Merry Christmas from all of us here at Christian Focus 4 Kids.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:11–12, ESV

… but I think I do.

It’s an old one but a good one…

The Promised Child by Carine Mackenzie

The story of the birth, that ended with a death, that went on to bring life – eternal life.

The birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World.

You may be thinking of different family traditions that you’ve kept over the years, or that you want to start for the future. May I suggest that you make some of your family traditions at Christmas about Christ. Read the story in several ways and at different times – it doesn’t have to be in December either.

Celebrate his birth, be thankful for his death, rejoice at his resurrection.

1. Children’s Devotions by Frances Ridley Havergal – This is a lovely collection of devotional readings – something that you can do with your child early in the morning or last thing at night.
2. With Two Hands by Rebecca Davis – From the first moment I read the manuscript I was hooked on her books. You may feel you have a child who has read every missionary story available – if so then get them onto Rebecca’s books. They are so well written and they introduce the reader to christians from other cultures, indigenous churches and unsung heroes and heroines of the faith.
3. A girl of two Worlds by Lorna Eglin – Though this book is largely fictional – it is based on Lorna’s own experience with the Massai tribe of Kenya and her time as a missionary with them. The key character has to struggle with existing in two very different cultures… which will win out in the end – her tribal family, or her Christian church… or can it be both?
4. A Young Person’s Guide to Knowing God by Patricia St. John – This book has some of the best gospel short stories that I’ve ever read. A perfect read aloud book – but also ideal for a young reader to dip into by themselves. Functions as a devotional book as well.

They take many shapes and forms and there are ones that are suitable for younger children and the more demanding older kid.

Take for example the simple colouring book. Why not purchase a few of the Colour the Bible series and lay them out as place mats or on a child’s dining room chair along with a packet of crayons. There are many different ones to chose from but if you need a suggestion how about this one on the book of Luke: http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1277/-/sr_19

If you’re looking for something that’s going to last a bit longer than the Christmas meal then for a younger child My Bible ABC is a good option. With 26 simple stories and colouring pages. http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/522/-/sr_1

Older children need something a bit more stretching. The Puzzle n’ Learn series would work well in this instance. Something you would put in their stocking or have ready for a quick half hour or more of down time. The Greatest Gift is a good choice for this time of year but there are several others you can choose from too. http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1344/-/sr_1

And then the Bible Detectives series covers several Old and New testament books but again the book on Luke would be a good Christmas choice. There is hours worth of codes and puzzles in here – enough to keep any child busy over the festive weekend. http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/66/-/sr_4

Now I don’t want to start this blog post about story Bibles without asking does your child have a full bible of their own? They should. Whatever age they are at they need to know that you place a high importance on God’s Word – in its entirety.

I think children’s story bibles and story books have their place – but the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation needs to be front and centre.

Which is why it is important for you when buying children’s story bibles to look at the content and be discerning. The artwork is very important in many different ways – I may blog about that at some other point. But your attention definitely needs to go beyond the visual appeal to the words.

1. There should be more than just the usual stories, especially if you’re purchasing a children’s story bible for a slightly older child.
2. There should be something in the book that encourages the child to actually look up a full bible. Every story should at the very least give a bible reference, or make it clear that God’s Word is a book on its own.
3. There should be a opportunity to apply the message to the life.

So with that I’ll point you towards three different children’s bible story books that are good gift options starting with the youngest…

1. Little Hands Life of Jesus – this is a book aimed at 3-6 year olds that tells the story of Jesus’ life from his birth to the ascension.
2. The New Children’s Bible by Anne de Vries – Well told and realistically illustrated this book is a good option for children who are ready to read on their own – but it’s also a great read aloud edition.
3. The Bible Explorer – This title is definitely one to use alongside the Bible. It’s aimed at the older child and has loads of extra features that draw the reader deeper into scripture. This title is an excellent way of introducing children to Jesus Christ in all of scripture.

The Christmas Story by Carine Mackenzie

The subtitle to this is The Bible Version. Simply because we need to be clear that the story we quite often see portrayed in nativity plays and on Christmas cards isn’t the story we read in the Bible. When we read the scripture the shepherds and the wise men are not in the same part of the story. And there is a lot more to Jesus’ birth than simply the little town of Bethlehem. If you want your children to see that the birth of Jesus is important but that the child in the manger becomes the saviour on the cross then this is the book for you.

And Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas, at least in the U.K., without a Narnia blockbuster on the T.V.  Clive Staples Lewis has worked his way into the festive season like Carols at Candlelight or a giant tub of office chocolates (I’m still hoping we’ll get one of those this year.)

So in honour of one of the 20th centuries greatest story-tellers we have two books that introduce different ages to his life and christian testimony.

The Little Lights Series has a title Can You Imagine? and the Trailblazer series for 9-14 year olds has The Story Teller.

I don’t want to be accused of stereotyping … but pretty much boys will be boys and girls will be girls and everyone likes a best seller. That’s what this blog post is saying today.

1. Boys Like Monkeys. …  Saturday proved that for me when I was doing a kids story time at church. Instead of picking the book myself… I would probably have picked a Christmas book, something seasonal … I let the children choose the book. An eight year old called Aiden immediately pointed to The Jungle Doctor Fable Book and I read the cracking story about the monkeys who didn’t believe in crocodiles. As always there is a moral to the story – and as always Paul White doesn’t mince his words. Just as the monkeys in the story foolishly refused to believe in the reality of the dangerous crocodile – we can ignore at our peril the danger of sin. Thankfully the monkeys are saved just in the nick of time by Twiga the giraffe. And Paul White clearly identifies our saviour in the Lord Jesus Christ. http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1370/-/sr_1
2. Girl’s Like Dolls… they do. And with all the types of dolls there are these days there always seems to be a style for everyone. It’s no longer just barbies … I really like the look of some of the American girl dolls that are more realistic. But it is the truth – generation after generation of girls like their dolls. If you’ve got a little girl whose heart just warms at the sight of one of those crying, peeing, all be it, plastic babies the book: What’s in the Parcel about Helen Roseveare is just the ticket. http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1197/-/sr_1 This is a missionary story, that involves a baby, a little girl, a parcel and a doll. It’s a great read.
3. Everyone likes a best seller… And if these two books are new titles to you then you need to get in on the act. The Lightkeepers biographies have been our top sellers in children’s books for years now. Ten Girls who changed the World and Ten Boys who Changed the World – are a great way to introduce your 7-12 year olds to real life Christian heroes and heroines. Ten short bios in each book, with extra features that make these books ideal devotionals. A really good gift that keeps on giving. http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/759/-/sr_1http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/772/-/d_series

O.K. so here are another three books that I’d like to point you to for a Child’s Christmas.

Christmas isn’t Christmas without a Victorian or two… so here are two of O.F. Walton’s best titles.

A Peep Behind the Scenes

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/621/-

and

Christie’s Old Organ

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/173/-

These are heartwarming stories with a good Gospel message. If your kids like stories such as The Christmas Carol by Dickens, and other classic stories like that these two titles are perfect, curl up by the fire, cosy reads.

If you’ve never read an OF Walton title before you’ve a treat in store.

And for all those kids out there who are longing for snow – I know several who have sledges just waiting on the blocks in the garage – well if it doesn’t happen on the day and we don’t have ‘Snow for Christmas’ maybe this book will be a good compromise. It’s a good choice for those readers who don’t engage so well with fiction.

Antarctic Adventures

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1567/-

Over the next week or so I’m going to put up some brief posts about Christmas books for Kids – You might find some of these surprising choices…

Family Time: 82 Devotional Life Lessons and Simple Prayers

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1744/-

Going into Christmas and the new year we often have plans to start things … fitness regimes, diets, clear outs… A regular devotional time. This book is an excellent way to start a devotional time as a family. With some seasonally appropriate material it also has devotionals that are ideal for any time of year.

Lottie Moon: What do you need?

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1743/-

Lottie Moon was a missionary to China – with a life full of adventure… and an interesting link to Christmas. Because every year a collection is made at Christmastime in her honor – hundreds of thousands of dollars are donated to missionary projects across the world through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. Find out about the woman who inspires this level of giving every year through this delightfully illustrated book.

Onto more familiar territory now

The Very First Christmas

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1754/-

Christmas memories can be very special to look back on. A baby’s first Christmas is an event marked by photographs and presents, visits and family. The Very First Christmas was similar but so different for the new born Son of God. Share Christmas with your little one by reading this story, cherishing family and the Word of God together.