The Hope of Christmas
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About this ebook
Paints the picture of God’s promises for Christmas—from the beginning of time and to all of eternity.
Go on a journey . . . from the promise of the Messiah given to us in the Old Testament . . . to the promise of Jesus’ birth in the New Testament . . . to the promise of Jesus’ life and our salvation . . . to the promise of His resurrection and our eternal life.
This unique Christmas book contains Scripture followed by brief writings that will take readers on a voyage as they explore God’s prophecies and promises for Christmas—prophecies and promises that began centuries ago. Readers will be transported through the miracles of God’s promises from Genesis throughout eternity and that Jesus would come to fulfill those promises. More than a simple story, The Hope of Christmas reveals the broad and miraculous scope of Christ’s birth in the manger and the continual gift of His love, joy, peace, grace, comfort, and much more—all within our grasp because of our one true hope, Jesus Christ. The Hope of Christmas is Jesus’ gift foretold from the beginning of time, offering salvation and a life in Him for those who believe.
Jack Countryman
Jack Countryman is the founder of JCountryman gift books, a division of Thomas Nelson, and is the recipient of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's Kip Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award. Over the past 30 years, he has developed bestselling gift books such as God's Promises for Your Every Need, God's Promises for Men, God's Promises for Women, God Listens, and Red Letter Words of Jesus. Countryman's books have sold more than 27 million units. His graduation books alone have sold nearly 2 million units.
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The Hope of Christmas - Jack Countryman
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Contents
IJThe Christmas Story
Introduction
PROPHECY: Messiah, Descendant of Abraham
FULFILLMENT: Genealogy of Jesus
PROMISE: His Blessing
PROPHECY: Heir to the Throne of David
FULFILLMENT: Gabriel Visits Mary
PROMISE: God’s Promise to Mary
"Away in a Manger"
PROPHECY: Anointed and Eternal
FULFILLMENT: Unchanging
PROMISE: The Word Became Flesh
PROPHECY: Watch Bethlehem
FULFILLMENT: Born in Bethlehem
PROMISE: The Gift of Jesus the Messiah
"O Little Town of Bethlehem"
PROPHECY: Born of a Virgin
FULFILLMENT: Highly Favored One
PROMISE: Immanuel, God with Us
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
PROPHECY: The Messenger
FULFILLMENT: The Messenger Comes
PROMISE: Spiritual Gifts and Talents
PROPHECY: The Son of God
FULFILLMENT: Jesus, God’s Son
PROMISE: God’s Favor
PROPHECY: Light from Galilee
FULFILLMENT: Ministry in Galilee
PROMISE: God’s Power
PROPHECY: Message of Freedom
FULFILLMENT: Freedom Proclaimed
PROMISE: God’s Comfort
PROPHECY: Man of Sorrows
FULFILLMENT: Acceptance Through Jesus
PROMISE: God’s Goodness
"Hallelujah, What a Savior!"
PROPHECY: Portrait of a King
FULFILLMENT: Jesus Was Not Believed
PROMISE: His Faithfulness
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"
PROPHECY: A Celebration .
FULFILLMENT: Comes in the Name of the LORD
PROMISE: Unchanging God
PROPHECY: A Trusted Friend?
FULFILLMENT: Dinner with Friends
PROMISE: His Grace
"Amazing Grace"
PROPHECY: Silence Is Golden
FULFILLMENT: Silence Speaks Volumes
PROMISE: God’s Guidance
PROPHECY: Stand Firm
FULFILLMENT: Not in Vain
PROMISE: His Strength
PROPHECY: Paid in Full
FULFILLMENT: Among Thieves
PROMISE: His Compassion
PROPHECY: They Cast Lots
FULFILLMENT: Sticks and Stones
PROMISE: His Forgiveness
PROPHECY: God Delivers the Righteous
FULFILLMENT: No Bones Broken
PROMISE: His Mercy
PROPHECY: Buried with the Rich
FULFILLMENT: Treated with Respect
PROMISE: Abundance from Above
PROPHECY: Delivered from Death
FULFILLMENT: He Is Not Here
PROMISE: Eternal Life
"Christ the Lord Is Risen Today"
PROPHECY: Right Hand of God
FULFILLMENT: Received into Heaven
PROMISE: The Holy Spirit
"Joy to the World"
The Gift of Prayer
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The Christmas Story
IJI t’s a timeless story—the account of Jesus’ birth—with familiar details such as shepherds, a star, wise men, and angels. But perhaps the details, if not the story itself, are too familiar. Are we any longer able to hear the wonder of this world-changing, history-altering story?
God planned the birth of Jesus before time began, and throughout the Old Testament—thousands of years before a Baby was born in Bethlehem—God hinted about the coming of this Messiah, this King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of Peace.
Looking at these hints—these ancient prophecies—and their fulfillment in the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ birth can help us recapture the wonder of the Christmas story and marvel at the gift of Jesus, a gift of sacrifice and love, of Immanuel, God with us.
May seeing the promises of God and their fulfillment reignite in you the very hope of Christmas.
9781400321148_INT_0012_001.jpgIt came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace,
goodwill toward men!"
Luke 2:1–14
9781400321148_INT_0013_004.jpg]>
Introduction
IJF or centuries, voices in the Old Testament called God’s people to look for the Messiah, yet most Jewish people missed the significance of the prophets’ words. Micah, for instance, said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. In Psalm 89:27, 36, David foretold of a firstborn when he spoke of the Lord declaring that David’s seed would endure forever. Isaiah made the preposterous claim that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. Hosea revealed that at a certain time God would call