The Origins of Christmas by Joseph F. Kelly
Why am I recommending a book about the origins of Christmas at the end of August? The short answer is that if you start now, you will have read the book and reflected on the holiday before Advent begins. I used this book as my primary source for an Adult Education class last Advent. I loved teaching the material because it brought the season alive for me in a new way. Even if you took my Advent class last year, I couldn’t include everything in the series, so the book is still meaningful.
The author of The Origins of Christmas, Joseph F. Kelly, is a trusted scholar. Dr. Kelly earned his Ph.D. from Fordham University and taught religious education at John Carroll University. Before you read any history, theology, or other academic book, it is vital that you first investigate the author and confirm they are reputable scholars and worthy of the hours of reading. Kelly stays in his academic lane, is qualified, and provides profound information that is both academically sound, interesting, and spiritually meaningful.
Dr. Kelly conveys the story of Jesus’ birth, balancing academic rigor with a storytelling talent that keeps the reader engaged. The Origins of Christmas continues the story by tracing how the birth narrative continued with Epiphany and shaped the Christmas season. Dr. Kelly spends significant time considering Christmas from different perspectives, from art and music to how several early church authorities agreed and disagreed on the meaning and traditions of the holiday we now call Christmas.
Dr. Kelly ends The Origins of Christmas by stating, “Christmas will always change, but it will never disappear.” What we emphasize about Christmas has always changed and will continue to do so. The secular celebration of Christmas will never disappear because tradition and commercialism weave it together. Plus, it is also great fun. Yet, more importantly, Christmas will never disappear because Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. God will continue to empower the faithful to celebrate the moment when God became human, to save the world from sin and death, and bring us back into newness of life. Enjoy the holiday's complexity, joy, and fun, and begin by reading The Origins of Christmas.