Windows on Christmas

by Bill Crowder

Can you imagine if you were at the birth of Christ? Join Bill Crowder as he travels back to the manger and experiences the miracle of the nativity through six unique perspectives. See anew the first Christmas from the viewpoints of Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna, the angels and the shepherds.  Your heart will be full of awe as you look at the humble babe’s advent in a way you never have before.

Genres: Christmas, Christian, Religion

120 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Bill Crowder, who spent over twenty years in pastoral ministry, is vice president of ministry content at ODB Ministries. He is a contributor to Our Daily Bread and the author of five books, including The Spotlight on Faith, Singing the Songs of the Brokenhearted, and The Path of His Passion. He and his wife, Marlene, have five children.

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to read on the lead up to Christmas. Each chapter is about a different person (or group or people... or angels) mentioned in the Christmas story. The idea is that we are looking at this people through windows, and the author gives a deeper insight into each of the windows and their lives, background and how they make an impact on the Christmas story and how we can learn from it.
I only started making notes in my Bible while reading the last two chapters but I wish I started making notes from the beginning because there's lots of interesting things i'd never considered before that I want to keep note of. I think this could almost act as a devotional book, and you could read a chapter of this a day during the lead up to Christmas and I think it would be great to read during a quiet time.

[Margaret Fraleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author that I have read. I will certainly be looking for his other books to read.

This book - Windows on Christmas - explores the following

The window of exaltation (The Angels)
The window of wonder (Mary)
The window of Worship (The Shepherds)
The window of Obedience (Joseph)
The window of Contentment (Simeon)
The window of Witness (Anna)

This book looks through the perspective of each of these. What a wonderful book to read during
Christmas.

Thank you Bill Crowder for writing this book and sharing it with us.

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my full review at http://blackwords-whitepages1977.blog...

This was a remarkable story about Christmas. It shines a light on the life and times of the people involved in the birth of baby Jesus and how each character reacted to the news. I absolutely loved reading this story. It will stay in my heart forever and will be a story that I will read over and over every year at Christmas time. I highly recommend this read.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know that feeling when the Christmas season becomes more stress than celebration? Windows on Christmas helps to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas by sharing six perspectives. Bill Crowder shares events surrounding the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the angels, the shepherds, Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna. Not just a Christmas read- an enlightening look through various “windows” of the incarnation.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having celebrated 68 Christmases and hearing and reading the “Christmas story” even more times than that, who would have thought that such a little book would deliver some new insight? It does—powerfully! Truthfully, I have never taken much time pondering Anna. Wow! Now, I will never again skim over her name! Instead, I will endeavor to become more like her. Thank you, Mr. Crowder! Take some time out your hectic schedule to become renewed with a fresh perspective this Advent.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy, short book of devotions for Christmas. The chapters are on the Angels, Mary, the shepherds, Joseph, Simeon and Anna. Combines theology and history nicely. The highlight for me was the chapter on Anna, particularly the part on her name and family.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book that focuses on different perspectives of the birth of Christ. Each chapter is from the viewpoint of a different Biblical character and gives the reader a different outlook during the Christmas season.

[Winnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read at Christmas time.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book and a "Window" into what was going on that first Christmas.

[Rebecca Cecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book. The Windows of Christmas helps us appreciate the events surrounding the birth if Christ from a different perspective.
In thus book we will see how the Angels came th the shepherds who in those days shepherds were consider very low people and unclean. Yet, God chose them to come first the see the Christ baby in a lowly manger.
We will see Mary and Joseph reacted to the angels who came to each if them. How Joseph must have been thinking after he was told Mary was with child, knowing they had not yet been together.
Then Simeon he was a man who showed honor to God, he was waiting for God's promise. Luke tells us that Simeon was righteous and devout, looking for consolation if Isreal; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Someone is in the Christmas window all because he was rightious, faithfuk, loved and served God. Simeon was promised that before he left this earth he would meet The Lord's Christ and the world's Savior "face to face."
Then there is Anna scriptures tell us very little about her. She was a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. Scripture say she was advanced in years, meaning she was old. She spent night and days in the temple praying and fasting g waiting for the Messiah.
Interesting book and I had never thought or remember hearing of Anna.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this over the Advent season to see Christmas through the eyes of others and found it so inspiring and insightful. I will make this a part of my Advent season from now on as it is a book that can speak to you each time it is read. This would make a great gift to share the message with others. May we always remember what Christmas is about and this is a great reminder.
I received a complimentary copy from Our Daily Bread. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

[Beth Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crowder considers the Nativity from the perspective of Mary, the angels, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna. These different views help us to consider the birth of Christ in ways you may not have thought about before.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. I now have a book I know I will read every year at Christmas now. I now see Christmas in different eyes. Author did a great job with this book.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the story of Christ's birth, looked at from six different perspectives. I really enjoyed the author's observations.

[Joyce Oliver stahle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book. Never really gave too much thought to Simeon, but after reading the chapter about him I learned things to ponder.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas story told through the eyes of those that witnessed the glorious event! I will share with family and friends!

[BARBARA A MITTLESTEAD]

INFORMATIVE AND ENLIGHTENING

[McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick little Christmas read that I enjoyed!

[Annette C Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great perspective on the real meaning of Christmas.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good devotional book. It tells of the people who were part of the Christmas story. It is very heart warming and eye opening. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short book (121 pages, but small pages).

The author takes a look through a window at the Nativity scene and talks about six characters in the Nativity Story.

Interesting stories about the characters interwoven with some history and then personal reflections. The modern stories connected to the ancient story makes for a nice devotional during Advent and Christmas.

I used the background pieces to help tell the stories of the characters in the Nativity for children's moments during worship in Advent.

Chapters are devoted to Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds (one of my favorites), the angels, Simeon and Anna

Nicely done.

[Andrias Suganda]

You'll see another perspective on Christmas that you perhaps never known before.

Enjoy this book.

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was pretty cool "looking through the Christmas windows" from six different perspectives. I think this will be added to my must reads every year.

[Britnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️