the Bible" is a wonderful quote by the author of these messages. Geoffrey Chang is the curator of the Spurgeon Library and professor of Midwestern Theological Seminary in Kansas City. Great thanks to him for collecting these Christmas messages and Alistair Begg for providing this book for partners of the Truth for Life ministries!
December 30, 2025
“And Christians, as you think of the losses, crosses, sufferings, and bereavements which you have had during this year, can you feel any regret that it is gone?
…But there is another side to this matter. What a multitude of mercies you have enjoyed this year! How good God has been to us!
When all your mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys;
Transported with the view, I’m lost
In wonder, love, and praise.”
What a lovely way to end my month of advent devotionals.
…But there is another side to this matter. What a multitude of mercies you have enjoyed this year! How good God has been to us!
When all your mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys;
Transported with the view, I’m lost
In wonder, love, and praise.”
What a lovely way to end my month of advent devotionals.
December 30, 2024
I didn't find any of these daily readings particularly insightful, but maybe they were in the 1860s. Perhaps Spurgeon's insights have already been worked into my theology so I didnt think these were anything new to me. Many of the entries focus on the humanity of Christ and it was good to sit with that "wonderous mystery" in depth for a while during this advent season.
January 14, 2026
I finished this book a bit late, due to end-of-the-year busyness, but I did finish it!
There were definitely some really interesting and great points that helped me to think differently about the wonder of the incarnation, but I thought there were also parts that I would disagree with doctrinally, or just thought that they were a bit odd. I also had trouble following some of the old language.
Overall it was a great advent devotion, though.
There were definitely some really interesting and great points that helped me to think differently about the wonder of the incarnation, but I thought there were also parts that I would disagree with doctrinally, or just thought that they were a bit odd. I also had trouble following some of the old language.
Overall it was a great advent devotion, though.
February 4, 2026
I got the book from TruthForLife.
This book has 30 devotionals and it goes all the way from December 1 to December 30. Probably one of the best Spurgeon books I’ve read so far. Showing us where we lack, showing us Christ, and showing us how we can lean on what Christ’s coming means for us—this devotional is such a comforting read.
This book has 30 devotionals and it goes all the way from December 1 to December 30. Probably one of the best Spurgeon books I’ve read so far. Showing us where we lack, showing us Christ, and showing us how we can lean on what Christ’s coming means for us—this devotional is such a comforting read.
December 31, 2025
This book was very helpful during this Advent season. Sermons, etc. would remind me of something I read that day and helped me to engage even more this season. Spurgeon's writings in this book I hope will stick with me for years to come.
December 30, 2024
A wonderful devotion about the incarnation of Christ.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews