A.D. Chronicles

For several years I've been reading a series by Bodie and Brock Thoene titled "A.D. Chronicles." It's taken me several years because the books have been slowly coming out, not because I'm a slow reader! The first three books were about Jesus' earthly ministry, His miracles, healings, and teachings. Books four through six take a step back in time and cover the birth of Jesus. I decided to reread them this month and have enjoyed them just as much the second time around.


The authors have done a tremendous job researching the time. The wisemen who studied the stars. The shepherds. The people who were waiting for Messiah to come. Zacharias and Elizabeth. Simeon, who was promised he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Anna, the prophetess. The evil that was King Herod and his court. The slaughter of innocent babies. The fulfillment of every prophecy.


But the parts that have me thinking the most are those about Mary and Joseph. Every mother knows that nine months is a LONG time. Much longer than those few minutes in the Christmas drama from the time the angel appeared to Mary and when the Babe was born. When Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word," and Joseph "being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife" they could not have known what those next months would mean to them. The gossip, the whispers, the census, the travel to Bethlehem, the stable, the manger, the shepherds...


The authors have written conversations between Joseph and Mary. How will we raise Him? Will we know how? And Joseph, the carpenter, how can I teach Him anything? The fears they faced, knowing that Herod would destroy them if he knew Whom Mary was carrying.

I thought this quote, written while Joseph and Mary were traveling to Bethlehem, summed up exactly what was happening:

How miraculous it seemed to Joseph that all the hopes of all the patriarchs and prophets for two thousand years were contained within the womb of one young woman riding humbly on the back of a donkey.

And even today, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the One, the Messiah, it is still miraculous! Merry Christmas to each of you and may you always keep Him in your heart!

Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins... Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us... For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.