The concept for this book developed from a series of advent sermons I heard several years ago. During each of the four weeks of advent, a different main character was presented from the passages in Matthew and Luke. It was a fascinating series and piqued my curiosity, leading me to ask, "Wouldn't it be interesting to take a look at each of the individual characters involved in the Christmas story?" I later incorporated the idea into a series of Sunday School lessons, expanding from the four original characters in those advent sermons. As I began to do research on each of the main characters I came across Galatians 4:4. It was at that point I realized there was so much more to the nativity narratives than just the story of Christ's birth in a manger with shepherds attending and wise men visiting later. God's plan for a redeeming sacrifice to atone for all sin followed a perfect time schedule set forth by God. His control over all things displayed such precision as He moved people's hearts and changed their plans. He allowed major events in history to occur at the proper time while also allowing minor events in people's lives to take place at specific moments. All of these came together "when the time was right." As you read, it is my hope you will be encouraged by the knowledge of God's concern for you in every area of your life and of His sovereign control over this world and its events. I also hope you will discover again, perhaps from a new perspective, the wonder of the Birth of Christ.