The One True Story: Daily Readings for Advent from Genesis to Jesus

Daily Advent Readings

by Tim Chester

Everyone loves the Christmas story. But the story of the baby in the manger is the culmination of a thousand other stories. It is the focus of the story of the Bible and the story of human history.

The book has 24 short meditative readings working through Bible stories from Genesis to Jesus. Each day ideas for reflection, prayer and application, designed to excite you about the Gospel message in the run up to Christmas Day.

As you prepare for Christmas, get a fresh insight into the full script of the nativity, the story of our world, and the plotline for the rest of your life...

Genres: Christian, Christmas, Devotional, Christianity

152 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2016

About the author

Dr Tim Chester is involved in The Crowded House, a church planting initiative in Sheffield, UK. He was previously Research & Policy Director for Tearfund UK, and has been published widely on prayer, mission, social issues and theology. He is married to Helen and has two daughters.

Reviews

[bex 🌱 · Rating 4 out of 5]

very enjoyable advent reading that unites Old & New Testament, just got a little lost on some points

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I find it hard to spiritually connect with the celebration of Christ’s birth, but this book job really helped draw me closer to the Lord this Christmas season. The joy of realizing Christ’s birth is the answer to so many promises and parallels throughout the Old Testament reminds me of my childhood Christmases.
Will definitely reread next year when we can start on December 1 and take more time on each day (:

[Jonathan Sussex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to read during the advent period, i really enjoyed it, Old testament scriptures, Stories and characters were used in each of 24 short chapters to show the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. Also there was plenty of application to help keep focus during a period where our hearts easily seem to stray.

[Matt Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new favourite of mine amongst Christmas devotionals. Biblical theology at its best and warmest.

[Voirrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good meditative read for each day of Advent - even if I missed the odd day and read more than one now and again!

Very good to focus the mind on what Christmas is about for Christians and to follow those links and prophecies that foretold or foreshadowed Jesus' birth.

Well worth returning to next Advent, too.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars Great book that takes you on a daily journey from Genesis to Jesus and beyond… well worth a read from 1 December (24 daily readings)….

Enjoyed the second read through better than the first, so much to learn and understand…

Great book to read each year leading into Christmas - well worth a read

[Dayo Adewoye · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we pick up the Old Testament and read through any of its stories or examine the journeys of many of its interesting characters, we can learn one or two things. However, our exploration isn't really complete until we have followed the trail unto the most significant character in the entire narrative of the Bible: Jesus Christ. And that is why this book is so special.

Through a collection of stories and readings from the OT, Tim Chester points us to the Person who answers our questions, resolves our fears, and awakens our hope. He points us to Christ. We see him as the One scripture was bearing witness to all along. And we are encouraged to rejoice in his first coming while we eagerly, prayerfully, and diligently look forward to his second.

This is indeed the one true story of our world!

[Renee Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “The One True Story: Daily Readings for Advent from Genesis to Jesus,” Tim Chester gives us the comprehensive story of God’s plan of redemption from Genesis to Jesus. While letting the reader feel the anticipation of Christmas, he shows the reader how Jesus is the better way—the true fulfillment of all biblical prophecy. Chester walks through familiar Old Testament accounts then parallels how Jesus is the perfected fulfillment of each of those—the rock in the wilderness, the tabernacle of God, the new Adam, the barren woman’s last laugh, the good Shepherd, the ultimate warrior, the serpent crusher and dragon slayer, the true judge, the end of our exile, and more. This was a great book to prepare for the celebration of the incarnation. This would be a great book if you are looking for short, story-like readings at any point in the year. Tim Chester also includes additional scripture readings, meditations, and a prayer for anyone wanting to spend more time each day. These mediations and prayers come from early church fathers and Puritan stalwarts. Remember this book for your next year’s personal Advent study as you anticipate the hope of Christmas, you’ll be glad you did.

“Jesus is Immanuel, God-with-us. He’s fully God...But Jesus is also fully human. He isn’t some kind of in-between being, a half-God/half-man hybrid. He’s both fully and truly divine, and fully and truly human. He’s as human as you are and that means Jesus is not only God-with-us, he’s also become us-with-God. He is the true humanity; the true Israel; the true people of God” (76).

[Kenny Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite section was on how Jesus is the new and better Samson, who despite being famously strong had his greatest victory in his moment of greatest weakness in captivity, dying with his arms outstretched and defeating his enemy. Wonderful!

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good devotional for the Christmas season.

[Sarah Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the daily advent readings. The content and relate-ability was wonderful.

But I didn’t care for most of the “Meditations” and “Prayers” each day except for the last one on Christmas Day.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this book.

[Keller (Charles Hack) Hackbusch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic devotional for everyday, not just for Christmas. Highly recommended.

[David Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reading and a thought for every day in Advent. Often brought out details that had never thought about despite dealing with, what were often, well-known stories.

[MR]

Just what I was looking for!
A really great advent read, pointing out Jesus in OT stories you may never have noticed before.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite advent devotional. I loved it!

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I'd never heard of anything written by this writer before, I am so impressed by this series of daily readings/thoughts of his to take the reader through advent. It is a bit later than meant but this book could be read at anytime. I love the way the writer manages to connect the nativity story of Jesus' birth, which most of us are very familiar with and to show the connection with the Old Testament stories. Indeed, he manages to show us how inextricably the two testaments connect and add to one another so that it is impossible to understand the nativity story fully without the old testament background. The book is not at all academic but is easy to pick up and absorb. Fantastic!!

[Gavin McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very pleased with this excellent Advent resource from Chester (who writes more books than I write emails, so it seems). Here is a model of salvation history biblical theology (strong emphasis upon type and fulfilment). I enjoyed his use of prayers and short meditations at the end of every chapter. This book has helped me in my Advent preparation.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic Advent reading, from Genesis to the gospels - revealing how the whole Bible points to Jesus. I loved reading this alongside a group of women from church, sharing our reflections and how we'd been challenged by each day's chapter to think about Christmas differently. The perfect remedy for Christmas apathy.

[NancyInWI · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Wasn't exactly what I was looking for to get me in the Christmas spirit. It was all stories from the OT except for the one on the 24th. Nothing stood out to me.