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C Is for Christmas: The History, Personalities, and Meaning of Christ's Birth
Beloved author and son provide an accessible A-to-Z resource for learning about the historical and biblical foundations of the first Christmas.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 18, 2016
I've been reading this book with my friend/mentor. We've meet once a week to discuss 1/4 of the book during each visit. My favorite aspect of the book has been how the Wiersbe's have allowed the Word to speak for itself. When they make statements they support their claims with scripture, word studies, and historical data. I also really enjoyed the absence of personal stories. Their focus is completely on Christ and the Christmas narrative. It's an excellent selection for new and mature believers alike.
December 26, 2025
I really enjoy this! It’s an alphabetical categorization of different Christmas topics and themes from Scripture. It wasn’t just facts, but was very thought provoking and applicable! I read it in 4 days but this would be nice to savor throughout the entire month of December in the future. Also would be great as a reference for writers/pastors/teachers to look up different topics!
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December 29, 2016I have a tradition of reading at least one Christmas book during December. I bought this in Kindle format a few years ago, and chose it as my seasonal reading this year.
The Wiersbe father-and-son team examined every incarnation-related scripture in the Bible, Old and New Testaments, and indexed them in C is for Christmas. The topics are arranged alphabetically, covering concepts such as Advent, Bethlehem, Epiphany, Glory, Immanuel, Joy, Messiah, Peace, Shepherds, Tidings, Word, and Zechariah. This makes it easy to look up the significance of any nativity-related word. The explanations are so thorough, however, that the same information is often given under several headings, making for redundancy if you read the book cover to cover.
The best way to use this book is as an advent devotional, picking and choosing your articles. C is for Christmas is a great resource for family devotions or for children's bedtime stories during December, because the clear, concise language is readily understood by children.
The Wiersbe father-and-son team examined every incarnation-related scripture in the Bible, Old and New Testaments, and indexed them in C is for Christmas. The topics are arranged alphabetically, covering concepts such as Advent, Bethlehem, Epiphany, Glory, Immanuel, Joy, Messiah, Peace, Shepherds, Tidings, Word, and Zechariah. This makes it easy to look up the significance of any nativity-related word. The explanations are so thorough, however, that the same information is often given under several headings, making for redundancy if you read the book cover to cover.
The best way to use this book is as an advent devotional, picking and choosing your articles. C is for Christmas is a great resource for family devotions or for children's bedtime stories during December, because the clear, concise language is readily understood by children.
December 27, 2016
This was a delightful book to read during the Christmas season. It covers all the main characters of the Christmas season - from A to Z.
It's a book I enjoyed reading a little bit at a time. I started it after Thanksgiving and read a letter or two each day.
I picked up some new information reading this book. I enjoyed the clear explanations provided by the author.
It's a book I enjoyed reading a little bit at a time. I started it after Thanksgiving and read a letter or two each day.
I picked up some new information reading this book. I enjoyed the clear explanations provided by the author.
December 17, 2016
This is a thorough look at Christmas from A to Z. I expected a light primer on the various aspects of Christmas, but what I found was an in-depth look at the biblical foundation of Christmas. There is a lot of substance here. Each entry investigates a biblical, Christmas-related character, object, or theme. The authors include plenty of biblical references to support their scholarship. As a pastor, I even found plenty of ideas for future Advent related preaching series. There was one minor flaw in the book, though. The authors show that they don't come from a liturgical tradition in that twice they state that the twelve days of Christmas begin the day after Christmas Day, December 25. In fact, the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas day and conclude the day before Epiphany. But as I said, it is a minor flaw. I highly recommend this book for an in-depth understanding of all the biblical background of Christmas.
February 10, 2020
I was a bit skeptical about the format of this book, but I really enjoyed it. I read straight through the alphabetical topical format. It made it easy to find stopping points, and it will make it easy to look up certain topics that you may have a question about. For example, this year we had a question about Jesus being called a Nazarene; we were able to skip over the the Ns and read that specific section.
I think it could also be used as a devotional/discussion book with someone else as the writers give some applications and thought provoking questions as well.
I think it could also be used as a devotional/discussion book with someone else as the writers give some applications and thought provoking questions as well.
December 17, 2016
I enjoyed reading this. The authors use each letter of the alphabet to explore a bit of the Christmas story and the prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. I really liked that they didn't write out each Bible verse they listed. As I read the sections, I used it to be my personal Bible study time by looking up the verses. It really added to my study.
January 10, 2024
A FINE EXPLANATION OF A NUMBER OF DISPUTED POINTS IN THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS
Pastor David Wiersbe and his father Warren Wiersbe wrote in the Preface to this 2012 book, “Throughout the centuries, so many traditions had woven themselves into Christmas that it’s becoming difficult to understand what the Advent season is all about. This book is an attempt to add some depth and meaning and some spiritual insight to your Christmas celebration… The better we understand the historical and doctrinal foundations of the magnificent Christmas event, the more exciting and enriching this special day becomes.”
They explain, “The Church year begins with the season of Advent… this is a time when Christians look back to Christ’s first coming in Bethlehem and look ahead to His coming again. Our readers may question this emphasis on Advent. After all, there’s nothing in Scripture that commands Christians to keep this season… We are certainly not insisting that every believer must acknowledge Advent, nor should it be a test of Christian fellowship… The season of Advent was first mentioned in writing about AD 380 in Spain, as a time of fasting prior to celebrating the nativity… by 581 most churches made pre-Christmas preparations.” (Pg. 16-17)
They note, “The English word ‘Christmas’ dates from the twelfth century. In Old English it was two words, ‘Christes maesse’… Literally it meant ‘Christ’s mass’ and referred to the special worship service held on December 25 in honor of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ… In Greek the … first letter looks like the English letter ‘X.’ … those in the church used the letter chi (X) to represent Christ … ‘Xmas’ is an honorable abbreviation for Christmas. It was not intended to take Christ out of Christmas…” (Pg. 38-39)
They point out, “The story of Mary in labor and Joseph desperately seeking shelter and the innkeeper refusing them a room because his establishment is full, is dramatic---and probably fiction… Bethlehem … was a busy town when Joseph and Mary arrived due to all the individuals and families there to register for the census… Most out-of-town guests would have stayed with relatives, but even that kind of housing probably filled up quickly… The idea that Mary was in labor when they arrived in town is probably wrong. It was after they arrived that her labor began. The word for ‘inn’… would be better translated ‘guest room.’ The word is never used for a public guest facility… ‘No room for them in the inn’ would be interpreted to mean that ‘the guest room’ was full at a relative’s house. Most houses … had an upper and lower level. The lower level was where the family’s animals were kept… Animals would be fed at a manger (made of wood or stone). If there was no room available in the main part of the house… Mary and Joseph… could have gone to the lower-level sleeping quarters. And this is where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Then the manger… would have made a convenient cradle… By the time the Magi arrived … Joseph and Mary and baby Jesus were living in a house. So the ‘barn’ was only temporary quarters.” (Pg. 96-97)
They observe, “It must have been unusual to put a newborn baby in a manger, because that was one of the signs the angel gave to the shepherds for finding the Christ Child. Evidently the shepherds knew the places in Bethlehem that would have a manger, and they found Joseph, Mary, and Jesus without difficulty.” (Pg. 132)
They state, “‘So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ [Mt 2:23] Students and teachers have wrestled with that statement because this prophecy cannot be found in ONE of the prophetic books, let alone several of them… To relate ‘Nazarene’ to the word ‘Nazarite’ is erroneous, because Jesus was not a Nazarite like John the Baptist… Luke records at least two occasions when Jesus touched dead bodies, and this was forbidden to Nazarites … and He also drank wine… We must not ignore the fact that Matthew wrote ‘prophets’ and not ‘prophet.’ … What one thing about the Christ did all the Old Testament prophets write about? He would be despised and rejected by the people… Many of the people of Judah considered Nazareth a town of backward people… In calling Jesus ‘the Nazarene,’ people could be identifying His hometown but also ridiculing Him and rejecting His claims.” (Pg. 141-142)
They assert, “We do not know how many Magi were in the group… The fact that three gifts are mentioned has led people to think that three men were involved, but that conclusion could be wrong… These wise men … were part of a large camel train of servants and soldiers and supplies. If three strangers showed up in Jerusalem, it wouldn’t make much of a stir; but when a large and rich-looking foreign company appeared, everybody took notice, especially King Herod… the wise men … did not see a newborn baby… but a young child…” (Pg. 188)
Later, they reiterate, “‘Xmas’ is an honorable abbreviation for ‘Christmas.’ … The truth about the origin of ‘Xmas’ will probably not cure the misbelief that ‘Xmas’ is an attempt to remove Christ from Christmas. So if you’re going to use ‘Xmas,’ do so with friends … who will not doubt your reverence for Christ.” (Pg. 200)
This book will be of keen interest to Christians wanting to know more of the historical background of the gospel stories.
Pastor David Wiersbe and his father Warren Wiersbe wrote in the Preface to this 2012 book, “Throughout the centuries, so many traditions had woven themselves into Christmas that it’s becoming difficult to understand what the Advent season is all about. This book is an attempt to add some depth and meaning and some spiritual insight to your Christmas celebration… The better we understand the historical and doctrinal foundations of the magnificent Christmas event, the more exciting and enriching this special day becomes.”
They explain, “The Church year begins with the season of Advent… this is a time when Christians look back to Christ’s first coming in Bethlehem and look ahead to His coming again. Our readers may question this emphasis on Advent. After all, there’s nothing in Scripture that commands Christians to keep this season… We are certainly not insisting that every believer must acknowledge Advent, nor should it be a test of Christian fellowship… The season of Advent was first mentioned in writing about AD 380 in Spain, as a time of fasting prior to celebrating the nativity… by 581 most churches made pre-Christmas preparations.” (Pg. 16-17)
They note, “The English word ‘Christmas’ dates from the twelfth century. In Old English it was two words, ‘Christes maesse’… Literally it meant ‘Christ’s mass’ and referred to the special worship service held on December 25 in honor of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ… In Greek the … first letter looks like the English letter ‘X.’ … those in the church used the letter chi (X) to represent Christ … ‘Xmas’ is an honorable abbreviation for Christmas. It was not intended to take Christ out of Christmas…” (Pg. 38-39)
They point out, “The story of Mary in labor and Joseph desperately seeking shelter and the innkeeper refusing them a room because his establishment is full, is dramatic---and probably fiction… Bethlehem … was a busy town when Joseph and Mary arrived due to all the individuals and families there to register for the census… Most out-of-town guests would have stayed with relatives, but even that kind of housing probably filled up quickly… The idea that Mary was in labor when they arrived in town is probably wrong. It was after they arrived that her labor began. The word for ‘inn’… would be better translated ‘guest room.’ The word is never used for a public guest facility… ‘No room for them in the inn’ would be interpreted to mean that ‘the guest room’ was full at a relative’s house. Most houses … had an upper and lower level. The lower level was where the family’s animals were kept… Animals would be fed at a manger (made of wood or stone). If there was no room available in the main part of the house… Mary and Joseph… could have gone to the lower-level sleeping quarters. And this is where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Then the manger… would have made a convenient cradle… By the time the Magi arrived … Joseph and Mary and baby Jesus were living in a house. So the ‘barn’ was only temporary quarters.” (Pg. 96-97)
They observe, “It must have been unusual to put a newborn baby in a manger, because that was one of the signs the angel gave to the shepherds for finding the Christ Child. Evidently the shepherds knew the places in Bethlehem that would have a manger, and they found Joseph, Mary, and Jesus without difficulty.” (Pg. 132)
They state, “‘So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ [Mt 2:23] Students and teachers have wrestled with that statement because this prophecy cannot be found in ONE of the prophetic books, let alone several of them… To relate ‘Nazarene’ to the word ‘Nazarite’ is erroneous, because Jesus was not a Nazarite like John the Baptist… Luke records at least two occasions when Jesus touched dead bodies, and this was forbidden to Nazarites … and He also drank wine… We must not ignore the fact that Matthew wrote ‘prophets’ and not ‘prophet.’ … What one thing about the Christ did all the Old Testament prophets write about? He would be despised and rejected by the people… Many of the people of Judah considered Nazareth a town of backward people… In calling Jesus ‘the Nazarene,’ people could be identifying His hometown but also ridiculing Him and rejecting His claims.” (Pg. 141-142)
They assert, “We do not know how many Magi were in the group… The fact that three gifts are mentioned has led people to think that three men were involved, but that conclusion could be wrong… These wise men … were part of a large camel train of servants and soldiers and supplies. If three strangers showed up in Jerusalem, it wouldn’t make much of a stir; but when a large and rich-looking foreign company appeared, everybody took notice, especially King Herod… the wise men … did not see a newborn baby… but a young child…” (Pg. 188)
Later, they reiterate, “‘Xmas’ is an honorable abbreviation for ‘Christmas.’ … The truth about the origin of ‘Xmas’ will probably not cure the misbelief that ‘Xmas’ is an attempt to remove Christ from Christmas. So if you’re going to use ‘Xmas,’ do so with friends … who will not doubt your reverence for Christ.” (Pg. 200)
This book will be of keen interest to Christians wanting to know more of the historical background of the gospel stories.
November 28, 2014
Not just for Christmas
I give this book a 5 star rating. It's so full of insight even for someone who thought I had a pretty good grasp on the basics. I found many gold nuggets so that I found myself taking notes.
I give this book a 5 star rating. It's so full of insight even for someone who thought I had a pretty good grasp on the basics. I found many gold nuggets so that I found myself taking notes.
October 29, 2016
Clear Approach
Some thoughtful insights. The book gives nuggets that bring light to aspects of the Christmas tradition. Good resource to use when planning bible study and advent and Christmas educational events.
Some thoughtful insights. The book gives nuggets that bring light to aspects of the Christmas tradition. Good resource to use when planning bible study and advent and Christmas educational events.
February 9, 2016
I like reading Warren Wiersbe's books. This book makes a great Advent devotional type book or can be used as a quick reference guide to the elements and characters of the Nativity story.
December 28, 2014
I loved this book. It was very insightful and thought provoking. Some of the material was familiar, much was new information. I loved the ABC format and the wide range of topics discussed.
February 17, 2017
This book gets rid of all the Fluff of Christmas and takes us to the real meaning and people of that time. I plan on reading this book again.
January 29, 2018
Wiersbe takes the reader through Christmas from A to Z. This book is full of a lot of facts regarding this most important event while leaving out the hyped up retail / commercial flaws we see during the festive season. Wiersbe reminds us of the man behind the season, the carpenter's son, not the fat guy dressed in red.
March 3, 2019
Very interesting and informative.
This book unlocks a lot more of the Christmas story than most of us are aware of.
I would advocate that anyone who wants to unlock some of the "mysteries of Christmas, the significance of what now contributes to our "traditional" celebrations and what really happened 2000 years ago, should read this book.
This book unlocks a lot more of the Christmas story than most of us are aware of.
I would advocate that anyone who wants to unlock some of the "mysteries of Christmas, the significance of what now contributes to our "traditional" celebrations and what really happened 2000 years ago, should read this book.
May 19, 2018
Christmas is for everyone
This explains the season of Christmas very well. I highly recommend this book to get your questions answered about the meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it.
This explains the season of Christmas very well. I highly recommend this book to get your questions answered about the meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it.
December 18, 2019
I really liked using this book as an Advent devotional, although it is not set up as a reading per day. The insights into some of the familiar and lesser-known aspects of the Christmas story were insightful, meaningful and thought-provoking. It could easily serve as an annual read.
December 23, 2019
Refreshing
I enjoy Warren Wiersbe writings. In this book I thought the idea of going from a to z was a great idea. I really enjoyed the book. I will recommend it to family and friends.
I enjoy Warren Wiersbe writings. In this book I thought the idea of going from a to z was a great idea. I really enjoyed the book. I will recommend it to family and friends.
January 10, 2020
An enlightened look at Christmas
This book should be read by all. After reading it you will have a greater understanding of why we celebrate Christmas, and a greater love for the season. A love that hopefully lasts all year.
This book should be read by all. After reading it you will have a greater understanding of why we celebrate Christmas, and a greater love for the season. A love that hopefully lasts all year.
December 24, 2023
Advent readings
This is a book I pull out every December. The information is detailed enough to satisfy my curiosity, but the emphasis on Jesus is what draws me in. The writings are short enough to be squeezed into a busy schedule or several may be read at a sitting. The book is a look with fresh eyes. Give this book as a gift to yourself.
This is a book I pull out every December. The information is detailed enough to satisfy my curiosity, but the emphasis on Jesus is what draws me in. The writings are short enough to be squeezed into a busy schedule or several may be read at a sitting. The book is a look with fresh eyes. Give this book as a gift to yourself.
December 21, 2018
Excellent Book.
December 6, 2019
Loved
A wonderful book to prepare your heart for Christmas. I will make this book an annual tradition to help me focus on the meaning of the season.
A wonderful book to prepare your heart for Christmas. I will make this book an annual tradition to help me focus on the meaning of the season.
December 30, 2019
Great read for Christmas.
Great book to read during advent and Christmas. Inspirational and thought provoking. I highly recommend reading as a devotional during the season.
Great book to read during advent and Christmas. Inspirational and thought provoking. I highly recommend reading as a devotional during the season.
January 2, 2020
Some wrong stuff but pretty good otherwise.
January 21, 2020
Although primarily intended for the Advent season, this excellent book could easily be used as a devotional for any time of the year. I would give it more than five stars if I could.
December 2, 2022
Very interesting and full of great facts about Christmas and everything related to the season.
December 23, 2022
Uno de los mejores libros que he leído sobre el tema de la Navidad, ordenado cada uno de sus puntos alfabéticamente.
January 22, 2023
A Christmas preaching treasure box filled with insights and historical facts
December 30, 2024
An alphabetical reminder of the True Reason for the season.
November 27, 2013
I read this book as a study tool to prepare for preaching on Christmas Eve, but I don't believe that's what it was written for nor is it a good tool for that. It's written much more like a devotional-type tool for the believer who wants to reflect on Christmas during the advent season and maybe learn a few new things. There was little historical background of any real substance in it, though there certainly was some. I also found it to be very repetitive with exact phrases and ideas being mentioned over and again. It felt like you were reading pastoral writing because there were certain "pet phrases" that came up again and again.
I don't necessarily dislike this book, it just wasn't at all what I was hoping it would be for a deeper study into the background of the Christmas story.
I don't necessarily dislike this book, it just wasn't at all what I was hoping it would be for a deeper study into the background of the Christmas story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews