Author Description

For Christians all over the world, Christmas is a special day, full of wonder. And while the story of Jesus' birth is at the heart of the celebration, the traditions surrounding it are varied and diverse.In this classic text, Barbara Cooney offers readers a retelling of the timeless Christmas story with a beautiful explanation of the origins of many cherished and beloved customs from around the world. Cooney begins by conveying the feeling of excitement that surrounds Christmas and then slips easily into examining the holiday' s history. The religious significance of Jesus' birth is first related, followed by explanations of older midwinter celebrations (for example, Yule and Saturnalia) that show the blending of various customs into one special season....