The Scandal of Christmas asks how we handle our difficulty to understand God’s ways when He doesn’t answer prayer. It’s one thing to praise God when things go as we desire, but what happens when God is silent?

Dr. William B. Coker, Sr. chose four unlikely personalities to highlight the weeks of Advent—the approach to Christmas. Teacher and then pastor for 19 years, Bill’s “command of the dictionary often stretches our understanding and challenges us to the depth of word meanings.”

Take a look at Zechariah. He remained faithful through years of service, but seemingly had no answers to his plea for an heir. Or, Joseph, an unlikely candidate whose story remains hidden in the shadows. What did he sacrifice for the young bride’s reputation? Obedience was the hallmark of his life.

Bill says Mary is not an object of our faith to be worshipped, but a pattern of faith to follow. “From confusion to amazement to surrender, she offered her willingness for whatever God wanted.”

And then, there’s Jesus—The One of mystery and revelation who defies all protocol.

Take a step back from Christmas this year to consider what it means to prepare for Christmas. Bill says God used ordinary people in the Christmas story to remind us we can do the exceptional to bring His message to a needy world. When we grant God access to our lives, He reminds us He has not forgotten about us, but remembers us and His word.

The Scandal of Christmas has great applications for our culture today, stunning illustrations from artist Dave O’Connell, and personal takeaways to implement. It will encourage you to use prayer as “a personal approach to an approachable God!”

I am giving away a copy of The Scandal of Christmas to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title). You will be entered into the drawing to be held on Friday, December 10. Tell me a tradition that draws you into Christmas. Get an extra chance to win, when you share this post on social media (let me know where).

Sally

Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of The Scandal of Christmas from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.