carolyn hoagland

During the holiday season it is easy for families to lose track of each other and forget to spend a few moments a day together truly celebrating the Reason for the Season. This collection of "advent" stories to be read one a day through the days leading to Christmas to help bring the story of Christ's birth alive and bring your family together.

The book opens with an angel finding a home with no Christmas joy. The angel remembers the gift Christ gave that night long ago. He then remembers 25 "people" who were witness to the events leading to or right after the birth of Christ. Most of this people are mentioned and some of their story is told in the Bible. Some are mentioned but no story is given, like the Innkeeper. We know he was there but we know nothing other than he gave them shelter in the stable. Some we can guess were there. Mary and Joseph must have had mothers. What would Joseph's and Mary's mothers thought about Mary being with child and not married? Find out how people felt at seeing the birth of Christ.

List of Sstories

THE ANGEL’S GIFT ~ November 30 ~ A poem to remind you of the greatest gift of all.
GABRIEL REMEMBERS ZACHARIAH ~ December 1 ~ The angel, Gabriel remembers his visit with Zachariah.
ZACHARIAH ~ December 2 ~ High Priest, Zachariah remembers his visit with Gabriel, the birth of his son John and a visit with Elizabeth’s young cousin Mary.
ELIZABETH ~ December 3 ~ Elizabeth shares her memories of the events leading to the birth of her son John and a special visit with her teenage cousin Mary.
GABRIEL REMEMBERS MARY ~ December 4 ~ Gabriel reminisces about his time with Mary, the young lady chosen by God for an amazing task.
MARY ~ December 5 ~ Mary talks about an awesome God and the choices He made for her.
GABRIEL REMEMBERS JOSEPH ~ December 6 ~ Gabriel reports the night he told Joseph he was to be the earthly father of Christ.
JOSEPH ~ December 7 ~ Joseph reminisces about the days leading to his marriage and becoming a father.
DEBRA, MARY’S FRIEND ~ December 8 ~ Mary’s friend talks about her friend’s marriage and first son.
BENJAMIN, A FRIEND OF JOSEPH ~ December 9 ~ Joseph’s friend shares the events that changed Joseph forever.
MARY’S MOTHER REMEMBERS ~ December 10 ~ Mary’s mother shares the dark days and the great joy that came with the birth of her grandchild.
JOSEPH’S MOTHER ~ December 11 ~ Joseph’s mother shares the concerns she had when Joseph and Mary first married.
JOSHUA THE INNKEEPER ~ December 12 ~ Joshua talks about the strange couple with the beautiful baby that stayed in his stable.
RUTH, THE INNKEEPER’S WIFE ~ December 13 ~ Ruth remembers the family that stayed in the stable and the friendship built.
HANNAH, THE INNKEEPER’S DAUGHTER ~ December 14 ~ Hannah talks about the girl with the baby.
DAVID, THE SHEPHERD BOY ~ December 15 ~ A little shepherd boy remembers seeing amazing things.
ELEAZAR, A CITIZEN OF BETHLEHEM ~ December 16 ~ A citizen of Bethlehem remembers strange visitors and happenings to the city.
MICAH, AN ANGEL IN THE CHORUS ~ December 17 ~ An angel’s story of singing in the chorus.
ANNA’S STORY ~ December 18 ~ A tale of dedication to God.
SIMEON’S STORY ~ December 19 ~ God’s promise kept as a child is brought to the temple.
PHILLIP THE SHOPKEEPER ~ December 20 ~ Phillip talks about his friend Joseph.
ISAAC, THE SHOPKEEPER’S SON ~ December 21 ~ Little Isaac tells a strange tale of unusual visitors that are around a special little baby.
THE MAGI ~ December 22 ~ The kings of the East come to visit a young child and give gifts beyond measure.
THE MAGI’S CAMEL DRIVER ~ December 23 ~The Magi’s camel driver tells of a strange trip to a far off land with no direction other than “follow that star”
NAHEM’S LULLABY ~ December 24 ~ God’s smallest angel gives a wonderful gift.
I AM ~.December 25 ~ I AM Jesus.