Introduction
If you are confused or curious about what Christmas really means or why Christians celebrate it,If you are bored or indifferent about Christmas or feel that it has become too commercialized or secularized,
If you are struggling or suffering during Christmas time or feel lonely or depressed,If you are looking for a good resource to enrich your spiritual growth during Christmas time or to share with others who want to learn more about Christ,
These books will:Lead you to discover the true meaning of Christmas from a biblical perspective.Point you to the comfort and hope in Christ, who came to share our sorrows and bear our sins.Raise your affections to things above and delight in the wonder and joy of Christmas as a celebration of God’s love for us in Christ.Provide you with insightful exposition, solid theology, winsome gospel presentation, and worshipful adoration of its glorious Subject.
“Songs of the Nativity": sermons from Luke 1 and 2 by John Calvin
Who: John Calvin was a famous French theologian and reformer of the 16th century, who wrote many influential works such as the Institutes of the Christian Religion and commentaries on various books of the Bible. He was also a prolific preacher who delivered almost daily sermons in Geneva, Switzerland
What: Songs of the Nativity is a collection of 14 sermons by John Calvin on Luke 1 and 2, which focus on the songs of Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon. These songs express the prophetic hope, eager expectation, and joyful thanksgiving of God’s people for the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The sermons were translated from French into English for the first time by Robert White, an Australian scholar and translato.
When: The sermons were preached by Calvin between October 1559 and March 1560 in St.
Peter’s Cathedral in Geneva. The book was published by Banner of Truth in 2009, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth
Why read this book: The book is intended to show Calvin’s faithful exposition and application
of Scripture, as well as his passion and vigour for preaching. It also aims to enrich the reader’s
understanding and appreciation of the incarnation of Christ, and to inspire them to worship God with gratitude and awe. This book is suitable for personal reading, devotional use, or study groups
How: The book is divided into 14 chapters, each containing one sermon by Calvin on a passage from Luke 1 or 2. The sermons are preceded by a short prayer and followed by another prayer. The book also has an introduction by Robert White that gives some background information on Calvin’s life and ministry, as well as some notes on his preaching style and method
Where: https://reformedbooks.org/product/songs-of-the-nativity/ – 15% off!
Book Contents
Introduction
Prayer before the Sermon
Sermon One: Works of Grace [Luke 1:39-44]
Sermon Two: The Servant of the Lord [Luke 1:45-48]
Sermon Three: God’s Might, God’s Mercy [Luke 1:49-51]
Sermon Four: The Judge of all the World [Luke 1:52-55]
Sermon Five: The Day of Visitation [Luke 1:65-68]
Sermon Six: God’s Promise to the Fathers [Luke 1:69-74]
Sermon Seven: Sealed for Service [Luke 1:74-76]
Sermon Eight: When Sins Are Forgiven [Luke 1:77]
Sermon Nine: The Dawn from Above [Luke 1:78-80]
Sermon Ten: Glory to God on High [Luke 2:9-14]
Sermon Eleven: Christ Our Consolation [Luke 2:25-28]
Sermon Twelve: The Light of the Nations [Luke 2:28-33]
Sermon Thirteen: Ruin and Resurrection [Luke 2:34]
Sermon Fourteen: Every Thought Laid Bare [Luke 2:34-35]
Prayer after the Sermon
Abbreviations used in Endnotes
Endnotes
Index of Scripture References
Book Quality
clothbound hardcover
high-quality paper. It has 280 pages
5 Key Lessons from the Book
The book demonstrates the importance and relevance of the doctrine of the virgin birth, and how it affirms the divinity and humanity of Christ, as well as his role as the mediator and redeemer of sinners.
Learn from the various songs of praise and prophecy uttered by the first witnesses of Christ’s birth.Be revived and encouraged by their exuberant and unrestrained expressions of faith, hope, joy, and gratitude for his salvation in Christ for the people of God.
The book shows the contrast between the humility and lowliness of Christ’s birth, and the glory and majesty of his kingdom, and how he came to serve and suffer for his people, and to exalt and bless
them. Particularly for pastors, you will learn from the depth and richness of Calvin’s preaching on the birth of Christ, and how he applied the biblical truths to his congregation and his own life. For every reader in Christ, may you be inspired to worship God with awe and wonder, and to trust in his sovereign grace and mercy, as revealed in the incarnation of his Son.
Child in the Manger by Banner of Truth, by Sinclair Ferguson
The best story ever told in the best possible way. Cumulatively, these chapters provide rich,
rewarding and revitalizing expositions that form a perfect addition to a truly Christian, Christ centered, Christmas.’ — DEREK W.H. THOMAS
‘Full of thoughtful exposition, solid theology, winsome gospel presentation, and worshipful adoration of its glorious Subject. Sinclair Ferguson just may be my very favorite pastor-theologian, and this book illustrates why. A sheer delight to read and to recommend. Read and enjoy the Christmas story
as for the first time!’ — FRED G. ZASPEL
What is Christmas? For many it is a time for holidays, parties, family gatherings, gifts, meals together,music, and special events. For others it can mean unwanted pressure, an increased sense of loneliness, family squabbles, and crowded shops. For those living in the Northern Hemisphere,Christmas takes place at the onset of winter with its cold weather and short days. There are more incidents of depression at Christmas time than at any other time of the year.* It is the best of times for some, but the worst of times for others.
We may look forward to it. But what exactly is ‘it’? ‘A time for children’; ‘It’s about peace’; ‘It’s about family’; ‘It’s about gifts, but it’s a pity it has become so commercialised’ – these are a few of the popular answers to the question, ‘What does Christmas mean to you?’ But what is Christmas really all about? Does it actually have any ‘meaning’? This book “Child in the Manger – The True Meaning of Christmas” sets out to explore that question. When we find the answer we realise that it isn’t only for Christmas time. So these pages are an invitation to explore what that meaning is. And if this book has come into your hands around Christmas time, may it help you to enjoy it in a new way! The birth of Jesus divided history into two major epochs. Until the dawn of our hyper-sensitive age, even the way we dated events underscored this. From time immemorial every day, every week, every month, every year has been described as either ‘B.C.’ (‘Before Christ’) or ‘A.D.’ (Anno Domini, ‘in the year of
our Lord’). Even the modern, pluralistic style abbreviations, B.C.E. (‘Before the Common Era’) and C.E. (‘Common Era’), cannot get rid of the indelible impress of Jesus’ birth. For what makes the ‘Common Era’ so ‘common’? And what explains the dividing line date? The answer is the same: the birth of Jesus. At the very centre of history stands the person of Jesus Christ. And he does so because he is at the centre of God’s story
Who:Sinclair B. Ferguson, a Scottish theologian, pastor, and author who has written more than
60 books on various aspects of Christian life and doctrine. He is a professor of systematic theology at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas, Texas, and a teaching fellow of Ligonier Ministries.
What:Child in the Manger is a book that explores the true meaning of Christmas by examining
the biblical accounts of the birth of Christ.
When:The book was published by Banner of Truth in 2015. The sermons that form the basis of
the book were preached by Ferguson between 2008 and 2010 at First Presbyterian Church in
Columbia, South Carolina.
Quotes
The one who populated the forests with trees lies within the bark of one
“The heart of the Christmas message is a baby bound in swaddling bands and lying in a wooden manger who is destined to be bound again in later life and laid upon wood on the cross of Calvary.”
“God is not a projection of our needs; we were created for Him. If anything, we are a ‘projection’ into reality created for His pleasure.
“At the very centre of history stands the person of Jesus Christ. And He does so because He is at the centre of God’s story.”
Pleased to Dwell by Peter Mead
This book will benefit you
1. As an Advent Read – With 24 short chapters, Pleased to Dwell works really well as a pre-Christmas read for an individual or a family. Engaging and high energy, the sense of anticipation builds toward the Christmas narratives and their implications for us. Use it as a church-wide pre-Christmas resource too.
2. For Advent Sermon Preparation – There are at least four sermon series ideas developed in Pleased to Dwell. Obviously there are the two infancy narrative sections (Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2) developed in some detail, but still easily accessible. Then there is the Old Testament section,perhaps offering a series on the coming Prophet, Priest and King. The book also have a New Testament section with chapters some of the key epistle references to the coming of Christ (typically this would be for a preacher who feels the need for something other than infancy narratives and prophecies for a Christmas series!)
Contents
PART ONE: The Anointed Deliverer: Old Testament Anticipation
1. The Person of Promise (Genesis 3:15)
2. The Presence of the Promiser (Genesis 12:1-3, 7)
3. The Prophet (Deuteronomy 18)
4. The Priest (1 Samuel 2)
5. The King (2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 9; Micah 5)
6. The Covenant in Person (Jeremiah; Ezekiel; Isaiah)
PART TWO: Immanuel, God With Us – Matthew 1-2
7. The Old Testament in Three (1:1-17)
8. Ladies in Line (1:1-17)
9. We Do Not Face Sin Alone (1:18-25)
10. The Expansive Power of a Foreign Collection (2:1-12)
11. Weeping Mother, Faithful Father (2:13-18)
12. God With Us, God Like Us: A Nazarene (2:19-23)
PART THREE: The Presence of Peace in Person – Luke 1-2
13. The Truth of the Incarnation (1:1-4)
14. If I Could Just Say Three Things (1:5-25)
15. Gabriel Visits Mary (1:26-56)
16. Say What? Be What? (1:57-80)
17. The Birth of the Baby (2:1-20)
18. Awaiting the Person of Peace (2:21-40)
PART FOUR: Cur Deus Homo – Why Did God Become Man? New Testament Reflections
19. Galatians: Perfect Timing!
20. Titus: Grace Appeared!
21. Philippians: God Humbled!
22. Hebrews: Lower than Angels!
23. 1 John: Darkness Destroyed!
24. John: God Made Known!
Conclusion
Sources Cited
Pleased to Dwell – A Biblical Introduction to the Incarnation [Advent Devotional]
At the centre of heaven is Christ, lovingly adored as the forever Lord of all.…
Quotes
“The one who populated the forests with trees lies within the bark of one.”
“The heart of the Christmas message is a baby bound in swaddling bands and lying in a wooden manger who is destined to be bound again in later life and laid upon wood on the cross of Calvary.”
“God is not a projection of our needs; we were created for Him. If anything, we are a ‘projection’ into reality created for His pleasure.
“At the very centre of history stands the person of Jesus Christ. And He does so because He is at the centre of God’s story.”