Unwrapping the First Christmas

Have you ever wondered about the origins of Christmas and the traditions celebrated in Western cultures? What about the myth of the jolly, old fellow who flies with incredible speed in a sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer? What about the story of St. Nicholas of Myra and his remarkable generosity? And, what about those remarkable events surrounding the Nativity? Are they trustworthy or just fanciful stories. Unwrapping the First Christmas is a little book that helps readers answer these questions and many more. Written for Christians around the world, Unwrapping the First Christmas shares the origins of many Western traditions and myths like the Christmas tree, mistletoe, and Santa Claus that have found their way into popular culture and often distract people from the very first Christmas. After explaining the American fascination with Santa Claus and the origins of traditional Christmas, Dr. Cooper explains the case for the date of the very first Christmas as well as answers the questions about the heavenly host and star of Bethlehem. In the end, he shares four Advent devotionals that will inspire you and your family to learn about the true story of the birth of Jesus. To challenge your understanding of the Christmas story, he provides a fun test that families and friends can use around the Christmas tree to test their knowledge of what is the most remarkable miracle in the history of humanity.Acclaim for Unwrapping the First Christmas"I knew I needed to read this book after I failed the 10 multi-choice questionnaire on the Christmas story facts that is at the beginning of the book! I have been an Anglican minister here in New Zealand for 30 years. Anglicans really know how to do Christmas with the season of Advent, lots of 'nine lessons and carols' services, midnight Christmas services, etc. Somehow I had never thought about the facts that surround the season of Christmas and the traditions that have somehow attached themselves to the celebration of Jesus's birth. I think the wonder of this book is that it takes you back to what Christmas is really about - God becoming a man and living among us." -Rev. Gradon Harvey, National Director, North-SouthNew Zealand "Dr. Cooper has mixed real life and family-minded encouragement with thorough historical and scientific research in order to bring a rich and transformational turn on the implications of the incarnation. For the faithful and the skeptic, for the scholar and the parent, here is miracle and reality as our Father surely intended." -Dr. Neal F. Brower, Western District Superintendent, Evangelical Free Church of America "This book is a must read for every Christian. Dr. Michael Cooper, unwraps beautifully the true meaning of celebrating Christmas. It gives the clear understanding of the festival called Christmas to the lay people and an in-depth study to the theologians. It uncovers the myths associated with the Christmas and leads us to the true meaning of first Christmas in Bethlehem." -Pastor Vinod Abraham, Founder and President, SEWA Punjab, India"Dr. Cooper makes a convincing argument for the reliability of Christ's birth from a historical scientific perspective. I'm quite impressed."-Pastor Matt Till, Restoration Church, Chicago, USA