THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

The story of Jesus’ birth, retold with musical interludes.

“Long ago, in a small town called Nazareth, there lived a young woman named Mary.” As the book opens, the angel Gabriel delivers a message that Mary has been “chosen by God for a very special blessing”—she will soon have a son, Jesus, who will be “the Savior of the world.” Mary and her husband, Joseph, travel to Bethlehem, where their baby is born in a stable. Eventually, word spreads to all, and Mary thanks God for “this miraculous Child,” who will bring “hope, love, and light into the world.” Burton’s text hews closely to the traditional story but relies on a more modern parlance. Interspersed with the narrative are the first verses and choruses of well-known carols. The scene following Jesus’ birth is accompanied by an excerpt from “Away in a Manger”; the journey of the three wise men is paired with lyrics from “We Three Kings.” The tale concludes with excerpts from “Silent Night” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Caparo’s illustrations evoke classic paintings, with sumptuous details and dynamic use of color and light. The angels in particular are creatively realized, with pastel wings and hair, surrounded by an ethereal mist. Most characters, except for the brown-skinned wise men, have light or pale skin.

A visually stunning, faithfully adapted Nativity tale.