Christmas in the Four Gospel Home is designed to be read over the four weeks of Advent. Each week, the book looks at one of the four gospels and how they tell the story of Jesus Birth. Each chapter begins with a picture of a house, designed by Kevin Burns, based on what is written in each gospel. I know the story of Christ's birth as told in Luke. That is the one I use each year for our Christmas Pageant and to teach the story in Sunday School, so I really liked how each gospel is highlighted. We see not only different styles, but what the writer felt was the important bits to learn. From the story of Abraham and Sarah, Zacchariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Ceasar Agustus and others, each gospel writer begins at a different time in history. I read this all the way through, but will also be using it as an Advent study. I will read the gospel highlighted each week, (I have already read Mark) and take the time to study their words and answer the questions found at the back of the book. This is definitely a good way to study the four gospels, at least from the beginning to the birth story.

I love the perspective and reflections within this book. I loved the 4 differences from the gospel and helped me to explore them side by side. This is an excellent book to read during advent and preparing our hearts for Christmas. It helps to open our eyes and make the connection that the Bible is one continuous story! This book helped me to explore each of the gospels side by side and make many connections that I often overlooked. The prayers and questions in the back of the book are great for pondering and reflection. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this excellent book.

This is a unique, engaging Advent study that considers the story of Jesus' birth from four vantage points. The author imagines each Gospel as a home, and the book includes illustrations to help you visualize her point. Each description is insightful and interesting. Though I'm very familiar with each Gospel account of Jesus' birth, I had not compared and contrasted them side by side before. This brief book will give you a fresh look into the first Christmas and can help you dig further into God's Word.

I received a free preview copy of this book from Netgalley.

Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes by Cynthia M. Campbell
Publication Date: August 27, 2019
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Description from NetGalley...
“How might a house look for Christmas based on what each Gospel says about it?

In Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes, beautiful illustrations from architect Kevin Burns reimagine each of the four Gospels as a house, which the church visits at Christmas. In each section, Cynthia M. Campbell reflects on the distinctive perspective of the birth of Jesus or the incarnation offered by each Gospel.

Suitable for individual or group study, Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes creatively reimagines the season and inspires new and exciting reflection for Advent.”
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Thank you to @NetGalley @wjkbooks for the digital copy in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
This is an Advent study book. I read this in December leading up to Christmas. It was a really short study with questions at the end. They were good summaries of the four Gospels. It was a great concept but I was looking for something more. I was looking for something deeper and more academic. I enjoyed and appreciated the artist’s ideas and thoughts behind the architectural renderings.

What a beautiful resource for individuals and congregations during the Advent and Christmas season! I am an ELCA pastor who needed some fresh insight on the Christmas story this year, and this book was invaluable in providing that. I love the imagery and creativity that accompanies the biblical scholarship in this book--it is at once accessible to pastors and laypeople alike, providing knowledge, hope, and inspiration all together. This was a source of spiritual rejuvenation for me this year. Thank you!

I really liked how the author looked at how the four main gospels in the New Testament would be enjoying Christmas. Based on the characteristics and the way each of the Apostles approached the coming of Christ, their homes would reflect different things. Really interesting and I think inspiring.

An interesting comparison of the Christmas story according to each of the gospels. This book will help one remember what is unique about the perspective of each gospel. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.

This book gave me a new way to think about the gospels and how they offer a lens on Christmas. The drawings of the homes added a lot to my understanding. The homes are drawn from a modern, western perspective, which was easy to relate to (but part of me also wondered what these metaphorical homes could have looked like in the historical/cultural context of the Bible -- not really a criticism, just something that could be neat to think about).

Great advent book for the season. I like how each gospel was a different home. I could feel the distinctions in how each one saw Jesus, but the main gospel was true and clear throughout. Jesus came and died for EVERYONE so that we could all be reconciled to God. He knew no sin, but he bore all of our sin on the cross. This was a refreshing read from Campbell. Clear, easy to read, and biblical.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes” is a perfect devotional for the advent season. The author, Cynthia M. Campbell, takes us on a journey to what she imagines each gospel writers Christmas home would look like. Artist Kevin Burns gives us a lovely visual sketch as the author gives a description of the home, along with historical facts and insight. I loved how the author points out many eye opening differences of the gospels. The book is broken down into 4 weeks and each begins with verses to read of the gospel highlighted. At the end of the book the reader is given prayers and reflection questions. I was impressed with how much I learned in just a small study. Great Christmastime read!
(I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher. Thank you #westminsterjohnknoxpress)
#netgalley
#christmasinthefourgospelhomes

Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes is a book that has an unique spin on the Advent Season. It takes a look at the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and how each of them talk about Jesus. In the chapters discussing each Gospel individually, it describes what the author and illustrator believe each gentlemen's house would look like at Christmas and how you would be treated as a guest. I appreciated the detail in description that both the author and illustrator put into all the houses and the reasoning as to why each house is the way it is and the personality and feel you would get in the house if you were a visitor. The message and theme I took away from the book is that Jesus came and died for EVERYONE and that we all have a place with Him. If you are looking for a different take on the Advent Season, you should try this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book! (This review is also on GoodReads.)

I really loved the way this book was set out, and totally felt like I was walking into people's homes.
Not only was it good to dig into the Bible this way, but it also reminded me of the important of opening up our own homes to people.

The writing is easy to read and understand, which sometimes isn't the case with a Bible study. The questions asked were thought provoking, but without the need of having to dig into several interpretations of the verse.

I really like to see more studies in this format.
It bought the Bible closer, and made it feel more real.

Ultimately, it left me with the feeling of warmth, and lots of thoughts to process.

This is a great book for the family. Celebrating Advent in the homes of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This is a book of great perspective, I really liked it.

A beautifully told book for the Christmas season. Putting Jesus back into the season in an innovative way x

A charming little book for Christmas time. It would make a nice Christmas gift. The house sketches are clever, and a unique way to help illustrate the theme.

This is a really good Advent devotional book. I always enjoy looking at Advent from different perspectives and this one based on the four Gospels is really good. A great book to use during the mont of December. I recommend it. I received an advanced copy from
The publisher and net galley.
This is my own opinion

I loved this brief and unique Advent devotional. It looked at the Christmas story from the perspective of each of the Gospel writers. I loved the illustrations of their "homes", the questions for reflection and discussion and the way the author drew out theological and biblical truths but also made them highly practical. I really recommend reading this book!

Christmas in the Four gospel homes inspires new and exciting reflection for Advent. Very thought provoking read. My family and I have enjoyed reading this book.

I enjoyed this book and thought it a unique way to read about the Gospels. I also really enjoyed the illustrations.
I think both author and illustrator did a very good job in interreprating each home.

This is a great and short read for Advent. I am always looking for a great Advent devotional. This one was an interesting way to present the Gospel and Christmas story.