Description
About the Book
Behold
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” they asked.
“Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us?”
This is how the people in the village where Jesus grew up responded when he made the audacious claim to be God’s anointed one.
And in their familiarity, they missed Him.
Familiarity has a way of doing that. Assuming it already knows, it dulls our attention, encrusts our hearts with apathy, and quietly replaces awe with autopilot— leaving us at risk of missing God even when He is close.
And yet, woven throughout the Christmas story is a word that interrupts our hurry and confronts our familiarity:
Behold.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb (Luke 1:31)
Behold, your cousin Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son (Luke 1:36)
Behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy (Luke 1:44)
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people (Luke 2:10)
Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel (Luke 2:34).
The narrative weight of this little word heralds the moments when heaven meets earth. It is Scripture’s way of saying:
Stop.
Pay attention.
Don’t miss this.
And the goal of this book is to help you do just that.
Contains:
- Daily Entries
- Journal Prompts & Writing Space
- Weekly Group Discussion Guide
- Links to Weekly Videos
- Helpful prayers and creeds
Perfect for:
- Wake-Up Call readers
- Personal devotional readings
- Church-wide bible studies
- Sunday school classes
- Small groups (including class meetings and band meetings)
About the Author
SHELBI SHUTT is a speaker, writer, and disability advocate based in New York City. Diagnosed with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy as a teenager, Shelbi’s unfolding story of steadfast hope and defiant joy has helped thousands around the world encounter the transforming love of Jesus in the midst of their own limitations and longings.
Shelbi is currently pursuing her MA in Ministry and Leadership at Western Seminary and works as a collaborative partner with Practicing the Way, Sanctuary Mental Health, and Alpha. She and her husband Jordan are part of the leadership community life at Church of the City New York.
