The True Meaning of Christmas

Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi, ill. by Jane Chapman (Zonderkidz 2015) | Image © 2015 by Jane Chapman. Used by permission

“To perceive Christmas through its wrappings becomes more difficult with every year.”

— E. B. White

I love the Christmas season and the trimmings and trappings that surround it.

The joy, the celebrating with (and of) friends and family.

My most recent illustration job, I Love You More than Christmas! with Little Tiger Press, embodies all of this. It’s a jolly, warm book, celebrating the season and the activities of a family of - yes, you’ve guessed it - bears!

However.

Last week I was sent a pdf of the cover (which will look spectacularly joyful with a red foiled background!) On the back cover blurb I read the tag line:

A festive celebration of the true meaning of Christmas.

My heart sank.

The true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus - God’s redemption plan!

And while I recognise that, of course, not everyone shares my faith (and that, as already mentioned, there are plenty of good things surrounding the Christmas period that are worth celebrating), the tag line left me, as a follower of Jesus and co-creator of the book, feeling sad.

Not angry or offended. Just sad.

So I asked for it to be changed - and Little Tiger Press didn’t hesitate.

It brought to mind two picture books that do touch upon the true meaning of Christmas: Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi (illustrated by Jane Chapman); and Jesus’ Christmas Party by Nicholas Allen (which I shall share next week).

As well as celebrating the birth of Jesus, they share another theme, which makes them so relatable: we all want a good night’s sleep!

 

Detail from Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi, ill. by Jane Chapman (Zonderkidz 2015) | Image © 2015 by Jane Chapman. Used by permission

 

Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi, illustrated by Jane Chapman (Zonderkidz 2015) takes us straight into the stable and action - and in doing so confronts us with some realities.

Here, author Laura Sassi shares her inspiration:

 

Goodnight, Manger was inspired by my daughter. As a preschooler, she loved playing with the little Baby Jesus that was part of our nativity set. She’d carry him around the house saying things like, “Baby Jesus crying. It’s okay, Baby.” Then she’d gently feed him or rock him and sing a lullaby. Before listening to her tender play, I’d never thought of Baby Jesus as ever crying. But, he was human (and God) and so he must have cried.

Interview with Laura Sassi (Sunshine and Reading )

 

But even before this, Sassi had the story seed of a mama hen trying to get her chicks to sleep.

 

[The idea was set] in a typical barn setting. It wasn’t until I decided to make it a very special barn – the stable where Baby Jesus was born – that the story took shape in a fresh new way.

… how much more thrilling is it to see a frazzled mama asking a glorious array of angels, rather than geese, for example, to quiet down? Much more fun!

Author Laura Sassi with The Power of Setting in Picture Books (Picture Book Playlist)

 

Sassi’s version of the story takes a pragmatic approach - Jesus cries!

 

“Cluck, he’s cute.”

“Oh, yes, hee-haw!”

Now sleepy Baby starts to…

Waaaawh!

“Shhh,” brays Donkey.

“Time for bed.

Here’s a pillow

For your head.”

- Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi

 

Into this believable pastoral scene descend the noisy visitors, and the quiet stable becomes more and more chaotic.

 

Sheep leap railings,

Tipping pails.

Tumble, splash.

Poor Baby wails!

…

Mama’s frantic, in a tizzy.

Who knew stables were so busy?

- Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi

 

From Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi, ill. by Jane Chapman (Zonderkidz 2015) | Image © 2015 by Jane Chapman. Used by permission

 This is where some people get unstuck and take offence.

They feel that Sassi’s version misrepresents the story, and are affronted by the down to earth representation; by Mary’s wish for some peace and quiet; that it feels, well, maybe a bit too real?

Blogger Katie Holman:

 

The story of the magnificent and miraculous birth of Christ is reduced to frustrated parents trying to get a baby to sleep. First the animals are being disruptive. Then angels come to praise the new king and Mary tells them to be quite [sic]. Three kings show up with gifts for the baby and how does Mary feel about that? “Mama’s frantic, in a tizzy.”

… The author … has changed the whole meaning of the story.

Being a new mom isn’t easy. Certainly there was a lot going on that night. I can imagine that Mary was tired, sore. However the joy of giving birth to her Savior certainly must have outweighed those things. Can you imagine Mary telling the angles [sic] to be quite [sic] or getting upset at the three kings for coming?!

- Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi (Midnight Mom)

 

Another reviewer objected to Mary trying to quieten the angelic hosts. ‘To me that was almost rude.’

The Christmas carol Away in a Manger has a lot to answer for! Because all babies communicate their needs by crying. And Jesus was fully human. (Let’s not forget the words from John 11:35: Jesus wept.)

Fortunately, the majority of reviewers seem to agree that this is a fun, unique and thought-provoking book that makes us think differently about a familiar Bible story.

 

The Holy Family is refreshingly portrayed with authentic ethnic coloring. And the characters exude a joy that pulls the reader into the jubilant stable and makes them want to join the festivities.

- HisTreasureSeekers.com

 

Detail from Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi, ill. by Jane Chapman (Zonderkidz 2015) | Image © 2015 by Jane Chapman. Used by permission

 

As always, Jane’s illustrations are packed with incidental details and interactions between characters which add to the gentle humour - and bring a second narrative to Sassi’s text.

I love the closing lines of the book - they remind me of another of my Good to Read recommendations - Goodnight, Moon. (Both are great for soporific storytimes!)

 

Goodnight, manger.

Goodnight, stall.

Time to sleep now,

One and all.

 

(It reminds me of another of my Good to Read recommendations - Goodnight, Moon. Both are great for soporific storytimes.)

 NEXT WEEK

Another story about the True Meaning of Christmas that is fun and thought-provoking: Jesus’ Christmas Party by Nicholas Allen. Definitely worth a look.

Whatever your belief system, these two won’t disappoint.

  (I Love You More than Christmas! publishes with Little Tiger Press, 2020)SourcesBrainyQuote.com Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi, ill. by Jane Chapman (Zonderkidz 2015) Interview with Laura Sassi, Author of Goodnight, Ark and Goodnight, Manger - Sunshine and Reading (February 21, 2017) Author Laura Sassi with The Power of Setting in Picture Books - Picture Book Playlist (May 16, 2018) Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi (Midnight Mom)Scripture taken from the Holy Bible (King James Version)