A Trio of Christmas Books to Share with Your Family
A Trio of Advent and Christmas Books to Share with Your Family
By Lisa M. Hendey
With the approach of Advent and Christmas season, I look forward
each year to sharing favorite Christmas books with my children
and discovering new classics. This year, I'm happy to share
three new family Christmas books with you and your family.
A Special Remembrance of One Holy Night
O Holy Night: The First Christmas (Pauline Books & Media, August
2005, hardcover) by Makoto Yamamoto is a timeless recounting of
the events leading up to and including the birth of Jesus
Christ. The opening pages of the book find young Mary in her
home in Nazareth, receiving a surprise visitation from the
Archangel Gabriel, who comes bearing special news. The book
continues with Mary and Joseph's preparations and journey to
Bethlehem. The birth of Jesus, the praise and glory of the
angels and the visits of the shepherds and wise men are all
retold in child friendly language.
My favorite aspect of this particular Christmas story is the
illustration work done by Wakako Moritsu. Moritsu's soft,
appealing artwork lends a glow and warmth to this timeless tale.
This lovely, hardcover edition would make a wonderful Christmas
or Advent gift for your special child or would be a true treat
to share on Christmas morning. For additional information on O
Holy Night: The First Christmas visit
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0819854409/catholicmomcom
Give Jesus a Gift from Your Family
It's never too late to begin a new family tradition, especially
one which emphasizes the true meaning of the Christmas season.
With her book A Stocking for Jesus (Pauline Books and Media,
September 2003, paperback) author Suzanne Arruda shares the
inspiring story of one little girl who remembered what Christmas
is truly all about. Young readers and their parents will be
inspired by the story of young Elise, who takes time amidst the
holiday decorating to remember Jesus on the occasion of his
birthday. Elise and her family create a new family tradition by
giving gifts to Jesus in the form of acts of love, service and
prayer. The family gifts are noted on
Stefon Harris And Blackout On JazzSet
At the Kennedy Center Jazz Club bandstand, Harris' vibes run parallel to the edge of the stage and perpendicular to his marimba. Like a boxer in the ring, he works the corner where the keys meet. Hear Harris and his band Blackout pound on OutKast and Jackie McLean in two sets.
slips of paper and placed
in Jesus' special stocking.
Along with the fun story and bright illustrations, this book
comes complete with a ready-made family activity, enabling your
child or family to create and fill your own "Stocking for
Jesus". With its emphasis on the true meaning of giving, A
Stocking for Jesus deserves a place in your family's holiday
reading repertoire. For additional information on A Stocking for
Jesus visit
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0819870765/digitalcropper-
20
Big News from Bethlehem
Around my home, we frequently speculate on how Jesus might have
been received had He been born into today's culture. You can bet
your mistletoe that Jesus' birth might have been covered on CNN
if the right media source been tipped off in advance. A fun new
children's Christmas book, A Christmas Interview: Reporting Live
from Bethlehem! (Pauline Books and Media, August 2005,
paperback), gives kids the chance to imagine what reporters
might have asked had they been on hand for the big event in
Bethlehem. The book, translated from its original Japanese
version written by Father Yoshitaka Yoshiike, accompanies two
roving reporters on their time-travel journey back to the
original site of the birth of our Savior.
The kids have questions for each of the major players, including
St. Joseph, Mary, the shepherd witnesses and even the Wise Men.
Expressive illustrations by Fujio Tsuchiya lend to the fun of
this fast paced, yet scripturally based, narrative on the
nativity. The book might also lend itself to a dramatic
representation by a family or classroom wanting to act out the
events of that first Christmas. For additional information on A
Christmas Interview: Reporting Live from Bethlehem! visit
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0819815721/catholicmomcom
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous
web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and
http://www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader. Visit her
at http://www.lisahendey.com
About the author:
A Trio of Advent and Christmas Books to Share with Your Family
By Lisa M. Hendey
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