In the second book in the God’s Big Picture Bible Stories—the first is God's Big Picture Bible Storybook: 140 Connecting Bible Stories of God's Faithful Promises—distinguished Bible scholar N.T. Wright relates the story of Jesus’ birth within the context of God’s promise to send a true king who would rule the world with justice and righteousness and bring people back into a saving relationship with God.
Wright’s energetic storytelling and illustrator Helena Perrez Garcia’s vivid, reverential artwork relate Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel; the angel’s visit to Joseph to tell him to take Mary as his wife; Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem; and the birth of Jesus in an animal shelter. The story expands all the way to Mary, Joseph, and Jesus’ escape into Egypt after being warned about Herod’s death threats.
Young children and the adults who share this book with them will learn and experience that the nativity story, so often sentimentalized or minimized into a feel-good tale, is the breathtaking account of the ongoing establishment of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven, promised centuries ago to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15. Recommended as a valuable addition to a family’s devotional library. (Tommy Nelson)
About the Author
Sonya VanderVeen Feddema is a freelance writer and a member of Covenant CRC in St. Catharines, Ontario.