They Saw Him First

By Fred Willis

"They Saw Him First" doesn't only answer the question of why nearby shepherds were the first to see Jesus as a baby, it is a continuation of the purpose conversated initiated by Fred Willis' "The Journey to Genesis". In this book, Willis answers the who, what, where and why these shepherds were special and crucial to the birth of Christ. This isn't exactly a Christmas book, but set against the backdrop of Christmas, the message of being chosen for a special purpose is the primary touchpoint conveyed within each chapter.

There are some messages the Lord gives you to speak and some experiences only you can share and in this book, we learn acceptance of that and embrace it. No one else knew what the shepherds knew because no one else had experienced it! This book will also encourage us to look again at Christ at Christmas to see the cross at Christmas but before we do that, we will look again at ourselves to find purpose in our lives experiences.

What has God given you that only you can do? What has He given you to say that only you can say? The message of the shepherds was bolstered by their experience. They saw what (and who) they saw and knew perfectly well what they knew! Our life's purpose is as unique as we are, and nothing can change that! In fact, God has already placed many of us near it-just as He did with the shepherds!

As you read "They Saw Him First", I want you to take another look at Christ and then at yourself. Just as much as the Christmas story is the beginning, I want readers to themselves experience a new beginning as they embrace newness of life in Christ and embrace God's purpose in theirs. ​

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mighty Pen Publishing
• Release date: Dec 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781735175584

Book preview

They Saw Him First!

They Saw Him First!

Fred Willis

Mighty Pen Publishing

Fort Worth, Texas

Copyright © 2020 by Mighty Pen Publishing

 All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

All songs used are in the public domain 

Mighty Pen Publishing Logo Design by Antwon D. James, AD James Corporation

 Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, King James Version.                            

Dedication

This book is dedicated to you, the reader. Like the shepherds, you, too, have been chosen to do a great thing. I pray this book gifts you both instruction and the inspiration to do what you have been chosen to do. One of the greatest gifts we could ever receive is the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, just like the shepherds who saw Him first!

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Luke 2:8-20

Foreword

It's Different, This Christmas!

Part I. Anticipation

Oh Come, Let Us Adore Him

They Get It From Me!

Part II. Proclamation

Go Tell It

Part III. Celebration

Jesus, His Joy and Our Journey

Part IV. Take Another Look!

Part V. Edification

We Have Just Seen Jesus

How Many Sons?

He Sees Me

Epilogue

Reference

Songs in the Book

About Fred Willis

A Note from Mighty Pen

Acknowledgment

Christmas Eve, 2000 was my first official Sunday as Minister of Music at the Saints Chapel Church in Fort Worth. This assignment changed my life and I’m extremely grateful for the people and the many lessons from that tenure. During weekly announcements, Sis. Emma Henderson would invite everyone to Sunday School and Bible Study. To close out her invitation, she’d encourage everyone to come as we were learning our way to the Kingdom.

As I’ve become a student of the word and researching bible history, I thought about Sis. Henderson and her hallmark during weekly announcements. In a short span I researched so much and had to adjust my view of what we know as Christmas and Christ. Putting this book together has been an exercise of learning my way to the Kingdom, for sure!

Sis. Henderson recently passed and as I share the information I’ve garnered, I think of her and her commitment to challenging us to get to know the word, each week! Thank you for reading They Saw Him, First and my prayer is that you are blessed by the book and inspired to share it with others!

Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:8-20

8 And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

9 Just then, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

11 Today in the City of