*The One We’re Waiting For by Taylor Combs

The One We’re Waiting For is a lovely Advent devotional with ornaments to help families remember the promises of God to send the Savior we need.

*The One We’re Waiting For by Taylor Combs, illustrated by Aedan and Natalie Peterson. B&H, 2025. 180 pages.

• Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
• Recommended For: Ages 4-10

When everything went wrong in the Garden of Eden, God in His mercy promised to send Someone who would come and make everything right again; Someone who would trust and obey God, who would never sin, who would “give us the unending life and unlimited love we were made for!”

“‘There is One coming,’ God promised. He’s the One we’re waiting for.”

That message, repeated at the end of each chapter, sums up the meaning of Advent, both before Christ came and for those of us who wait for His second coming. In The One We’re Waiting For, the chapters follow many other Jesse Tree collections: the Patriarchs, the Exodus and reaching the Promised Land, Ruth, Samuel, David, Solomon, the prophets–even Job, who isn’t often included in Bible story collections. Many of the stories will be familiar, but these retellings emphasize that none of the characters were the One promised from God. All of them fell far short, in one way or another.

But God keeps His promises, and Jesus finally came. He lived a perfect life, died to pay for our sins, and restores “the unending life and unlimited love that we were made for.” 

The book is lovely, with a helpful introduction for those who are just starting to practice Advent with their families and a set of ornaments at the back that may be used in several ways (or you can download them on the book’s webpage). Each chapter includes a suggested song, both traditional hymns and contemporary favorites, as well as discussion questions. Decorative corners and borders provide elegance to the pages, and the earth-toned illustrations are excellent. The artwork was a project between the Peterson husband-and-wife-team and the variation in styles suggests the unique outcome of collaboration.

*indicates a Redeemed Reader starred review, an outstanding example in its field.

Bottom Line: The One We’re Waiting For is a book worth adding to your home library that can be a blessing during the Advent season. (Even if you don’t finish it in one year, leave the ribbon marker in place and pick up where you left off the last year. Or keep reading it through the end of December and into January, if need be!)

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Reviews: Other books illustrated by Aedan Peterson include The Story of God With Us and The Story of God our King.
• Review: Unwrapping the Greatest Gift is another Jesse Tree Advent devotional.
• Resource: We have a giant list of Advent Family Devotionals!

You may purchase The One We’re Waiting For from Amazon.

We received this book for free from the author/publisher in return for a fair, unbiased review.