Christmas Changes Everything: How the Birth of Jesus Brings Hope to the World (a Biblical Character Study of Everyone In, (Paperback)

"God's death and resurrection at Easter transported me back in His story to a new understanding of God's birth in a manger. Christmas became Christmas when I realized the true gift: God came as a bay who would grow up and live and die and be raised from the dead for me. I responded with a heartfelt yes! A yes that became an offering of my own gifts to others at Christmas out of my love for Him." The cast of characters portrayed in this book are not surprising. Most who have read through the chapters in Matthew and Luke that tell about Jesus' birth will recognize these names. Two of them (Zechariah and Elizabeth) provide the prequel. Two of them (Anna and Simeon) follow in Luke. All of these real-life people were impacted by the birth of Christ. Mary Joseph Zechariah Elizabeth The Shepherds Simeon Anna The Magi Herod This book does contain a portrayal of the story that started Christmas. Bible passages are included. Each section includes a devotional as well as an explanation about how each person was changed by Christmas. I feel like the author did an excellent job of adding understanding into familiar stories. Even though I have ready the selected passages hundreds of times, I still pondered new ideas. I liked the fact that she ended the book with a chapter entitled, "our stories." We also have the opportunity to be impacted by the event that happened over 2,000 years ago. Our paths can also be changed by Christmas. As for the author, I became a fan of Elisa Morgan's writings when I was introduced to her through MOPS where she was CEO for a time. As a mother of a preschoolers, her thoughts on parenting encouraged me. So I love the fact that she has continued to write. I want to read more of her titles. I read this book through NetGalley. I wanted to read it. All opinions are my own.