The story of the Nativity is read in homes, schools, and churches all through Advent, year after year. The emotion and detail in Anne Yvonne Gilbert's exquisite illustrations will make this picture book of the first Christmas stand out in the memory with all the awe and splendor that the birth of Jesus evokes. The retelling follows the traditional sequence of episodes and echoes the language of the Gospels themselves.
The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.
Twas the Night Before Jesus was Born is a story of the birth of Christ inspired by the timeless classic, Twas the Night Before Christmas (Moore). Much like today, during the time of Jesuss birth, the world was in chaos. People were immoral and doing their own thing, but Gods children prayed and anxiously awaited the birth of their promised King. Year after year, believers waited in anticipation for the miracle birth but so did the evil King Herod. Although the evil King Herod plotted to kill all newborn males in hopes of killing the promised king, his efforts were futile. God, in his infinite wisdom, had already plotted an escape route for Joseph, Mary, and the baby. Jesus miraculously survived the killing field of King Herod, and he grew from a child to a man. He transformed the lives of ordinary people and made them do extraordinary things. Many recognized him as being the Son of God by the signs, wonders, and miracles he performed and they followed him. He gave sight to those who were blind, baptized those who believed in him, healed those who were sick, preached to those who needed to hear the truth, forgave those who needed to be forgiven, and delivered those who were bound by the chains of sin. Before Jesus was taken up into heaven, he gave all of those who followed him the power to transform lives, heal the sick, preach the truth and free those who are bound by sin. He told them they would do greater works than he didif only they would be willing to work.
What does the Bible really say about the birth of Jesus? How did the celebration of Christmas become associated with things like Santa Claus and decorated trees? In The True Meaning of Christmas: The Birth of Jesus and the Origins of the Season, biblical scholar Michael Patrick Barber offers an inspiring look at the Bible's accounts of Jesus' birth and the development of the Christmas season. Along the way, he answers numerous questions, including: How is the Christmas story related to ancient Jewish expectations?Why is Jesus said to be laid in a "manger"?Who are the Magi?What is the mysterious Christmas star?How did December 25th become the date of Christmas?How did Saint Nicholas become "Santa Claus"? As Dr. Barber will show, to find our way "home" at Christmas, we need to first return to Christmas's home in the story of the Bible. Only by carefully reflecting on the stories of Jesus' birth can we hope to celebrate Christmas in the way it is meant to be celebrated and discover the real joy it promises!
This priceless and inexhaustible resource is the ultimate synthesis of science, philosophy and truth, of reason, wisdom and faith, and of past, present and future. This book comes in either red or blue.
Hearing the story of the first Christmas and decorating the Christmas tree are two beloved holiday traditions. This book enhances both! The Night Jesus Was Born tells the story of Jesus' birth and includes six press-out ornaments that your child can hang on the family Christmas tree as the book is read. Sure to become a treasured part of the holiday season!
In this compelling study of the birth and infancy of Jesus, Robert Miller separates fact from fiction in the gospel narratives and relates them to stories about the miraculous births of Israelite heroes and of Greek and Roman sons of God. Born Divine analyzes the Christian claim that the birth and childhood of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. The historical and theological dimensions of the virgin birth tradition are discussed with honesty and insight. This wide-ranging book also presents additional infancy gospels from the second century through the Middle Ages.
