Book Review: Good News of Great Joy by John Piper

Good News of Great Joy: 25 Devotional Readings for Advent by John Piper

I thought it would be good to read some advent books to maybe be able to recommend some to you for the season. Yes, it is still several months away, but as the new school year is around the corner, it always seems that Fall rushes past and we are facing advent in a blink.

Advent Devotion

Good News of Great Joy by John Piper is a book of 25 devotions to walk through the advent season. There are just one or two verses for each day and a short few pages of reflection. These can be read in less than 5 minutes with just one or two take-aways for the day.

Interestingly, the readings were not all from the Gospels, several were from Hebrews, Romans and even Philippians. This struck me as odd, but Piper keeps the focus on Christ, who he is and what he did for us.

Devotional Content

The devotions begin with the expectation of the coming, first and second, of Christ. They look at the traditional readings from the early story of Christ’s conception and his earthly family. The first 10 devotions focus on other people and their involvement in the story of Christ and their lives with God.

Perhaps this is why it is somewhat jarring to arrive at Day 11 and see that the focus turns to connect Jesus’ death with his birth. It isn’t expected based on the book title and the previous 10 days’ readings. It actually gives the book the feel of a compilation of writings over time, and not with the intent to be in one book together.

The book closes with readings that exhort the reader to take action: stop sinning and exult in him, for example. These three phases of the book don’t lend it a cohesive feel.

Valuable lessons

This little devotional is full of valuable teachings and lessons for anyone, from new Christians to mature. The Holy Spirit is a focal point of some of the readings, which is refreshing in an advent book. There is also a long appendix about the Old Testament shadows of what was to come and came in Christ.

3/5 stars for lack of coherence

If you are looking for something different for advent, this may be the right resource for you. It is hard to give the book much more thought, I even struggled with what to say. Piper opens the book with the prayer to see and savor Christ, and this I echo. May you see and savor Christ, today and through the year.

I received this book from Crossway as a free advance copy. These opinions are my own, and I receive no compensation for this review.