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Joy to the World: How Christ's Coming Changed Everything
What could be more familiar than the Christmas story -- and yet what could be more extraordinary? The cast of characters is strange and shepherds and magicians, an emperor and a despot, angels, and a baby who is Almighty God. The strangeness calls for an explanation, and this book provides it by examining the characters and the story in light of the biblical and historical context. Bestselling author Scott Hahn who has written extensively on Scripture and the early Church, brings evidence to light, dispelling some of the mystery of the story. Yet Christmas is made familiar all over again by showing it to be a family story. Christmas, as it appears in the New Testament, is the story of a father, a mother, and a child -- their relationships, their interactions, their principles, their individual lives, and their common life. To see the life of this "earthly trinity" is to gaze into heaven.
175 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
295 people are currently reading
1550 people want to read
About the author
Scott Hahn
415 books1,328 followersScott Hahn is a renowned Catholic theologian, apologist, speaker, and bestselling author whose work has had a profound impact on contemporary biblical theology and Catholic thought. A former Presbyterian minister, Hahn converted to Catholicism in 1986 after an intense personal and theological journey, which he details in his popular book Rome Sweet Home, co-written with his wife, Kimberly Hahn. Their story of conversion has inspired countless readers around the world and remains a landmark in modern Catholic apologetics.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
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December 18, 2015
For the last two years my habit has been to re-read Pope Benedict XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives. Just perfect reading leading up to Christmas to review all the scriptures related to the story of Christmas. After reading a book review by William Newton I have found another book to add to that annual reading. Scott Hahn’s recent book Joy to the World: How Christ’s Coming Changed Everything (and Still Does).
In some ways they are companion books especially as Joy to the World references Pope Benedict XVI book throughout. The underlying chronology is of course similar as you would expect when the primary sources are a limited number of passages in the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke. Reading them together back-to-back they reinforced certain themes while also have different emphasis. If you line up 15 scripture scholars together you are likely to get 15 different opinions regarding reconciling some texts and that is also the case here to a small degree.
In Joy to the World I especially enjoyed one chapter on the angels and his saying “… Christmas appears in the Gospels as an explosion of angelic activity.” I found this phrasing rather striking and such an apt descriptor. He then canvases the Old and New Testaments to all the appearances of angels. While angels are certainly not lacking in the Old Testament the arrival of Jesus really does bring in an explosion of angels. We also learn from Jesus that angels are really good at multitasking. The Guardian Angels can both guard us and worship the face of the father.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. (Mt 18:10)
Don’t blame Scott Hahn for the multitasking observation since it is my own. Really Scott Hahn kept his punning to a minimum in this book. Still I was laughing over his observation comparing the styles of St. Matthew and St. Luke in a chapter regarding the Magi. There is much in Mr. Hahn’s writing style I appreciate as his love of scripture is always infectious. I also enjoy his phrasing of things.
“We live in a world of marvels, but we are schooled to put these aside if they do not fit the broadest generalities in categories confirmed by the scientific method and approved by a magisterium of skeptics.”
Another point he brought out that struck me and stuck with me:
“Though the Gospel is certainly rich in allegorical meaning, it is first of all history. If there is allegory in the infancy narratives, it is fashioned by God, and not simply with words, but rather with creation itself—with the very deeds of sacred history. God writes the world the way human authors write words.”
This observation really applies to all of scripture. There is just so much parallelism and echoes in scripture. Mark Twain said “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Reading salvation history there is more than rhyming involved, and an agency involved with God as poet. All the crooked lines of human history being straightened with repeating refrains. Scott Hahn goes into some of these parallels as they relate to the infancy narratives such as the parallels between the New Testament Joseph and the Old Testament Joseph. While he doesn’t reference the parallelism of Mary as the new Ark of the Covenant in this book he has covered it elsewhere. Those scripture parallels give me virtual goosebumps as God’s plan is revealed in a series of parallels passages between the Old and the New Testament regarding Mary.
In some ways they are companion books especially as Joy to the World references Pope Benedict XVI book throughout. The underlying chronology is of course similar as you would expect when the primary sources are a limited number of passages in the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke. Reading them together back-to-back they reinforced certain themes while also have different emphasis. If you line up 15 scripture scholars together you are likely to get 15 different opinions regarding reconciling some texts and that is also the case here to a small degree.
In Joy to the World I especially enjoyed one chapter on the angels and his saying “… Christmas appears in the Gospels as an explosion of angelic activity.” I found this phrasing rather striking and such an apt descriptor. He then canvases the Old and New Testaments to all the appearances of angels. While angels are certainly not lacking in the Old Testament the arrival of Jesus really does bring in an explosion of angels. We also learn from Jesus that angels are really good at multitasking. The Guardian Angels can both guard us and worship the face of the father.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. (Mt 18:10)
Don’t blame Scott Hahn for the multitasking observation since it is my own. Really Scott Hahn kept his punning to a minimum in this book. Still I was laughing over his observation comparing the styles of St. Matthew and St. Luke in a chapter regarding the Magi. There is much in Mr. Hahn’s writing style I appreciate as his love of scripture is always infectious. I also enjoy his phrasing of things.
“We live in a world of marvels, but we are schooled to put these aside if they do not fit the broadest generalities in categories confirmed by the scientific method and approved by a magisterium of skeptics.”
Another point he brought out that struck me and stuck with me:
“Though the Gospel is certainly rich in allegorical meaning, it is first of all history. If there is allegory in the infancy narratives, it is fashioned by God, and not simply with words, but rather with creation itself—with the very deeds of sacred history. God writes the world the way human authors write words.”
This observation really applies to all of scripture. There is just so much parallelism and echoes in scripture. Mark Twain said “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Reading salvation history there is more than rhyming involved, and an agency involved with God as poet. All the crooked lines of human history being straightened with repeating refrains. Scott Hahn goes into some of these parallels as they relate to the infancy narratives such as the parallels between the New Testament Joseph and the Old Testament Joseph. While he doesn’t reference the parallelism of Mary as the new Ark of the Covenant in this book he has covered it elsewhere. Those scripture parallels give me virtual goosebumps as God’s plan is revealed in a series of parallels passages between the Old and the New Testament regarding Mary.
January 9, 2019
Scott Hahn’s Joy to the World is a surprisingly subtle book on a subject you would think we all know everything about, Christmas. Hahn takes us through all the elements of Christmas: the Christ child, Mary and the Annunciation, St. Joseph, King Herod, angels, shepherds, Bethlahem, the Magi, and so on. But in almost every chapter there is some enlightening new information or perspective that I never knew or never thought about. The book is truly rich.
But Hahn always emphasizes the most salient fact of Christmas. Christ’s birth is monumental. It is the incarnational entrance of God into world, the one and only time in human history. And with Christ’s entrance, the world is renewed. The fall from Eden will be reversed. That is the reason for our joy, which is reflected in the book’s title. That is why we celebrate Christmas.
All the chapters lead to Hahn’s central theological question. Why did God enter the world and enter it as a babe, no less? God became man to (1) to save us as part of mankind, therefore redeeming mankind, because it was mankind that lost salvation, (2) to show us that God is love, (3) to reveal that God is a family of persons bound in love of which we are supposed to emulate, (4) to draw us close to Him since He took on physical presence, and (5) to show us that God can humble Himself to come as a babe that requires love and care.
And finally Hahn concludes with a return to his central thesis of joy as what makes Christmas is so very special to us and to the world. So we should spread this joy, despite the commercialism twist that Christmas has taken the last hundred years. Hahn is not afraid of the commercialism. In its own way, it’s “an acknowledgment of Christmas joy. It’s the market’s awkward attempt to join the party and capitalize on joy” (p. 166). And why is Christmas joy so important?
It is amazing how people can be secular all year long but celebrate Christmas. In Christmas those people come the closest to tangibly experiencing Christian jubilance, but it still falls short of full mystical joy. This is our calling as Christians, to bring people to this joy.
But Hahn always emphasizes the most salient fact of Christmas. Christ’s birth is monumental. It is the incarnational entrance of God into world, the one and only time in human history. And with Christ’s entrance, the world is renewed. The fall from Eden will be reversed. That is the reason for our joy, which is reflected in the book’s title. That is why we celebrate Christmas.
All the chapters lead to Hahn’s central theological question. Why did God enter the world and enter it as a babe, no less? God became man to (1) to save us as part of mankind, therefore redeeming mankind, because it was mankind that lost salvation, (2) to show us that God is love, (3) to reveal that God is a family of persons bound in love of which we are supposed to emulate, (4) to draw us close to Him since He took on physical presence, and (5) to show us that God can humble Himself to come as a babe that requires love and care.
And finally Hahn concludes with a return to his central thesis of joy as what makes Christmas is so very special to us and to the world. So we should spread this joy, despite the commercialism twist that Christmas has taken the last hundred years. Hahn is not afraid of the commercialism. In its own way, it’s “an acknowledgment of Christmas joy. It’s the market’s awkward attempt to join the party and capitalize on joy” (p. 166). And why is Christmas joy so important?
Because the world offers countless pleasures, but no lasting joys. What Jesus Christ gives is joy, even in the midst of hardship and sorrow—even amid persecution, flight, and exile. (p. 165)
It is amazing how people can be secular all year long but celebrate Christmas. In Christmas those people come the closest to tangibly experiencing Christian jubilance, but it still falls short of full mystical joy. This is our calling as Christians, to bring people to this joy.
August 20, 2022
Scott Hahn has written the perfect book to enhance the reader's perception of Christmas.
He deals, in depth, with Bethlehem, angels, shepherds, Mary, Joseph and the Magi. There are 14 chapters in all.
My favorite was Chapter 9: Do You Believe in Magi? The Magi were from Persia. The Jews, ironically, abhorred the Persians.
From the book:
"Though the Magi were near neighbors to the Jews in geographic terms, religiously they were light-years away. In many ways they personified the world of the Gentiles—they were foreigners and idolaters who were ignorant and contemptuous of Israel’s ways and Israel’s God."
And yet they showed an interest in finding and understanding the Messiah who was to be born.
I loved all that I learned from this book and strongly recommend it.
5 Christmas Stars
He deals, in depth, with Bethlehem, angels, shepherds, Mary, Joseph and the Magi. There are 14 chapters in all.
My favorite was Chapter 9: Do You Believe in Magi? The Magi were from Persia. The Jews, ironically, abhorred the Persians.
From the book:
"Though the Magi were near neighbors to the Jews in geographic terms, religiously they were light-years away. In many ways they personified the world of the Gentiles—they were foreigners and idolaters who were ignorant and contemptuous of Israel’s ways and Israel’s God."
And yet they showed an interest in finding and understanding the Messiah who was to be born.
I loved all that I learned from this book and strongly recommend it.
5 Christmas Stars
January 15, 2020
What a beautiful book to start the year with. Scott Hahn explains the origins and details of the Christmas story in a thorough and interesting read that kept the joy of Christmas alive for me halfway through January! My word for 2019 was joy and this book just encapsulated it so well. Highly recommend. ❤️
December 27, 2014
Scott Hahn is always a good read. I'm in the habit of reading his new book from Image every year and while this was published a few months ago it just begged to be read at Christmas. This is the Christmas Story explained: all the symbolism, the people, events and the accepted theories. As usual I find Mr. Hahn's books are best read slowly because they contain such profound enlightenment. This is an easy read (much easier than his last few books) and could honestly be read in one sitting if one had the day but I chose to take my time. What I found most amazing was reading this book the two weeks prior to Christmas and while doing so, attending some daily Masses, and coming across events in the Scriptures that I had read about here. Talk about light bulb moments! The day we hear Joseph's reply when he is told Mary is expecting we think back upon the three accepted possible reasons a righteous Joseph may have answered the way he did. The day we hear the Scripture for the Star of Bethlehem we think back to what Mr. Hahn told us of the theory presented by Saint John Chrysostom and accepted by Pope Saint Gregory the Great that the star was actually an angel. Not only that but the author explains why the Christmas story is written the way it is (or isn't) in each Gospel, why the New Testament starts with that 'boring' long list of heredity and oh so much more. I'm giving this book 4 stars because comparing it against Hahn's previous books it's somewhat simplistic and not quite as absorbing as he does repeat some information he has spoken of before. However, this book is most certainly exceptional in its field!
December 9, 2018
This is my second book by this prolific Catholic author and I have decided that Scott Hahn is not for me. In each of the chapters of this book, Hahn looks at the various figures of the Christmas story: the angels, Herod, Mary, Joseph, Bethlehem, etc. He does not merely explain each element (i.e. the Messianic expectation of the Hebrew Scriptures or the historical facts of Herod), but he goes on to defend the veracity of the way each element is portrayed in the Scriptural story and defends the most devotional attitudes toward each figure. For example, Hahn finds evidence to justify an ancient belief that Mary had vowed perpetual virginity prior to the Annunciation or that the historical record of a Roman census in 6 AD could not have been the same as that in Luke because Jesus had to be born in the year 0. I personally do not find such arguments edifying or inspiring. But, I know that this type of book is valuable to many. Scott Hahn is a very popular Catholic author. I read this book because it was the pick for one of my book groups. After reading it, I won’t be participating in the discussion. I know that my thoughts on the book will not be shared by the others and I don’t want to diminish their enjoyment of it by my inability to appreciate it.
December 31, 2017
“Joy is the best argument for Catholicism. People find it irresistable and irrefutable. And we have it built into our great feasts.”
This is a wonderful book for Christmastime— so readable, full of quick and comprehensible insights. I actually really loved the structure of the book as well as all of the Scripture/Biblical history stuff. My favorite chapter was ‘Shepherds, why this Jubilee?’ I was totally surprised and excited to learn all the connections between Old Testament and New when talking about shepherds. (This was the best: “...flocks of sheep provide the dominant metaphors for Israel’s self-understanding. When the people sin, they go ‘astray.’ (Psalm 119:67)”)
How cool is it that our Lord infused the very language of his Word with hidden awesome connections to Christ? And how cool is it that we can continually learn more and more about Him through Scripture?
Even though Christmas was last week, the season of celebrating Christmas has just begun. Definitely grab this book for some light reading in the next month, and the season will come alive in your prayer and at Mass.
This is a wonderful book for Christmastime— so readable, full of quick and comprehensible insights. I actually really loved the structure of the book as well as all of the Scripture/Biblical history stuff. My favorite chapter was ‘Shepherds, why this Jubilee?’ I was totally surprised and excited to learn all the connections between Old Testament and New when talking about shepherds. (This was the best: “...flocks of sheep provide the dominant metaphors for Israel’s self-understanding. When the people sin, they go ‘astray.’ (Psalm 119:67)”)
How cool is it that our Lord infused the very language of his Word with hidden awesome connections to Christ? And how cool is it that we can continually learn more and more about Him through Scripture?
Even though Christmas was last week, the season of celebrating Christmas has just begun. Definitely grab this book for some light reading in the next month, and the season will come alive in your prayer and at Mass.
December 26, 2024
Every year I go back and re-read this book during Advent and every year I discover a new nugget that makes my reflection on Christmas that much more powerful.
June 19, 2017
Not Scott Hahn's best book of this type, but how can one complain about a book that celebrates the Incarnation of Christ, and its enormous importance to believers (and the world)? Hahn has a very easy writing style, and I'm always pleased with his books. In this book he gives the Old Testament background to each element of the Christmas story: Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds, Magi..which was great. I was particularly pleased that he broached the topic of the Protoevangelium of St James, a 2nd century apocryphal text that gives many details of Mary's life. It has always filled in the gaps on Mary's story, but everyone is afraid to mention it because it isn't canonical. He does this deftly. Also, loved the explanation of the Magi as not only representative of the Gentiles, but actually representative of the Babylonians and/or Persians (some pretty big villains to the Hebrews). Loved the Flight Into Egypt seen as a furthering of this mission to the Gentiles also. Finally, got a reference to another book I want to read, Ratzinger's Blessings of Christmas. Maybe I'll wait though. Ash Wednesday is only a week and a half away.
December 22, 2018
Christmas is about joy. Love is joy. God is love. Those are the lessons of "Joy to the World: How Christ's Coming Changed Everything." Lessons which mean so much no matter what time of year it is.
This book was easy to read and made for a thought provoking personal Advent lesson.
I have one major issue with this book that keeps me from rating it any higher. In defending any concept or belief of Catholic Christians for which there is no scriptural evidence, Hahn just dismissed doubts because, well, Church doctrine says so, or tradition has it. That is not proof. That is not evidence. That is not what it means to be a Christian. I don't believe because tradition or doctrine tells me to. I believe because of my own life experiences, and because of of faith, which cannot be explained.
Now, to get to the good parts. Hahn examines several important themes relative to the Nativity, the birth place, the witnesses (shepherds), the Holy Family, The Angels, the visitors (The Wise Men), The Blessed Mother herself, King Herod, The flight into Egypt, and the events in the Christ's life that relate directly back to the Christmas story.
These are aspects of Christmas we all know so well we take them for granted, and this book does a wonderful job of putting it all in context again. We all need to examine why we believe in Christmas.
Thanks and love to my sister and brother-in-law for the gift of this book.
Peace on earth. Goodwill to men. That truly is my prayer for all of us. Amen. Amen. Alleluia.
This book was easy to read and made for a thought provoking personal Advent lesson.
I have one major issue with this book that keeps me from rating it any higher. In defending any concept or belief of Catholic Christians for which there is no scriptural evidence, Hahn just dismissed doubts because, well, Church doctrine says so, or tradition has it. That is not proof. That is not evidence. That is not what it means to be a Christian. I don't believe because tradition or doctrine tells me to. I believe because of my own life experiences, and because of of faith, which cannot be explained.
Now, to get to the good parts. Hahn examines several important themes relative to the Nativity, the birth place, the witnesses (shepherds), the Holy Family, The Angels, the visitors (The Wise Men), The Blessed Mother herself, King Herod, The flight into Egypt, and the events in the Christ's life that relate directly back to the Christmas story.
These are aspects of Christmas we all know so well we take them for granted, and this book does a wonderful job of putting it all in context again. We all need to examine why we believe in Christmas.
Thanks and love to my sister and brother-in-law for the gift of this book.
Peace on earth. Goodwill to men. That truly is my prayer for all of us. Amen. Amen. Alleluia.
December 26, 2024
was scared it would be kinda basic but learned a lot and would definitely recommend as a Christmas read
February 3, 2018
This book was beautiful, informative, touching, and incredibly interesting.
Written in a simple, conversational manner, Scott Hahn answers questions I didn't know how to ask, explains stories and symbolism in a way I would never have thought--but it all becomes so incredibly clear and obvious once you know it.
I loved how this book gave me a better understanding of St. Joseph and his actions, and who the Maji were--and why this matters. Why the shepherds were the first to come and worship. How humanity's relationship with angels changed when Christ was born. How the Holy Family is, in a way, an image of the Holy Trinity. The parallels between the Old and New Testaments. The differences in the intentions of the Gospel writers. Why Jesus lineage is such an important detail for the Gospels to include.
I cried reading this--it's so absolutely humbling. It renews one's understanding of Christ, and all that He did. Does. To be faced with a Love so infinitely vast, what other reaction is there but tears?
I read this over three days--and finished it before I intended. I picked it up initially because I had little else to do in the moment, and I had meant to read it the past two Christmas seasons. With Lent coming up, it was a "now or never" decision to start reading. If I had KNOWN it was such a fast read, I would have picked it up sooner.
That being said, this is a book I will definitely read again. 10/10 would recommend.
Written in a simple, conversational manner, Scott Hahn answers questions I didn't know how to ask, explains stories and symbolism in a way I would never have thought--but it all becomes so incredibly clear and obvious once you know it.
I loved how this book gave me a better understanding of St. Joseph and his actions, and who the Maji were--and why this matters. Why the shepherds were the first to come and worship. How humanity's relationship with angels changed when Christ was born. How the Holy Family is, in a way, an image of the Holy Trinity. The parallels between the Old and New Testaments. The differences in the intentions of the Gospel writers. Why Jesus lineage is such an important detail for the Gospels to include.
I cried reading this--it's so absolutely humbling. It renews one's understanding of Christ, and all that He did. Does. To be faced with a Love so infinitely vast, what other reaction is there but tears?
I read this over three days--and finished it before I intended. I picked it up initially because I had little else to do in the moment, and I had meant to read it the past two Christmas seasons. With Lent coming up, it was a "now or never" decision to start reading. If I had KNOWN it was such a fast read, I would have picked it up sooner.
That being said, this is a book I will definitely read again. 10/10 would recommend.
November 26, 2020
I really adored this book. It's short, but it takes a deep dive in the Biblical and historical origins of Christmas. I especially appreciated the references to historians like Josephus and the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls, as I'm taking a class about the Dead Sea sect in college this semester. Really well written. Both easily understandable but also filled with knowledge.
February 17, 2015
A very informative work that explores the symbolism and the history behind the Christmas Story. Well worth the time to read, especially if you're a cradle Catholic who hasn't really thought about these details before.
December 21, 2016
Good advent reading, if a bit overdone at the end. I really liked the discussion of the personality and actions of Joseph.
January 8, 2018
Classic Scott Hahn, great history and theology, just wish it were longer!
December 23, 2025
Mi timing terminándolo el 23/12 la verdad que estuvo regio. Es un libro muy lindo, cortito, que explica de manera sencilla un poco de lo que es la Navidad.
Una onda “el cuadrante” de Sicre Sj, te da contexto para entender muchas cosas que lees en los Evangelios y no captas qué significan realmente si no tenes ese trasfondo. Me gustó mucho, es como el behind the scenes de la historia del pesebre que conocemos.
No es una novela, que era por ahí lo que yo estaba buscando. Onda, no es como “la sombra del padre”, no está escrito a modo de relato, sino que es más un texto expositivo.
Que tengan una feliz navidad!!!!
Una onda “el cuadrante” de Sicre Sj, te da contexto para entender muchas cosas que lees en los Evangelios y no captas qué significan realmente si no tenes ese trasfondo. Me gustó mucho, es como el behind the scenes de la historia del pesebre que conocemos.
No es una novela, que era por ahí lo que yo estaba buscando. Onda, no es como “la sombra del padre”, no está escrito a modo de relato, sino que es más un texto expositivo.
Que tengan una feliz navidad!!!!
January 31, 2025
I have yet to read a Scott Hahn book I did not like. I found it hard in the past to listen to him on audio for some reason, but I always learn a lot from his books, which are easy reads for me. It would have been more fitting to have read this book earlier in the Christmas season, but I was very close to finishing another book at the time, and at least I finished it before the Feast of the Presentation. Hahn gave me a much deeper look at the meaning and symbolism of Christmas and explained aspects of the whole story I did not even realize needed explaining. I hope I will remember it all when Christmas rolls around again, but if I have the time, I should review it again to have a better appreciation of the holiday. I highly recommend!
December 18, 2018
What a wonderful book. It was a perfect book to read during Advent in preparation for the joy of Christmas. I learned a lot and appreciated how the book was informative yet relatively easy to read and entertaining. I think this book is one I will read again, especially during the Advent season.
I love this quote towards the end of the book: "We evangelize when we enjoy our Catholic faith - when we enjoy celebrating the feasts - when we have ourselves a merry little Christmas, and invite others to share it. That's the best way to evangelize friends, family, coworkers, and everybody else. Why? Because the world offers countless pleasures, but no lasting joys. What Jesus Christ gives is joy, even in the midst of hardship and sorrow - even amid persecution, flight and exile. Joy is the best argument for Catholicism. People find it irresistible and irrefutable. And we have it built into our great feasts."
I love this quote towards the end of the book: "We evangelize when we enjoy our Catholic faith - when we enjoy celebrating the feasts - when we have ourselves a merry little Christmas, and invite others to share it. That's the best way to evangelize friends, family, coworkers, and everybody else. Why? Because the world offers countless pleasures, but no lasting joys. What Jesus Christ gives is joy, even in the midst of hardship and sorrow - even amid persecution, flight and exile. Joy is the best argument for Catholicism. People find it irresistible and irrefutable. And we have it built into our great feasts."
December 24, 2021
7/10. Pretty short. Worth reading
December 26, 2025
Such a lovely advent read! The book made my Christmas mass much more prayerful and meaningful.
December 14, 2025
A beautiful book!
December 5, 2014
First I should say that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads Giveaways and I've agreed to give an honest review. With that said, the following is just that, my opinion, not everyone will agree with it and that's ok.
I have never heard of the author before but the description of the book sounded interesting, I loved the title, and I thought perhaps it might be worth a read. I did not know that Mr. Hahn was a Catholic author or I probably wouldn't have even entered the giveaway, to be completely honest. Nonetheless, I was interested in reading the book only to be disappointed and unable to finish it.
The fault lies with me and not the author. Mr. Hahn did a wonderful job with the writing, at least as much as I was able to read, and it's clear that he is passionate about his beliefs, which is why I gave it the two stars. I am not a Catholic and my beliefs are very different in many areas, that is why I couldn't enjoy the book as much as I had hoped to, or finish it, I'm sure. For those who do believe in Catholicism I am quite sure that this would be a wonderful read and would very much be enjoyed. It is not my intent to be rude, nor to offend anyone, and I'm in no way belittling anyone's beliefs, simply stating that mine are different. May God bless you and I hope that you are able to enjoy the book.
I have never heard of the author before but the description of the book sounded interesting, I loved the title, and I thought perhaps it might be worth a read. I did not know that Mr. Hahn was a Catholic author or I probably wouldn't have even entered the giveaway, to be completely honest. Nonetheless, I was interested in reading the book only to be disappointed and unable to finish it.
The fault lies with me and not the author. Mr. Hahn did a wonderful job with the writing, at least as much as I was able to read, and it's clear that he is passionate about his beliefs, which is why I gave it the two stars. I am not a Catholic and my beliefs are very different in many areas, that is why I couldn't enjoy the book as much as I had hoped to, or finish it, I'm sure. For those who do believe in Catholicism I am quite sure that this would be a wonderful read and would very much be enjoyed. It is not my intent to be rude, nor to offend anyone, and I'm in no way belittling anyone's beliefs, simply stating that mine are different. May God bless you and I hope that you are able to enjoy the book.
January 12, 2015
This book is (obviously) a good read for Advent or Christmas. It takes a close look at each of the players in the Christmas/Epiphany story, from the Holy Family to the shepherds to Herod and the magi. If you're an avid Scott Hahn reader, you probably won't encounter any earth-shaking revelations, but there are still great insights and tidbits of information to take away. If you're new to Scott Hahn, this is a fairly easy introduction to his work, though perhaps not as riveting as The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth, Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots, or Rome Sweet Home.
Definitely worth a read.
Definitely worth a read.
March 9, 2018
I should have read this book in the early fall, when Christ was born at or around the Feast of Trumpets. Alas, I read this book out of season because my previous familiarity with the author's work [1] led me to think that there might be something deeply intriguing or humorous about this work. Truth be told, this book is not particularly funny, although the author's logic is pretty terrible and there are massive issues of the Bible that he simply ignores [2]. This book is aimed at a Catholic audience and so there is a lot here that will simply not be of interest or will not be persuasive to those who do not accept the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, which the author simply assumes and does not feel the need to defend. Those who do not share his view of that authority will of course find the author's rhetoric unpersuasive in the extreme. Those who enter this book should be warned that it is not written to appeal to outsiders to Rome but rather to insiders who can be expected to respect the authorities the author brings to bear.
As a whole this book is a short one with fourteen chapters that, combined, are just around 170 pages in length. The book begins with a couple of chapters that talk about the importance of Jesus' birth for the plan of God. After that there is a comparison of Jesus' birth to Genesis (3) as well as a contrast between God's kingdom and the counterfeit kingdom of Herod (4) that sought to kill the infant/todder Jesus. After that the author engages in some rather dubious discussion about Mary (5) and views Joseph as a silent but godly knight (6). The next few chapters of the book continue the author's discussion of various aspects of Jesus' birth including the importance of angels (7), the value of Luke as a historian concerning details like that of Bethlehem (8), and some thoughts about the magi and their gifts (9). After this the author looks at the shepherds (10), although he does not reflect fully on the hostility of Jewish law and tradition towards that occupation, as well as the presentation ceremony forty days after his birth (11) before looking at the flight into Egypt (11), some rambling comments about God as a family and the contradictory view of God as a Trinity (12), and then a closing ode to Catholic joy (14). It should be noted that many of the titles of the chapters are humorous and even cute, demonstrating the author's writing to an internal and presumably favorable audience.
Although there is a good deal in this book to appreciate, there is of course a great deal to criticize as well. This is an author who has an open desire of evangelizing on behalf of Catholicism within other at least nominally Christian organizations, which is at least honest, I suppose. The author engages in his normal logical fallacies, including a few examples of conflation and some ad hominem attacks on the issue of Mary being a perpetual virgin, something that the Bible nowhere indicates or even implies, but which must be taken from unbiblical tradition along with a perverse misreading of the writings about Jesus' family, including his half-brothers James and Jude, namely the biblical writers. Given the author's low state of biblical awareness and his adoption of the usual fallacious grounds of Catholic discussions about Mary, there is clearly a lot that this book gets woefully wrong. Perhaps most obviously, though, is the fact that the author engages in presuppositional apologetics about Christmas and the Trinity when those presuppositions are laughably wrong, and assumes that those who criticize Christmas as a holiday are similarly hostile to a proper view of the importance of the incarnation, something that is clearly not the case with me personally and with many other people who think similarly.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
[2] These would include his failure to acknowledge the time when Jesus Christ was actually born. See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2012...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
As a whole this book is a short one with fourteen chapters that, combined, are just around 170 pages in length. The book begins with a couple of chapters that talk about the importance of Jesus' birth for the plan of God. After that there is a comparison of Jesus' birth to Genesis (3) as well as a contrast between God's kingdom and the counterfeit kingdom of Herod (4) that sought to kill the infant/todder Jesus. After that the author engages in some rather dubious discussion about Mary (5) and views Joseph as a silent but godly knight (6). The next few chapters of the book continue the author's discussion of various aspects of Jesus' birth including the importance of angels (7), the value of Luke as a historian concerning details like that of Bethlehem (8), and some thoughts about the magi and their gifts (9). After this the author looks at the shepherds (10), although he does not reflect fully on the hostility of Jewish law and tradition towards that occupation, as well as the presentation ceremony forty days after his birth (11) before looking at the flight into Egypt (11), some rambling comments about God as a family and the contradictory view of God as a Trinity (12), and then a closing ode to Catholic joy (14). It should be noted that many of the titles of the chapters are humorous and even cute, demonstrating the author's writing to an internal and presumably favorable audience.
Although there is a good deal in this book to appreciate, there is of course a great deal to criticize as well. This is an author who has an open desire of evangelizing on behalf of Catholicism within other at least nominally Christian organizations, which is at least honest, I suppose. The author engages in his normal logical fallacies, including a few examples of conflation and some ad hominem attacks on the issue of Mary being a perpetual virgin, something that the Bible nowhere indicates or even implies, but which must be taken from unbiblical tradition along with a perverse misreading of the writings about Jesus' family, including his half-brothers James and Jude, namely the biblical writers. Given the author's low state of biblical awareness and his adoption of the usual fallacious grounds of Catholic discussions about Mary, there is clearly a lot that this book gets woefully wrong. Perhaps most obviously, though, is the fact that the author engages in presuppositional apologetics about Christmas and the Trinity when those presuppositions are laughably wrong, and assumes that those who criticize Christmas as a holiday are similarly hostile to a proper view of the importance of the incarnation, something that is clearly not the case with me personally and with many other people who think similarly.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
[2] These would include his failure to acknowledge the time when Jesus Christ was actually born. See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2012...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
January 5, 2019
A perfectly decent book. I'm not Catholic, so I happen to disagree with several of his points, but it was interesting to read such a different perspective. It made me realize how much the way you've always heard and seen the Nativity portrayed influences your thoughts about the event.
For instance, Hahn points out that we don't actually know how many Magi visited Jesus. It's so true. I could have sworn the Bible mentioned three Magi (it doesn't, but does mention three gifts), despite having read and reread and heard aloud the actual text my entire life. Also, I always picture the angels appearing in the sky to the shepherds, like all the Christmas cards show. The Bible actually just says they appeared. They could have appeared standing on the ground! (They did disappear into heaven though, so it seems there was some flying involved.)
Anyway, despite not agreeing with the author on a number of things, I appreciated the new thoughts Joy to the World inspired in my brain.
For instance, Hahn points out that we don't actually know how many Magi visited Jesus. It's so true. I could have sworn the Bible mentioned three Magi (it doesn't, but does mention three gifts), despite having read and reread and heard aloud the actual text my entire life. Also, I always picture the angels appearing in the sky to the shepherds, like all the Christmas cards show. The Bible actually just says they appeared. They could have appeared standing on the ground! (They did disappear into heaven though, so it seems there was some flying involved.)
Anyway, despite not agreeing with the author on a number of things, I appreciated the new thoughts Joy to the World inspired in my brain.
January 11, 2020
Excellent Christmas reading by an excellent author. This book is relatively short and reads easily. In my opinion, the author covers the basics of what every Christian show know about Christmas and he writes in an understandable, but not simplistic manner. Mary and Joseph, the Magi, the shepherds, the angels, the flight into Egypt - these and more chapters help the reader to remember the first Christmas and also remember what Christmas is and should always be.
I received this book as a gift from the Catholic Cathedral in Charlotte which provided free copies to parishioners.
I received this book as a gift from the Catholic Cathedral in Charlotte which provided free copies to parishioners.
December 5, 2024
what a joyful and peaceful way to enter into Advent and the Christmas season!
“Christmas makes us different. Christmas sets us apart. Christmas calls us to share in divine love - and then to share that love with an unbelieving world.”
“The Son of God became the Son of Man so that we, children of men, might learn how to become children of God.”
“Salvation arrives by way of the family - the Holy Family. The household of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph became a ‘home away from home’ for the eternal Son of God. It was an outpost of heaven, an image of the Trinity in the world.”
“Christmas makes us different. Christmas sets us apart. Christmas calls us to share in divine love - and then to share that love with an unbelieving world.”
“The Son of God became the Son of Man so that we, children of men, might learn how to become children of God.”
“Salvation arrives by way of the family - the Holy Family. The household of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph became a ‘home away from home’ for the eternal Son of God. It was an outpost of heaven, an image of the Trinity in the world.”
January 11, 2021
This is a great book to read during the Christmas season. Each chapter is a deep dive into a specific aspect of the Christmas story, such as Mary, Joseph, the Magi, the Shepherds, and the angels. The author uses historical texts to corroborate and explain events in the bible. For example, the chapter on King Herod describes the political landscape during that time and some of his other actions as king. This helps set the stage to better understand the massacre of the innocents.
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