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On This Holy Night: The Heart of Christmas
Rekindle the true meaning of Christmas with the help of six gifted Christian communicators.
Every year, the story of Christmas is told and retold, but sometimes the very familiarity of holiday traditions causes us to overlook the vital expressions of this meaningful season. On This Holy Night breathes new life into several aspects of the Christmas story through the voices of six beloved Christian communicators. Each author explores the meaning of Christmas in different facets of the holiday:
Max Lucado—a look into Joseph’s story, a man caught between what God says and what makes sense Rick Warren—the real gift of Christmas is that God sent His own Son to connect with the human race David Jeremiah—why the name of Jesus is so important and perfect John Maxwell—how to journey like the wise men to unexpected places Jack Hayford—a look into Mary’s story, a woman who embraced the seemingly impossible with God at her side Bill Hybels—rediscovering meaning in the nativity sceneSure to connect readers back to the heart of the holiday, this beautiful four-color gift book will be treasured for years to come.
111 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1998
85 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Max Lucado
1,201 books5,420 followersWith more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 21, 2025
Six Christian writers share their favourite Christmas messages. A beautifully presented book for Christmas. The chapter that was most special to me? Max Lucado’s ‘Joseph’s Prayer’. Just a wonderful collection. That’s all I have to say.
December 27, 2015
I enjoyed this collection of reflections from various authors regarding the season of Advent and Christmas. The reflections are generally short - each takes about 5 minutes to read, so they are perfect to read one a day to help focus thoughts on the real meaning of Christmas. I think I might re-read this again in Advent next year.
December 26, 2016
David Jeremiah did a great job but the other entries were bland. I felt I was reading the equivalent of a Hallmark Holiday movie.
December 20, 2021
A beautiful compilation of six short Christmas devotions? Short stories? Compositions? I'm not sure what you call them, but this book was really good! It made me reflect on the true meaning of Christmas again and opened up new perspectives for me. Wouldn't mind reading it again.
January 14, 2020
Encouraging short devotional stories on Christmas by various authors. It was missing a woman's voice!
January 19, 2023
I liked this short collection of essays. As technological advancements take us further and further from the lifestyles of the New Testament, it can be SO HARD to relate to them and look beyond the words in the bible. That is why I'm so thankful for books like this, which relate the New Testament to a modern reader.
January 16, 2024
This book is fine. It’s one of those promotional-feeling things, like that you might be given to you at church during a sermon series or as a holiday gift, or at something where you might be encouraged to “give it away,” some pastor envisioning that someone might off-handedly read it and find some truth where they least expected it. My guess is that the chapters—which are essays or sermonettes—are pulled from other books or writing elsewhere, meant to help us remember the “reason for the season” come Christmastime. As much as I usually don’t like books that fall into this rather long-winded category, this one was fine. In fact, one of the chapters even really got me thinking and moving into the new year with new, positive (Believer) motivation and thoughts. But it was probably just the words I needed right at that moment, more than the book. Maybe.
On This Holy Night is a tiny, little compilation of six writings by six well-known contemporary, Christian authors (pubbed 2013) meant as Advent reading (though in six chapters, you can break this down however you want but it won’t fit “nicely.” Maybe every other day during the Twelve Days of Christmas?). The book itself is small, to hold the small chapters, and has a hard, shiny cover and those extra-thick, shiny pages (all of which I am not a fan of, generally). But I have been on the hunt for a few years for good reading related to Jesus and Christmas, and so this was the one I tried this year. I am still much happier with last year’s Honest Advent by Scott Erickson. However, if you want something less demanding than one short reading for every day of the month, then On This Holy Night isn’t exactly a bad idea. You could certainly do worse.
I don’t really have a ton to say. I had to look up at least one of the writers because I know he’s become a bit of a controversial character, but it was nothing like what I feared. It was some doctrinal issue related to a denomination. Perhaps one of the other authors has fallen out of favor. It’s hard to keep up with these Evangelical personalities, these days, if that’s even what all of them are. Here’s the list of authors, and then you can determine if you have an issue with any of them, yourself: Max Lucado (who I have referred to elsewhere), Rick Warren, David Jeremiah, John Maxwell, Jack Hayford, and Bill Hybels. Whetever their personal or influencer lives, I didn’t find anything to be worried about in this little book, except maybe a few moments of cheesiness or an almost-worrying, outdated phrase. Almost. And all in the first section.
So, if you are looking for something new to read next Advent (or whenever) to wake up the Christmas story for you a little bit but not demand too much of you (it’s a busy season, after all!) this would be a fine, little book to grab. It’s calm and provocative in the lightest-handed way. It’s not going to blow your socks of, philosophically, but as Lucado is fond of claiming, it’s for the “average reader,” not Duke Divinity students. I found Jack Hayford’s “I Wish You a ‘Mary’ Christmas” to be the most thought-provoking, inspiring my word of the year: Mary.
QUOTES:
“…a miraculous story that transfuses new life into all who truly listen” (pviii).
“Wise men of every age, when handed a difficult situation, don’t panic about the problem, but hold steady and say, ‘God is somewhere in this stable of life. There’s something I can learn. I’ll hold steady because God is somewhere in this’” (p11, John Maxwell).
“The difference between the average and above average person lies in just three words: And Then Some” (p16, John Maxwell).
“God has always provided travel guides to earnest spiritual seekers … those who diligently seek after Christ will find Him” (p28, Bill Hybels).
“Life will add up only when you put Christ in the center of the equation” (p30, Bill Hybels).
“He was born into a real family, and He worked a real construction job. He lived in a neighborhood. He had real friends. He suffered hardship like the rest of us have, and He died a cruel death for a crime He didn’t commit …. Jesus was a refugee before His first birthday” (p34, Bill Hybels).
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“When Christ takes up residency, by His Spirit, in an ordinary life, I can assure you the ordinary gives way to the extraordinary” (p38, Bill Hybels).
“The Bible is a fence full of knotholes through which we can peek but not see the whole picture” (p43, Max Lucado).
“But in our wanderings, there is one question we never need to ask. Does God care? Do we matter to God? Does He still love His children?” (p51, Max Lucado).
“If someone comes to you and says salvation is here or over there, don’t you believe it” (p65, David Jeremiah).
“You might be a little more sophisticated, but you’re in the same less you were in before you started. Why? Because there’s only One who can change your life, and His name is Jesus” (p67, David Jeremiah).
“What are you going to find this Christmas? I’ll tell you what you’re going to find: you;ll find exactly what you’re looking for” (p74, Rick Warren).
“Notice that it simply says ‘all who believe.’ All means you. You just let go” (p78, Rick Warren).
“Religion is just man’s attempt to get to God. Relationship is when you get to know Jesus Christ in a personal way and He becomes a Friend” (p89).
“Mary’s virginity represents with impossibility, humanly speaking, of life coming forth. We need to see her virginity as a picture of the hopelessness of the situation” (p99, Jack Hayford).
“It’s interesting to study the flow of human history, to discover all the things that converged to make this the ideal moment for the appearance of the world’s Redeemer” (p100, Jack Hayford).
“The message that comes to us from the Lord is a message from another world” (p105).
“…whenever God comes to work, the first thing He has to do before He can unleash it on us is say, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just take it easy. Everything’s going to be all right. We’re going to do a good, healthy thing’” (p108, Jack Hayford).
“The Lord’s not inviting you to work your way through things so He can bless them. His miracle is not going to be based on your experience, growth or development, effort, or what you can produce at your level …. It’s based on His declaration” (p110, Jack Hayford).
“When God speaks His word, He commissions a ministry of the Holy Spirit to perform it. God will hasten His word to perform it” (p114, Jack Hayford).
MOVIES:
And just an FYI: I just found this Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night, and it has remarkable reviews. Perhaps this would be a great special to watch next Advent, or when reading this book? Just came out like last month. I’ve been meaning to get around to watching The Chosen series, anyhow, and this is some sort of Christmas special including Anrea Botocelli.
***REVIEW WRITTEN FOR THE STARVING ARTIST BLOG***
On This Holy Night is a tiny, little compilation of six writings by six well-known contemporary, Christian authors (pubbed 2013) meant as Advent reading (though in six chapters, you can break this down however you want but it won’t fit “nicely.” Maybe every other day during the Twelve Days of Christmas?). The book itself is small, to hold the small chapters, and has a hard, shiny cover and those extra-thick, shiny pages (all of which I am not a fan of, generally). But I have been on the hunt for a few years for good reading related to Jesus and Christmas, and so this was the one I tried this year. I am still much happier with last year’s Honest Advent by Scott Erickson. However, if you want something less demanding than one short reading for every day of the month, then On This Holy Night isn’t exactly a bad idea. You could certainly do worse.
I don’t really have a ton to say. I had to look up at least one of the writers because I know he’s become a bit of a controversial character, but it was nothing like what I feared. It was some doctrinal issue related to a denomination. Perhaps one of the other authors has fallen out of favor. It’s hard to keep up with these Evangelical personalities, these days, if that’s even what all of them are. Here’s the list of authors, and then you can determine if you have an issue with any of them, yourself: Max Lucado (who I have referred to elsewhere), Rick Warren, David Jeremiah, John Maxwell, Jack Hayford, and Bill Hybels. Whetever their personal or influencer lives, I didn’t find anything to be worried about in this little book, except maybe a few moments of cheesiness or an almost-worrying, outdated phrase. Almost. And all in the first section.
So, if you are looking for something new to read next Advent (or whenever) to wake up the Christmas story for you a little bit but not demand too much of you (it’s a busy season, after all!) this would be a fine, little book to grab. It’s calm and provocative in the lightest-handed way. It’s not going to blow your socks of, philosophically, but as Lucado is fond of claiming, it’s for the “average reader,” not Duke Divinity students. I found Jack Hayford’s “I Wish You a ‘Mary’ Christmas” to be the most thought-provoking, inspiring my word of the year: Mary.
QUOTES:
“…a miraculous story that transfuses new life into all who truly listen” (pviii).
“Wise men of every age, when handed a difficult situation, don’t panic about the problem, but hold steady and say, ‘God is somewhere in this stable of life. There’s something I can learn. I’ll hold steady because God is somewhere in this’” (p11, John Maxwell).
“The difference between the average and above average person lies in just three words: And Then Some” (p16, John Maxwell).
“God has always provided travel guides to earnest spiritual seekers … those who diligently seek after Christ will find Him” (p28, Bill Hybels).
“Life will add up only when you put Christ in the center of the equation” (p30, Bill Hybels).
“He was born into a real family, and He worked a real construction job. He lived in a neighborhood. He had real friends. He suffered hardship like the rest of us have, and He died a cruel death for a crime He didn’t commit …. Jesus was a refugee before His first birthday” (p34, Bill Hybels).
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“When Christ takes up residency, by His Spirit, in an ordinary life, I can assure you the ordinary gives way to the extraordinary” (p38, Bill Hybels).
“The Bible is a fence full of knotholes through which we can peek but not see the whole picture” (p43, Max Lucado).
“But in our wanderings, there is one question we never need to ask. Does God care? Do we matter to God? Does He still love His children?” (p51, Max Lucado).
“If someone comes to you and says salvation is here or over there, don’t you believe it” (p65, David Jeremiah).
“You might be a little more sophisticated, but you’re in the same less you were in before you started. Why? Because there’s only One who can change your life, and His name is Jesus” (p67, David Jeremiah).
“What are you going to find this Christmas? I’ll tell you what you’re going to find: you;ll find exactly what you’re looking for” (p74, Rick Warren).
“Notice that it simply says ‘all who believe.’ All means you. You just let go” (p78, Rick Warren).
“Religion is just man’s attempt to get to God. Relationship is when you get to know Jesus Christ in a personal way and He becomes a Friend” (p89).
“Mary’s virginity represents with impossibility, humanly speaking, of life coming forth. We need to see her virginity as a picture of the hopelessness of the situation” (p99, Jack Hayford).
“It’s interesting to study the flow of human history, to discover all the things that converged to make this the ideal moment for the appearance of the world’s Redeemer” (p100, Jack Hayford).
“The message that comes to us from the Lord is a message from another world” (p105).
“…whenever God comes to work, the first thing He has to do before He can unleash it on us is say, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just take it easy. Everything’s going to be all right. We’re going to do a good, healthy thing’” (p108, Jack Hayford).
“The Lord’s not inviting you to work your way through things so He can bless them. His miracle is not going to be based on your experience, growth or development, effort, or what you can produce at your level …. It’s based on His declaration” (p110, Jack Hayford).
“When God speaks His word, He commissions a ministry of the Holy Spirit to perform it. God will hasten His word to perform it” (p114, Jack Hayford).
MOVIES:
And just an FYI: I just found this Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night, and it has remarkable reviews. Perhaps this would be a great special to watch next Advent, or when reading this book? Just came out like last month. I’ve been meaning to get around to watching The Chosen series, anyhow, and this is some sort of Christmas special including Anrea Botocelli.
***REVIEW WRITTEN FOR THE STARVING ARTIST BLOG***
September 9, 2018
A gift from a friend. Interesting focal points about the familiar Christmas story. My favorite was probably Jack Hayford's (not a familiar author to me) discussion of Luke 1:37 in its context. David Jeremiah had some funny stories. Max Lucado's ponderings on Joseph included some I had not considered before. Rick Warren's emphasis on seeking Jesus was also good. Many of the writers did well relating the purpose of Christmas.
Bill Hybels concerned me a little with his comparisons between the star leading the wise men and those humans who lead others to Jesus. Not all shining guides are trustworthy or good. But then Hybels did put qualifiers on those kinds of discussions. "Life will add up only when you put Christ in the center of the equation. You use the map of His Word, ..."
I loved what John Maxwell wrote about trying our best and then ending up in disappointment so much that I read parts of it to the kids, "What if you follow a star and find a stable?" I wondered if they would catch the hole in that analogy, and they both did, independently. (I wasn't sure I would tell them if they didn't.) By the time that the wise men arrived on the scene, Jesus was no longer in a manger, but in a house. The wise men could still have been disappointed. After all, they had gone to Herod's palaces expecting great things, and eventually wound up in an ordinary house looking for the Christ Child, and probably a poor house at that.
I feel like one of our kids did that - gave their best pursuit to God, and yet ended up in a disappointing situation.
John Maxwell did have some good points from what the wise men did in their possible disappointment. They still looked for Jesus in those circumstances. They still offered Him priceless gifts, possibly their best.
I think I'd like to reread this book with the kids next Christmas.
Bill Hybels concerned me a little with his comparisons between the star leading the wise men and those humans who lead others to Jesus. Not all shining guides are trustworthy or good. But then Hybels did put qualifiers on those kinds of discussions. "Life will add up only when you put Christ in the center of the equation. You use the map of His Word, ..."
I loved what John Maxwell wrote about trying our best and then ending up in disappointment so much that I read parts of it to the kids, "What if you follow a star and find a stable?" I wondered if they would catch the hole in that analogy, and they both did, independently. (I wasn't sure I would tell them if they didn't.) By the time that the wise men arrived on the scene, Jesus was no longer in a manger, but in a house. The wise men could still have been disappointed. After all, they had gone to Herod's palaces expecting great things, and eventually wound up in an ordinary house looking for the Christ Child, and probably a poor house at that.
I feel like one of our kids did that - gave their best pursuit to God, and yet ended up in a disappointing situation.
John Maxwell did have some good points from what the wise men did in their possible disappointment. They still looked for Jesus in those circumstances. They still offered Him priceless gifts, possibly their best.
I think I'd like to reread this book with the kids next Christmas.
December 16, 2015
I enjoyed the first four stories of this book immensely! The fifth story was too wordy, in my point of view. Really they weren't stories.. they're more like quick sermons. I'm a Christian, so they didn't pull me toward Christ as intended. This book seems to have been written for the non believer in order to draw him or her to Jesus as their personal Savior. And I think the authors did a good job if doing that. Two of the sermons helped me think if a new angle in which to point my granddaughters as it's only 10 days till Christmas as I write this. I have been having my oldest read a verse or two in Luke 1 & 2 each day, telling of Jesus' birth. My favorite one was about Joseph, what thoughts must have been running through his head. Great book!!!!!
January 13, 2016
As someone mentioned ... the first four "stories" were better written than the fifth. The fifth author could have made his point in half as many words and pages. There were nuggets here and there and certainly the authors brought the true message of Christmas; however, there just wasn't enough meat to recommend investing the time.
August 11, 2016
Not 100% aligned with all written in the book, but found good reminders, and some to contemplate.
December 27, 2016
This was a nice Advent book. My favorite chapters were by Max Lucado and Rick Warren, I highlighted most of both of those chapters.
December 8, 2019
This is a nice book to get one in the spirit of Christmas. If I could have changed something with this book, I would have made the stories shorter and add more authors. Shorter stores make for better understanding, focus, and less repetition. Things I got out of the stories:
Strong Christians see God in the good and bad. They see God in the “stables” of life.
The star is your travel guide. Those who seek Christ will find Him. God sent each one of us a travel guide - someone to lead us to Christ.
Jesus understands.
Of all the names and titles given to Christ, the one most beloved by His followers is the name, Jesus. Jesus’ Hebrew translation is Joshua. Many consider Joshua of the Old Testament a picture of Christ. Jesus’ name is the most well known name in history. It is an exalted and exclusive name. Only Jesus can forgive sin and save us.
God wants to give us three Christmas gifts: forgiveness (our greatest need), peace of mind (having a relationship with Jesus), and eternal life. Jesus clears up my past, takes care of the present, and secures my future.
Mary Christmas!
Strong Christians see God in the good and bad. They see God in the “stables” of life.
The star is your travel guide. Those who seek Christ will find Him. God sent each one of us a travel guide - someone to lead us to Christ.
Jesus understands.
Of all the names and titles given to Christ, the one most beloved by His followers is the name, Jesus. Jesus’ Hebrew translation is Joshua. Many consider Joshua of the Old Testament a picture of Christ. Jesus’ name is the most well known name in history. It is an exalted and exclusive name. Only Jesus can forgive sin and save us.
God wants to give us three Christmas gifts: forgiveness (our greatest need), peace of mind (having a relationship with Jesus), and eternal life. Jesus clears up my past, takes care of the present, and secures my future.
Mary Christmas!
January 29, 2020
Book Review
Title: On This Holy Night: The Heart of Christmas
Author: Max Lucado, Rick Warren, David Jeremiah, John Maxwell, Jacky Hayford, Bill Hybels
Genre: Christian
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: I read this book in one day, this collection of reflections can be read in many different ways. The chapters are short and would be prefect if you wanted to read one a day during the Christmas season. I received this gift from a friend and I enjoyed reading it even after Christmas.
Synopsis: Rekindle the true meaning of Christmas with the help of six gifted Christian communicators. Six beloved Christian communicators explore the meaning of Christmas in different facets of the holiday.
This book in 3 emojis:
🌟⛪️ ✝️
Title: On This Holy Night: The Heart of Christmas
Author: Max Lucado, Rick Warren, David Jeremiah, John Maxwell, Jacky Hayford, Bill Hybels
Genre: Christian
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: I read this book in one day, this collection of reflections can be read in many different ways. The chapters are short and would be prefect if you wanted to read one a day during the Christmas season. I received this gift from a friend and I enjoyed reading it even after Christmas.
Synopsis: Rekindle the true meaning of Christmas with the help of six gifted Christian communicators. Six beloved Christian communicators explore the meaning of Christmas in different facets of the holiday.
This book in 3 emojis:
🌟⛪️ ✝️
December 31, 2021
Some of the devotionals are not real deep, but some of them are pretty good. The best one was by David Jeremiah. Rick Warren makes a good point that the people happiest about the birth of Jesus were the ones anticipating Him.
Overall, the book seemed a bit overly focused on people’s circumstances more than on Christ.
However, they did discuss Christ and how He is the Savior and King, which of course is the best thing in the world we can discuss.
Overall, the book seemed a bit overly focused on people’s circumstances more than on Christ.
However, they did discuss Christ and how He is the Savior and King, which of course is the best thing in the world we can discuss.
December 23, 2022
I have to be honest and say I had to battle a bit of disappointment at the heavy male influence in this book (all male writers for a start, not to mention one whose influence has been diminished as a result of power abuses and sexual harassment allegations). But despite that, I found it an easy listen while getting ready for Christmas, with some meaningful messages on the birth of Christ. Worth a listen if you can look through the above considerations!
September 28, 2022
This book is a great read before Christmas but it’s also good for Easter and the rest of the year. Inspiring and filled with hope, the stories each encourage the reader to view the common things of the Christmas story in a new light. I really enjoyed reading it. I was at a low point and needed encouragement and I received it through this book. It’s fantastic.
December 26, 2022
This book is a lovely work of insight into six different views of the Christmas Story. Six authors of good reputation delve into the scriptures about Christ's birth. It is an easy read and could well be read in one sitting. I chose to stretch it out over a week as a nightly reading before bedtime. It can whisper a sweet message to your heart for the season.
December 20, 2018
A great motivator to prepare your heart at Christmas
I think this book energized me as I prepare for Christmas. It is a composition of pastors' sermons and their thoughts to motivate us as we turn our hearts and minds to the birth of Christ.
I think this book energized me as I prepare for Christmas. It is a composition of pastors' sermons and their thoughts to motivate us as we turn our hearts and minds to the birth of Christ.
January 1, 2020
Each chapter focuses on something different about the night Jesus is born. The three wise men, the star, the stable, Joseph, Mary etc... some great insight and way to think in a new way about an old story.
April 4, 2020
A short audio book by some of my favorite authors. I've read some of the reviews and plan to listen again with a more critical ear. At this time the world is in a virus pandemic and I thought a Christmas audio would be an ice breaker.
January 5, 2021
3 1/2 stars. Christmas based devotional, written by several popular Christian ministers/writers. Each devotion explores the meaning and value of that first Christmas on our Christian life. I enjoyed some more than others.
December 9, 2024
Some good general thoughts on Christmas but nothing special over all. Kind of a feel good book that didn’t really challenge or teach.
Always love anything by Max Lucado though. His chapter was great.
Always love anything by Max Lucado though. His chapter was great.
November 21, 2017
I enjoyed the chapters by David Jeremiah and Jack Hayford.
December 13, 2017
This was a great way to look at Christmas in new ways.
December 5, 2018
Quick read, great for getting into the spirit of the holiday.
December 20, 2018
A sweet short book that helps you to remember what Christmas is really all about. Have a “Mary” Christmas!
December 26, 2018
Blessing
This was a great book go read for the month of December as it got my mind focused on the real reason I am celebrating the holidays.
This was a great book go read for the month of December as it got my mind focused on the real reason I am celebrating the holidays.
January 5, 2019
Marry
The book is full of interesting facts. I enjoyed reading it very much. I would recommend it to everyone. Loved it.
The book is full of interesting facts. I enjoyed reading it very much. I would recommend it to everyone. Loved it.
January 6, 2019
Loved this book! Enjoyed the short stories and the true meaning of Christmas told from a different perspective.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews