Of all people, Christians have the most to truly celebrate at Christmas. The God who created the universe took on human flesh, fulfilling what the prophets had foretold, and entered this fallen world to bring salvation to His people. The following resources, curated by the Ligonier editorial team, can help believers better grasp the wonder of the incarnation and express grateful worship throughout the Christmas season for the greatest gift of all—our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson
Love is at the heart of the Christmas season. In this advent devotional, Dr. Ferguson reflects on the true source of this love—Jesus Christ. Containing twenty-four daily readings for the month of December, this devotional walks through 1 Corinthians 13 phrase by phrase, showing how Jesus Christ is the truest embodiment of the love this passage describes. Each day’s reading includes a question for reflection and a prayer.
Peace: Classic Readings for Christmas by Stephen Nichols
Our desire for peace in this world is especially pronounced during the Christmas season, yet we are often confronted by the reality that the peace we crave is out of our reach. Dr. Nichols asserts, “There is only one way to turn the dream of peace into reality. . . . We must look to no other place than to a manger.” This book seeks to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas by looking to Jesus Christ, who conquered sin and established peace between God and man for all who trust in Him.
Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation by Joel Beeke and William Boekestein
Why did Christ come? This book seeks to answer that vital question with thirty-one thoughtful meditations drawn not just from the gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth, but from the rest of Scripture as well. Each meditation encourages readers to celebrate Christ’s birth more deeply, see more clearly how it is connected with the rest of His ministry, and recognize its importance for our lives.
Child in the Manger: The True Meaning of Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson
What is Christmas really all about? Some anticipate time with loved ones and festive gatherings, while others dread the loneliness or family problems that the holidays exacerbate. In this book, Dr. Ferguson explores this question, which has profound implications not just for Christmastime, but all year round. The birth of Jesus divided history into two major epochs, and at the very center of history stands the person of Jesus Christ, the One who is at the center of God’s story.
The Christmas We Didn’t Expect by David Mathis
We all know that life contains many unexpected twists and turns. But the most unexpected and significant event in history occurred when God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This book contains daily Advent devotionals and prayers that highlight the unexpected details of Jesus’ birth and saving work, leading readers to renewed worship of our humble and loving Savior.
This article is part of the Recommended Resources collection and was orignally published December 7, 2022.
Ligonier Ministries