Wonders of His Love by Champ Thornton

This is an informative and entertaining collection of devotions and activities for families during the advent season. Each week has five short devotionals meant to be read aloud. They are designed so that children can easily understand them. There are crafts and interesting discussion questions included too.

Each week centers on a passage from Isaiah. Week one looks at Jesus as the light of the world. (Isa. 9:2) The five lessons for the week include having children walk in the dark and later reflecting on what it means to be a light to others. Other Isaiah passages reveal Jesus as the Branch who gives life, the Good Shepherd who leads and carries us, God with us who calms our fears, and the Bread of Life who feeds us.

The fifth day of each week includes fun activities for kids like making ornaments, baking sugar cookies, going on a scavenger hunt, painting, singing carols, and helping others. There are some interesting asides too. One discusses whether Jesus was actually born in an animal stable. Another informs children of the real (saint) Nicholas.

I liked this advent devotional. It's great for families as they prepare hearts to receive the Messiah afresh.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Champ Thornton is associate pastor at Ogletown Baptist Church in Newark, Delaware. He pastored at Grace Bible Church near Spartanburg in South Carolina after seminary. He served as director of SOMA, a ministry training school in Columbus, Ohio. He is host of “In the Word, On the Go,” a ten-minute podcast for families and is the author of several books. He and his wife have three children. You can find out more at www.champthorton.com.

New Growth Press, 80 pp.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)