What does the Bible really say about the birth of Jesus? How did the celebration of Christmas become associated with things like Santa Claus and decorated trees? In The True Meaning of Christmas: The Birth of Jesus and the Origins of the Season, biblical scholar Michael Patrick Barber offers an inspiring look at the Bible's accounts of Jesus' birth and the development of the Christmas season. Along the way, he answers numerous questions, including:

• How is the Christmas story related to ancient Jewish expectations?
• Why is Jesus said to be laid in a "manger"?
• Who are the Magi?
• What is the mysterious Christmas star?
• How did December 25th become the date of Christmas?
• How did Saint Nicholas become "Santa Claus"?

As Barber explains, though some of the answers to these questions may be surprising, only by understanding the message at the heart of Christmas can we fully enter into the joy it promises.

Contents Summary

1. "I'll Be Home for Christmas": An Introduction
   The Magic of Christmas
   The True Meaning of Christmas
   Christmas as "Christ's Mass"
   What Everyone Should Know About Christmas
2. "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel": Ancient Jewish Hopes for a Messiah
   Captive Israel
   Jewish Expectations for a Messiah
   Freedom from Sin
   
   
3. "Let Nothing You Dismay": Gabriel's Announcement to Zechariah
   Zechariah's Temple Service and Gabriel's Appearance
   The God Who Answers Prayers
   Prepare the Way of the Lord
   
   
4. "Christ Is Born of Mary": Gabriel's Announcement to Mary
   Christ the Lord
   Full of Grace
   The Lord Is with You
   
   
5. "Round Yon Virgin": Why a Virgin Mother
   A Virgin Shall Conceive
   Mary as Virgin
   The New Creation
   
   
6. "What Child Is This?": Joseph and His Dilemma
   The Royal Carpenter
   Joseph's Response to Mary's Pregnancy
   Joseph's Example of Faith
   
   
7. "Away in a Manger": Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem
   The Little Town of Bethlehem
   The Manger Scene
   The Manger and the Bread of Life
   
   
8. "Angels We Have Heard on High": The Shepherds in the Fields
   Why Shepherds
   Tidings of Comfort and Joy
   Heaven's Army and Peace on Earth
   
   
9. "Star of Wonder": The Mysterious Magi
   Who Are the Magi?
   The Christmas Star
   The Cradle and the Cross
   
   
10. "Christ Our God to Earth Descending": The Historical Figure of Jesus
    The Claims of Jesus Mythicists
    Jesus in Historical Memory
    The Gospels and History
    
    
11. "The First Nowell": How December 25 Became Christmas
    The Time of Jesus' Birth in the Gospel of Luke
    Christmas and Paganism
    Ancient Attempts to Date Jesus' Birth
    The Winter Solstice
    
    
12. "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas": The Development of the Christmas Celebration
    Christmas as a Season
    Celebrating Christmas Among the Pagans
    The War on Christmas