About The Promise of Bethlehem
The Promise of Bethlehem is a captivating retelling of the birth of Jesus, woven together through seemingly unrelated events that ultimately reveal God’s divine plan. From the angel Gabriel delivering a life-changing message to Mary and Joseph embracing their sacred calling, to Elizabeth and Zechariah welcoming the miraculous birth of John, every moment unfolds with purpose.
As Caesar Augustus issues a decree for a census, setting the stage for prophecy to be fulfilled, noble travelers from the East follow a celestial sign, while a shepherd’s voice echoes across the hills of Bethlehem, proclaiming the Messiah’s name. Even an aging inn, on the brink of ruin, finds new life—just in time for the most extraordinary night in history.
This heartwarming Advent journey brings together faith, wonder, and the intricate beauty of God’s plan, reminding us that no detail is ever left to chance.
During this Advent season, I invite you and your entire family to experience the heart of the Christmas story together—learning about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the ultimate promise He fulfilled for humanity. This book is designed to help families not only celebrate the season but also reflect on the profound love and sacrifice of God through Jesus Christ.
More than a Christmas tradition, “The Promise of Bethlehem” encourages families to build lasting habits of reading, praying, and engaging with the Bible together throughout the year. These practices strengthen family bonds, foster early childhood development, enrich faith, and create a shared foundation of love and spiritual growth. With its focus on the stories surrounding Jesus’ birth, the book seeks to guide families toward a deeper relationship with God, revealing how God takes what seems to be a bad situation, and use it for good.
Meet the Characters
At the heart of The Promise of Bethlehem is the relationship between God and His messenger, Gabriel—a bond built on trust, obedience, and unwavering faith.
Gabriel, one of God's most trusted angels, does not question the messages he is sent to deliver. Instead, he carries them out with complete faith, knowing that every word he speaks is part of a plan far greater than he can see. When he appears to Mary, he does not try to convince her of God's power—he simply proclaims the truth. His role is not to understand but to obey.
This relationship between God and Gabriel is a reflection of the trust we are called to have in our own walk with God. Like Gabriel, we may not always see the full picture, but we are asked to trust in His wisdom, to listen for His voice, and to step forward in obedience. Gabriel’s faithfulness reminds us that God's plan is always unfolding, even when we do not understand how the pieces fit together.
Mary and Joseph’s story is not just about the birth of Jesus—it’s about the foundation of a marriage built on faith rather than ease. They entered into a lifelong commitment under the most difficult circumstances, with their love tested before it even had the chance to grow.
In many ways, their struggles mirror the challenges of marriage today. Every couple will face unexpected trials—moments when trust is tested, when the path forward is unclear, when love must be chosen, even when it’s difficult. Like Mary and Joseph, marriage calls for faith in each other and, more importantly, faith in God’s plan.
Their story reminds us that love is not just about emotions; it’s about sacrifice, obedience, and trust. Mary and Joseph’s marriage was not conventional, but it was divinely ordained. And because they chose faith over fear, they became part of the greatest story ever told.
King David is a key figure in the nativity story because he represents the royal lineage from which Jesus, the Messiah, was promised to come. Long before Jesus' birth, God made a covenant with David, declaring that one of his descendants would reign on an everlasting throne (2 Samuel 7:12–13).
Both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David, and the town of Bethlehem—where Jesus was born—was known as the City of David. This fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah would come from David’s line and be born in his hometown.
King David's legacy ties the Old Testament promises to their New Testament fulfillment, reminding us that God is faithful to His word across generations. Through David, we see how Jesus was not only the Savior, but also the rightful King—both spiritually and by birthright.
Elizabeth and Zechariah’s journey is a testament to the power of belief and the consequences of doubt. Though faithful servants of God, they had long suffered the pain of childlessness. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, proclaiming that Elizabeth would bear a son—John, the forerunner of the Messiah—Zechariah struggled to believe. Because of his doubt, he was struck mute until the promise was fulfilled.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, embraced God’s miracle with quiet faith and gratitude. When Mary visited her, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized the Messiah within her. She believed without hesitation, rejoicing in God’s divine plan.
Their story reminds us that faith leads to joy and fulfillment, while doubt can delay our ability to fully experience God’s promises. Yet, even when we struggle, God is patient—giving us opportunities, like He did for Zechariah, to turn our doubt into trust.
Caesar Augustus played an unexpected yet crucial role in the nativity story. As the most powerful ruler of the Roman Empire, he issued a decree that a census be taken, requiring every person to return to their ancestral hometown. Unbeknownst to him, this political decision set in motion the fulfillment of ancient prophecy—leading Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah.
Though Augustus did not believe in the God of Israel, God still used him as an instrument to accomplish His divine plan. This reminds us that God's sovereignty extends over all people, even those who do not acknowledge Him. His purposes cannot be hindered, and He can use anyone—kings, rulers, or even seemingly ordinary events—to bring His promises to fruition.
Caesar Augustus sought to expand his empire, but in doing so, he unknowingly helped usher in the birth of the true King—the Savior of the world. His role in the nativity story is a powerful reminder that God is always at work, guiding history toward His perfect plan.
The three wise men, often depicted as wealthy and powerful scholars, played a profound role in the nativity story. These noble travelers from the East were men of knowledge, possibly astrologers or advisors to kings, dressed in fine robes and accompanied by servants. Yet, despite their status, they recognized a greater authority—the newborn King of the Jews.
Following a divine star, they journeyed to Bethlehem, not to seek favors or assert their own importance, but to worship a child born in humble surroundings. They bowed before Jesus, offering gifts rich with symbolism: gold, signifying His royal status as King; frankincense, representing His divinity and role as our High Priest; and myrrh, a foreshadowing of His sacrificial death.
Though they were men of the world, guided by wisdom and wealth, they left behind not just valuable treasures, but an example of true worship—acknowledging that Jesus was greater than any earthly riches. Their story reminds us that no matter our position in life, the only worthy response to encountering Christ is humility, reverence, and the willingness to give Him our very best.
In The Promise of Bethlehem, the little shepherd boy named Joshua plays a tender but powerful role in the nativity story. Though young and seemingly insignificant in the eyes of the world, Joshua is among the first to witness the heavenly announcement of Jesus’ birth.
When the angels fill the sky with light and song, proclaiming peace on earth and the arrival of the Savior, Joshua’s heart is stirred with awe and purpose. He races down from the hills of Bethlehem, joyfully shouting the name of Jesus, spreading the news to anyone who would listen.
His role, though small, is deeply meaningful—showing that God can use even the youngest and humblest among us to carry the most important message of all. Joshua reminds us that childlike faith, courage, and a willing heart are more than enough to be part of God’s divine plan.
The innkeepers in the nativity story, while not explicitly named in the Bible, play a compassionate role in the events leading to Jesus' birth. In The Promise of Bethlehem, they are named Elias and Miriam—Elias the Greek name for Elija (The Lord is my God) and Miriam the Greek name for Mary (the sister of Moses and Aaron—a prophetess and leader during the Exodus). Though their inn was full due to the census, and they had no room for Mary and Joseph, Elias and Miriam couldn’t bear the thought of the pregnant Mary being left to sleep on the streets. With kindness and mercy, they offered a humble space in their stable, providing the only shelter available on that cold night.
While the book takes some liberties with the details, this act of generosity is a reminder that even in difficult circumstances, small acts of compassion can become part of God's greater plan. The innkeepers' willingness to offer what little they had made them an unwitting part of the story of Christ's birth, reminding us that kindness in the face of need is always part of God's work.