From an obscure religious event to a worldwide secular holiday, Christmas has become a cultural phenomenon observed by billions across the globe. Phaidon's The Christmas Book covers the holiday and all its myriad forms, from the advent and the nativity to decorations, rituals, and themes. The book includes essays bu Phaidon editors essays by Sam Bilton, Dolph Gotelli, and David Trigg, and more than 200 images, paintings, sculptures, textiles, and photographs, all paired to highlight similarities and contrasts from across six continents.