I love to read and listen to audiobooks, and one of my favorite authors is Karen Kingsbury. Not only are her novels compelling and entertaining, but they are all based on Scripture and biblical truths. Her writing always leaves me with a sense of peace and gratitude toward our Lord and Savior, and I always tend to learn something new about God and His Word.

While reading Kingsbury’s novel, Truly, Madly, Deeply, I was given a whole new perspective on a Bible story that all of us know so well—the Christmas Story. We often read the account of Jesus’ miraculous conception and birth with a sense of hope, joy, and peace.

In the novel, however, I was challenged to look at it from Mary’s point of view—one of fear and uncertainty, but also one of faith and obedience.