Looking for Christmas: A Search for the Joy and Hope of the Nativity

by Donna VanLiere

Experiencing Christmas at Its Fullest

From New York Times bestselling author Donna VanLiere, Looking for Christmas is a thoughtful and heartfelt reflection on the origin and meaning of Christmas. As you explore the people and places found in the biblical Nativity account, you will uncover the powerful ways this story can fill your life with celebration and purpose.

Encouraging and engaging, Donna helps you to recover the true meaning of this season as presented in the Bible. You’ll gain uplifting, life-changing, and personal insights about what Jesus’ birth means for you today and always.

If you’re longing to go beyond the usual holiday traditions and activities, Looking for Christmas invites you to a richer, more meaningful connection with what Christmas is truly about. Experience renewed hope and discover how this story can bring more peace and joy into your home at Christmas and beyond!

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction

Library Binding

Published December 10, 2025

About the author

Donna is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She's an in-demand conference speaker and gifted teacher and has 14 published books including four that have been adapted into movies.

Donna is the recipient of multiple industry awards including a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, two Audie Awards for best inspirational fiction, a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year and is an inductee in the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence joining such luminaries as Coretta Scott King, Hugh Downs, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Senator John Glenn.

Learn more about Donna by visiting www.DonnaVanLiere.com and stay up-to-date and in-touch by subscribing to her free Friendship List.

Reviews

[Jess Johansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to go through during December . Such an encouraging and sweet reminder of the true meaning of Christmas

[Grace]

I already knew pretty much everything in here, but if you aren’t super familiar with the details of Jesus’ birth then this would be great for you! I just kept waiting for some new touching message or interesting information, but it was the same information I’ve been taught my whole life and just a timeline of how things happened mostly. There were messages we can learn from each “character” in the nativity story though and those were cool.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars. A quick take that I picked up given the season. Certainly drives home the humble origins of the birth of Jesus. I found the portion about what wasn’t in place yet 100 or even 30 years earlier in that region intriguing. Infrastructure and language made that time the better time for the birth and the eventual spread of His teachings.

[A Busscher · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting read about the main characters in the birth of Jesus. Some of the historical details that we skim over in the bible. The cultural importance of details. Also how the christmas figures have evolved over time to fit OUR cultural wants/needs.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.
I love how it explained the journey and birth of Jesus.
It helped to understand the meaning of the bible and the true meaning of the Advent season.

Donna VanLiere always writes a wonderful, uplifting book that will be enjoyed any time!

[Kelley Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. While I know the story- I always look for a way to stay focused on Jesus during advent among the hustle of the season. The POV narrative and hermeneutical perspective is great. I will be checking to see if the author has an Easter one!

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be engaging and interesting. A wonderful new Christmas book.

[Miranda Broach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love when Donna narrates her books! this was filled with so much wonderful news and words you cannot hear often enough. I highly recommend!