Table of Contents
Part I: History
1. The Dating of Christmas: The Early Church, Paul F. Bradshaw
2. The Middle Ages, Kati Ihnat
3. The Reformation and Early Modern Periods, Katrina Jennie-Lou Wheeler
4. The Nineteenth Century, Timothy Larsen
5. The Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries, Christopher Ferguson
Part II: Theology
6. The Old Testament, John Barton
7. The New Testament, Markus Bockmuehl and Evangeline Kozitza
8. Jesus Christ and the Incarnation, Katherine Sonderegger
9. The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Virgin Birth, Katherine G. Schmidt
Part III: Worshipping Communities
10. Roman Catholicism, Anne McGowan
11. Eastern Orthodoxy, Mary B. Cunningham
12. Lutheranism, Kirsi Stjerna
13. Anglicanism, Martyn Percy
14. Reformed and Dissenting Protestants, Andrew R. Holmes
Part IV: The Nativity Story
15. The Holy Family, Holly Taylor Coolman
16. Gabriel and the Angels, David Lyle Jeffrey
17. Bethlehem and the Census, Leroy A. Huizenga
18. The Magi and the Star, D. H. Williams
19. The Inn, the Manger, the Swaddling Clothes, the Shepherds, and the Animals, Jody Vaccaro Lewis
Part V: Traditions
20. The Winter Solstice and other Celebrations of the Season, Daniel Gifford
21. St Nicholas to Santa Claus, Adam C. English
22. Trees and Decorations, David Bertaina
23. Gifts and Charity, Ellen M. Litwicki
24. Children and Childhood, Marcia J. Bunge
25. Food and Drink, Paul Freedman
Part VI: The Arts
26. Carols and Music to 1900, Tova Leigh-Choate
27. Carols and Music since 1900, Todd Decker
28. Paintings, Barbara von Barghahn
29. Plays, Frances Clemson
30. Poetry, Emma Mason
31. Fiction, Natalie McKnight
32. Film and Television, Mark Connelly
Part VII: Around the World
33. Bethlehem and the Middle East, Elizabeth Monier
34. Catholic Europe, Nadine Cretin
35. Germany and Scandinavia, Joe Perry
36. Russia, Francesca Silano
37. The United Kingdom, Martin Johnes
38. The United States, Daniel Vaca
39. Africa, Joel Cabrita
40. Asia, Joseph Tse-Hei Lee
41. Latin America and the Caribbean, David Thomas Orique, O.P.
Part VIII: The State and Society
42. Public Holidays and the Law, Richard W. Garnett and Jackson Blais
43. Commercialism and Consumerism, John Schmalzbauer
44. Secularity, David Nash
45. Culture Wars, Gerry Bowler
Epilogue: The Many True Meanings of Christmas, Timothy Larsen