What if we were able to look beyond the traditions surrounding the manger and the birth of Jesus to discover deeper meaning in the Christmas story?

When it comes to the story of Jesus' birth, most Christians today probably think they know what this story looked like. However, many of the ideas they would share about the story, including a stable, animals, and an innkeeper, came from traditions that are not recorded in Scripture. These traditions have become so ingrained into the story that most of us do not realize how different this version of the story is from the one we read in Scripture. In the process, we miss some powerful truths that have been buried under tradition and cultural misunderstandings. That's why in Beyond the Manger, you will:

• Consider how the traditional details of the nativity story developed over the centuries
• Explore fourteen devotionals about aspects of the nativity story that are often misunderstood or misinterpreted
• See this story from a different point of view through fictionalized narratives
• Examine what Scripture does and doesn't tell us about the events surrounding Jesus' birth
• Look at biblical and historical research to see what likely occurred over two thousand years ago versus what has been traditionally assumed
• Be challenged through devotional thoughts and reflection questions at the end of each chapter
  

This Christmas devotional, which can be used for group or individual study, will inspire you to see the birth of Jesus in a whole new light and bring you closer to the heart of why we celebrate His birth every year.