Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? How did Saint Nicholas become Santa Claus? Why do we have Christmas trees? Charting Christmas provides answers to these questions and many more as it explores the history of Christmas.

Filmed on location in the Holy Land and the United Kingdom, this documentary traces the origins of Christmas traditions beginning with the biblical prophecies concerning the Messiah and the New Testament accounts of His birth. See how Christmas celebrations evolved through the ages and were influenced by notable figures and entities including Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Boniface, Charles Dickens, and even the Coca-Cola Corporation. Included are interviews with biblical scholars and historians, such as author and Bible teacher Lance Lambert and Canon Jim Rosenthal, Founder of the St. Nicholas Society. Their commentaries illuminate the origins of Christmas and tell us why we celebrate Christmas as we do today.