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Gifts of Grace: 25 Advent Devotions
Delight in God’s wonderful gifts of grace with this Advent devotional for Christmas. Just as with opening the doors of an Advent calendar day by day, this Advent devotional will build your anticipation for Christmas so that you can fully absorb and enjoy its central gift—Jesus Christ. Reflecting on a few short verses each day, this devotional examines the wonderful gifts of grace that we receive through the coming of Christ and belief in his gospel. Author Jared C. Wilson says in his “My prayer for you is that examining the diamond of the gospel facet by facet for the next 24 days will find you on Day 25 more awestruck and joy-filled about the glory of Christ our Lord. It is only by beholding Christ’s glory, in fact, that we can be made like him (2 Corinthians 3:18).”
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2022
27 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Jared C. Wilson
58 books942 followersJared C. Wilson is the Director of Content Strategy for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Managing Editor of For The Church (ftc.co), and Director of the Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the author of numerous books, including "Gospel Wakefulness," "The Prodigal Church," and, most recently, "The Imperfect Disciple." Wilson blogs regularly at gospeldrivenchurch.com, hosted by The Gospel Coalition and is a frequent speaker at conferences and churches around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 27, 2023
Best advent devotional I’ve read!
October 17, 2022
How can we see what Christ gives to us this Christmas? In Gifts of Grace, Jared C. Wilson leads you to delight in God’s wonderful gifts of grace through 25 Advent devotions.
Refreshing
At just less than 150 pages, this book is a refreshing read. I appreciated the format of the book, where each chapter “unpacks” a gift of grace. From hope to glorification, from commissioning to joy -- there is something to cherish and relish in each day during Advent.
I was most moved in Chapter 8 and seeing God’s gift of the church. God gives us the church as a place to display his unity and ours of being in his family and household. Through the church, truth is displayed to each other and to the world. Do you believe your church is a gift?
Wonderful
I was most challenged in Chapter 13, to see how God gives the good gift of contentment. It’s easy to become envious in a world that rewards clout and competition. For the Christian, the secret to contentment is to see what we already have. In Christ, we have everything we need. I am encouraged to keep running the race.
Before the book ends on Christmas Day with Jesus, Wilson presents the gift of joy to us on Christmas Eve. After reading this book, I do have a deeper sense of joy. Not in circumstances or in accolades, but in Jesus. What a great giver of great joy! And what a wonderful gift he is himself.
I received a media copy of Gifts of Grace and this is my honest review.
Refreshing
At just less than 150 pages, this book is a refreshing read. I appreciated the format of the book, where each chapter “unpacks” a gift of grace. From hope to glorification, from commissioning to joy -- there is something to cherish and relish in each day during Advent.
I was most moved in Chapter 8 and seeing God’s gift of the church. God gives us the church as a place to display his unity and ours of being in his family and household. Through the church, truth is displayed to each other and to the world. Do you believe your church is a gift?
Wonderful
I was most challenged in Chapter 13, to see how God gives the good gift of contentment. It’s easy to become envious in a world that rewards clout and competition. For the Christian, the secret to contentment is to see what we already have. In Christ, we have everything we need. I am encouraged to keep running the race.
Before the book ends on Christmas Day with Jesus, Wilson presents the gift of joy to us on Christmas Eve. After reading this book, I do have a deeper sense of joy. Not in circumstances or in accolades, but in Jesus. What a great giver of great joy! And what a wonderful gift he is himself.
I received a media copy of Gifts of Grace and this is my honest review.
November 21, 2022
Gifts of Grace is the latest title by author, professor, and podcaster Jared C. Wilson. This book is an advent devotional that helps readers fix their eyes on Jesus as they countdown the days to Christmas. In the book’s introduction, Wilson explains that the book’s title is derived from the gifts that Christians presently possess in Christ.
In each day’s devotion, readers will be reminded of what these gifts are and be encouraged to enjoy Jesus as the ultimate gift. Each devotion begins with the name of the gift that the devotional content will focus on and a Bible verse that is relevant to that gift. I really enjoy Wilson’s writing style and have appreciated his writings on the For the Church blog so I knew I would enjoy this devotional too.
There are many great options for advent devotionals out there and while I’ve read a few, Gifts of Grace is one of my favorites and I’m pleased to give it my highest recommendation. If you are looking for a rich, Christ centered advent devotional, I highly encourage you to purchase a copy!
I received Gifts of Grace compliments of The Good Book Company in exchange for my honest review.
In each day’s devotion, readers will be reminded of what these gifts are and be encouraged to enjoy Jesus as the ultimate gift. Each devotion begins with the name of the gift that the devotional content will focus on and a Bible verse that is relevant to that gift. I really enjoy Wilson’s writing style and have appreciated his writings on the For the Church blog so I knew I would enjoy this devotional too.
There are many great options for advent devotionals out there and while I’ve read a few, Gifts of Grace is one of my favorites and I’m pleased to give it my highest recommendation. If you are looking for a rich, Christ centered advent devotional, I highly encourage you to purchase a copy!
I received Gifts of Grace compliments of The Good Book Company in exchange for my honest review.
January 2, 2024
I don’t usually do devotionals for Christmas but I am probably going to reread this one each year.
December 31, 2023
“Christmas is not about warm fuzzies; it is about the one who finally delivers on the promise of everything we acknowledge as good and true.”
Jared Wilson is one of the most encouraging authors. He is honest and transparent in his struggles yet always points us back to the gospel message that God is great in our weakness and our dependence and need for him is what qualifies us to come.
I loved his book The Imperfect Disciple and this devotional book is written with the same conversational, relatable, and hopeful tone.
As you can see from the cover, each of this book’s 25 reflections is an opening of a gift just like an advent calendar.
“Every day, we will open up a little door to rediscover one of the myriad gifts Christians receive through the coming of Christ and belief in his gospel… one amazing grace after another.”
These gifts range from faith, love, and hope to justification, expiation, sanctification, vindication, and more. I thought this was a really great and effective way to structure his book. It kept every day easy to understand but also deep in theology.
I also loved that each reflection was titled with a line from a Christmas carol. Christmas carols are some of the most theologically rich hymns. Because we are familiar with them and associate them with Christmas they can become rote and we don’t really take in the words we are singing.
This book not only reveals the gifts of grace we have in Christ, but also reminds us that the songs we sing at Christmas contain deep truths. It would be a great way to do additional study while reading it— to go through the corresponding hymn verse by verse and see the meanings we miss.
Yes, this book would be a great option to read through the month of December, but I also think it’s a good book to read AFTER Christmas. If it’s just going to be another ‘Christmas thing’ to mark off in anticipation of Christmas, I would say wait on it. Hold off on reading it until January or February.
Because, really, we’re still in advent— in anticipation— of Christ’s coming. He has come and he will come again. This book is not just relevant in December. It’s relevant every day as we await the return of our King.
And perhaps the truths of this book will hit differently when you’re not in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It may help get your heart re-centered for the new year where you can look for the gifts of grace that we open every day we wake up.
A Few Quotes
“When the world hopes, there is the prospect of unfulfillment. The world “hopes” something will happen, but they know it might not. That’s not how God’s people hope. Our hope comes with assurance (Heb 11:1), our hope abides (1 Cor 13:13), and our hope will “not put us to shame” or disappoint us (ROM 5:5)… Our hope is in God! In fact, our hope is God!”
“We must be honest about the severity of our condemnation apart from God’s grace, because the good news will only be as good as the bad news is bad.”
“Our justification takes something slightly more out of reach than human ingenuity. It takes faith. And this is one reason why I know Christianity is true—we wouldn’t have made this up! Salvation by faith makes too little of us and so much of God.”
“The Christmas story holds the promise of glorification out to us because it tells us that God took on our image, that we might someday take on his. We will reflect him beautifully and eternally on a new earth restored according to his glory.”
“The Christmas Eve gospel is that while all the stuff and the experiences and the feelings might go away moment by moment, the incarnate Christ is real, he is alive, and he is doing work inside of our hearts that will make us thrive when we’re weary, hope when we’re grieving, and even rejoice when we’re suffering.”
Jared Wilson is one of the most encouraging authors. He is honest and transparent in his struggles yet always points us back to the gospel message that God is great in our weakness and our dependence and need for him is what qualifies us to come.
I loved his book The Imperfect Disciple and this devotional book is written with the same conversational, relatable, and hopeful tone.
As you can see from the cover, each of this book’s 25 reflections is an opening of a gift just like an advent calendar.
“Every day, we will open up a little door to rediscover one of the myriad gifts Christians receive through the coming of Christ and belief in his gospel… one amazing grace after another.”
These gifts range from faith, love, and hope to justification, expiation, sanctification, vindication, and more. I thought this was a really great and effective way to structure his book. It kept every day easy to understand but also deep in theology.
I also loved that each reflection was titled with a line from a Christmas carol. Christmas carols are some of the most theologically rich hymns. Because we are familiar with them and associate them with Christmas they can become rote and we don’t really take in the words we are singing.
This book not only reveals the gifts of grace we have in Christ, but also reminds us that the songs we sing at Christmas contain deep truths. It would be a great way to do additional study while reading it— to go through the corresponding hymn verse by verse and see the meanings we miss.
Yes, this book would be a great option to read through the month of December, but I also think it’s a good book to read AFTER Christmas. If it’s just going to be another ‘Christmas thing’ to mark off in anticipation of Christmas, I would say wait on it. Hold off on reading it until January or February.
Because, really, we’re still in advent— in anticipation— of Christ’s coming. He has come and he will come again. This book is not just relevant in December. It’s relevant every day as we await the return of our King.
And perhaps the truths of this book will hit differently when you’re not in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It may help get your heart re-centered for the new year where you can look for the gifts of grace that we open every day we wake up.
A Few Quotes
“When the world hopes, there is the prospect of unfulfillment. The world “hopes” something will happen, but they know it might not. That’s not how God’s people hope. Our hope comes with assurance (Heb 11:1), our hope abides (1 Cor 13:13), and our hope will “not put us to shame” or disappoint us (ROM 5:5)… Our hope is in God! In fact, our hope is God!”
“We must be honest about the severity of our condemnation apart from God’s grace, because the good news will only be as good as the bad news is bad.”
“Our justification takes something slightly more out of reach than human ingenuity. It takes faith. And this is one reason why I know Christianity is true—we wouldn’t have made this up! Salvation by faith makes too little of us and so much of God.”
“The Christmas story holds the promise of glorification out to us because it tells us that God took on our image, that we might someday take on his. We will reflect him beautifully and eternally on a new earth restored according to his glory.”
“The Christmas Eve gospel is that while all the stuff and the experiences and the feelings might go away moment by moment, the incarnate Christ is real, he is alive, and he is doing work inside of our hearts that will make us thrive when we’re weary, hope when we’re grieving, and even rejoice when we’re suffering.”
October 26, 2022
This Advent devotional features twenty-five readings that focus on God's grace and the wonderful gifts we receive from Him. Each daily reading begins with a line or a phrase from a classic Christmas hymn, the gift that reading focuses on, and a core Scripture passage related to it. Jared C. Wilson unpacks many different themes in this book, ranging from theological concepts like Christ's propitiation to internal experiences like contentment. The readings are typically around four pages long, with strong opening hooks and satisfying conclusions, and there is a source list at the end that shares which hymn each chapter title came from.
Unlike some Advent books, this one presumes that the reader is already a Christian. If someone is curious about faith or interested in how Christians view the Christmas story, this wouldn't be the ideal book for them to start with, but Christians who want a deeper theological look into Christmas will appreciate this book's depth and its focus on further unpacking concepts believers already agree with and care about. Because of the book's brevity, it is helpful that Wilson directed this to a single audience instead of trying to address people with widely varying levels of interest and understanding.
Gifts of Grace is a great book for individual devotional reading, and it would work well as a family read-aloud with older kids and teenagers. It will also be especially encouraging to Christians who are going through a hard time right now or generally struggle to feel festive at Christmastime. Wilson shares many examples of how our hopes for Christmas often fall short, emphasizing that the hope of Christmas lies in Christ and God's grace for us, not in our ability to feel the right feelings or experience the right experiences.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Unlike some Advent books, this one presumes that the reader is already a Christian. If someone is curious about faith or interested in how Christians view the Christmas story, this wouldn't be the ideal book for them to start with, but Christians who want a deeper theological look into Christmas will appreciate this book's depth and its focus on further unpacking concepts believers already agree with and care about. Because of the book's brevity, it is helpful that Wilson directed this to a single audience instead of trying to address people with widely varying levels of interest and understanding.
Gifts of Grace is a great book for individual devotional reading, and it would work well as a family read-aloud with older kids and teenagers. It will also be especially encouraging to Christians who are going through a hard time right now or generally struggle to feel festive at Christmastime. Wilson shares many examples of how our hopes for Christmas often fall short, emphasizing that the hope of Christmas lies in Christ and God's grace for us, not in our ability to feel the right feelings or experience the right experiences.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2024
An average Christmas devotional with some good truth! Nothing new and Earth-shattering but I enjoyed the reminders of God’s great gifts during a season that seems so busy at times. The authors personal touch helped to make it a bit more enjoyable too!
January 10, 2024
Easy to read advent devotion. It was great to read with my wife and talk about the topics with her afterwards.
December 26, 2025
In a year where the joys, hope and peace of Christmas has felt far and few between, this was great for my soul.
February 2, 2023
This is probably the best Advent devotional I've ever read. Jared chose to highlight a different theological truth with each of his chapters, truly giving the reader different gifts every day of December. I would highly encourage you to get this for yourself and give it to others next year!
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December 27, 2022I highly recommend this for your Advent next year. Excellent read!!!
February 3, 2023
This is a nice advent devotional. I liked the scripture and reflections. Each day's devotional was a good length.
19 - Our sanctification is just as much founded on and empowered by grace as is our justification.
27 - For the unbeliever the promise of Christmas is the promise of spiritual vibes. Everybody wants peace on earth, very few see the appeal of the narrow way of the Prince of Peace. Because the truth is that we cannot have any of these beautiful virtues apart from their perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. Christmas is not about warm fuzzies. It is about the one who finally delivers on the promise of everything we acknowledge as good and true. The Bible will not let us have ethereal virtues. Do you want peace? Christ Himself is our peace - Ephesians 2:14. Do you want love? Christ Himself is love - 1 John 4:8. Do you want hope? Christ Himself is our hope - Titus 2:13.
19 - Our sanctification is just as much founded on and empowered by grace as is our justification.
27 - For the unbeliever the promise of Christmas is the promise of spiritual vibes. Everybody wants peace on earth, very few see the appeal of the narrow way of the Prince of Peace. Because the truth is that we cannot have any of these beautiful virtues apart from their perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. Christmas is not about warm fuzzies. It is about the one who finally delivers on the promise of everything we acknowledge as good and true. The Bible will not let us have ethereal virtues. Do you want peace? Christ Himself is our peace - Ephesians 2:14. Do you want love? Christ Himself is love - 1 John 4:8. Do you want hope? Christ Himself is our hope - Titus 2:13.
February 28, 2023
I really appreciate the format of this devotional that includes a focus on a particular gift each day. Gifts include hope, reconciliation, propitiation, victory, glorification, etc. Each day is a short read of around 5 pages or so. Wilson writing center on Christ and include refreshing humor. Each day’s title is from a Christmas carol and I like that the list of carols is included at the end of the book. It’s nice to listen to the carol before/after the day’s reading. All in all, I was very blessed by this book and look forward to reading it more in coming years. It’s the type of book devotional that can be read for years to come.
November 27, 2022
I always enjoy reading a new advent book each Christmas season and this one is right up there with the best I have read thus far. Light and easily accessible, consistently encouraging as it explores the various blessings of salvation, and often quite profound in its conclusions. A genuine treat.
January 26, 2023
4.5 this book was lovely in every way, I read it in January because it was a gift after my mother had passed. She lost her battle with cancer and she lost it on the day she read day 10. What a powerful message God gave to her. What a great book! Highly recommend!!!
December 26, 2023
This has been one of the best devotional books I have ever read, and certainly for a specific season in the church calendar. I cannot commend Jared’s book highly enough to you. While intended for the Advent season, I can easily see myself using it throughout the year.
January 4, 2024
Quite a simple book probably better suited for people who are newer to Christianity. The low rating is due to the chapter covering assurance of salvation- that is a very sensitive complex topic and barely any scripture was quoted and I felt he didn’t back up what he was asserting.
December 14, 2022
Extremely dull.
December 17, 2022
While I may not be a Protestant I did find this devotional to be good food for thought and reflection this advent.
December 25, 2022
Beautifully written.. a thoughtful and challenging advent read.
December 30, 2022
“You are not more powerful a sinner than Jesus is a Savior.” I love that this book leads you to the birth of Jesus while pointing you to the gospel in every devotion.
December 25, 2023
I want to give this 10 stars!!
I laughed and cried through this advent devotional. Profound gifts from God are displayed so beautifully. I will certainly be going through this one again!
I laughed and cried through this advent devotional. Profound gifts from God are displayed so beautifully. I will certainly be going through this one again!
December 18, 2024
Approachable thematic Advent devotional. Humorous and honest and pastoral. I’d read it again.
December 25, 2024
Great book! Jared Wilson is an amazing speaker, so it was fun to read his book. He had so much truth packed in this shirt adventure read :)
December 27, 2025
A nice advent devotional. Rather than focus narrowly on the Christmas story, he considers the results of Christmas and all of the blessings we have in Christ.
December 29, 2025
Best advent devotional. I’m a huge Jared C Wilson fan anyway but this was so easy to read and really helps you slow down and take in what a blessing the Christmas season is.
December 27, 2025
A lovely Advent devotional that points to the grace through Jesus each day leading up to Christmas.
2024 - our family loves this Advent devotional. Each day is a reminder of the gifts of the Gospel in our lives that sparks good theological discussion with our teenagers.
2024 - our family loves this Advent devotional. Each day is a reminder of the gifts of the Gospel in our lives that sparks good theological discussion with our teenagers.
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