Age 04-08. Paul Maier is a professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University and the author of A Skeleton in God’s Closet, a historical-theological thriller for adults. This book brings his formidable expertise to bear on the subject of the Nativity, presenting the story’s historical validity at a grade school level.

Age 00-04. 4 Stars. The Story of Christmas tells the traditional Nativity story, pleasantly illustrated with a single sentence describing each important scene… This is not an essential addition to a Christian family’s observance of Christmas, but is a very nice read-aloud for very young listeners. It covers the events in a detailed enough way that they will be familiar when the listener is ready for a fuller version. Its illustrations are more detailed than other Nativity board books I have seen and ought to provide some interest for toddler “read-alone” time as well as read-aloud.