The Women of Christmas looks at Christ’s birth while focusing on three women integral to the story: Elizabeth, Mary and the prophetess, Anna. Higgs breaks the story down verse by verse and offers insight on the lives of these three women. I enjoyed her conversational voice and her commentary. I thought the book was a good one to use as part of my advent this year, and would recommend it to others. 4.5 of 5 stars. ( )

The Woman of Christmas written by Liz Curtis Higgs is an excellent book to read and study during the Advent season and Christmas season. This book is helpful in learning to understand the heart of three women involved in the birth of Jesus. These women are Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna. All these women prepare for the Savior's birth.

What I really found useful in getting to know these women was the study guide at the end of the book which had suggested Bible passages to read with each chapter. ( )

The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs is a wonderful book for the Christmas season or for any time of the year. The book covers the lives of Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna in the months before the birth of Jesus and a few weeks after His birth. Each woman is presented through Bible scriptures and the narrative of the author. Mary is newly betrothed but she is pregnant, Elizabeth is old and barren but she also becomes pregnant, and Anna is old, widowed, and lives in the Temple waiting for the arrival of the Messiah. Of course the story also includes Joseph a carpenter who is betrothed to Mary, Zechariah a priest who is the husband of Elizabeth, and Simeon also a priest and living each day waiting to see the promised Messiah. The one thing that all three women have in common is that their hearts belong to God. And Mary and Elizabeth are blessed to have husbands that love and obey God.

Liz Higgs does an excellent job in presenting the story of these three women and showing the involvement in and contribution of each of them in the Christmas story. The style of the writing made for easy reading and enjoyment. Liz wrote a paragraph or two to introduce each woman and then a verse of scripture was given and Liz would then give her interpretation of that verse, another verse was given, Liz would interpret, and this style of writing was continued throughout the entire book.. This form was also used for the three men in the story. This style of writing made the Christmas story so easy to understand and brought new thoughts to mind even though I have been hearing and reading the Christmas story for decades. A study guide is presented at the end for individual or small group study. This is a small book but it packs a big punch.

I definitely recommend this book to all who would like to know more about Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna and their participation in the Christmas story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers through their Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

Looking for a way to inject a new spirit into the Christmas season? Consider adding The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs to your reading list this year. Liz returns with her unique and insightful voice in bringing the story of Christ’s birth to light through thorough Biblical research and a writing style that touches a woman’s heart. The story of the wonder of the Messiah’s birth is told through the eyes of three women and their touch from God. Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna all lived God’s promise. Their experiences bring a personal reality to the wonderful miracle of Christmas.

I used The Women of Christmas as a daily devotional, reading a chapter a day. There is a study guide in the back of the book to enhance your quiet time and bring more depth to your study. Good for personal study, this book is also ideal for a small group study – a great way to welcome the Christmas season with friends, co-workers, or neighbors.

Recommended.

Great For Group Study.

(Thanks to the publisher for a review copy. All opinions are mine alone.) ( )

I enjoy reading a new book to help refresh my look at Christmas each year, this was a good one which I will read again. Liz Curtis Higgs has an interesting way of thinking of the details that influence the lives of Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna; details that in the quick, familiar reading of the Christmas story I tend to overlook. She helped me look closer at the experiences, thoughts, and relationships between these women and those close to them. That closer look makes them more human and more real to me, which in turn, makes Christmas an even more precious time.