Unwrapping the Names of Jesus Review: A Quiet Advent?
An Advent devotional by Asheritah Ciuciu that spends each week of Advent on one name of Jesus. A calendar for the person who wants the season to mean something before the presents arrive.
Yes, for an adult who keeps Advent as a faith season and wants a few quiet minutes most mornings. It follows the four weeks of Advent and opens each week with a family devotional [1]. Skip it for someone who expects a treat behind a door.
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated October 29, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Author | Asheritah Ciuciu [1] |
| Publisher | Moody Publishers [1] |
| Format | Hardcover [1] |
| Length | 128 pages [1] |
| Structure | Four Advent weeks: Hope, Preparation, Joy, Love [1] |
| Daily readings | Five reflections each week [1] |
| Size | 5.25 x 7.25 inches [1] |
Pros and cons
- Follows the four weeks of Advent: Hope, Preparation, Joy and Love [1]
- Five short daily reflections each week [1]
- Each week opens with an interactive family devotional [1]
- Suggests family activities and service projects [1]
- Small hardcover that fits on a nightstand [1]
- Over 200,000 copies sold, per the listing [1]
- Costs less than most treat calendars
- No treat or surprise behind a door
- Five readings a week, so some days are free [1]
- Written from a Christian faith view, by design
A countdown that points past the presents
Most advent calendars count down to Christmas morning. This book counts down the older way, one week of Advent at a time, and asks the reader to slow down while the rest of December speeds up.
Asheritah Ciuciu starts from a simple point in the listing: most Christians agree Christmas is about Jesus, yet spend little time preparing for it [1]. The book is her answer, a short daily habit with a clear theme rather than another stack of homework.
That makes it a fit for a parent, a friend from church or a grandparent who already reads a devotional and would like one written for the season.
How the four weeks are built
The book follows the four weeks of Advent: Hope, Preparation, Joy and Love [1]. Each week centers on one name of Jesus and offers five daily reflections, so a reading takes a few minutes over coffee [1].
Each week opens with an interactive family devotional meant to be done together, and adds ideas for family activities or service projects [1]. A household can treat that as a weekly gathering while each adult reads the daily pages alone.
It is a small hardcover of 128 pages, about the size of a paperback novel, so it sits on a nightstand without taking over [1].
Nothing to unwrap but the reading
The catch is obvious but worth saying: there is no chocolate behind the door. For someone who loves the daily surprise of a box calendar, this will feel like a different kind of gift.
Five readings a week also leave some days open, which suits busy people and frustrates anyone who wants a page for every date [1]. And it is written from a Christian faith view throughout; it is not a general mindfulness book.
Giving it before the first Sunday
Give it before Advent begins so the reader can start on time. A short note inside the cover about why you chose it makes a small book feel personal.
From this guide, it pairs naturally with the Vermont Christmas Company Purple Ribbon Advent Wreath for a household that lights a candle each Sunday, or with the VAHDAM Tea Advent Calendar for a cup to drink while reading.
FAQ
How long are the daily readings in Unwrapping the Names of Jesus?
Each week has five daily reflections on one name of Jesus, written to be read in a few quiet minutes [1]. The book is a small hardcover, so the readings are short by design. Most people fit one in with morning coffee or before bed, and the weekly family devotional takes a little longer [1]
Can a family use this Advent devotional together?
Yes. Each week begins with an interactive family devotional and adds ideas for family activities or service projects [1]. Adults can read the daily reflections alone and gather the household once a week, which works for couples, roommates or families with older kids [1]
Is a devotional a good advent calendar for adults?
It is a good choice for an adult who keeps Advent as a faith season. It replaces the daily treat with a daily reading and follows the weeks of Advent instead of the dates [1]. If they want something to eat or use behind each door, choose a tea or chocolate calendar instead [1]
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Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on October 29, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
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