Christmas: The Original Story
Christmas: The Original Story by Margaret Barker opened my eyes to the ancient layers behind the nativity story—including forgotten texts, Old Testament prophecy, and early Christian traditions. It’s a thought-provoking, scholarly deep dive that made me see the Christmas story with fresh eyes.
The works below add depth, perspective, or Latter-day Saint context to the book listed above.
Christmas Stories by John W. Welch offers a Latter-day Saint scholar’s perspective on Christmas: The Original Story, highlighting Barker’s insights into temple theology and ancient traditions that align with restored doctrine.
John W. Welch, “Christmas Stories,” Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011 21, no. 2 (2009): Article 4. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/msr/vol21/iss2/4
What on Earth are Swaddling Clothes by John W. Welch
Feasting with Nephi 