Longing for Christmas, an Advent devotional from Rooted Ministry, helps teenagers recapture the joy and wonder of Christmas by unwrapping God's promises throughout Scripture.
Do you remember what it felt like to be a little kid at Christmastime? There's nothing quite like the anticipation of Christmas morning. But the holiday can lose its wonder as we wake up to the many hard things going on in our lives and in the world. The loss we feel over our childhood experience points to a deeper longing inside all of us—for everything sad to be undone and for us to live together with God in perfect joy.
Longing for Christmas looks at twenty-five promises God made and fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. As we explore the way God has kept his promises, we can be encouraged that ALL of the longing we feel—for a better world and for things to be made right—will be fully met in Jesus.
Chelsea Kingston Erickson, MDiv, serves as Editor of Youth Ministry Content and Director of Publishing for Rooted Ministry. Having served as a youth minister for thirteen years, Chelsea is passionate about teaching teenagers biblical theology and helping them learn to study Scripture for themselves. Chelsea is the editor of Longing for Christmas: 25 Promises Fulfilled in Jesus, Advent Devotional for Teenagers. She lives north of Boston with her husband, Steve, and their two young sons.
Rooted Ministry's mission is to equip and empower churches and parents to faithfully disciple students toward lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. Rooted creates curriculum, podcasts, articles, books, and conferences to transform youth ministry so that every student receives grace-filled, gospel-centered, and Bible-saturated discipleship in the church and at home. Find out more at rootedministry.com.
“Christmas is not about holly-jolly sentiment. The incarnation is an act of war, the Light shining through a darkness that cannot overcome it. This book is for teenagers who take seriously that reality and who want to follow Jesus even when his light is the only one shining.”
Russell Moore, Editor in Chief, Christianity Today
“Give yourself a dose of hope and joy every day of Advent this December with these short, warm daily readings. They’re realistic about life yet full of positive truths about your present and your future and will help you reach December 25th celebrating that Christmas is the great declaration that God always keeps all of his promises.”
Carl Laferton, Bestselling author of The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross
"In the frenzy of the holiday season, Longing for Christmas invites students to slow down and consider what's really on their wish list this Christmas. Tapping into our deep human needs for belonging, peace, unity, and hope, this book shows students how every longing is fulfilled in Jesus. It's a great companion for Advent, Christmastide, and beyond."
Clarissa Moll, Author of Hurt Help Hope: A Real Conversation about Teen Grief and Life after Loss and Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving after Loss
"Longing for Christmas reminds youth that they long more for God himself than for his gifts. The authors of this devotional understand the world of teenagers and lift their eyes and hearts to behold the beauty and power of Jesus to fulfill their deepest longings."
Mike McGarry, Director, Youth Pastor Theologian; author of Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith, Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers, and A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry
"What I love about Rooted's devotional, Longing for Christmas, is that amid a usually joyous season, our heart's longings sometimes betray these thoughts. This devotional points us to our faithful Lord and to the great promises of God. Through deep biblical reflections and personal stories, it reminds us of the hope we have in Jesus Christ."
Danny Kwon, Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross Cultural Initiatives, Rooted Ministry
"While this is an Advent devotional written for teenagers, adults, I promise you will want this too! This book skillfully identifies the longings we all have and then provides the balm to our souls we all need. I can’t think of a better gift than a daily personal reminder of God’s promises fulfilled in Jesus."
Kristen Hatton, Counselor; author of Parenting Ahead
"Longing for Christmas provides comfort to teenagers through its message of hope in a complex and complicated world. It speaks to the deeper longing in every human heart for relationship with the God who makes and keeps his promises. This devotional is a gift to teenagers that points them to the promised gift of Jesus, in whom the longing of their hearts is filled."
Isaiah Marshall, Director of Ministry Development, Rooted Ministry; author, former youth minister
"Drawing from diverse voices, Longing for Christmas connects teenage experiences to the good promises God offers in his Word and for this world. The devotional does not sacrifice depth for connection as it serves as a handbook for Christians reading the prophets today. This devotional will bless teenagers as it prepares their heart for the Lord's coming."
Skyler R. Flowers, Family Pastor, Grace Bible Church, Oxford, MS; associate program director, The Keller Center
"As a longtime youth pastor, I wish I'd had this book to recommend to students years ago. Young people are always looking for deeper meaning at Christmastime, beyond just what will be under the tree, and this resource does just that. It speaks to young people exactly where they are and points them to Emmanuel."
Syler Thomas, Pastor of Community Life, Christ Church, Lake Forest, IL
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I read this with our girls. Not sure that they enjoyed it as much as I did. But I found it relatable both for teens and adults. I liked how it used a different prophetic scripture each day and related it to Jesus’ fulfillment and also current life. It’s a great Advent devotional that is different than the usual Christmas story.
I read this with our girls. Not sure that they enjoyed it as much as I did. But I found it relatable both for teens and adults. I liked how it used a different prophetic scripture each day and related it to Jesus’ fulfillment and also current life. It’s a great Advent devotional that is different than the usual Christmas story.
This book does a great job of showing how our deepest longings are met in the coming of Jesus! While some world events referenced may be new to some younger teens, and a few chapters might leave you hanging on what to do with the longings you feel, if read with parental/adult feedback it would be great to get teenagers thinking more deeply about Christmas.
I honestly love Longing for Christmas: 25 Promises Fulfilled in Jesus, Advent Devotional for Teenagers edited by Chelsea Kingston Erickson and written by the people of Rooted Ministry! Each of the 25 devotion entries is written by a different person from Rooted Ministry and includes a Bible Passage, a Questions for Reflection section, and a closing prayer. Longing for Christmas: 25 Promises Fulfilled in Jesus, Advent Devotional for Teenagers is a great way to usher in the Christmas season for teenagers! I love Longing for Christmas: 25 Promises Fulfilled in Jesus, Advent Devotional for Teenagers from beginning to end! I love the different perspectives that each of the Writers bring to Longing for Christmas. I thought each of the Writers did a phenomenal job making each devotion applicable for teenagers lives today, while at the same time keeping true to God’s Word. I love how each devotion explores what we are going through today and how what Jesus did for us bring us Peace today in this weary world. The Questions for Reflection section complemented the devotion well and makes the reader think about what they just read in a deeper, personal way. The Bible Passage and prayer also helps the devotion entry flow in a succinct manner. I used Longing for Christmas as part of my personal devotion time and it Ministered to me. I think Longing for Christmas would be perfect to give out to the teenagers in the youth group at Church. Longing for Christmas would also be good to use during the Christmas season in a youth Bible Study. If you are looking for a gift to help the teen in your life get closer to the Lord during the Christmas Season, then I highly recommend Longing for Christmas: 25 Promises Fulfilled in Jesus, Advent Devotional for Teenagers edited by Chelsea Kingston Erickson and written by the people of Rooted Ministry!
Focusing on the promises of God, Longing For Christmas consists of 25 readings that look at how to claim the joy of the fulfillment of the promises of God through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each reading begins with an Old Testament prophecy about Christ. It is printed in the book but reading it in context in a Bible is a good idea, to get that full prophecy and purpose. There is then a short thought from the author, setting up the ideas. Following that is a look at how God makes promises. This looks in depth at the Old Testament prophecy given. The next couple of paragraphs are about the God who fulfills His promises, taking a look at the New Testament fulfillment of the OT prophecy. To close out the reading, there are a couple of questions to consider and a closing prayer that is written out. I found the look at the OT prophecy followed by the NT fulfillment wonderful. It was so helpful to see them side by side, so to speak. To see them showing God's promises fulfilled. By seeing God keep His promises, we understand more about God's character and the love He has for His children. We understand how much He loves us and how we should respond to that love. While intended for teens, there is so much in here to help anyone who wants to understand God more and how He loves us. This side by side of promises made and kept is beautiful. Joy fills the one who sees these things, knowing that it means salvation is available to all.
“Longing for Christmas” is such an inspiring Advent devotional for teens that really drives home the promises fulfilled in Jesus. With a focus on Joy, the 25 daily readings designed to help readers find joy, even when they might be going through difficult times. Each day offers Scripture verses, a devotion, how God makes and keeps His promises relating to the message, reflection questions, and a simple closing prayer. Readers will discover how their longings for peace, comfort, home, justice, value, and more will be fulfilled in Jesus. Offering a daily dose of Good News, this little book holds a wealth of beauty, peace, and contentment. #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.
“Longing for Christmas” is such an inspiring Advent devotional for teens that really drives home the promises fulfilled in Jesus. With a focus on Joy, the 25 daily readings designed to help readers find joy, even when they might be going through difficult times. Each day offers Scripture verses, a devotion, how God makes and keeps His promises relating to the message, reflection questions, and a simple closing prayer. Readers will discover how their longings for peace, comfort, home, justice, value, and more will be fulfilled in Jesus. Offering a daily dose of Good News, this little book holds a wealth of beauty, peace, and contentment.
"Longing for Christmas" beautifully grounds the meaning of Christmas through significant spiritual truths. This inspiring book takes readers on a heartfelt journey through twenty-five divine promises fulfilled by the coming of Jesus. With each promise explored, it skillfully reconnects the reader to the deep longing for a world made right and the perfect joy found in God's ultimate plan. This is a must-read for teens (and their families) who are looking to rediscover the true essence of Christmas and the promises that make it so special.