Essentially an abridged and annotated book of Bible stories having to do with the Nativity, this is an informative and easy-to-understand elaboration on sections of the Gospels by Luke and Matthew. Sidebars to each main narrative are in question-and-answer format, addressing religious concerns (What does 'Messiah' mean? Who are angels?) and practical inquiries (Why was incense burned? Who would have helped Mary give birth?). While some issues are neatly clarified, others become fuzzier, such as the explanation of the date of Jesus's birth. This lack of concrete answers is used to encourage readers to learn more by reading the Bible. The colorful illustrations aptly depict the main action in each tale and are laid out in a decorative manner. A nice supplement for patrons seeking religious materials.Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library
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