Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here
For some, Christmas is a time of excitement, celebration, and family, while for others it is a time of loneliness, grief, and loss. No matter what this season holds for you, the promise of Christmas will bring you a lifetime of hope.
Christmas begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle becomes the King on the cross. Because of Bethlehem, we have a Savior in heaven. These are the heart shaping promises of Christmas. Long after the guests have left, the carolers have gone home, and the lights have come down, these promises endure.
No one expected God to come the way he did. Yet the way he came was every bit as important as the coming itself. The manger is the message.
In the midst of your hectic Christmas season, Max will help you:
- Rekindle your connection to the Christ of Christmas who offers lasting hope.
- Lay down your endless Christmas to-do list and receive what Jesus has already done.
- Heal your heartache by embracing the God who is always near you, always for you, and always in you.
As you curl up in a comfortable spot and look into the odd, wonderful story of Bethlehem, may you find enduring hope for all seasons of your life.
Advent Devotional Guide included.
Reviews (116)
A light read about an important topic
I purchased a Kindle copy of Because of Bethlehem: Every Day a Christmas, Every Heart a Manger by Max Lucado in order to participate in an online Bible study with Proverbs 31 Ministries. In addition to the book, I was able to take advantage of the supplemental materials included in the study. This book was a quick read, making it a benefit during one of the more busier times of the year. I found the stories easy to digest, often completing a chapters while waiting in line at the grocery store or on my lunch break at work. As a Christian, I found the themes fairly elementary. Lucado added a lot of personal anecdotes, which made him more relatable to the reader. But if I am honest, I really didn't have any big aha! moments with this book. It was a fun read for the Christmas season that reminded me of things I already knew. Proverbs 31 Ministries motto goes something like: Your life may be crazy, but your Bible study doesn't have to be. I think this study was a good example of that. It's as light read about an important topic that reminds the reader of the reason for the season. Recommendation: I think this book would be a good selection for someone young in their Christian walk or for someone who doesn't have much time to delve deeply into a Bible study. Until next time ... Read on! Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or am gifted one, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
The Best Book for Advent or Any Time
I have read Because of Bethlehem: Love is Born, Hope Is Here, by Max Lucado as an Advent study. I have found it to be a very inspirational book. It strengthened my faith by reminding me of the great truth of Immanuel, God with us. It could be read at any time and inspire and strength a Christian in remembering the great work of God on our behalf. I just smile when I think of the chapter God Has a Face, (“and the Word became Flesh and made His dwelling among us.”) The book is an easy read. Lucado is so down to earth and humorous as he speaks to our heart. I recommend this book to a believer who wants to continue to grow as a Christian and also to a seeker who wants to come to know God. It has certainly been a part of making my Christmas celebration a true celebration. The book includes an Advent devotional guide. It also includes a fiction writing, "An Angel’s Story.” The fiction, just like many of Lucado’s illustrations in the book really caused me to think. I do recommend this book.
Love
This book was pre-bought and downloaded when my step-daughter was in the last 12 days of her earthly life. As she was under hospice care, I read to her. She loved Christmas and this was a joy to read to her during this time. Because of Bethlehem reinforced His love for us and reminded us that she was going to a better place.
So tired of The Holiday Season
You know the one, in late December? Except I start seeing it’s impending arrival even before the ghouls and goblins have even been put on clearance in the store. I’m tired of blowing good money on bad elephant gifts, and attending obligatory office parties so my job is secure, grazing at holiday buffets for food I don’t really want but excess is part of the season along with credit card bills and drama. I *do* know the reason for the season and I’m grateful for Max’s book to give me a new and fresh understanding of it. An Angel’s Story, a bonus at the end of the book, was worth the price all on its own. I am tired of the Holiday season but so appreciative of Christmas and the wee little Lamb born in a manger.
Chaos cannot keep Christ from His world
I loved this book, as I love all Max Lucado's books. His style is very appealing, and easy to read and understand. He explains clearly why Christ came. "Each one of us has a sin nature. God entered the world to take it away. God came to save us from ourselves. The angel said: He save His people from their sins. Matt 1.20-21]" "What started in a Bethlehem cradle culminated on a Jerusalem cross. Jesus not only did a work for us, He did a work IN us," " Chaos cannot keep Christ from His world. God uses the struggle to accomplish His will. God holds it all together. He will hold it together for you, too." These brief quotes may give you enough of an insight to know this is excellent teaching indeed.
Moving uplifting book
This book was so touching,and the ending about the angels!! tears came to my eyes reading this book,oh he can be funny too. I like where his wife and the sales girl were trying to show him the Christmas gift he was supposed to buy for his wife. But he doesn't let you forget through that one night,God loves us. This is a excellent book to read during the Christmas season.
Merry Christmas
Max articulates a strong purpose and message of the incarnation. The Devotional is a distraction to the message and I felt was not up to Max's normal standard. The third story, which is about a message of the incarnation from heaven's view, was grounded in The Story but also shows his creative imagination. Well done!
True meaning of Christmas
I read most of this book after Christmas. But to me this is a book you can read anytime of year. The beauty of the Savior’s birth should be celebrated year round. Max Lucado’s writing style is inspiring, easy to read and practical. Beautiful book. Highly recommend!
Bringing back the CHRIST in Christmas...as only Max Lucado knows how!
This book is the perfect addition for Advent devotions. You will grow closer to the grace that God showers us with as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. This is a book I will make part of my Advent celebration from now on. Max Lucado is a true Christmas blessing!!
For those of faith enjoying the Christmas Season - read Because of Bethlehem & the bonus and rejoice in our LORD and SAVIOUR
Because of Bethlehem, Max enhances and stretches our Christian faith so that we grow in Christ. Wonderful, wonderful a new Christmas Story for all of us. But my socks blew off with his little post script of another perspective as we read the seed of a Christmas Story found in the Book of Revelation. WOW. The Devil was also lurking trying to stop the the Christmas story. This story could have had a different ending.
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