Book Review: God Is Coming

Maggie Philpot is a gifted author who brings wonder and imagination from the pages straight into our hearts. As a mother and wife who treasures Jesus, Maggie’s faith shines brightly in God is Coming, making it a joy to read. Maggie has also been a partner at The Paradox Church for years, making this work particularly special to our community.

God is Coming is written in a whimsical, rhyming style, similar to The Night Before Christmas. Each page represents a day of Advent, from December 1 through December 25, telling the grand biblical story that leads to the birth of Jesus. The book is both theologically rich and beautifully crafted, presenting the Christmas story in a way that feels timeless yet fresh. Each page invites us to look up and contemplate God’s story, told in a way that stirs both the heart and imagination.

One of the most wonderful aspects of God is Coming is its honesty; it doesn’t gloss over the harder parts of the story but continually points to the hope we have in Jesus. Theologically rich yet accessible, the book is an excellent choice for young children, especially as a bedtime read for ages 1-6. Older kids, however, might find some rhymes challenging to follow, particularly in Part 4, God Comes, where the narrative moves quickly from John’s birth to Jesus’ birth. This section packs in a lot of detail, and it might be a little dense for independent reading.

This is a perfect book for families looking to add a meaningful Advent tradition, whether reading it by the Christmas tree, around a fire, or before bedtime. Each page is a great nightly read, but it’s also forgiving if you need to read a couple of pages at a time to catch up. God is Coming is a beautiful addition to any family’s Christmas season and a wonderful way to remember the significance of Advent in a format that is engaging for the whole family.