The True Meaning of Christmas!
I love Christmas time and I enjoy the magic of Christmas - which I believe can include Santa Clause too, even for Christians. I know Santa can be a touchy and controversial subject, but I'm not here to debate his inclusion in your festivities or not. What I am writing this for is to admit that sometimes the true meaning of Christmas can be lost amidst the commercialism that Santa can perpetuate.
I grew up believing in Santa and that the gifts in my stocking were from him - BUT before we opened any presents on Christmas morning, we always read the Nativity Story. When I was younger, my parents read picture books and as I got older, we started reading the Bible. I've included Bible references to the Christmas Story below as well as some of my favorite Nativity picture books.
Full story in the Bible: Shortened story from the Bible:
Luke 1:1-2:52 Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-21; 2:39-40
Matthew 1:1-2:23 Matthew 1:18-2:23
God's Littlest Angel by Alan and Linda Parry
This is a short story with adorable illustrations. It follows the story of Angie, the littlest angel, and how she helped God prepare for the birth of Jesus. It includes pull-tabs (pictured above), pop-ups, and flaps to open. There is also a question on each page to keep the kids engaged.
This is a short story with adorable illustrations. It follows the story of Angie, the littlest angel, and how she helped God prepare for the birth of Jesus. It includes pull-tabs (pictured above), pop-ups, and flaps to open. There is also a question on each page to keep the kids engaged.
The Story of Christmas by Sally Owen
This book follows more closely to the biblical story and is a bit longer. This would be for slightly older children than the book above. Each page has a pop-up center and four flaps to open. The illustration style is also beautiful.
The First Christmas Night by Keith Christopher
This takes the rhyme and rhythm patterns from Twas the Night Before Christmas and makes it about the nativity story instead of Santa. This story isn't interactive like the first two books, but it is still engaging due to its poem-like style of writing.
Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer
This is a goofy book that follows the story of Humphrey, the conceited camel. He loses his blanket while traveling with the Wise Men but gets a new one after several funny escapades. Spoiler: He gives his precious blanket to baby Jesus in the end.
Let me know what your favorite Nativity picture books are in the comments!
I don't know if you ever listened to Adventures in Odyssey. They were CD's about kids growing up in a town called Odyssey and were great stories. There is one called "The Star" that is the Christmas story, and I have turned it into a stage play.
ReplyDeleteI listened to a couple! I remember them more as movies, but Adventures in Odyssey was definitely a part of my childhood! I'd love to read and perform in your play version of The Star!
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ReplyDeleteI moved this comment to being a reply to Mary.
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