Sing in Exultation (Paperback) by

Carol singing is as indispensable to the festive season as decking the halls and swapping gifts. This little book contains 25 advent devotions, each unpacking a verse from a well-known carol, uncovering riches in the familiar words we love to sing each December.

Beginning with Scripture’s first hint of Jesus’ coming, and sweeping through to lyrics rejoicing in the hope of His return, these daily devotions not only give us a deeper appreciation for each carol, but a deeper appreciation for Christ this Christmas.

Selected Commendations:

"Each year, the carols of Christmas sound in our ears, even as their words fill our mouths. Yet, the great aim of these carols is left undone if that is where they remain; their message is meant to fill our hearts. Jonathan Cruse’s Christmas’ devotional, Sing in Exultation!, promotes this great end with brief and encouraging explanations, searching questions, and poignant prayers. Be prepared to have your understanding of famous Christmas carols expanded and your worship of Whom they sing enflamed."

Jason Helopoulos, pastor, University Reformed Church, Lansing, Michigan

"The Apostle Paul encourages us to sing in the Spirit with understanding. In this short book, Jonathan helps us to do just that, as he explains the meaning behind the words of our favorite (and now too familiar) Advent hymns and Christmas carols. This book will help you tune your heart (and mind) to the melody (and mystery) of the gospel, expressed so beautifully in the songs we sing each Advent and Christmas season."

Jonny Gibson, associate professor of Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

"A rare treat: a devotional that is both rich in content and manageable for daily use! Christmas is a time for singing. This little work will help individuals and families see the good news woven into our favourite carols is both biblical and heart-warming. A wonderful way to sing your way through Advent."

Jonty Rhodes, Minister, Christ Church Central, Leeds

"Christmas carols aren't just picturesque; they contain deep Christian teaching. In this little book, Jonathan Landry Cruse organizes twenty-five carol excerpts into an Advent calendar of reflections, each ornamented with Scripture and prayer. Let this be your guide through the month of December, as you treasure up the mystery of the incarnation and ponder it in your heart."

Josh Bauder, Composer

Title

Sing in Exultation
Author(s)

Jonathan Landry Cruse
Series

10Publishing Advent
ISBN

9781837280100
Format

Paperback
Publisher

10Publishing
Topic

Christmas
Audience

Adults
Pages

112
Published

04/08/2024

Download a sample

Overall rating

3.3 based on 3 reviews

Brief enough readings to accommodate short attention spans!

In Sing in Exultation! (10Publishing, 112 pp.), Jonathan Landry Cruse ponders the rich meaning found in the verses of various Christmas carols and uses them as a springboard for reflecting on the Christmas season. So often, Cruse notes in his introduction, people don’t pay close attention to the words they sing and as a result do not understand the meaning and significance of treasured holiday hymns. This is problematic, he writes, because “words that are sung with no understanding, even if sung in God’s direction, fall flat before the Lord.”

Cruse begins and ends his devotional with Isaac Watts’ “Joy to the World,” which echoes the first prediction of Christ’s advent as well as the hope of Christ’s second advent. In between, he selects hymns that display the arc of the Christmas story and echo Scripture. Cruse also notes that the “best Christian hymns will teach you good theology.” He points to the lesser-known second verse of “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” showing that when we sing “God of God, Light of Light … Very God, begotten not created,” we are quoting from the Nicene Creed. For families with children of various ages, each daily reading is brief enough to accommodate shorter attention spans and includes a Scripture reading for further reflection.

Kristin Chapman, WORLD Magazine

Good, but too many unknown carols/verses

I was really excited about this book as I love Christmas carols, but I have struggled a bit with the book containing carols I don't know and verses of carols which aren't usually sung. I consider myself to have a wide exposure to carols, so wonder if this is because the author is based in USA and not the UK? Having said that, I'm really enjoying the devotions on the carols I do know!

Rebecca

An advent devotional bringing Christmas hymns to life

If you want to engage with Advent in a new way, this is the ideal devotional! Featuring a reflection on a different Christmas carol for each day, starting from 1st December up until Christmas Day, this engaging read will get you in the festive spirit. Carols are introduced in chronological order, presenting the Christmas story throughout all of scripture; from the prediction of the coming Messiah to the hope we have in His second coming. Although it is an advent devotional book, you can dip in and out to learn about your favourite carols or read front to back as a normal book. There is a QR code linking to a Spotify playlist complimenting the book. The playlist has a variety to meet everyone’s tastes, including traditional choirs to modern versions, from well-known bands like Rend Collective and songwriters such as the the Gettys. This playlist is a brilliant idea and effort has clearly been put into the line-up to create a full Christmas experience. A great accompaniment which adds an extra dynamic to the daily study that comes at the end of each chapter. This study portion includes a bible verse to read with questions designed to encourage the reader to engage with the content. The author unpacks and clearly explains the theology, historical creeds and scriptural language found in the lines of some of the most beloved and glorifying carols we sing around the Christmas period. He then reveals how theologically rich many of the carols are in their portrayal of scripture, even guiding the reader in the historical faith going back to the early church fathers, by showing how lyrics utilise the creeds and confessions. Key words are analysed and defined, showing how they were used in the bible, but also in the cultures during the time of the apostles. This explanation highlights how important and powerful words can be in conveying the importance of the Christmas message. Sing In Exultation is an engaging read that will encourage readers to look deeper at the carols we sing, which many may simply have taken for granted without realising the true meaning of the words. An enjoyable and easy read.