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Simply Jesus: A Fresh Look at the Christmas Story
Simply Jesus: A Fresh Look at the Christmas Story
Simply Jesus: A Fresh Look at the Christmas Story
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Simply Jesus: A Fresh Look at the Christmas Story

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Simply Jesus evolved from a desire to see beyond teh layers of glitz and commercialism added to the traditional Christmas story throughout the ages into an Advent sermon series, complete with a congregational chorus and a very special poem added to each chapter. This book takes a look at some things we might have forgotten about the story and some special characteristics of some familiar players. Dr. Spangler has a way of cutting through the commercial hype and returning us to the heart of the narrative. His way with words will bring alive the essence of the Christmas story that is needed today more than ever.
LanguageEnglish
PublisherAuthorHouse
Release dateJun 18, 2009
ISBN9781467874779
Simply Jesus: A Fresh Look at the Christmas Story

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    Book preview

    Simply Jesus - Steve A. Spangler

    © 2009 Steve A. Spangler. All rights reserved.

    No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

    First published by AuthorHouse 6/15/2009

    ISBN: 978-1-4389-9658-5 (sc)

    ISBN: 978-1-4678-7477-9(ebk)

    Printed in the United States of America

    Bloomington, Indiana

    Contents

    John 1:14-18

    How Could They Really Know

    Points to Ponder

    Matthew 1:18-25

    Joseph’s Dilemma

    Points to Ponder

    Luke 2:19

    Invading the Plain

    Points to Ponder

    Luke 2:8-20

    Changing Our Journey

    Points to Ponder

    Luke 2:25-38

    Anna’s Declaration

    Points to Ponder

    Bibliography

    This small volume is dedicated to…

    • My wife Ruth who discovered many years ago a very simple man and decided that was okay and whose faith in Simply Jesus has enabled her to find strength when others would falter and hope in dark places. Thank you for loving me!

    • My son Blair and his wife Miranda. Blair’s finger graces the front of the book and he took the picture. They delight in simple things and they bring delight to me. Thank you.

    • My granddaughter, Savannah Grace Spangler (Gracie), whose hand graces the front cover of the book. Truly you are unmerited favor.

    • My daughter, Emily, whose creativity, design and computer skills have all combined to knock off rough edges and bring clarity out of chaos. A father could not ask for a better daughter. Thanks for everything.

    • Lastly, this small volume is dedicated to all of the characters in the churches I have been privileged to serve through the years. You have lived out the Simply Jesus life before me and I am so much better for it. Thanks.

    Several years ago, in the middle of a very hectic pre-Christmas travel schedule, I found myself overwhelmed and even angry with all of the Christmas hype. Plastic mangers, gaudy wise men and haloed baby Jesus’ had all combined to build for me a Christmas stew – and it was not a very palatable meal! I had even gotten to the point that bath robed children playing shepherd roles just turned me off to the whole Christmas narrative. I got over the bath robed children part but I continued to bemoan the increased missing of the real point of the Christmas celebration. It was not a winter holiday or the holiday season – it was simply Jesus . I mulled that thought over for much of the next year.

    While they were without a pastor, a North Carolina church gave me the opportunity to preach every Sunday during Advent that next Christmas season. I began to really focus on the theme of Simply Jesus. Was this just a catchy phrase or was there something we could take away from it that might make a difference in the focus of our Christmas celebration? Out of that preparation came a poem/chorus and an Advent sermon series I titled Simply Jesus. The chorus and sermon series were well received but then lay dormant for the next several years.

    I am grateful to the fellowship at Pocahontas Baptist Church in the mountains outside of Bluefield,

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