Have you ever felt a hurt so deep it felt tangible, like a rock pressing on your soul? If you have, you're not alone. The world is heavy right now—political strife, global crises, economic struggles. It’s no wonder that hope and joy are hard to come by. But in the middle of this, I want to remind you: There is hope. In this episode, we dive into Because of Bethlehem by Max Lucado, a book that speaks to the heart of what Christmas is really about. Max Lucado’s book became a yearly reread for me because it’s an Advent book that speaks plainly, with a pragmatic view of the world and the perfect message of hope. Through the story of the birth of Jesus in a humble manger, Max reminds us that God’s love is real, unconditional, and transformative. I’ll walk you through the three areas we explore in every episode: The Characters: This book isn’t just about Bethlehem—it’s about Jesus, the Savior who changed the world. Max shares how the world reacted to God walking among us, from the redemption of the thief on the cross to King Herod’s tragic fear-driven actions. The World-Building: Max has a gift for making the world of Bethlehem feel alive. He shows how even the most mundane details—the hassle of a census, a full inn—are part of God’s perfect plan to bring hope to a broken world. The Feelings: Because of Bethlehem is filled with deep hope. It reminds us that no matter how heavy the world feels, grace is always greater. Max encourages us to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, beyond the hustle and bustle of the season. I’ll also share my star rating, and this one gets 5 out of 5 stars! Because of Bethlehem is a beautiful, comforting reminder of God’s love and the hope we can find in Jesus, no matter how hard life gets. // Connect with me //· Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/heykelleyhill · Books for Kids — https://www.youtube.com/@TheBluebirdBookshelf · To request book reviews or to send ARCs, please email [email protected]