Selections from the King James Version of the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Matthew are used as the text in this beautiful picture book presentation of the Christmas story, which pairs these classic words with illustrator Jan Pieńkowski's signature silhouette artwork. Opening "in the days of Herod the King," the narrative relates how the angel Gabriel brought the tiding of Jesus to Mary, how Joseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem, how Jesus was born in the stable, how the shepherds heard the glad tidings from a host of angels, and how the three wise men came with their gifts. The story closes with the Holy Family's flight into Egypt, and then their eventual return to Israel...

Originally published in 1984, Pieńkowski's Christmas is a book I have been meaning to pick up for some time now, especially as I greatly enjoyed his Easter, another picture book pairing biblical text with silhouette artwork, some years ago. I am glad to have finally tracked down a copy and read it, as it is truly wonderful. The story holds no surprises, of course, but is as beautiful as ever. The King James Version of the Bible may not be the most faithful or accurate translation available in English (and not the one I would use for study), but it is certainly one of the most beautiful, and has been immensely influential in the development of the English language. The artwork here is lovely—I am a long-time fan of Pieńkowski's, whose silhouette work never disappoints—and I appreciated the decorative flourishes, from the larger, illuminated manuscript style initial letter on each page of text, and the gold-embellished greenery over which the larger illustrations and the text are placed. Recommended to anyone looking for beautiful picture-book presentations of the Christmas story - the real, non-watered-down Christmas story. ( )