Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas

by Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Ryan Jeppesen (Illustrator)

This is a children's picture book edition of the best-selling adult book of the same title. Using illustrations and age-appropriate text, this children's edition features passages of scripture along with original text to tell the story of the birth of Jesus and provides ideas for family traditions that young children can understand to make the holiday more Christ-centered. Each spread uses one person from the nativity story to illustrate a theme and suggests one activity a child can do to remember the lesson learned from that character.

For example, the story introduces Mary and talks about the search for an inn where she could stay with Joseph and give birth to her baby. The book then presents a question for the child to ponder--"How could you make room for the baby Jesus as part of your Christmas celebration this year?"--and an activity to do--"Place an empty stable somewhere in your home where you can see it every day until Christmas."

Combining the biblical version told by Luke and Matthew with a beautiful story line and wonderfully charming, full-color illustrations, this book will help make Christ the focus of your celebrations this year.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Picture Books, Religion, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 26, 2017

About the author

Emily Freeman and Simon Dewey collaborated on the bestselling book The Ten Virgins. For nearly 20 years, Emily has addressed groups of women as a writer, songwriter, and motivational speaker. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a strong desire to find their application in modern-day life. Emily and her husband, Greg, are the parents of four children and live in Lehi, Utah.

Reviews

[Monica H at The Readathon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The illustrations are beautiful and the story follows along with the Christmas Nativity story, so it's perfect. You start reading this book a week before Christmas, and then every day you read another page and add the person discussed to the Nativity scene. There's also a question, activity, and ornament that goes with each day. I love how it brings your family together each night and helps them really ponder on the true meaning of Christmas. Reading this book together will definitely be a added to our list of Christmas traditions! I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. You may read my full review on my book blog: www.the-readathon.blogspot.com.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas season always seems to be so busy and chaotic that the real meaning of Christmas gets left behind. Emily Freeman & David Butler have created this book to help parents lead their children toward a more spiritual, joy-filled Christmas experience. The book is intended to be used over a seven day period. Each day focuses on one person(s) or part of the Christmas story. For example, the first night focuses on the innkeeper providing the stable for Joseph and Mary to stay in, the second night focuses on Joseph's kind treatment of Mary, etc. Each section begins with a scripture passage from the Christmas story told in the Bible, followed by a brief explanation of what what happening. The question, Could you? follows each explanation. A question related to the topic then follows such as: How could you make room for the baby Jesus as part of your Christmas celebration this year? There is a set of Christmas ornaments and nativity scene that can be purchased to go along with the traditions and questions suggested. For those who are looking for a new tradition to help children celebrate Christmas in a Christ-Centered way, this book is a great resource.

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book and a fabulous new tradition! I loved the in-depth grown-up version but wasn't able to put it all into practice with our young family. This children's version of studying the nativity figures and applying Christ-like attributes is perfect! There are so many advents out there, but this one would be quick and easy to incorporate into a busy holiday season and also offer opportunities for deeper pondering.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this book and really enjoy the little things each night as it gets closer to Christmas. There is a scripture that goes with each person and thoughts about what it must have been like for them. This is also great as a book to read in one sitting, just skipping the pages that give suggestions of things to do.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a terrific way for families to have a meaningful and faith filled Christmas season. Scripture reflections are highlighted with beautiful pictures and activities in which the whole family can participate.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute nativity activity book. Perfect for bringing Christ into Christmas! There are many ways to read this together with your small children. 1 read the story. 2 just read the scriptures. 3 read the whole book without doing the activities. 4 read the book and do the suggested activities.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We decided to do the "seven-days of Christmas" examining various people from the Nativity story. We enjoyed the stories and traditions (and videos on LDS Living's YouTube page) and will probably do it again next year.

[Tenille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simplified version of the original book, perfect for kids! I love the pictures and the simpleness of making Christ the focus of our Christmas traditions!

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby Jesus, a gift from God, prompts giving in return - gifts of the heart.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)

[Amy Mortensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. I loved all of her ideas she had about making Christmas more about Christ.

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. It sweetly tells about the birth of Christ. The soft illustrations are beautiful. There are many suggestions to celebrate Christmas deeply. The book and ornaments remind us of different pieces of a nativity. They even include instructions to download and print ornaments.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book works as a read aloud, despite being a bit wordy. However, the best way to use it is over multiple days, setting up one piece of your nativity set each day, reading the corresponding page, and doing the corresponding activity.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was basic stuff. It was written for families as an interactive book. It was written to relieve some of the stress of the season, but it might add stress.

[Jodee Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Sara]

We own and love this.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may love this more the one for adults!

[Cassaronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family enjoyed this along with the matching nativity (which isn’t cheap).

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and thoughtful. Great spiritual ideals, but written in a way that is engaging for children. It really brought the Christmas spirit.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby. Delightful story for Children on the Birth of Christ with interacting suggestions of things to do to Give your gift of Christ.

[404notfound · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love!