Congregations are often confused or uninspired by the emphasis on Old Testament themes during Advent and too �over� Christmas by December 26 to pay much attention to the gospel stories that follow Jesus� birth. Walking Backwards to Christmas starts at the end of the story, with Jesus� presentation to Anna and Simeon at the temple, and moves backwards through Herod�s slaughter of the innocents, the wise men�s visit, Jesus� birth in a stable, Mary�s pregnancy, and finally to the much-earlier hopes and dreams of Isaiah and Moses.
Telling the Christmas story through the eyes of both famous figures like King Herod and imagined characters like the innkeeper�s wife, Stephen Cottrell invites readers to experience Jesus� birth anew, with greater appreciation of the dark themes and ancient figures relevant to the Advent story.
