Christmas book prepares hearts for holiday
I want to share about a Christmas book today. The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs is the perfect book to read prior to Christmas. If you get a copy now, I think it will bless your celebration. My daughter and I enjoyed it as a daily Bible study we did together, though you don’t have to read it that way.
Reading the book is like having a conversation with a friend over coffee. Higgs has an inviting, jovial style. The author is very relatable.
What’s the book about?
Higgs shares details about Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna as she and the reader study the story of our Savior’s birth. For a fuller understanding of the text, she uses references from different translations and commentaries. We also get glimpses of Zechariah, Joseph, and Simeon. I enjoyed getting to know these faithful women more as I imagined what it would be like to be in their shoes. I think I could understand Zechariah and Joseph’s hesitancy to the angels’ extraordinary declarations. I’m in wonder at Mary’s acceptance and courage.
Elizabeth is an older woman with no children whose husband, a priest, is struck dumb until the miraculous birth of their son. Mary, a young teen, boldly accepts what the angel says despite the fact that her betrothed may desert her and her community gossip about her (or worse, stone her). Anna, a widow, spends her life worshiping in the temple, awaiting the Messiah. They each demonstrate a remarkable faith we can strive to emulate.
What did I learn?
We can relate to each and learn from each. If you’ve ever waited for a prayer to be answered, you can understand Elizabeth. If you have had to trust God in a difficult situation, you can understand Mary. If you have anticipated and watched a promise unfold, then you understand Anna.
I enjoyed learning about history and different cultures also. All of these aspects add to the meaning of this most holy day.
A careful study of the Christmas story adds to the wonder and joy of the celebration because slowing down to digest the details really opens one’s eyes. What special individuals these were! What amazing examples of faith!
More book details
There are only eight chapters and a study guide so a person could choose to read one chapter per day a few weeks before Christmas or start after Thanksgiving with a chapter per week into the New Year.
I borrowed the book from the library, but it is available in bookstores.
Digging deeper and growing closer to the people in the Christmas story by reading this Christmas book blessed us. I marvel at how God orchestrated it all and encouraged them so that if doubts did enter their minds such as “Did I really hear right? Did I imagine this?” they were put to rest. Over and over, the angels’ messages were verified.
We are always blessed when we reflect upon God’s Word.
Merry Christmas!
This blog explains what Christmas means to me: https://michellekaderlywelsh.com/what-christmas-means-to-me/.
2 Replies to “Christmas book prepares hearts for holiday”
It sounds like it will truly bless anyone who reads it, Michelle. I can’t make make any promises, but maybe I will see if it is available at the Orfordville Library, and see if I can still get it read before Christmas. Thanks for the suggestion.
In this season where we often feel rushed and frazzled by the increased number of things to do on our agendas, taking time to immerse ourselves in God’s special message to us found in the Bible will be that oasis of peace and joy we all seek. If you get to read it, I hope you will be blessed by digging deeper. We found it invigorating and interesting. Thanks for taking time to comment, Donna. I know you are super busy.