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rachelmellema's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty disappointing. It’s just idealised stories of the Christmas story with basic applications to the Christian faith. It might be targeted for new Christians perhaps but even so there isn’t a lot to glean from theology wise.
johnsantrock's review against another edition
3.0
A great book that really put me in the Christmas spirit this year.
piano_keys's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.75
abslep's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Great devotional for Christmas time! Great to do with friends and on your own.
imaclogger23's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
rachel93's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good book. Short but still good. Definitely a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
christygsp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
This was such a great reminder. Of what the season is about, of what Jesus is about and why the storms of life don’t have to matter.
I was so beautifully surprised and touched by this book, I really needed to hear this for this Christmas season.
I was so beautifully surprised and touched by this book, I really needed to hear this for this Christmas season.
joshmillernj's review against another edition
5.0
I consider Max Lucado a wordsmith. No, not a wordsmith like Charles Spurgeon or some of the deeper theology thinkers of the past. To me, he is a concise, simple wordsmith. He strings short phrases together to pack powerful punches. And he does the same in this book.
Simple truths from the Christmas story. However, many of the truths are truths I had never considered before. I've heard and read and studied the Christmas story most of my life. And I'm thankful every single time there is some light shed on the Christmas story from an angle I've never considered.
Add to the truths I learned some tremendous illustrations (both personal & historical) and you have a very solid book. I would definitely recommend this book to any Christian as it will help you appreciate the Christmas story so much the more. If you are a preacher, teacher, or pastor, this book will help you even more.
The following are a few of the phrases/thoughts I really enjoyed from the book:
"The heart of the human problem is the problem of the the human heart. Each one of us entered into the world with a sin nature. God entered into the world to take it away."
"God saves, not God empathizes, cares, listens, helps, assists, or applauds. God saves. Specifically 'he will save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). Jesus came to save us, not just from politics, enemies, challenges, or difficulties. He came to save us from our own sins."
"What started in the Bethlehem cradle culminated on the Jerusalem cross."
"Jesus did not enter the world to help us save ourselves. He entered the world to save us from ourselves."
"In spite of the chaos, Christ came. Through a scandalous pregnancy, an imposed census, an untimely trip, and an overcrowded inn, God triumphed in Mary's story."
"Don't let potential abuse preclude appropriate use. Lift your hands. Clap your hands. Bend your knees. Bow your head. Fall down on your face. Something powerful happens when we worship."
"The star sign was enough to lead the magi to Jerusalem. But it took Scripture to lead them to Jesus...It is as if the sign & Word worked together to bring the wise men to Jesus. The ultimate aim of all God"s messages, both miraculous & written, is to shed the light of heaven on Jesus."
"When God sends signs, be faithful. Let them lead you to Scripture. As Scripture directs, be humble. Let it lead you to worship. And as you worship the Son, be grateful. He will lead you home."
"Just as the same shaft of sunlight in a barn can cause birds to sing and rats to scurry, the same message stirred the worship of the wise men and activated the ire of the king."
"Ponder your achievements less; ponder Christ's more. Spend less time on your throne and more at his cross. Brag on his work, not yours. You are valuable, but you aren't invaluable. It is Christ who matters, not us."
Simple truths from the Christmas story. However, many of the truths are truths I had never considered before. I've heard and read and studied the Christmas story most of my life. And I'm thankful every single time there is some light shed on the Christmas story from an angle I've never considered.
Add to the truths I learned some tremendous illustrations (both personal & historical) and you have a very solid book. I would definitely recommend this book to any Christian as it will help you appreciate the Christmas story so much the more. If you are a preacher, teacher, or pastor, this book will help you even more.
The following are a few of the phrases/thoughts I really enjoyed from the book:
"The heart of the human problem is the problem of the the human heart. Each one of us entered into the world with a sin nature. God entered into the world to take it away."
"God saves, not God empathizes, cares, listens, helps, assists, or applauds. God saves. Specifically 'he will save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). Jesus came to save us, not just from politics, enemies, challenges, or difficulties. He came to save us from our own sins."
"What started in the Bethlehem cradle culminated on the Jerusalem cross."
"Jesus did not enter the world to help us save ourselves. He entered the world to save us from ourselves."
"In spite of the chaos, Christ came. Through a scandalous pregnancy, an imposed census, an untimely trip, and an overcrowded inn, God triumphed in Mary's story."
"Don't let potential abuse preclude appropriate use. Lift your hands. Clap your hands. Bend your knees. Bow your head. Fall down on your face. Something powerful happens when we worship."
"The star sign was enough to lead the magi to Jerusalem. But it took Scripture to lead them to Jesus...It is as if the sign & Word worked together to bring the wise men to Jesus. The ultimate aim of all God"s messages, both miraculous & written, is to shed the light of heaven on Jesus."
"When God sends signs, be faithful. Let them lead you to Scripture. As Scripture directs, be humble. Let it lead you to worship. And as you worship the Son, be grateful. He will lead you home."
"Just as the same shaft of sunlight in a barn can cause birds to sing and rats to scurry, the same message stirred the worship of the wise men and activated the ire of the king."
"Ponder your achievements less; ponder Christ's more. Spend less time on your throne and more at his cross. Brag on his work, not yours. You are valuable, but you aren't invaluable. It is Christ who matters, not us."