A Review of Good News of Great Joy

A Review of Good News of Great Joy by Beth Myers with Betty Ann Snider.

Are you searching for an Advent give-away guide for your church family? Good News of Great Joy: A Family Advent Devotional by Beth Myers with Betty Ann Snider is a rich devotional that can be used year after year. 

Each week of Advent is marked by a different ornament/theme. A crown illustrates the kingship of Jesus. A star reminds readers of the signs and prophecies Scripture gives us to recognize the Messiah. A sheep represents the joy of the shepherds, and an angel represents the love of God for us when the angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus.  

This devotional includes patterns for four ornaments, the words of 12 Christmas hymns, and directions for creating an Advent wreath. If you can’t find the purple and pink candles and/or prefer not to use real candles, christianbooks.com sells battery-powered tea lights in purple and pink. https://www.christianbook.com/advent-led-tea-lights/37954/pd/37954X?event=ESRCN

The content is comprehensive and better suited to a child who has knowledge of the breadth of God’s story as it references Adam and Eve, Ruth, the term kinsman-redeemer, the sacrifice of blood and goats, the prophet Isaiah, and Jesus as God’s Word in the flesh. When used with a variety of ages, care should be taken to simplify the content for the youngest child. It is well suited for children in 3rd grade and above.

Published by the Presbyterian Church in America’s (PCA) Committee on Discipleship Ministries, it and can be purchased by them in large quantities. While the $5.95 cost per devotional may seem high, giving it as a one-per-family gift makes it a more reasonable expenditure. Additionally, for children’s ministers planning a family Advent event, the first devotional could serve as a kickoff to the month of Advent and be given as a take-home gift. https://www.pcabookstore.com/p-9425-good-news-of-great-joy-devotio.aspx