The Purpose of Christmas

By Rick Warren

In his powerful yet compassionate voice, Pastor Rick Warren tells the most wonderful story of all - the story of God come to earth in the form of a human infant. Warren goes back to that day long ago when the baby Jesus was born in the manger. In this clarion call to 'remember the reason for the season', readers are taken back in time to the simple origins of a baby who changed history forever.

Warren gives readers an intimate look into his family heritage as he shares the fifty-year-old Warren Christmas tradition of having a birthday party for Jesus. Through stirring imagery and compelling insights, this book celebrates the significance and promise of this cherished holiday.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Dec 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781471108440

Rick Warren

A Time magazine cover article named Rick Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Tens of millions of copies of Pastor Rick’s books have been published in 200 languages. His best-known books, The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, were named three times in national surveys of pastors (by Gallup, Barna, and Lifeway) as the two most helpful books in print. Rick and his wife, Kay, founded Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He is the cofounder of Celebrate Recovery with John Baker. Pastor Rick has spoken in 165 nations. He has spoken at the United Nations, US Congress, numerous parliaments, the World Economic Forum, TED, Aspen Institute, and lectured at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and other universities. Rick is executive director of Finishing the Task, a global movement of denominations, organizations, churches, and individuals working together on the Great Commission goals of ensuring that everyone everywhere has access to a Bible, a believer, and a local body of Christ.

Reviews for The Purpose of Christmas

[laws_7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

very good book that said alot about the meaning of christmas and the purpose it has it our lives. I will definitely read this again next christmas.I esp liked the notes section at the back of the book refering to qutoes taken from the bible.

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I kind of feel like this book is milking the popularity of "The Purpose Driven Life". Maybe that's because I already know the purpose of Christmas. Maybe this book is written more for those who don't already know the meaning of or purpose of Christmas. The author makes good points and the writing style is cohesive and readable. A friend sent me this book, and I am glad I read it. I think Warren makes good points about resolution/reconciliation and forgiveness/trust. In today's times, I think people forget that "you can disagree agreeably"--that is, you can disagree with each other in a civil way and still listen to each other's views even if you don't fully agree with each other.

[dukefan86 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I read this book as a nod to Rick Warren's influence. By all accounts I've read, he's done an incredible job of growing his California-based ministry, but his upcoming gig at Obama's inauguration as caused some controversy. This is the first of Warren's books that I read.

It was a pretty quick read, which was nice. I picked it up yesterday afternoon and finished it before bed (after going out for a holiday dinner and celebration).

I was looking for a book that would put me more into the "spirit" of Christmas, but this one was "preachier" than I was looking for in a book about the holiday. I shouldn't be surprised, based on what little I know about the author, but I was, a little. The message of salvation seemed a bit strong for a book about Christmas.

I did appreciate the messages of peace and gratitude in the book, as well as the brief intro into the "Purpose-Driven Life" philisophy that propelled Rick Warren into broader-based fame.

[temsmail · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful book to give to a searching unbeleiver. It surpurbly explains the whys and wherefores of Christmas for adult and child, believer and doubter. This book is well worth the purchase price!