Hobby Lobby plans to distribute 500,000 copies of Lee Strobel’s book, “A Christmas Affair: A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the Manger,” this holiday season. The author shared this news on his social media earlier this month.
Strobel mentioned, “People send me pictures of free gifts from Hobby Lobby after they shop there. My new book, ‘The Case for Christmas,’ is part of this giveaway! I hope these books guide people towards a deeper understanding.” He posted this on December 3.
He further promoted the initiative on December 6, sharing a photo taken outside a Hobby Lobby store. “They are giving away 500,000 copies of my new book to customers for free while supplies last! My wife Leslie and I recently visited their Paducah, Kentucky location and met some amazing folks,” he wrote.
In a conversation with FOX News Digital, Strobel noted that Hobby Lobby originally approached the publisher, Zondervan, with this idea. “I found it appealing because Christmas often becomes overly commercialized, and my book offers historical insights that correct many misunderstandings about the holiday,” he expressed.
Since the announcement, Strobel said he has received numerous messages and pictures from delighted recipients of what he whimsically calls a “spiritual stocking stuffer.” He added, “The power of the Christmas Story lies in its truth, and I hope this book helps others understand why even former skeptics like I once was have embraced its historical significance.”
A former atheist, Strobel converted to Christianity in 1981 and has authored several works defending the faith, such as “The Case for Christ” and “The Case for Faith.” His book “The Case for Christmas” was originally published in 2005, and a revised edition was released this past September to mark its 20th anniversary.
Meanwhile, David Green, Hobby Lobby’s founder and CEO, often emphasizes the importance of maintaining principles in business. He claimed, “From the start, our aim has been to honor God with what we do. We’ve worked hard and been blessed, which allows us to give back and support ministries to spread hope globally.”
