By Cynthia Needham
Journal State House Bureau

As the Christmas season fast approaches, Fred Sneesby, the governor's senior communications and policy analyst is offering up some reading material.

Sneesby, a former priest and one-time social services worker, has written a book: A Believer's Christmas. Published this fall, the compact 75-page read is meant as a reminder that Christmas is about more than shopping for presents and decorating the house.

The author said he got the idea for the book last Christmas when he looked around and realized just how far the holiday season had drifted from its purpose.

Described as "a gift-wrapped package of hope," the book is a series of reflections -- some former sermons from his days in the priesthood and some more recent essays.

Sneesby will do a book signing on Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at Borders Books in the Providence Place mall. Copies are available at Borders, Amazon.com or by visiting Sneesby's Web site, www.fredsneesby.com