JESUS CAME FOR ME
ISBN 978 1 645 070 498
THE CHRISTMAS PROMISE
ISBN 978 1 910 307 113
BAKE THROUGH THE BIBLE AT CHRISTMAS
ISBN 978 1 910 307 984
THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS
ISBN: 978 1 846 254 123
THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS
ISBN 978 1 527 103 344
CHRISTMAS COLOURING BOOK
ISBN: 978 1 846 254 406
Theodor Seuss Geisel aka Dr Seuss says that ‘Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.’ I think that everyone who reads en would agree that this is one of the understatements of eternity.
The story of the incarnation is a crucial point in the narrative of salvation and one that children need to be taught, accurately from Scripture. With that in mind let’s look at the following titles.
New Growth Press has published: Jesus Came for Me by Jared Kennedy. I’ve seen several books written by this author and you can be sure that he writes good content at a child’s level of understanding. Jesus Came for Me is a large-format board book with bright illustrations. Its purpose it to help a toddler celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.
Upping their game
The Christmas Promise series published by the Good Book Company is an example of how children’s Christmas books are upping their game theologically these days. It starts in Bethlehem, but goes back to when the promise of Christmas was made by our heavenly Father. This series includes a book for 3–6 years old, a simplified board book for ages 2–4 as well as an activity book and advent calendar devotional. Watch The Good Book company’s video on their website where the author introduces this material.
Also, if you enjoy crafts at this time of through year Bake the Bible at Christmas by Susie Bentley-Taylor & Bekah Moore would be a good library addition.
Day One has a children’s title: The Story of Christmas with a computer-generated style of art. Part of the ‘Tales of Truth’ series it also has a feature where you can use a PowerPoint presentation to teach the story. This is downloadable from their website.
Heather LeFebvre’s book The History of Christmas is a full-colour hardback published by Christian Focus that takes a mix of church history and activities to be done during advent. It starts with Christ’s birth in Bethlehem and then goes through Roman times, the Medieval church, and up to the present day, showing how Christmas as a celebration of Christ has changed over the centuries. This is written for children aged 9–14.
Activity books are popular at Christmas and can be an inexpensive gift to give as a stocking filler or alongside a card. Day One’s Christmas Colouring Book, is a large-format 32-page story and colouring book. For £2.50 it could easily replace a child’s Christmas card.
Some Christmas books can open up evangelistic opportunities. For children I’d recommend Jesus The Promised Child by Carine Mackenzie. And for older children and adults I think it would be a good idea to purchase Roger Carswell’s Christmas tracts: The Christmas Truce or The Dog who Stole Christmas. If you like to give gifts and cards at this time of year including an interesting little story like these is the ideal way to illustrate that, yes, Christmas does mean much, much more!
