Product Description

Examines the Nativity story as the origin of Christmas, viewing it in both scriptural and secular contexts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #353060 in Books
• Published on: 1998-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780570050643
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Amazon.com Review
Author and historian Paul Maier aims to "return the Christmas focus where it belongs"--on the story and spirit surrounding Jesus' birth. Thus, The Very First Christmas doesn't follow the prescribed children's Christmas-book themes--with fairy-tale winter settings in quaint, old European towns. Maier instead sets the story in the American West, where a curious 8-year-old boy named Christopher wants a "real" bedtime story. His mother then tells him the miraculous story of the Nativity. (Ages 4 to 8)

From Publishers Weekly
This informative gift book is much better than its introduction might lead readers to suspect; Maier lays out a traditional Christian apologetic approach, using tools such as archaeology and history to prove the trustworthiness of the Bible. In the chapters that follow, he analyzes the Nativity through the lenses of economics, law, literature, geography and even meteorology, claiming that this composite reveals the "unfamiliar story" of Christ's birth. Some readers may quibble that Maier bases his claims on a rather selective reading of the evidence, but most will enjoy the rich detail he offers about daily life in Palestine around the year 5 B.C.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review
Best-selling author and award-winning historian Paul L. Maier takes us beyond the traditions to the real people, places, and events of the first Christmas, to the land of Palestine in the first century where secular history and up-to-date discoveries add a fresh dimension to the well-known accounts in Matthew's and Luke's gospels. (Christian News 20040603)

Here is a welcome update of Maier's classic explanation of Christianity's most important festival, on which the modern church is based. Drawing on scholarly background as a Biblical historian, the author has produced a readable and understandable venture into 'The True and Unfamiliar Story' as this book is subtitled. Maier delves into the politics, people and places of the early Christian era, basing his words on Bible quotations, archeological discoveries, and contemporary documents. The result is a fascinating look into the birth of Jesus. Paul L. Maier can proudly placeThe First Christmas at the top of his long list of accomplishments. (Linda Hutton Editor of Hutton Book Review Services 20040603)

Maier uncovers fresh and fascinating insights into the true, yet unfamiliar story of the first Christmas. Beautifully illustrated throughout with over 50 full-color photographs, paintings and illustrations. (Win-Informer 20040603)

Maier's research takes Christmas out of the realm of once upon a time and gives it an anchor in real time. This is really a fine publication, written with care and love for a much-loved subject. (Metro Lutheran 20040603)

This book contains a fresh perspective, adding depth to the simple biblical narrative. For Christians, it provides historical underpinning to the story of Christ's coming into the world. For others, it offers interesting insights into the facts and myths behind the holiday that no one - at least in the United States - can ignore. (Bob Reeves Lincoln Star Journal )

This is an excellent pictorial book that details the events and circumstances surrounding the birth of Christ. It helps to clarify some of the common misconceptions that have become part of Christmas lore, and it gives details that expand the understanding of the historical background 2000 years ago. (Paul Virtue Get to the Pointe ) --Book

Customer Reviews

Finally, a book for children about the Real Christmas story!
A wonderful little book. It relates the Christmas story in a spiritual and historical context for children. It is a good introduction of the story of the birth of Jesus for children, since it explains a number of Biblical events in a way even a young child can understand their meaning. Nice illustrations, too.

This book returns the Christmas focus to where it belongs
This Gold Medallion Book Award title (for excellence in Evangelical Christian literature) is easy to overlook, since it appears to be yet another illustrated account of the birth of Jesus. Instead, what we have here is a recognized historian writing a kid-friendly book explaining some of the historical context of the Nativity story by having a mother answer her inquisitive child's many questions.

As Christopher's mom reads from gospel of St. Luke, chapter 2, she responds to her eight-year old son's questions about Caesar Augustus, registering for the census, why Joseph was not the father of Jesus Christ, why God chose Mary to be Jesus' mother, how old she might have been, where she lived, the lineage of King David, why Christmas is celebrated on December 25, what the stable was like, why there wasn't any room at the inn, why the shepherds were terrified at the sight of the angel, and how St. Luke knew "all this stuff."

This book is highly recommended to Christians of all traditions, as well as to non-Christian families who may be curious about what's really behind the Christmas story. As the author states in his brief introduction, many "children's Christmas books are often long on fancy and short on fact." I would agree when he says, "these pages...return the Christmas focus to where it belongs." The gospel story is no fairy tale, and here Paul L. Maier places it within the context of history, so children like Chris in this story can learn "about real people and real things that really happened."

Clear explanation of Christ's birth
This beautifully illustrated book explains many things about the biblical story of Christ's birth that can confuse children -- such as, why weren't Mary and Joseph married when she got pregnant, why were they going to Bethlehem, and why didn't they just stay in a hotel? I felt it wasa bit complicated for my 5 year old -- he will benefit from it more in the years to come. If you like this book you'll also love the author's book on Easter.