The Heart of Christmas: A Devotional for the Season

by Hank Hanegraaff

Have Yourself a Historical and Inspirational Christmas! Let the Christ of Christmas prepare your heart for the celebration of His birth through a devotional journey beginning December 1st and climaxing Christmas day. SPECIAL SALE PRICE $5.00!

Genres: Christmas, Christian

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Hendrik "Hank" Hanegraaff, also known as the "Bible Answer Man", is an American Christian author and radio talk-show host. Formerly an evangelical Protestant, he joined the Eastern Orthodox Church in 2017. He is an outspoken figure within the Christian countercult movement, where he has established a reputation for his critiques of non-Christian religions, new religious movements, and cults, as well as heresy in Christianity. He is also an apologist on doctrinal and cultural issues.

Reviews

[Elsa K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read this the last few years. It's okay. Does anyone have a really good daily Christmas read? I haven't found one. This one has an apologetic bent if that's your thing.

I like learning where the different traditions come from. I also love the printout of a different Christmas song each day. It makes me really dwell on the beautiful words.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book just before Advent. The structure of one brief devotional each day, related to some aspect of Christmas and our celebration traditions, followed by a scripture reading, reflection questions, and the lyrics of a hymn was just what I needed at the moment. It helped me carve out a space in my day for God in the midst of what is often a crazy and hectic season. The devotionals have an apologetic focus. They look at the real origins of Christmas, rooted in prophecies in the Old Testament, the significance and nature of this baby Jesus who was born, and also explore whether various ways we celebrate Christmas today are compatible with the real meaning of Christmas. I found the apologetics to be a little light-weight and simplistic, which is why I give it only 3 stars. That said, I do not regret reading through this little book last December as part of my Christmas preparations.

[Eileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

definitely not a family devotional as the author seemed to try to use the largest words possible that even i, a relatively intelligent college graduate, found myself wondering what the heck it was he was saying instead of focusing on the reading. completely distacting and way over my head most of the time. i got very little out of it. the only thing i enjoyed were the bits of history i could understand and the Christmas carols at the end of each reading which did seem to correlate well with that day's theme. I'm getting rid of my copy and finding a more user friendly advent devotional to read year to year

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this devotion every year at Christmas. This Christmas Devotional reminds you of the apologetics behind Christianity, goes through traditions and how to live out your faith. There are 25 daily readings with scriptures to read. It also gives you a couple of questions each day to think about and a Christmas carol to end each day with.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my full, non-spoiler review: https://christianlovingbooks.blogspot...

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I am familiar with the Daily-Thought book format, this was my first Christian devotional, and I chose an Advent/Christmas one as a way to connect more with the season. Although I didn't get to read each day (for the most part I did, though), it helped to give me a daily mental grounding about the reason for the season. Some days it stuck with me and made me reflect, other days I forgot it all by the time I walked out the door, but overall, it was a good experience and exercise. Hanegraaff's theology is at times not quite in line with mine (as much as it is defined at this point), but it doesn't detract from the greater points he's making about Jesus, the coming of the Messiah, and what it means to us all and the world. For $5, it was a good little book to keep me company throughout Advent.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your typical devotion. It was not written with the intention to make you feel all gushy about Christmas. It takes a more scholarly approach, examining the origins of Christian traditions about Christmas, striving to put the emphasis on worshiping the birth of our Savior instead of focusing on consumerism & the fluffy guy in a red, fur trimmed suit. It made me think. I enjoyed it.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!!

This book is a very good book. It for the whole family to read 25 days before Christmas. It had everything even at the end of the chapter, a Christmas Carol for you to sing! This will be my read every Christmas book, it's my advent book.

[Phil Sessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this each seasons and used the acronym for a kids Christmas presentation. This gives you some background and also responds to opponents if celebrating Christmas.

[NancyInWI · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of it was way over my simple head. But the Christmas day reading was the best and most meaningful for me.

[william koellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appropriate

Just what I needed this season. Each day provided insight to the season, the Lord and the real purpose for Christmas.

[Steve Campise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in perspective

This is a great book for the Christmas season, it helps get you into the Christmas spirit and remember what Christmas is all about.