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CHAPTER 1
Christ was there before anything was made. And all things continue because of him.
— Colossians 1:17 ICB
The Christmas story began long, long ago. Before the angel Gabriel told Mary she would have God's Son. Before the shepherds saw the angels and before the wise men saw the star.
Even before the sun and moon shone for the first time, before the first cows ever moooed and the first monkeys ever climbed! Before Adam and Eve took their first walk in the garden of Eden, God had a plan for Christmas.
From the beginning of time, God's plan was Jesus!
Jesus Calling
I am the Beginning and the End. I am Jesus, God the Son. I made the heavens and the earth. Even then — long before you were born — I thought of you and I loved you.
God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, "All nations will be blessed through you."
— Galatians 3:8 NLT
Count the stars," God told Abraham. "That's how many children will come from you and your family!"
When Abraham was one hundred and his wife, Sarah, was ninety, God gave them a baby boy named Isaac. This promised baby was a gift to the whole world, because ...
Abraham had Isaac.
Isaac had Jacob.
Jacob had Joseph.
Joseph had Judah ...
And on and on the family grew, down to King David, through many more generations, and all the way to Jesus.
Jesus Calling
I am the Light of the world! Everyone who trusts Me as Savior is adopted into My royal family forever.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
— Isaiah 9:6 NASB
For hundreds of years, God's prophets talked about the Savior who would come into the world to save everyone who believes in Him.
Isaiah said Jesus would be born of a pure young woman.
Micah said the Savior would be born in Bethlehem.
Hosea said that God would someday call His Son
out of Egypt.
Everything happened just like they said it would.
Jesus Calling
I came into the world to break through the darkness of sin and open the gates of heaven. Nothing can change this amazing plan to save everyone who trusts in Me.
"The virgin will be pregnant. She will have a son, and they will name him Immanuel." This name means "God is with us."
— Matthew 1:23 ICB
God's ways and timing are always perfect. God picked just the right time for Jesus to come to earth. And He picked just the right parents for Him.
A young girl named Mary was alone one day when an angel appeared right in front of her. She couldn't believe her eyes!
"Don't be afraid, Mary," said the gentle voice of God's angel Gabriel. "God is pleased with you. Soon you will have a baby boy. His name will be Jesus. Nothing is impossible for God."
Mary trusted her Lord. "I will do whatever God wants," she told Gabriel.
Jesus Calling
Remember that I am Immanuel — God with you — and rejoice! Be happy because I have come into the world and into your life.
Joseph, descendant of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The baby in her is from the Holy Spirit.
— Matthew 1:20 ICB
Mary's fiancé, Joseph, found out she was going to have a baby before they were married. Joseph was worried.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream:
"Joseph, son of David," the angel said. "Don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The baby is from the Holy Spirit. Name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins."
When Joseph woke up, he obeyed God and did just what the angel commanded.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Jesus Calling"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Sarah Young.
Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
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