This is an excellent book which does what it says: it encourages Christians for both Christmas and the New Year. There are 30 chapters, each four to five pages long: 15 on the theme of Christ’s birth and 15 for the New Year. It is a lovely blend of solid Bible doctrine and devotional application. Each chapter ends with three points to reflect on, which remind the reader to pause and think again rather than rush on.
The Christmas chapters cover some familiar themes under catchy headings. They are always engaging and point to Christ and the great salvation truths. For instance, we learn how Jesus is the true ‘son of my sorrow’ (Genesis 35:18 – a reference to Rachel giving birth at Bethlehem), and how Bethlehem (‘house of bread’) and Ephrathah (‘fruitful’) point to the Lord’s Supper.
The New Year chapters include headings like, ‘The unknown year ahead’, ‘One day at a time’, and ‘Peace: the lasting legacy of Jesus’. Here, again, are many truths which point to the character of God, the sufficiency of Jesus, and the promised blessing and support which all believers can know as they go forward into the New Year. These chapters will be especially helpful to those with particular problems, worries, and trials, but they are also a reminder to every Christian that our times are in God’s hands and we must trust him for the future.
In our modern pressurised world here is an ideal book for every Christian. Try reading a chapter a day from mid-December to mid-January.
