Disclosure: I received a digital review copy of this book from New Growth Press for the purpose of the review. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.
The Light Before Christmas is a new devotional book for families dedicated to the advent season. Written by author Marty Machowski, it is a devotion focusing on LIGHT. Contrasting light and dark, good and sin, these devotions will help families seek to understand God’s light in the world. It is designed to fit into under 15 minutes a day, three days a week. It is most appropriate for children ages 4-11, though the discussion will allow opportunity for older or younger folks to participate easily.
From the publisher:
This four-week Advent family devotional by best-selling author Marty Machowski combines devotions on the theme of light and darkness with the story of eleven-year-old Mia and her grandmother as they prepare for Christmas. Grandma loves to share her faith, especially at Christmas time, and although she is blind, she can see the light of Jesus shining bright and helps Mia—and children of all ages—to do the same.
Every year, Mia loves to spend the month of December with Grandma getting ready for Christmas. This year, they read a special devotional, The Light Before Christmas, together. Machowski brings families into their devotional time, sharing the story of Christmas. Through a Bible study of light and darkness, readers will discover how the theme of light weaves its way through the Christmas story and God’s plan of salvation.
The Light Before Christmas contains thirteen devotionals—three for each of the four weeks of Advent and one more for Christmas. Each devotional includes a Scripture for the day, an object lesson, a question to discuss as a family, a song to sing together, and a prayer.
The story of Mia and her grandmother starts each week of the devotional with a short piece of the story, just a few pages. It is followed by 3 devotions on the week’s theme: light, darkness, rescue, and come to the light. There is an object lesson for each devotion, a few verses of scripture to read and consider, a “think about it” section, and reminders to sing the hymn of the week and pray. Before the devotions begin, there are instructions for creating your own advent wreath if you choose to follow this tradition.
There is also a 4 week Sunday School Curriculum that is designed to complement the family devotions during this season. The curriculum includes lessons, songs, crafts, and object lessons to use to communicate the Bible lesson. It can be used as a stand-alone, without the family devotions, as well as the family devotions being used without the Bible class curriculum.
My Thoughts:
I was drawn to these devotions based on the idea of studying light and the light of God. I do not participate in advent, as many do, but the idea of a study of light was appealing. I honestly struggled with the writing of this and the way the devotions were written. The author took on the metaphor of light and ran with that, rather than the meaning of the scriptures. Many of the scriptures were not in context when used and that lessened what could have been a really strong study.
The weekly story between Mia and her grandmother was sweet and I loved the idea explored between being physically blind and spiritually blind. This part of the devotional was good, though very short each week.
I also took a look at the sample of the Bible class curriculum. It is a good curriculum that covers the ideas pretty well. I do wish there was more Bible included rather than the skit-style story telling. I felt it stayed fairly close to the actual Bible and drew in additional events from the Bible to enrich understanding. It seems to set up very clearly all you would need to teach these lessons to preschool and/or elementary ages. I would not personally use it, as it is somewhat out of context, but it would work well for a congregation that is looking to focus on the idea of light vs darkness for a few weeks. I only saw week 1 of the curriculum so I cannot speak to the other parts of the curriculum.
About the Books:
The Light Before Christmas: A Family Advent Devotional
Print ISBN 978-1-64507-292-8
October 10, 2022 / Retail Price: $16.99
The Light Before Christmas: An Advent Sunday School Curriculum
Digital ISBN 978-1-64507-294-2
October 10, 2022 / Retail Price $59.99
By Marty Machowski, Illustrated by Sarah Bland-Halulko
Blessings,
Lori, At Home.
At Home 
that is frustrating. When you see the potential for a good devotionsl but the scriptural aspect of it falls flat.
Yes!
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