The Missing Piece

The intro to The Jesus Storybook Bible (Ellie's Christmas present - shhh don't tell her) is worded in such a beautiful way, and it is making me very excited about and thankful for Christmas :)  Here is a short excerpt:    

There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one big story.  The story of how God loves His children and comes to rescue them.

It takes the whole Bible to tell this story.  And at the center of the story, there is a baby.  Every story whispers his name.  He is like the missing piece of the puzzle- the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture.' 

Today, I am thankful that at Christmas we celebrate this great gift - the sending of that missing piece that brings out the beautiful picture.  In the Old Testament, things seems pretty hopeless for God's people, for they'll never get it right or obey the whole Law.  But their great Help arrives when a helpless baby is born in Bethlehem.  He is that missing piece that all of the prophets foretold, and the only one who could fulfill all that the laws required.  And, in love, He gave Himself up for us.

Here's a longer excerpt from the intro.  The whole thing is amazing!

Now, some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should do and shouldn't do.  The Bible certainly does have some rules in it.  They show you how life works best.  But the Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing.  It's about God and what He has done.

Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes, showing you people you should copy.  The Bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you'll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren't heroes at all.  They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose).  They get afraid and run away.  At times they are downright mean.

No, the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes.  The Bible is most of all a story.  It's an adventure story about a young hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure.  It's a love story about a brave prince who leaves his palace, his throne- everything-to rescue the one he loves.  It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life.

You see, the best thing about the story is- it's true.

There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one big story.  The story of how God loves His children and comes to rescue them.

It takes the whole Bible to tell this story.  And at the center of the story, there is a baby.  Every story whispers his name.  He is like the missing piece of the puzzle- the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture.'