Journey to the Manger: Exploring the Birth of Jesus

by Paula Gooder

Journey to the Manger explores the New Testament's various accounts of the birth of their origins in Old Testament prophecies, the genealogies, the angelic announcements, the journeys and arrivals, and the aftermath of Jesus' birth for the powerful and the poor alike. Although many biblical scholars have puzzled over historical details in the accounts, Paula Gooder argues that doing this risks missing the point. Engaging seriously with biblical and historical criticism, she uncovers key similarities running through the Gospel writers' accounts and focuses on their shared understanding of the significant events they describe. Her detailed exploration of the texts is a goldmine for preaching and teaching, and will breath new life into the familiar Christmas stories heard year after year in churches, carol services and nativity plays. Devotional reflections and discussion questions also make this ideal for personal and group study. Biblical Explorations is an exciting series from bestselling author and scholar Paula Gooder that offers an accessible and informed study of the best loved texts in Scripture. Rooted in the conviction that greater understanding of the Bible leads to deeper discipleship, it is an essential resource for preachers, teachers and study group leaders, as well as those who simply wish to get to know the Bible better.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian

176 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2015

About the author

Paula Gooder is a speaker and writer on the Bible, particularly on the New Testament. She began her working life, teaching for twelve years in ministerial formation first at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford and then at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. Following this she spent around eight years as a speaker and writer in biblical studies travelling the country and seeking to communicate the best of biblical scholarship in as accessible a way as possible, after that she spent six years working for the Bible Society as their Theologian in Residence and then for the Birmingham Diocese as their Director of Mission Learning and Development. She is currently the Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Reviews

[Cath Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

As we have just finished an excellent advent course, this book didn't really teach me anything new.

Her book called Phoebe was so amazing.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and well written reflection on the true meaning of the Christmas season

[Harry Wilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

For a c.150 page book, Paula manages to squeeze in a huge amount of depth in the biblical exegesis. It feels like she picks apart pretty much every single sentence and phrase in the birth narratives.

This is great in some ways but frustrating in others as it means you have a wade through long sections of biblical analysis that don’t really have a “point”. I very much respect how she doesn’t just choose the interesting bits, it’s just a shame that it makes reading this something of a slog!

[Dee Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently read several other books by Paula Gooder as well as watched her on YouTube. Clear and loving theology explanations. I highly recommend.

[Jonathan Burdett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic exploration of the Biblical birth narratives. Ideal for Advent reading.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provided some new insights into the biblical narratives of the birth of Jesus. I particularly enjoyed all the historical details and the comparisons and contrasts between the gospels.

[John Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used in discussion group over Advent and Christmas. Well written and researched.

[Rhonda]

As we celebrate the Advent season and prepare for the birthday of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I thought that this would be a good way to spend more quality time in the Word. This is a very thorough, insightful look at the manger and Paula Gooder looks at the manger scene in ways that I never thought of doing. Was the Christ child even born in a stable? Was he actually placed in a manger? I think this would be a wonderful resource for pastors, Sunday School teachers, and leaders of Bible study groups or for those who like myself just want to do an in-depth study of the birth of Christ. I don't think I would recommend it to the average reader as it may easily become confused with fictional books on the subject. This is a work of non-fiction and works well for reading a portion on each of the Sundays in Advent. It has study questions for group leaders to use. Some readers may feel that some of their longheld beliefs as absolute fact are challenged and they may not wish to accept this writer's interpretation which is of course their right. I found it very interesting to look at things from a different perspective.
I rate this book 4-stars and would highly recommend it to Bible scholars and serious Bible students.
I received an ebook of this title from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Tanya Marlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book designed for Advent, like a commentary, but with a devotional slant to it. I’d already read ‘The Meaning is in the Waiting’ as an advent book and loved it. This one is similarly excellent-quality theology and exposition, but the format is not quite so friendly to use as a devotional. The Meaning is in the Waiting is divided into 24 devotional chapters, making it easy to read over Advent, but this book is in 4 sections of two chapters each, so it’s better to see it as a book you read over the 4 weeks of Advent (or over the twelve days of Christmas) rather than a daily devotional. It covers the nativity and Christmas story from lots of different angles, and has Paula Gooder’s trade-mark intelligent, clear, thoughtful analysis – a real joy to read.

[Catherine Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book to use as a devotional book during the Advent/Christmas season. I was very pleased with it. It is not separated into separate daily devotions, although the author does include meditations every chapter or so. She includes not just the birth narratives from Matthew and Luke, but also the first chapter of the book of John. She include a reasonable amount of historical and linguistic background, but it isn't overwhelming. The book is easy to read in the course of four weeks. I found it very meaningful and helpful this season.

[Fred Eisenhut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good review of the meaning of the Christmas story. What is the story of the Bible and what has been added on by others over the centuries. This is a very interesting study to be done over the Advent season.

[Robin Fox]

Makes you think - maybe the familiar story isn't quite as well-known as we thought after all.