The gospel of Advent the "good news of great joy" is not just the charming little story of a baby named Jesus being born to Mary and Joseph in a cozy little manger lined with hay. It's not even that God saved us from our miseries and sent a Messiah to bring us back to him. It's way more. God came to us himself, bringing his spirit, his gifts, and the mysteries of his character.

In this collection of essays, Kirk explores the great questions underlying the Christmas story. With color, humor, depth, and compassion, these sixteen stories will enrich our anticipation and celebration of Christ's birth, and challenge us to experience God's gift in a new way this Christmas season.