Book Summary

A Better Than Anything Christmas is the second Advent devotional for families from Barbara Reaoch, author of the very popular A Jesus Christmas.

These daily devotions in the Gospels give a thorough investigation of why Jesus came. In the lead-up to Christmas, families will explore 25 reasons why Jesus came, and they will see that what Jesus gives us is better than anything else we could wish for.

Each day there is a passage to read together, questions to think about, an explanation, and a prayer. There are also age-appropriate application questions, some for younger children and some for older children, as well as journalling space so that each family member can write or draw their own response to what God has shown them.

So why not set aside a little time each day in the run up to Christmas to look at God's word together with this inspiring and innovative resource?

Contents

Before You Begin
Some Useful Bible Words
Dec 1: Luke 1 v 26-33 - Jesus keeps all God’s promises
Dec 2: Luke 1 v 34-38 - Jesus gives life purpose
Dec 3: Luke 1 v 46-52 - Jesus takes away our guilt and shame
Dec 4: Luke 1 v 53-55 - Jesus fills us with himself
Dec 5: Luke 1 v 11-17 - Jesus gives us a new heart
Dec 6: Luke 1 v 67-75 - Jesus sets us free to live for him
Dec 7: Mt 1 v 18-21 - Jesus gives us life forever
Dec 8: Luke 2 v 8-12 - Jesus gives us new wants
Dec 9: Luke 2 v 13-14 - Jesus is our Peace
Dec 10: Luke 2 v 15-20 - Jesus is our treasure
Dec 11: Luke 2 v 22-24 - Jesus is our Royal Robe
Dec 12: Luke 2 v 25-32 - Jesus gives us eyes to see God
Dec 13: Luke 2 v 33-35 - Jesus took our place to give us his
Dec 14: Luke 2 v 36-38 - Jesus is our Defender
Dec 15: Mt 1 v 22-23 - Jesus is with us and for us
Dec 16: Mt 2 v 1-6 - Jesus is our Forever King
Dec 17: Mt 2 v 9-12 - Jesus makes our heart his home
Dec 18: Mt 2 v 13-18 - Jesus loves us enough to warn us
Dec 19: John 1 v 1-5 - Jesus gives us his mind
Dec 20: John 1 v 1-3 - Jesus gives us his identity
Dec 21: John 1 v 4-5 - Jesus gives us light to God
Dec 22: John 1 v 9-12 - Jesus gives us a home with him in heaven
Dec 23: John 1 v 9-13 - Jesus gives us Rest; his work counts for us.
Dec 24: John 1 v 14 - Jesus gives us eyes to see God
Dec 25: John 1 v 14, 16-18 - Jesus came to give us himself!
Extra family journaling space

ENDORSEMENTS

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Author; founder/teacher of Revive Our Hearts
It's December again. Christmas is just around the corner. Gather your family around. Open up this book. And get ready to celebrate the amazing gift of Jesus and the blessings he brings to us, not only at Christmas, but year-round! There truly is nothing (and no one!) better.

Champ Thornton
Pastor; author The Radical Book for Kids and Why Do We Say Good Night?
Families will love reading this 25-day Advent devotional together! With daily Bible discussion, interactive questions, and lots of extra activities, "A Better Than Anything Christmas" will light up your children’s eyes and bring joy to your heart. Drawing on decades of experience, Barbara Reaoch beautifully uses simple language to paint deep truth. Simply charming.

Joni Eareckson Tada
Joni and Friends International Disability Center
Young families today want to celebrate the Savior's birth in a creative, fun and meaningful way—a new way! Barbara Reaoch delivers the perfect 'package' of fresh ideas in her excellent new book, A Better Than Anything Christmas. The colorful illustrations, interactive projects, family discussion points, stories, and more focus every member of the family on the extraordinary gifts that Jesus Christ brought with him when he came to earth. As you prepare for the Advent season, consider this unique book as your Christmas-toolbox; I give it my double thumbs-up!

Donald S. Whitney
Professor of biblical spirituality and associate dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. Author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Praying the Bible, and Family Worship,
This is yet another outstanding family devotional book for the Christmas season by Barbara Reaoch. If you’ve been blessed by any of her previous books, you’ll enjoy this one as well. She has a knack for starting with something interesting to children and quickly turning it to Jesus and the Bible. This one will appeal both to younger and older children, and parts of each chapter are directed to both groups. The book is imaginatively interactive as well; not just something for kids to listen to. Best of all is how she conveys 25 core truths about Christ in a simple way to show the children how Jesus is Better Than Anything.

Jani Ortlund
Renewal Ministries
Would you like to offer your family an escape from the rush and crush of Christmas for a few minutes each day in December? That’s exactly what Barbara Reaoch’s new family devotional will help you do! "A Better Than Anything Christmas" shows us how to lead our children to the One who is better than anything that a Christ-less Christmas tries to offer. With simple—but profound—ways to gather around relevant Scriptures, along with age appropriate questions and activities, Barbara helps us discover together all the “betters" that Jesus came to give. I can’t wait to use this with the children in my life!