As Christmas approaches, a prominent South Orange County pastor reminds the world about the holiday’s real meaning.

Pastor Rick Warren this week unveils the message in his third book – “The Purpose of Christmas” hitting bookstores Tuesday. Simply written, the book details the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ and its significance to believers. Warren explains how Christmas meets people’s needs — for celebration, salvation and reconciliation — and how understanding and receiving God’s Christmas gift will transform their lives forever.

The 125-page book follows his bestseller “The Purpose Driven Life,” which was published in 2002 and has sold 52 million copies. It is described as the best-selling nonfiction hardback book in history.

Pastors in Orange County, religious peers and marketing executives say Warren has again hit his mark with a work addressing the needs of a culture that seems to be searching for something more. It was developed from Warren’s 2006 Christmas message given at Saddleback Church and broadcast nationwide via the FOX News Network

Pastor Phil Munsey of the Life Church in Mission Viejo in 24 years has watched Warren’s influence explode.

“The book is cleverly simple and profound,” said Munsey, who has read it. “If anyone could get sidetracked on points of contention or religious babble, Rick could. He doesn’t and because of that — a balanced and biblical yet relevant message comes through.”

He adds Warren’s knowledge of theology, politics, economics, pop culture and social ills makes for a world view that deserves a seat around the table of influence.

“Rick’s involvement firsthand into the complexities of our culture – not to mention his personal access to most of the world’s leaders – adds to the credibility of his choice to ‘keep it simple,’” Munsey said. “This book won’t answer the questions of the skeptic, but it will answer the sincere quest of those who just want the simple truth of the most celebrated holiday in the world. If you want to recapture the innocent childlike faith you embraced …this book will cause you to rejoice.”

The Rev. Steve Sallot from St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point found Warren’s book to be a good read for people who want to refocus themselves on the meaning of Christmas. He would recommend it to Catholics.

“He is a master at taking people from where they are in their life to the next step,” he said. “He puts Jesus and God back into the Christmas vocabulary. These words have been dismissed in the Christmas experience for a lot of people.”

For Sallot, Warren’s idea of reconciliation is key.

“You can never get to peace in the world if you don’t heal your own relationships,” said Sallot, quoting Warren’s message. “Address your family, your failures and hurts in your life. You can’t wish for peace if you’re an angry, hurtful person inside.”

This past summer Warren – pastor of the 22,000-strong Lake Forest congregation – received the distinguished alumni designation at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena where he received his doctor of ministry degree.

Kurt Fredrickson, director of the doctor of ministry program, says Warren has ventured out of the traditional “good old Southern Baptist” mold and taken his message global.

“Evangelicals have been characterized as making sure people are ready for heaven,” he said. “There’s been a shift into an understanding. Concerns about heaven are still there but there’s also a whole lot of good we can do here. Rick’s in the forefront of that. He’s in the realm of a religious celebrity. He’s using it for being good and being … generous with the money he’s used from the books.”

Fredrickson adds that Warren has cloaked the power of the gospel into something people can understand.

“His preaching has always been … accessible,” said Fredrickson. “He brings it down to earth. He makes the story of Christmas wonderfully accessible and cuts through consumerism.”

Greg Stielstra, marketing and strategy director with the Buntin Group – Tennessee’s largest ad agency, helped Warren market “The Purpose Driven Life.” He expects the new book to help people focus on simple purposes.

“Christmas and Easter are the two most attended holidays,” said Stielstra. “It seems he’s positioning the book as an outreach tool for the churched to reach the un-churched.

“He wants to evangelize for Jesus and he sees this as the best opportunity. ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ cleared away the stuff that didn’t matter. Christmas of all seasons has become inundated with the most stuff. People are longing for simplicity and clarity – it might just do that.”

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