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Christmas Uncut: What Really Happened and Why It Really Matters
The authentic Christmas story, told in a warm, winsome and witty way. Perfect for giving away. The nativity story is often seen as cute and cuddly and for kids. But that’s because some of what really happened at the first Christmas has been edited out of popular retellings! The full, unabridged, uncut story is full of twists and turns, controversy and mystery. This best-selling book, now revised and updated, tells readers what really happened all those years ago, and why it really matters for our lives and futures today. Warm and witty, short and easy to read, Christmas Uncut is perfect for giving out at Christmas services and events, or to nonbelieving family and friends.
80 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2023
4 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Carl Laferton
76 books17 followersCarl Laferton is Senior Editor at TGBC. He is author of Original Jesus, Promises Kept and Christmas Uncut, and series editor of the God's Word For You series. Before joining TGBC, he worked as a journalist, a teacher, and pastored a congregation in Hull. Carl is married to Lizzie and they have two children, Benjamin and Abigail. He studied history at Oxford University.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 19, 2024
Every year, I try to read a few books on the Christmas story written by good authors. It is a Bible story I love and I continually come across truths I had not pondered before. This is important as a pastor and teacher. Stay fresh! That doesn't mean one always has to come up with new things, but it does help seeing truths from a new perspective.
This short book did just that. I love that the author framed the truths presented within our idea of the typical nativity plays presented each year in churches around the country. Lafteron hit it out of the park with the chapter entitled "A Darker Christmas" about King Herod. He made some spiritual applications that were downright excellent. I enjoyed this book!
This short book did just that. I love that the author framed the truths presented within our idea of the typical nativity plays presented each year in churches around the country. Lafteron hit it out of the park with the chapter entitled "A Darker Christmas" about King Herod. He made some spiritual applications that were downright excellent. I enjoyed this book!
January 14, 2024
A good introduction for those that aren't as familiar with the Christmas story or whose only experience is through a school nativity
December 24, 2023
What really happened at Christmas, and why does it matter? Unlike the diluted nativity play (as lovely as it can be), the original Christmas story was more scandalous, gritty, and dramatic than we usually remember. That’s because it really happened and has real implications for our real lives.
This little book was a gift at our church carol service and is a really great gateway into thinking about the truth and consequence of Christmas for yourself. Including bonus chapters about the historical reliability of the Bible and the plausibility of the resurrection.
This little book was a gift at our church carol service and is a really great gateway into thinking about the truth and consequence of Christmas for yourself. Including bonus chapters about the historical reliability of the Bible and the plausibility of the resurrection.
November 29, 2023
I loved Laferton’s creative approach and how he contrasted a children’s nativity play to what really happened at the first Christmas in this short, fast-paced, witty, and engaging read that also clearly presented the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Though I personally took my time with this book and read it as a daily devotional, at 80 pages it can easily be read in one or two sittings OR listened to as an audiobook in just under two hours.
Biblically and theologically sound, I consider Christmas Uncut to be both a great resource and a convicting read and am glad for the opportunity to review it.
Thank you, The Good Book Company, for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 / 4.25 - I really liked it!
See below for some of my favorite quotes:
“At the first Christmas, Mary wasn’t waving to her parents in the front row. The angels weren’t wearing last year’s tinsel stuck onto old white sheets. Joseph’s dad wasn’t annoying a shepherd’s grandma by standing up in front of her to record his son’s big moment.
What there was at the first Christmas was scandal. Controversy. Massacres. Mystery.”
“And, like Herod, we can spend a whole lifetime resisting Jesus’ right to rule us. But, however powerful we are, we can’t resist Jesus forever. Just as it did for Herod, the time will come when each of us dies.”
“When the angel told those shepherds that ‘a Saviour has been born to you … he is the Messiah, the Lord’, he was pointing towards the cross. The baby lying in a manger at the first Christmas had come to hang on the cross on the first Good Friday. Jesus came not only to rule people but to rescue them. Not only to tell people about his eternal kingdom, but to make a way for sinful people like us to get into that kingdom.”
“’What are you going to do about Jesus?’
It was a blunt question! But I suddenly realized that it had an obvious answer. I needed to repent and believe: to accept Jesus as my ruler and my rescuer. It was no good just knowing about him; I needed to actually know him, to start following and trusting in and speaking to and listening to him.
It was the most important decision I ever made. In many ways, it was a decision that made my life more difficult. But in every way, it has made my life more fulfilling, satisfying and exciting. Looking back, it was easily the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Though I personally took my time with this book and read it as a daily devotional, at 80 pages it can easily be read in one or two sittings OR listened to as an audiobook in just under two hours.
Biblically and theologically sound, I consider Christmas Uncut to be both a great resource and a convicting read and am glad for the opportunity to review it.
Thank you, The Good Book Company, for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 / 4.25 - I really liked it!
See below for some of my favorite quotes:
“At the first Christmas, Mary wasn’t waving to her parents in the front row. The angels weren’t wearing last year’s tinsel stuck onto old white sheets. Joseph’s dad wasn’t annoying a shepherd’s grandma by standing up in front of her to record his son’s big moment.
What there was at the first Christmas was scandal. Controversy. Massacres. Mystery.”
“And, like Herod, we can spend a whole lifetime resisting Jesus’ right to rule us. But, however powerful we are, we can’t resist Jesus forever. Just as it did for Herod, the time will come when each of us dies.”
“When the angel told those shepherds that ‘a Saviour has been born to you … he is the Messiah, the Lord’, he was pointing towards the cross. The baby lying in a manger at the first Christmas had come to hang on the cross on the first Good Friday. Jesus came not only to rule people but to rescue them. Not only to tell people about his eternal kingdom, but to make a way for sinful people like us to get into that kingdom.”
“’What are you going to do about Jesus?’
It was a blunt question! But I suddenly realized that it had an obvious answer. I needed to repent and believe: to accept Jesus as my ruler and my rescuer. It was no good just knowing about him; I needed to actually know him, to start following and trusting in and speaking to and listening to him.
It was the most important decision I ever made. In many ways, it was a decision that made my life more difficult. But in every way, it has made my life more fulfilling, satisfying and exciting. Looking back, it was easily the best decision I’ve ever made.”
October 28, 2023
This brief evangelistic booklet is for people who aren't very familiar with the biblical Christmas story, and just have a cultural concept of it. Carl Laferton explains that there's a lot that doesn't show up in children's Christmas pageants, and as he retells the Christmas story, he highlights elements that people typically gloss over. He encourages his readers to consider the uncut version from Scripture, and he shares parts of the story from the Bible in bold text, with his own commentary and clarifications in regular font. Each short chapter focuses on a different person from the Nativity story, and the final chapter explores the life of Jesus, contextualizing his birth at Christmas with his later life, death, and resurrection. At the end, the author also briefly addresses common questions that people ask about the credibility of the gospel accounts and the claim that Jesus rose from the dead.
This is an engaging, fast read. I enjoyed Laferton's writing style, and I laughed out loud at many of the real-life Christmas pageant anecdotes that he shared as chapter-openers. I read some of these to a family member when they were passing by, and they also laughed. Now I feel inspired to dig out the Christmas pageant mishap story that I wrote and illustrated in fifth grade, starring my stuffed animals. That definitely wasn't the author's intent here, but it's a nice byproduct, and I'm sure that other people will also appreciate Laferton's funny anecdotes, especially if they're reading this at a Christian friend's behest.
"Christmas Uncut" will appeal to people who are looking for a short introduction to what really happened when Jesus was born, what it means, and why it matters to us today. Whether someone is seeking resources about the Christian faith, wants to better understand what others believe, or is reading this because a friend begged them to, this is a great book that explains key details about Christianity in a concise, witty, and engaging way.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is an engaging, fast read. I enjoyed Laferton's writing style, and I laughed out loud at many of the real-life Christmas pageant anecdotes that he shared as chapter-openers. I read some of these to a family member when they were passing by, and they also laughed. Now I feel inspired to dig out the Christmas pageant mishap story that I wrote and illustrated in fifth grade, starring my stuffed animals. That definitely wasn't the author's intent here, but it's a nice byproduct, and I'm sure that other people will also appreciate Laferton's funny anecdotes, especially if they're reading this at a Christian friend's behest.
"Christmas Uncut" will appeal to people who are looking for a short introduction to what really happened when Jesus was born, what it means, and why it matters to us today. Whether someone is seeking resources about the Christian faith, wants to better understand what others believe, or is reading this because a friend begged them to, this is a great book that explains key details about Christianity in a concise, witty, and engaging way.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2024
This was a very quick read of the Christmas story. It feels like it is written for people who have never read the Christmas story in the Bible or know much about the Christian story at Christmas time. He refers in each chapter to Christmas pageants that don't tell the real story of the Bible in school or church situations, which wasn't as relatable to my experiences. It is engaging enough and some things stood out to me to consider, but overall nothing new for a practicing Christian who has read the Bible and attends a Bible believing church. I think it could be a great resource for those interested in the Christmas story as it points people to the Word and to Truth.
December 6, 2023
A bit jumbled and disorganized feeling but certainly a fresh look at the Christmas story. Not a huge fan of the way Bible quotes are interspersed into the book as bold text, while the author’s words are regular font. The appendices are good resources. Not bad, but probably wouldn’t buy multiples for evangelism (which is how this book is marketed).
December 25, 2023
Carl Laferton breaks down the nativity story and how there is so much more to the story than what is told in the classic plays. Each chapter looks at a different character: Mary, the angel, the shepherds, the magi, King Herod, Simeon, and Jesus. And each chapter tells the story of what really happened in the Christmas story and why it matters.
November 15, 2023
A noble project, but lacking a bit in execution. However, the quotes from Scripture interspersed with commentary in the first part of each chapter is a redeeming aspect of this little work and proves profitable for recapitulating the story of Jesus’ birth.
December 24, 2023
A good reminder that the events of Christmas are historical events. We have historical records of Jesus’ birth, escape to Egypt, and return to Israel. And they happened just as promised in the Old Testament scriptures.
December 28, 2025
A basic read, but full of truth; a simple re-telling with modern anecdotes of faulty nativity reenactments. Easily digestible for those unfamiliar with the nativity and true Christmas story. Good for those who are curious about Jesus, or for those following Jesus.
December 10, 2023
Creative little book with gospel meditations centred on the narrative of Christ’s birth. I would buy a bunch and give them out to non-Christians as it’s a fantastic gospel tract!
April 3, 2024
Really enjoyed reading it very interesting
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews