A beautifully written devotional that blends music, history, and faith. The content resonates with the events leading up to Easter. I loved the QR codes that linked to the songs on YouTube.
Many thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sacred Days, Sacred Songs: A Holy Week Devotional by Michael D. Young is great devotional to read during Holy Week. I love the aspect of mixing sacred hymns and correlating it with The Story of Easter. I learned a lot and gleaned much from it. If you are looking for a devotional for Holy Week, then I highly recommend Sacred Days, Sacred Songs: A Holy Week Devotional by Michael D. Young. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

Enrich your Easter celebration through music

Music can express things beyond the ability of words. This book follows the Holy Week, with a chapter for each day from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Each chapter focuses on one of the Savior’s character traits like compassion, grace, love, and sacrifice. A couple of scriptures and songs are included for each characteristic. Some of the songs were new to me and some are favorites. It was interesting to read the history behind the song and nice to read the words as a poem. I think it’s easy to miss some of the meaning when the words are just heard in song. A QR code linked to a performance of each song is included. This book is sure to bring greater appreciation for the Savior.

Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to use for my review.

This is a beautiful book meant to be read during Holy Week counting down the days to Easter. It focuses a day at a time on an attribute of Christ like compassion, grace, hope, love, etc.. There are corresponding scriptures to ponder and two hymns each day. I love the historical information about the hymns or how they came to be written. When the book is complete there will be QR codes to listen to the music of the hymn. The book in the digital form I received is missing those codes but I could easily find songs through my music service. The music is helpful as I wasn’t familiar with many of the hymns. I was surprised that for a book focusing on the Savior there are no pictures or art showing Christ. I’m not sure if that is a cost factor or wanting the focus to be on the music. I could see families using this annually as a countdown to Easter Sunday.

A beautiful book that highlights the music of Easter with scriptures and the background to the music included. A wonderful addition to our Easter traditions. QR codes make it easy to find the music and listen to inspiring performances.

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”
- Victor Hugo

I was so excited for this amazing book. I loved Michael D. Young’s Christmas compilation, so when I heard he was writing a similar book for Easter, I couldn’t wait to read it. Sacred Days, Sacred Songs is a beautiful compilation of some of the most favorite & beloved hymns and sacred songs all geared towards celebrating Holy Week.

For each day, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter, the author shares an attribute of the Savior with corresponding scriptures to ponder, and two hymns or sacred songs including the lyrics and a QR code to listen to the song. He also features a brief history of each song. The Savior’s attributes include: deliverance, compassion, grace, hope, love, sacrifice, obedience, and renewal.

This is definitely something I’m looking forward to sharing with my family during Holy Week to celebrate the Savior’s life, Atonement, and Resurrection. Some of my absolute favorite sacred songs are in this compilation including: The Holy City, O Divine Redeemer, Amazing Grace, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, and so many more.

Highly recommend this lovely, well written book to all Christians. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

This is a brilliant idea for a book! I wish I'd had it when my own children were still at home, but it still had plenty to teach me now.
This is a short book created to be used during Holy Week. Each day focuses on one characteristic of Jesus Christ thru bible verses, commentary, and the lyrics of two devotional songs or hymns. There are links so you can also listen to the songs performed. What a wonderful way to celebrate Easter.

I can see this beautiful little book becoming an Easter week tradition in many homes, especially those with older children. I loved being introduced to hymns I wasn't familiar with before, and then reading the history of how those hymns came to be. The QR code with links to the music is an especially nice perk!

Although this book felt a little lacking to me, I do think it has an important message to share.

Easter is my favorite holiday, so I loved this book! I loved the format, with scripture, commentary, songs, and a history of the songs for each day of Holy Week. I also see that there will be a place for a QR code, which will be amazing and make it easy to hear the songs! The songs were a great combination of familiar hymns and new-to-me songs. I searched a few of them as I read. I feel like there aren't as many books about Easter and Holy Week, so this book is a great resource to add to your studies around Easter!

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing, Michael D. Young, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

#SacredDaysSacredSongs #NetGalley
Michael D. Youngput this quote in the introduction of the book:

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. ~Victor Hugo

For each day, there is a highlighted an attribute of the Savior's character-including deliverance, compassion, grace, hope, love, sacrifice, obedience, and renewal-along with some scriptures to ponder.Two songs accompay each theme. There are QR codes for a YouTube performance of each song. A great book that might just become an Easter tradition.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and thinking about Christ and the Holy Week of Easter. I think this would be a great addition to any library for those wanting to have a daily devotional during Holy Week.

Each day has a virtue that it focuses on in connection with the day. There are a couple scripture verses from The New Testament and a couple of songs/hymns as well. The author gives background information for each song/hymn as well. I loved learning more about each song. I was familiar with several of the songs and their background but others I learned more about. And several of the songs I hadn't ever heard. They were so beautiful. I had an arc that didn't have the QR codes in it yet but the published book will so that you can scan it and be taken directly to the song to listen to. I just searched the songs on YouTube. They were all so beautiful and powerful with the combination of words and music. I have found some new favorite music to listen to.

I love how I found myself thinking more about my personal relationship with my Savior through these scripture verses and music. Great devotional book that will bring joy and light and music into your day, whether that be in preparation leading up to Easter or anytime of the year.

Content: Christian beliefs.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Sacred Days, Sacred Songsby Michael D. Young. I received an ARC from NetGalley to read and give an honest review.

I grew up in the church and knew most of the songs that were included in this book, but not all. Of all the songs, there were only 2 I knew the stories behind. This was an interesting and an informing read for me. Got me singing a few hymns again.

If you love music, especially hymns, this is a delightful, short read with some interesting facts about the songs you may already know and love.

I enjoyed reading through this book. I am a musician and love music. I like how the author lined up two songs with each day. Some I was familiar with and were songs I loved. Some were songs that were new to me and I enjoyed learning about them. Overall I thought this was a great book and I can’t wait to pull it out before Easter.

A wonderful collection of hymns for the Holy Week. Each day brings a different hymn. You learn about the history of each hymn and the inspiration behind it's writing. There are qr codes to link to videos of the songs being sung. I like this, as I don't have to look for links for the music on my own.

Such a tender walk through Christ’s life. We get poems, songs and history that will bring us closer to Christ and deepen our relationship with Him. I loved every second of this!!

This is so cool! As a person that is musical myself, it is a great resource to have in your pocket to make connections with sacred moments to sacred songs that back up gospel principles.

A beautifully compiled book with songs and inspiring words. I unfortunately didn't know many of the songs and so when the final book is completed the QR codes should be updated and maybe then I would appreciate the book more. I enjoyed the written thoughts and the history behind each song was really neat to read.

Considering what Easter is about and what we are celebrating, I think that Easter is more important than Christmas, yet it isn't really held in the same regards as Christmas is. Christmas gets celebrated for several weeks and Easter kind of tends to go by the way side a little bit, getting overshadowed with Spring Breaks and busy lives. I have wanted to put more emphasis on this Holiday and help my family show our proper gratitude and respect at this time and I think the this book, "Sacred Days, Sacred Songs" is a nice tool to help do just that. There are wonderful songs, stories, and many tools to help us tune our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ and this Sacred holiday. This book is beautifully created and would make a lovely gift.