The Women of Christmas: Experience the Season Afresh with Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna, by beloved author Liz Curtis Higgs, is a beautiful addition to any Christmas preparation in your home. Taking the verses in Luke apart a few at a time, Higgs leads us through close up looks at these three women so instrumental in the life of our Savior as He made His earthly appearance in Israel. We look at Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and the beautiful grace visited upon a barren older woman. We look at Mary and her simple faith that defied the social stigma she surely faced. And we look at Anna, an intensely devoted elderly woman who was spiritually ravenous for a glimpse of her promised Messiah.
I particularly like the conversational tone Higgs takes through the book. A group of us could be gathered for a home Bible study around her as she reads a few verses and then expounds on them, bringing forth our thoughts on the things she brings up. Most of all, I like how she weaves many different translations into her descriptions of the scenes, making them part of her commentary. I personally like to look at different translations of the Bible in my reading, so this was a special treat.
My favorite character as described by Higgs is Anna, a woman "always in a praying frame" and with a "strangely expectant faith." She's basically who I want to be when I grow up!
I would recommend this book be kept on the coffee table during Christmas season for devotional use, or that you purpose to read it through fresh each year. Liz Curtis Higgs' website is here, and if you'd like to read the first chapter of the book you can do so here. While you are visiting her site, take a look at the many other books she has written: nonfiction, contemporary and historical fiction, and even childrens' books. I was blessed to receive a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing.
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