The King of Hope: Finding Your Story in the Christmas Story

Unwrap the real Christmas. The malls are packed, the tree is up, and the Christmas cider is sumptuous. The manger scene is erected, the cards are sent, and everyone is guessing what is in the big blue box under the tree. The holiday buzz is at full pitch. Many people look forward to the big day with its traditions and family celebrations. But some find Christmastime over-commercialized--even a time of anxiety or sadness. Christmas is a season that should provoke hope in us, but often it stirs up despair and loneliness. No matter your reality, the real Christmas is more than a time of gift giving and family gatherings, and it's more even than a story about a baby in a manger. It is the story of a King--the King of hope. Pastor Dan Carroll unpacks the real Christmas, showing you a King who came to fill you with possibility, destiny and hope. This little book has been compiled from popular messages preached by Pastor Dan at Water of Life Community Church in Fontana, California. He starts off several chapters with fun pop quizzes that will help you separate Christmas tradition and myth from the real biblical story--see how many your get right! Then, in a fast-moving, conversational style, he shows how Christmas is really a story of hope and life for you. From Joseph and Mary to the shepherds in the field to the wise men who traveled so far, this is your journey too. These biblical characters battled through real struggles and had real questions. They had to learn to hear God, obey God, and then receive God's blessing. Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men were all part of the greatest miracle of all time--the virgin birth of the Savior. Yet they were real, every day people, just like you and Pastor Dan. Open your heart to God's hand touching your circumstances and see if the Christmas story doesn't become your story too.