During this time of year many of us are wrapped up in Christmas and the activities surrounding the celebration of the birth of Jesus. This year might look a little different with fewer parties and get togethers with friends and family. In fact some may not share the holidays with anyone at all. Maybe that gives us more time to reflect on what is important in this celebration. We will have more focus on the greatest story every told. That is the story of Jesus starting in Genesis and threading its way through all sixty-six books of the Bible. For the last several months the pastors of the church we attend have been going through the book of Genesis, and we see right from the beginning how Jesus is there waiting for that perfect time to come to earth as a baby and grow to be a man who would give his life to save the world from sin.
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As authors we tell stories. As Christian authors we hope our stories are a reflection of the greatest story ever told. Jesus told stories. His parables gave valuable lessons for life. As Christian authors we pray our stories will also give valuable lessons and share God’s goodness with our readers. Two verses from Hebrews in the New King James version of the Bible come to mind. “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” Hebrews 5:9, and Hebrews 12:2, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
A prominent theme throughout the Bible is forgiveness. That theme is something I try to incorporate into many of my stories. Forgiveness may be hard to give when a hurt goes deep. That’s why the story of Jesus can help us when we struggle to forgive. One of the books in my Front Porch Promises series, A Family to Call Ours, deals with forgiveness, trust, and love. This book is on sale now for 99 cents through the end of the year. Get your copy now by using the links below.
The Bible is full of stories that teach us lessons. What is your favorite Bible story? I’m giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to one person who leaves a comment. I will draw the winning name on December 28, 2020 at 9PM MST.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.
The story of Moses is a great favorite of mine.
The story of Joseph and his brothers is one that reminds me of God’s forgiveness.
My favourite biblestory is that of Ruth or Esther! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
That’s a hard choice but Ruth has always fascinated me. Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 blessings!
Jesus birth. Mary was young and the journey hard and then to give birth in a stable is just miraculous.
I love so many stories in the Bible! One favorite is definitely the birth of Jesus, but now that I’m a mom, I tend to think more about Mary and her response to the angel than the shepherds or Joseph part of it.
There are so many it’s a hard choice. One of my favorites is the Prodigal Son. The forgiveness shown and pure love for us as God’s children is so awesome!
Merry Christmas!
Mary, that is definitely a good one.
Angela, I’ve always loved that one, too. The sermon series at the church we attend has been on the book of Genesis, and we’re just finishing the section on Joseph.
Marilene, those are two good ones.
Lelia, it is a hard choice because there are so many great stories in the Bible. Merry Christmas to you.
Gina, that is the best story.
Melynda, that is a good thought to realize what a time Mary must have had.
Merry Christmas. The choices are endless for wonderful stories in the Bible, and so many of them show us God’s forgiveness.
I have too many favorites from the New Testament but I love Ruth most from the Old Testament!
Abigail, Ruth is a wonderful story of being rewarded for your faithfulness and loyalty.
I love the Good Samaritan. Compassion!
I love the stories of Ruth, Esther and Daniel! Three of my favorite books!!
I have read & listened to more this year about both Mary & Joseph and each of their willingness to be used by God. In spite of their ages, inexperience & ridicule from others! I wonder what amazing yet by the world’s standard ordinary young people they had to be!
Esther in the Old Testament and the woman who touched the hem of his garment and was healed in the New Testament.
Jesus birth, especially Mary and her humbleness.
One of my favorite Bible stories is in Acts when the Jewish were trying to get the disciples to stop preaching Jesus Christ, and someone stood up and said that if what they preached was from man it would come to nothing, but if it was from God then nothing they could do would stop it. Merry Christmas to you all!
The Prodigal Son is one of my favorites. May you and your family have a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas. Thank you for writing beautiful stories with Inspiring and Beautiful messages.
I have always loved the story of Ruth and her dedication to Naomi.
I got a book with 3 stories in it when I was a child. and 2 of them are also favourites. The first is the little maid (it was about children in the bible) She told Naaman’s wife of the prophet Elisha who could cure him of Leprosy. The other is the little boys whos lunch was used for the feeding of the 5,000. It starts with his mother packing a lunch for the boy to go out for the day and how he sees the crowds following Jesus and he joins in. It is because he has the lunch Jesus then preforms the miracle. The story gives a different spin on the story by showing why he had food and then how he was happy to share his small meal with so many.
Deb, so true.
Valri, that is also a good one.
OH…that’s a hard question…story of JESUS <3
I, too, have many that I enjoy. What comes to mind right now is the story of the man born blind, from John. The kindness, the joy, and the outright humor! The Jewish leaders are almost as bad as the Keystone Kops in their questioning of the man and his simple admiration of the one who gave him his sight.
More grace and gifts than we could possibly imagine, even in the midst of the worst that life can bring. Hallelujah, what a savior!
Merry CHRISTmas!
I love Esther’s story!
Trudy, those are some of my favorites too.
Sharon, thanks for reminding me of the story of the woman who touched his garment. Such faith!
Yes, Mary was a humble servant.
Megan, thanks for that story that shows us how God is in control.
Alicia, yes. The Prodigal Son is a true forgiveness story.
Ausjenny, those are three wonderful stories for kids and adults.
Natalya, yes, the story of Jesus is the best story of all. All the other stories revolve around him in some way.
Lincoln, Merry Christmas. Your choice reminds me that the ones who don’t see the Savior are the ones who are blind.
Angeline, Esther is a story of true bravery and devotion.
The story of Mary and Martha. Nothing is more important than being in the Word of God and listening to all His commands.
Lori, that’s a great story.
The parable of the mustard seed.
I’ve always loved the story of Ruth & Boaz! Maybe because I’m a hopeless romantic & just really enjoy how God orchestrates a perfect match between these two. I love that Ruth sticks with Naomi wherever she goes and in turn how God blesses them with so much in the end. I smile every time I read it!
The story of Jesus ! Merry Christmas To All!
Wow, there are so many wonderful stories! Obviously we think of the birth and resurrection of Christ. For me, a close 2nd (because what is anything without 1st Hope) is the story of Rahab from the OT. I love that even though she lived and breathed from the “enemies” camp, she still heard the news of the all powerful and living God. She believed and was saved – just like that! The thief on the cross – saved eternally as he breathed his last – is another close 2nd (tied – 😉). His story has always given me such hope, especially when I have felt so very undeserved of God’s grace. How wonderful to know God hears the voice of the sinner, forgives, & saves – without question & immediately (without penance). And lastly, I love the story of Esther (it even Reads like a wonderful story). How everyone thought their world had gone wild & horribly wrong (it had!) but God was still working everything for good in the background. Esther might have thought being taken as a “near” concubine of an ungodly, extremely powerful, and arrogant ruler was terrible – but God meant it for good. Msg – God IS in a control. (I have thought about Esther’s story quite a bit during this Crazy COVID year). God IS still in control, even though our world seems in complete disarray. ❤️ Merry Christmas!
I think I will go with the story of David. It is amazing when one thinks of what his brothers did to him, and yet he forgave them and showed his love to them by providing them with food and a new life in a different country. It sure can teach us a lot about forgiveness. Of course, nothing can beat the story of Mary and the birth of Jesus, and the forgiveness Jesus gives.