Simply Jesus: A Fresh Look at the Christmas Story
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Simply Jesus - Steve A. Spangler
© 2009 Steve A. Spangler. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.
First published by AuthorHouse 6/15/2009
ISBN: 978-1-4389-9658-5 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4678-7477-9(ebk)
Printed in the United States of America
Bloomington, Indiana
Contents
John 1:14-18
How Could They Really Know
Points to Ponder
Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph’s Dilemma
Points to Ponder
Luke 2:19
Invading the Plain
Points to Ponder
Luke 2:8-20
Changing Our Journey
Points to Ponder
Luke 2:25-38
Anna’s Declaration
Points to Ponder
Bibliography
This small volume is dedicated to…
• My wife Ruth who discovered many years ago a very simple man and decided that was okay and whose faith in Simply Jesus
has enabled her to find strength when others would falter and hope in dark places. Thank you for loving me!
• My son Blair and his wife Miranda. Blair’s finger graces the front of the book and he took the picture. They delight in simple things and they bring delight to me. Thank you.
• My granddaughter, Savannah Grace Spangler (Gracie), whose hand graces the front cover of the book. Truly you are unmerited favor.
• My daughter, Emily, whose creativity, design and computer skills have all combined to knock off rough edges and bring clarity out of chaos. A father could not ask for a better daughter. Thanks for everything.
• Lastly, this small volume is dedicated to all of the characters in the churches I have been privileged to serve through the years. You have lived out the Simply Jesus
life before me and I am so much better for it. Thanks.
Several years ago, in the middle of a very hectic pre-Christmas
travel schedule, I found myself overwhelmed and even angry with all of the Christmas hype. Plastic mangers, gaudy wise men and haloed baby Jesus’ had all combined to build for me a Christmas stew – and it was not a very palatable meal! I had even gotten to the point that bath robed children playing shepherd roles just turned me off to the whole Christmas narrative. I got over the bath robed children part but I continued to bemoan the increased missing of the real point of the Christmas celebration. It was not a winter holiday or the holiday season – it was simply Jesus . I mulled that thought over for much of the next year.
While they were without a pastor, a North Carolina church gave me the opportunity to preach every Sunday during Advent that next Christmas season. I began to really focus on the theme of Simply Jesus.
Was this just a catchy phrase or was there something we could take away from it that might make a difference in the focus of our Christmas celebration? Out of that preparation came a poem/chorus and an Advent sermon series I titled Simply Jesus.
The chorus and sermon series were well received but then lay dormant for the next several years.
I am grateful to the fellowship at Pocahontas Baptist Church in the mountains outside of Bluefield,