What do you think?
Rate this book
The Nativity Story
Based on the major motion picture, The Nativity Story is the very human, very dramatic, and uniquely inspiring saga of a journey of faith. Best-selling author Angie Hunt, who most recently wrote Magdalene, a historical fiction novel of the story of Mary Magdalene that was tied to The Da Vinci Code movie, now focuses on Mary, the mother of Jesus. She has adapted the screenplay for The Nativity Story into a powerful, historical novel. Her moving novelization of this film tells the extraordinary tale of two common people, Mary and Joseph, a miraculous pregnancy, an arduous journey, and the history-defining birth of Jesus. Brought to life with an unprecedented attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy, Hunt tells how from humble beginnings, great things can come.
250 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
12 people are currently reading
350 people want to read
About the author
Angela Elwell Hunt
271 books1,967 followersChristy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly six million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 165 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.
Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.
Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.
In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.
Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.
Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.
Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.
Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.
In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 12, 2014
Novelization of the nativity story/movie. Enlightening and moving.
December 19, 2022
I loved listening to this version of THE Christmas Story. Only halfway through did I realize this was the book that the film was adapted from. Watching that movie at a younger age has helped shape how I view Joseph & Mary during this time so it was very cool to gain even more empathy through this book.
December 25, 2020
My family and I read a chapter a day of this book until Christmas and it was very nice. It sparked some good discussions and we really enjoyed reading it as a family! Now we'll watch the movie Christmas day!
November 7, 2022
This is an incredibly wonderful retelling of the Christmas story based on the motion picture script by Mike Rich. Angela Hunt did a beautiful job of fleshing out this story from the script, and the movie pictures that are included are just lovely. Marvelous read to begin the Christmas season.
December 29, 2023
An excellent representation of Jesus’ birth. Powerful imagery and insight. I’d recommend.
December 11, 2011
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Angela did a wonderful job writing this story. I didn't know what to expect when I started to read it. Being a Christian I knew the story of Mary and Joseph..But Angela wrote it in such a "sweet" way. "Joseph" going from door to door asking for help to deliver his child. Even though I knew this from the Bible she just worte it in a way that brought it more to "real life" today. I would recommend it to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 19, 2021
All was not calm on that long-ago evening in Bethlehem; all was not bright. For desperation shadowed the hearts of men, and evil fully intended to blot out the light.
And then begins The Nativity Story by author Angela Hunt, based on the screenplay by Mike Rich. Given that the film is one of my all-time favorites, I was (years late but) excited to find out this novelization exists.
This isn't the first novel I've read based on the biblical account of the nativity, and the movie certainly wasn't the first or only dramatization I've seen. So I was glad to find that a few of Mary's and Joseph's questions and uncertainties in this book are ones I hadn't seen before.
Even so, I can't say the characters fully came alive for me in this novel, and my interest in the story dipped at times. One minor but important character's storyline ends with a disturbing question that's never answered for him, and the characters who appear in the modern-day prologue don't appear again. I don't like to find out that a prologue is just a standalone scene that doesn't tie in later and that the rest of the story doesn't need.
Still, I appreciate that this novel illustrates the darker, unjust, and violent side to this story, giving the light its meaningful backdrop. (I especially would not have wanted to be a woman living in that time and culture.) And my favorite parts of the story surround the shifting and shining of that brilliant star in the sky...
And then begins The Nativity Story by author Angela Hunt, based on the screenplay by Mike Rich. Given that the film is one of my all-time favorites, I was (years late but) excited to find out this novelization exists.
This isn't the first novel I've read based on the biblical account of the nativity, and the movie certainly wasn't the first or only dramatization I've seen. So I was glad to find that a few of Mary's and Joseph's questions and uncertainties in this book are ones I hadn't seen before.
Even so, I can't say the characters fully came alive for me in this novel, and my interest in the story dipped at times. One minor but important character's storyline ends with a disturbing question that's never answered for him, and the characters who appear in the modern-day prologue don't appear again. I don't like to find out that a prologue is just a standalone scene that doesn't tie in later and that the rest of the story doesn't need.
Still, I appreciate that this novel illustrates the darker, unjust, and violent side to this story, giving the light its meaningful backdrop. (I especially would not have wanted to be a woman living in that time and culture.) And my favorite parts of the story surround the shifting and shining of that brilliant star in the sky...
December 23, 2024
I'm trying hard to enjoy the book as if I had not already seen the movie.
As such, it's decent enough.
The movie does a much better job of letting scenes just speak for themselves.
There are plenty of moments where words are not needed, in the movie, and in life.
The book took quite a few of those scenes and filled them with words; words of thoughts, motives, additional scenes, commentary.
A number of them seemed unnecessary; perhaps better to let the scenes and characters rest in silence.
There's a way to do that in writing.
There were a number of character comments and thoughts included that also felt forced in terms of making it feel "relevant" to modern ears - "balance the needs of...", and some others; forced and distracting from the scene itself.
As such, it's decent enough.
The movie does a much better job of letting scenes just speak for themselves.
There are plenty of moments where words are not needed, in the movie, and in life.
The book took quite a few of those scenes and filled them with words; words of thoughts, motives, additional scenes, commentary.
A number of them seemed unnecessary; perhaps better to let the scenes and characters rest in silence.
There's a way to do that in writing.
There were a number of character comments and thoughts included that also felt forced in terms of making it feel "relevant" to modern ears - "balance the needs of...", and some others; forced and distracting from the scene itself.
December 14, 2017
This is wonderfully written and portrays the story of the birth of our Savior as accurately as possible from the Bible account, embellished with probably details, considering the time and place. Filled with the wonder of the coming of Christ, the horrors of life in poverty in Israel at the time, and the hope that the newborn Baby brought, not only to Israel, but to all mankind, this is a book to cherish over and over again. I think it might well become a new tradition, as I re-read it each Christmas season.
January 15, 2018
This book was unprecedentedly sentimental to me. The story about the birth of Jesus Christ is the most beautiful story imaginable; Mary and Joseph, making their way to the lovely holy village of Bethlehem, the Three Wise Men following the stars, and of course the Nativity.
5 stars for the incredible amount of detail in the book, and the way it was written.
Great style of writing, great story.
I would recommend it to anyone including atheists like myself.
I will be watching the movie later.
5 stars for the incredible amount of detail in the book, and the way it was written.
Great style of writing, great story.
I would recommend it to anyone including atheists like myself.
I will be watching the movie later.
August 11, 2017
The book stayed on the surface, to be expected of the novelization of a movie based on the most famous story in the Bible. I have read much better accounts, accounts that don't just skate from vignette to vignette. Hunt did not make any terrible literary errors but she did not rise above average to create a captivating narrative. This book did not survive round two of the purge of my personal collection.
November 30, 2019
I love Angela Hunt's writing and although she follow the traditional line that the Magi were there right after Jesus was born it doesn't detract from the story. I have read other authors who state that the Magi didn't arrive until Jesus was two years old. This book was used for the screenplay for the movie "The Nativity Story."
May 21, 2019
I think it explains the story of Mary and Joseph and the events leading up to the birth of Jesus beautifully. The amount of datails and research done for it are incredible.
I am planning on watching the movie it is based on.
I am planning on watching the movie it is based on.
December 12, 2020
I love this book so much and makes my Testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ loves us unconditionally and no matter what I love Mary & Joseph simply amazing parent. I highly recommend reading this book and watching the movie too.
December 28, 2025
9/10
‘Tis the season, & I’ve wanted to read this for a while now.
I really liked the up close look into Mary & Joseph’s everyday life leading up to their betrothal & “scandalous” miracle. It definitely brought their fears to life, along with the culture & the surrounding government that encouraged that dread. However, we see the hope that drives them too.
Seeing Zechariah & Elizabeth’s lives through a personal lens was insightful as well. They had their doubts despite their righteousness & we see the impact of their own miracle child.
The perspectives of the magi & Herod were appreciated too, especially the deep dives into prophecy leading up to the Messiah’s birth (because some were ready for it). Their contrasting belief & personalities made it tense & enjoyable along the way.
The author’s notes cover the timing of the magi’s arrival debate, so if you’re a big stickler for accuracy like me, some of the storytelling will be forgiven easily (as it’s taken straight from the screenplay of the film). There are even some cool behind the scenes photos of the filming process included in the hard copy, so those were fun.
This was a quick page-turner for me with these dinky chapters & fast pacing. I could see myself revisiting it every year.
‘Tis the season, & I’ve wanted to read this for a while now.
I really liked the up close look into Mary & Joseph’s everyday life leading up to their betrothal & “scandalous” miracle. It definitely brought their fears to life, along with the culture & the surrounding government that encouraged that dread. However, we see the hope that drives them too.
Seeing Zechariah & Elizabeth’s lives through a personal lens was insightful as well. They had their doubts despite their righteousness & we see the impact of their own miracle child.
The perspectives of the magi & Herod were appreciated too, especially the deep dives into prophecy leading up to the Messiah’s birth (because some were ready for it). Their contrasting belief & personalities made it tense & enjoyable along the way.
The author’s notes cover the timing of the magi’s arrival debate, so if you’re a big stickler for accuracy like me, some of the storytelling will be forgiven easily (as it’s taken straight from the screenplay of the film). There are even some cool behind the scenes photos of the filming process included in the hard copy, so those were fun.
This was a quick page-turner for me with these dinky chapters & fast pacing. I could see myself revisiting it every year.
December 21, 2016
Even though I know this story really well and I've seen the movie, I was still curious to see what would happen. So well written.
December 6, 2017
A beautiful book of Mary Joseph, and our Savior Jesus Christ. Very moving! Truly inspiring and superb.
December 26, 2018
Loved it. A gentle and beautiful read.
June 9, 2020
Very good book. I bought if for the photographs but the story was very well writeen. I enjoyed it and i would read it again and I would recommend it
December 14, 2020
Great book.
December 17, 2020
Love this! Watch it at least twice every year.
January 1, 2021
A beautiful and insightful retelling of, the birth of Jesus with a spotlight on its implication for Mary, Joseph, the three Magi and Israel.
December 24, 2022
Such a fun story to read the month leading up to Christmas. I throughly enjoyed it.
August 4, 2024
I’ve read a handful of this authors biblical fiction writings and have loved all of them. This one was no exception. 5 beautiful stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 24, 2025
A perfect time of year for a retelling of the Nativity and Christmas story/birth of Jesus.
December 31, 2023
Could not recommend more highly!
October 5, 2015
As a Christian and as a reader in general, I believe that this book is a book it’s hard to review. This is the story about Jesus Christ’s and the story before Mary met the angel. It’s based on the motion picture which again is based on the Biblical story. The book includes pictures from the production of the movie as well, which are enjoyable to look at.
We follow Mary and how her life is changed when she is told to marry Joseph and when an angel comes with the message that she will bear The New King. We get to follow their journey, their ups and downs, and not to mention the great Birth that never will be forgotten. This is the amazing and true story, retold for the younger generation.
If I am going to look at the book alone and not the plot, I do miss several elements. First of all, chapters and descriptions are very vague and for the reader, you don’t get the feeling that it’s supposed to be so. It makes it rather hard to read because there will be quite a lot of jumping between episodes and happenings. In addition, I don’t believe a book should be to thin with the descriptions, especially if the disruptions are important for the plot as well as the readers experience.
What more is; the theological plot is somewhere near terrible. It’s very lightweight, it puts some events in a rather bad light and it makes you think that things should be like this and that; that you cannot do anything with it, not even ask God to change anything. This is something I had a great problem with and because of that, my rating will drop even more.
It’s a beautiful story which should never be forgotten, but I’m afraid that this book didn’t seem memorable because after all, this is not giving you the feeling of the true Nativity Story.
We follow Mary and how her life is changed when she is told to marry Joseph and when an angel comes with the message that she will bear The New King. We get to follow their journey, their ups and downs, and not to mention the great Birth that never will be forgotten. This is the amazing and true story, retold for the younger generation.
If I am going to look at the book alone and not the plot, I do miss several elements. First of all, chapters and descriptions are very vague and for the reader, you don’t get the feeling that it’s supposed to be so. It makes it rather hard to read because there will be quite a lot of jumping between episodes and happenings. In addition, I don’t believe a book should be to thin with the descriptions, especially if the disruptions are important for the plot as well as the readers experience.
What more is; the theological plot is somewhere near terrible. It’s very lightweight, it puts some events in a rather bad light and it makes you think that things should be like this and that; that you cannot do anything with it, not even ask God to change anything. This is something I had a great problem with and because of that, my rating will drop even more.
It’s a beautiful story which should never be forgotten, but I’m afraid that this book didn’t seem memorable because after all, this is not giving you the feeling of the true Nativity Story.
December 23, 2013
It was... ok. I haven't seen the movie in a while, but I remember it as being wonderful--the book fell a bit short, though. Although I generally enjoy fictionalizations of biblical stories (i.e. the AD Chronicles by Bodie and Brock Thoene), this book seemed a bit too personal. Somehow it crossed a line where the movie didn't. I think I need to see the movie again.
Mary's character had quite a bit of depth to her, but Joseph's character was disappointingly lacking. The plot also felt a bit rushed on several occasions. However, I can't dismiss this book as an entire failure, as I did enjoy it enough to whisk through it in about three or four days. It makes the well-known story feel more real, and fits it into a cultural context.
One of my favorite chapters, oddly enough, is the epilogue. This two-page summary outlines in plain, easy-to understand language what occurred after Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt, including the division of Herod's kingdom upon his death. On the other hand, feel free to skip the prologue. It's set in present-day and doesn't really fit with the rest of the book.
*This review originally posted to poetree
Mary's character had quite a bit of depth to her, but Joseph's character was disappointingly lacking. The plot also felt a bit rushed on several occasions. However, I can't dismiss this book as an entire failure, as I did enjoy it enough to whisk through it in about three or four days. It makes the well-known story feel more real, and fits it into a cultural context.
One of my favorite chapters, oddly enough, is the epilogue. This two-page summary outlines in plain, easy-to understand language what occurred after Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt, including the division of Herod's kingdom upon his death. On the other hand, feel free to skip the prologue. It's set in present-day and doesn't really fit with the rest of the book.
*This review originally posted to poetree
February 20, 2008
I’ve been meaning to go back to this author for awhile (I also read Uncharted); I really enjoyed her writing style — chances were good I’d enjoy her other books.
Well, The Nativity Story definitely delivered there. As far as plot twists go, there won’t be any (everybody knows the basics, right? Plus, I guess this is an adaptation from the film from a year or two ago … though I never saw it). Nevertheless, it was refreshing to deeper contemplate the story. I especially enjoyed reading about Joseph’s care and compassion for Mary and her child, based in faith and love. What strength and courage he must have had!
Though this was a fictional adaptation, Hunt tries to recreate the story as it may have actually happened. This was a perfect read for the Christmas season.
Well, The Nativity Story definitely delivered there. As far as plot twists go, there won’t be any (everybody knows the basics, right? Plus, I guess this is an adaptation from the film from a year or two ago … though I never saw it). Nevertheless, it was refreshing to deeper contemplate the story. I especially enjoyed reading about Joseph’s care and compassion for Mary and her child, based in faith and love. What strength and courage he must have had!
Though this was a fictional adaptation, Hunt tries to recreate the story as it may have actually happened. This was a perfect read for the Christmas season.
December 4, 2015
I really enjoyed this story and what I really liked was giving Mary's mother and father a part in this history and to give the character of Joseph as a person more depth and strength of the man. Although it talks of a film it is not one I had seen so can't talk on it. I can say the depth of Joseph's love for Mary and his desire to shelter and care for the Christ child was impressive though tout the book including his break with tradition when they were going to Jerusalem to register for the census - he decided that Mary should ride on the donkey in her pregnant state instead of waling behind Joseph and the donkey caring their needs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews