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The Nativity: How the Story of Christmas Can Change Your Life
Learn Something Life Changing This Christmas!
After years, sometimes even decades, of hearing the Christmas story so many times, we lose the meaning. The story of the birth of Jesus Christ as told Luke Chapter 2 is the best-known story in the Bible. Ask anyone and they can tell you about Caesar’s tax. Everyone knows about Mary and Joseph’s trip to Bethlehem. Most people can tell you that Jesus was born in a stable. We’ve heard the story thousands of times, over and over, in Christmas pageants, plays, cards, TV programs, movies, and music. To many, the story of God becoming a man - of God taking on human flesh – has become so common that the greatest miracle in history has lost its impact. That’s why The Nativity was written, to help you take a fresh look at the Christmas story – to help you see beyond the familiar and find the true Spirit of Christmas.
Turn the pages to find the answers:
• Who was the inn-keeper?
• Why is Jesus called Emmanuel?
• Did Mary and Joseph have children of their own?
• Was Jesus born on December 25th?
• What was the Tower of the Flock?
• Is Jesus coming back?
After years, sometimes even decades, of hearing the Christmas story so many times, we lose the meaning. The story of the birth of Jesus Christ as told Luke Chapter 2 is the best-known story in the Bible. Ask anyone and they can tell you about Caesar’s tax. Everyone knows about Mary and Joseph’s trip to Bethlehem. Most people can tell you that Jesus was born in a stable. We’ve heard the story thousands of times, over and over, in Christmas pageants, plays, cards, TV programs, movies, and music. To many, the story of God becoming a man - of God taking on human flesh – has become so common that the greatest miracle in history has lost its impact. That’s why The Nativity was written, to help you take a fresh look at the Christmas story – to help you see beyond the familiar and find the true Spirit of Christmas.
Turn the pages to find the answers:
• Who was the inn-keeper?
• Why is Jesus called Emmanuel?
• Did Mary and Joseph have children of their own?
• Was Jesus born on December 25th?
• What was the Tower of the Flock?
• Is Jesus coming back?
- GenresNonfiction
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2019
11 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
James Collins
12 books274 followersJames is a follower of Jesus, author, evangelist, retired U.S. Army Chaplain, husband, and dad. His latest book, The Overcomer, was released on September 23, 2024.
James says, "My calling is to be an effective communicator of God's Word." He has a passion to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. His writings have been featured in publications such as Chicken Soup for the Soul, Stars & Stripes, Baptist Press, Good News Press, Faith and Freedom News, The Baptist Standard, The California Southern Baptist, The Louisiana Baptist Message, Southwest Kansas Faith & Family, The Baptist New Mexican, The Baptist Digest, and Prophecy in the News. He and his wife share their home with their three extraordinary children, three dogs, and a lifetime collection of books.
James says, "My calling is to be an effective communicator of God's Word." He has a passion to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. His writings have been featured in publications such as Chicken Soup for the Soul, Stars & Stripes, Baptist Press, Good News Press, Faith and Freedom News, The Baptist Standard, The California Southern Baptist, The Louisiana Baptist Message, Southwest Kansas Faith & Family, The Baptist New Mexican, The Baptist Digest, and Prophecy in the News. He and his wife share their home with their three extraordinary children, three dogs, and a lifetime collection of books.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 30, 2021
~I’d like to thank the author for sending me a free copy in exchange for my honest review!~
This was a great book about Christmas.
The Nativity explores Christmas, and how it applies to our life. Each chapter discusses a different part of it, like Mary & Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, etc. I love how each chapter also has lots of real-life stories that help the Christmas story and the lessons that can be learned from it come alive.
All in all, if you’re looking for a non-fiction book to read during Christmas time, definitely give this one a try!
~Full Review To Come~
This was a great book about Christmas.
The Nativity explores Christmas, and how it applies to our life. Each chapter discusses a different part of it, like Mary & Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, etc. I love how each chapter also has lots of real-life stories that help the Christmas story and the lessons that can be learned from it come alive.
All in all, if you’re looking for a non-fiction book to read during Christmas time, definitely give this one a try!
~Full Review To Come~
July 11, 2021
Christmas is the best time of the year not because of the presents or the big dinner but because of the birth of Jesus Christ and the nativity is a book that helps you understand that
December 25, 2020
Great book. The author takes you inside of the lives of each person in the Christmas story. If you want to learn more about the real story of Christmas, I highly recommend this book.
December 23, 2019
This book was easy to read and fast moving. James Collins is the kind of writer that I love to read. I learned a lot about the Christmas story. I loved the sections on the actual date of Christ's birth, the background on the Tower of the Flock, and the actual truth about the innkeeper. This book made me want to go deeper in my relationship with Jesus.
December 27, 2020
Great Christmas book!
January 26, 2021
The Nativity is a wonderfully written book about the importance of Christmas, Jesus, Mary and Joseph as shown through bible verses, history and stories.
The book shows us "The birth of Jesus Christ is the greatest new story of all time."Throughout the book James shows us how "God is with us."
I thought this was a beautifully written story that captures and keeps your attention.
You will never look at Christmas the same way again.
Through this book you become aware of the importance of Christmas and Jesus.
This book could change your life.
The book shows us "The birth of Jesus Christ is the greatest new story of all time."Throughout the book James shows us how "God is with us."
I thought this was a beautifully written story that captures and keeps your attention.
You will never look at Christmas the same way again.
Through this book you become aware of the importance of Christmas and Jesus.
This book could change your life.
December 30, 2020
I very much enjoy this writer and this book! The Nativity is a best little book to give the real meaning to each person and event in the Christmas story. I had no idea God’s plan explained in the setting of this true life birth of Jesus. Every detail we took for granted actually has significant meaning. Very exciting!
January 2, 2022
James Collins writes in a conversational style as if he is speaking directly to you. Amazing Bible teaching.
November 25, 2021
Each chapter is a mini-biography of each character in the Nativity. The author brings out things that I had missed even after years of reading the Bible. I highly recommend this book.
October 21, 2025
OK, so this is saying a lot, but other than The Holy Bible, the living Word of God, which is above all other books by light years, this is the best book I've ever read.
Why? Some books are enjoyable, some books transport you, some books transform you, and once in a great while, a book brings you closer to the Almighty.
This is such a book.
Also, Collins entertains and informs, but in his diversions, he instructs, and in his educational moments, he amuses. He knows how to reveal complex concepts with light phrases. This is a gift from God, he is good, but he couldn't do it on his own.
If you want to prepare for Christmas, you can prepare your heart for Jesus for eternity.
Read the Bible first, but if you want to read about Jesus from a contemporary perspective, and we CANNOT add anything to the Word of God, I believe God will ALSO secondarily, speak to you from this book.
I can say he did that for me.
There are other good books about Jesus that compliment the Bible, but from my stage of life and in my limited understanding, this is one of the best.
Why? Some books are enjoyable, some books transport you, some books transform you, and once in a great while, a book brings you closer to the Almighty.
This is such a book.
Also, Collins entertains and informs, but in his diversions, he instructs, and in his educational moments, he amuses. He knows how to reveal complex concepts with light phrases. This is a gift from God, he is good, but he couldn't do it on his own.
If you want to prepare for Christmas, you can prepare your heart for Jesus for eternity.
Read the Bible first, but if you want to read about Jesus from a contemporary perspective, and we CANNOT add anything to the Word of God, I believe God will ALSO secondarily, speak to you from this book.
I can say he did that for me.
There are other good books about Jesus that compliment the Bible, but from my stage of life and in my limited understanding, this is one of the best.
March 22, 2025
Emmanuel - God with us. God in the flesh came to be with us! 💕
“When God became Emmanuel, He got down on our level to talk to us face-to-face.” 💕
“Before the foundation of the world, God put the galaxy in motion to point to the birth of Christ.” 💕
Just think about that. God sees the beginning to the end, the end from the beginning. Jesus and His Christmas story is THE STORY that can change our lives. This book, The Nativity, reminds you of the power of Christmas and why we need the spirit of Christmas every single day. The author creatively breaks down the figures of the nativity in each chapter: the cradle, the choir, the caretakers, the chosen, the carpenter, the caravan, the Christ, and the conquer, concluding with the choice. In each chapter, he describes the person or element of the nativity with historical background, stories, and the life lessons that each teach. There is fascinating information in this book that I had never heard before. The most amazing part is that this book is not just for Christians that think they already know everything about the birth of Jesus but for non-believers or skeptics of the Bible as well. It is easy and fun to read and such a blessing! I plan on buying this book as Christmas presents this year for every one of my friends!
“When God became Emmanuel, He got down on our level to talk to us face-to-face.” 💕
“Before the foundation of the world, God put the galaxy in motion to point to the birth of Christ.” 💕
Just think about that. God sees the beginning to the end, the end from the beginning. Jesus and His Christmas story is THE STORY that can change our lives. This book, The Nativity, reminds you of the power of Christmas and why we need the spirit of Christmas every single day. The author creatively breaks down the figures of the nativity in each chapter: the cradle, the choir, the caretakers, the chosen, the carpenter, the caravan, the Christ, and the conquer, concluding with the choice. In each chapter, he describes the person or element of the nativity with historical background, stories, and the life lessons that each teach. There is fascinating information in this book that I had never heard before. The most amazing part is that this book is not just for Christians that think they already know everything about the birth of Jesus but for non-believers or skeptics of the Bible as well. It is easy and fun to read and such a blessing! I plan on buying this book as Christmas presents this year for every one of my friends!
December 28, 2020
Wonderful book!
January 1, 2021
The incredible true story of Christmas!
January 2, 2021
Exceptional book by a former seminary student of mine. James writes with a style that is educational, but not dry. The people and places of the Advent come alive as you read his book. Five stars!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews