Hidden Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of my yearly favorites. In the story, Charlie Brown is down and unsure why. He can’t seem to get in the Christmas spirit. Eventually, Linus shares the meaning of Christmas by reciting the familiar passage about the angels appearing to shepherds and announcing the birth of Christ, the incarnation of the God-man.

Christmas is a time of gift-giving and family, yet many miss the surprising truth behind the holiday. Timothy Keller, the late New York Times bestselling author and pastor, carefully explains the meaning of the classic biblical texts that are part of American Christmas lore.

As a pastor in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York City, he spent decades studying the meaning of the Christmas story, distilling it into a short book.

I recommend the book to high school students. Understanding the Christmas story is crucial for comprehending the Bible, and even history and Western Civilization.

Keller reveals why the stories of Mary (the mother of Jesus), Joseph, the shepherds, King Herod, and Simeon matter today. The Christmas story reveals that hostility and fear have been overcome and that lasting peace and joy can be received and enjoyed.

Hidden Christmas is a short book and a meaningful Christmas gift.