Christmas hits the top of the list for the most joyous time of the year! But are you really experiencing the full joy of the season? This book will take you behind the story of the Savior’s birth to help you see and know Christ in a way that leads to greater wonder and appreciation. It will show you what the Bible says about the One who came into the world—before He came into the world. You’ll … gain a full understanding of God’s story of redemption as you examine Jesus’s character as God, relationship with the Father, appearances in the Old Testament, and more.
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Before Christmas is recommended as a Christmas/ Advent study by Bill Crowder. It focuses not just on Christmas , but on Christ throughout the Bible including how old testament scripture foretold his coming . I would not recommend this book as a family devotional for families with younger children. If you love research/ history this would be a good book for you. I appreciate how Crowder included Biblical references and how explained the hymns that he used in the chapters. Although the study is presented as an Advent study I think that it could be enjoyed anything of the year.
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Before Christmas by Bill Crowder is a small, but powerful book. It’s written in a style that’s easy to follow; not overly deep, but very thorough. I gained new insights and appreciated all that there is to reflect upon. Whether you’re a seasoned Christian, a new believer, or even a seeker, Before Christmas is a great resource for personal study leading up to Christmas, or any time of the year for that matter.
This Christmas backstory focuses on all that leads up to the manger, from before Creation and throughout the Old Testament, making the Christmas celebration even more rich in meaning. The six chapters focus on Jesus in these specific ways …
His Character as God
His Relationship with the Father
His Preparation for the Cross
His Role as Creator
His Appearances in the Old Testament
His Announced Arrival
The extent of Christ’s activity in the Old Testament wasn’t something I learned of until more in depth study as an adult, so this chapter was especially appealing to me. The author’s illustrations are helpful in leading into each topic, and references to original Greek words aid in understanding. Focusing on all that Jesus left or gave up to come to us was also meaningful …
This sacrifice did not begin on the cross or even at Bethlehem. Christ began that sacrifice by willingly giving up what was His so He could take hold of us.
I highly recommend Before Christmas for personal reading or study.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
“We are so thrilled by the baby in the manger that we don’t pause to remember who that baby is. We forget that the eternal Son of God left the Father’s presence, which He has known and enjoyed since before time began, in order to become—amazingly—that baby in the manger. This should take our breath away! It should cause us to ponder the glory He left and to contemplate the darkness into which He came.” (quote from the introduction to the book)
This quote sets the theme for this book. The author reminds us that Christmas is so much more than just the one day we set aside to celebrate the birthday of Christ, but that we should be swept away by His glory and majesty. In these six chapters, the author reminds us of Jesus’ character as God; His relationship with the Father; His Preparation for the Cross; His Role as Creator; His Appearances in the Old Testament; and His Announced Arrival.
This book is easily readable, and although it’s a shorter book (152 pages), it’s already had a great impact on my thoughts for the Christmas season. I love all things Christmas, but this book has increased my sense of awe for all Christ as done for me. I also have a new appreciation for the Christmas hymn “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” and all that it conveys to us in those verses. This book is keeper and one that I’ll read again at the Christmas season.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
What I find most interesting about Bill Crowder’s “Before Christmas” is the interspersing of insights regarding God and the Christmas story. Rather than concentrating solely on the story of Jesus’ birth, Crowder expands the focus to encompass the backstory as well, mirroring how Jesus’ life on earth is recounted in the Gospels but is nevertheless the mainstay of the entire Bible, both the Old and New Testament. As Crowder explains in his introduction, “That is why the Christmas backstory is so important. It adds eternal value to the coming of Jesus by unveiling His truest identity.” Speaking for myself, I have to admit that too often the account of Jesus’ birth becomes rote. That is what I consider to be the value of this short but thought-provoking book.
Using the nested story technique characterized in the Bible, Crowder demonstrates how the Christmas story is one of many concentric rings of God’s story from before creation. The more I learn how interconnected every Biblical event is, the more awestruck I become at our Creator. Fresh appreciation and understanding dawns. For instance, although God knew even before creating the first man and woman that they would rebel and cause the Fall, He still chose to give us free will because only then could we be made in His image. And his foreknowledge also means that He knew that Jesus, God in the flesh, would have to die on the cross to make us right with Him again. He loves us that much! And, Crowder asserts, “that redemptive mission would also be the perfect expression of the mutual love between the Father and the Son.” Furthermore, Jesus’ deity is established immediately by the angel Gabriel when he tells Mary that Jesus will be “the Son of the Most High” because in the Jewish tradition, a son took on the qualities of his father. Even though as Christians we know that Jesus was, is, and always will be God, learning how each and every part of the Bible reinforces itself as God’s Word is incredibly affirming and fascinating.
While this is a small, short book, “Before Christmas” should be savored. Each chapter contains concise information taken from Scripture, with a deeper look into the cultural and personal implications thereof. While this is obviously a read well-suited for the Advent season, it can just as easily be explored at any time. Crowder writes in an easily understood manner, using lists to highlight his points and to make this a quick and straightforward reference for anyone looking to dig deeper into Jesus’ story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
With just 89 pages, this certainly isn’t a long book but it is overflowing with the ‘good news’ of Christmas! New believers and mature Christians alike will find it to be both inspiring and illuminating because it reminds us that the actual birth of Jesus Christ is just part of the story. There was so much that happened “Before Christmas” that we need to better understand. Author Bill Crowder uses Bible scripture from both the Old and New Testament and the lyrics of Christmas hymns to justify his thoughts and to lead us to better understanding. Long before he came to earth as a baby, Jesus Christ has always been!
In the acknowledgements of Before Christmas Crowder tells us that this book’s ‘real reason and purpose is Jesus the Christ. His coming at Bethlehem to be our Redeemer is the still the best story of all.’ In six chapters we learn His Character as God–His Relationship with the Father– His Preparation for the Cross– His Role as Creator– His Appearances in the Old Testament–His Announced Arrival and then, in the conclusion, The Christmas Story.
I recommend it to read, study, and use as a devotional because Before Christmas is perfect for both the Advent Season and for the weeks leading up to Easter.
I received a complimentary copy from Celebrate Lit and a favorable review was not required. These are my own thoughts.
Before Christmas, The Story of Jesus from the Beginning of Time to the Manger by author Bill Crowder is a perfect advent book. This small God glorifying book will help any reader strengthen his Walk with Jesus. It was a delightful find.
Filled with scripture the author has done research in both the Old and New Testaments. He goes back to when God made the Earth and talks about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. New Testament references go through Revelation.
There are six chapters in this book. Beginning with “His Character as God” and concluding with “His Announced Arrival” all six chapters examine a part of Jesus to help us learn more. The author has included some reflections and stories of his own along with the scripture.
This is a well planned, organized, and nicely written book. It was easy to read and understand. I will keep it on hand for future reference.
I highly recommend this. A church library would benefit from a few copies. This would make a great group study, especially during advent. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest thoughts.
Before Christmas
Before Christmas reflects mainly on before Jesus was born. The author talks about different songs and different verses. Also about his time going to Bible school.
I liked chapter 4 “His role as Creator”. It talks about how God created us. To create a relationship with God. That he created the universe.
There is a lot of of information in this little book. I love all the Bible verses and quotes from songs. It makes a great bible study book.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.