Absolutely fascinating book on Christmas, where the author Elisa Morgan explores through different characters in the bible like Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, Elizabeth, The Shepherds, Simeon, Herod, Anna and the Magi how Christmas changed each of them. I actually enjoyed the part where the author says that other than decorations and presents and celebration and family and choirs and fun there is a deeper meaning to Christmas - Christmas became Christmas when she realized the true gift; God came as a baby who would grow up and live and die and be raised from the dead for everyone who believes. There is a lot of scriptures to ponder from the Luke and Mark and how Christmas became Christmas to each character and how their lives were changed through exploring how...
Mary was changed by Christmas from a Virgin to the mother of our savior who accepted God's invitation for her life. (Luke 1:46-49)
Joseph was changed from a fiancé who was grieving to a committed husband and the stepfather of Jesus who yielded his way to God's. Mathew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7
Zechariah was changed from a man who doubted to a father who believed in the faithfulness of God. Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
Elizabeth was changed from a disgraced, childless woman who wondered about her worth to a mother who is rejoicing who saw God's favor fulfilled in her life. Luke 1:5-17,24,39-45,57-58
Shepherds were changed from lowly workers watching over lambs to men called to worship the Lamb of God and share the good news of his arrival. Luke 2:8-20
Simeon was changed from a waiting man to a fulfilled follower. Luke 2:22-35
Anna was changed from a woman who worshiped in fervent hope to one who worshiped with experienced conviction. Luke 2:36-38
The Magi was changed from those seeking truth to those who discovered the Source of all truth. Mathew 2:1-12
Herod was changed from a man who could discover faith and find freedom to one who rejected learning and instead followed after fear. Mathew 2:13-23
I enjoyed reading this remarkable book on Christmas which helped me ponder through and meditate on the scriptures and the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas can change us when we accept Jesus and when we believe like these people those above mentioned from the bible.
I just reviewed the book, Christmas Changes Everything: How the Birth of Jesus Brings Hope to the World by Elisa Morgan. Thanks to Netgalley and Our Daily Bread Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.
Book Description
Christmas changes everything—the course of history and the course of our lives.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the stories of the men and women who experienced the first Christmas. From Zechariah’s encounter with an angel in the temple to the Magi who traveled to a village in the Judean wilderness, Christmas influenced who they were, who they would become, and how they would live out their faith—or leave it behind.
As beloved author Elisa Morgan explores how God coming to earth as a human child transformed each of the biblical characters who experienced it firsthand, she reveals how the lessons of the first Christmas can change us today. We learn to say yes to God, accepting His design for our lives. We learn to rejoice, even when we don't understand His ways. And we learn to hope expectantly, confident that He will fulfill all His promises to us. Let this Christmas change you!
- Publisher : Our Daily Bread Publishing (October 4, 2022)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 112 pages
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