This is a cool book! I like the idea of having a devotional for the late November and the Christmas season. The cover and interior designing are a m a z i n g and definitely complement the book. However, when reading it, I did find that the author had a tendency to tell instead of show. I normally wouldn't be so bothered by this that I would take two stars off for it, but I think in a devotional it's important to show how Biblical characters were strengthened by God in their walk to Him instead of merely saying so.

Even though the author has much room for improvement in his writing, I do like it as a devotional and I would consider recommending it to friends. Would I personally buy it myself? Probably not, but I am definitely going to be looking for future releases by this author. 3 stars.

It's great to read a Christian book with such a positive attitude towards Christmas celebrated as we do in our western culture with all the extra trimmings. I must admit I have not read all of this yet as I intend to use it during Advent. However I have read the intoduction and dipped in to later readings in order to get a flavour of what's in store. Although not my usual style of devotions, I think it will prove an interesting and worthwhile tool for the coming festive season. NB I hope that the full publication has a better layout.

This is a great devotional for a Christian who is looking for something beyond secular celebrations for Christmas. Focusing on Advent restores us and our communities as the author states in his introduction. No one denomination seems to rule the entries, so this would be good for many walks of faith.

This devotional takes you through the Christmas season with a daily bible verse, a short look at how this applies to the season and ends with a prayer. Along the way it looks at traditions, hymns, and shows us how they hold meaning for Christians. The book does not seem to be aimed at any particular denomination of Christianity, and so I feel can be enjoyed by all.

I look forward to rereading this devotional at Christmas, it really doesn’t take long and would be a lovely tradition to start.

Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for my free copy in return for an honest review.

40 Days of Christmas: Celebrating the Glory of Our Savior by Joseph Castleberry is a book that will be published on October 2; in this book it is celebrated the beauty of Christmas and the importance of celebrating Christmas not just for few days, but starting from the Advent, then Christmastime, for arriving at the moment of the epiphany lived as a feast just in Italy, with the arrival of the Befana an old and ugly lady bringing sweet coil to nasty children and sweet treats to all the rest; for the Christianity it's the arrival of the Magi and their gifts to little Jesus Christ (in this sense there are fascinating Russian fairy-tales of an old lady who didn't offer to the Magi hospitality and that since there goes in the world bringing sweet treats to all babies, searching for little Jesus Christ); personally I haven't never loved the Befana, but we enjoy of a long moment of light hope and expectations thanks to our Christmas's Tree like also of all the rest of external lights, removed only after that Jan 6th is over. Christmas was the feast of Light before the arrival of the Christianity; being a very loved, pagan feast, considering also the moment of the year plenty of darkness, Christianity transformed the feast of Light in another wonderful celebration; a birth; the one of little Jesus Christ, that it is a beautiful moment for staying together, for enjoying life in the most profound sense, for praying, for developing a new vision of our close future, for a re-born; of course it can't be a quick passage. Christmas says the author and it is true, motivates us "To save money throughout the year. It provides a season to love our family and friends tangibly with cards and phone calls and presence and presents. It leads us to cultivate a childlike attitude to corresponding childlike joy. It gives us an excuse to set aside fasting diets and eat a great feast."
We all say that this one is maybe the most important consumer's period of the year.
Well, yes but these story of gifts must be lived well because gifts were commons also in the old Rome, maybe less expensive, because Romans donated little branches of some trees considered sacred, but there were gifts; why?
Because a gift is symbol of gratification, appreciation, love and friendship.
This book by Castleberry analyzes all the aspects of Christmas, so the Christmas Tree, the arrival of Archangel Saint Gabriel, Christmas Food, gifts and every chapter is interesting because a mix of history and religion. Chapters start all with some verses taken from the Bible, then a comment and at the end a prayer. An important book for living Christmas as it should be lived; praying, being good, and waiting.

I thank NetGalley for this eBook.

This is a very nice Christmas devotional. It is all about the true meaning of Christmas. Each day has a bible verse, a devotion and ends with a prayer. You will be glad you got this book. Thank you Broadstreet Publishing Group LLC via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

40 Days of Christmas promises to be a treasured keepsake for generations to come. It is scripturally based and will lead hearts in the right direction from advent through epiphany.

I cannot wait to share this book with my Christian friends and family once it has been published. It's a great Christmas devotional, to get you through this most important Christian holiday, with the sole focus on Jesus and the Christmas story from the bible. Joseph provides deep thoughts, great insight into the Christmas story, and the prayers at the end of each day are so positive and reassuring of God's love in our lives. A must read.

Broken down into bite-sized chunks, these devotions tell the Christmas story in a completely new way. Each of the characters is brought to life, with their struggles as well as their strengths, and we really feel like we're seeing it play out. The days each have a scripture at the beginning and prayer at the end, and each day is meant to help you focus on one particular aspect of the story of Christ. Also, it's very beautifully colored, though the coloring is clearly meant to enhance the text, rather than be the show.