Glenys Nellist beautifully tells seven stories that surround the birth of Christ in a simple, yet compelling way, combining prose and rhyme. It is perfect for helping children to identify with how Isaiah, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Wise Men might have felt as they lived out these moments of their lives.
I personally loved how each mini-story tied into a promise from God in the Old Testament. As I lifted the flap and read the letter from God, each promise seemed to jump off of the page and speak right to my heart.
The exciting thing is that children will have this experience as they read the book. As they lift each flap to receive a letter from God, the Christmas love letters will help them to personally connect a promise of Scripture to their own struggles, fears, and experiences.
For example:
- When I feel worried or apprehensive about what God is asking me to do (like Mary) God says, “The light of my blessing will shine on you.”
- When I have doubt (like Joseph), God says, “I will make you strong and help you.”
- When I am facing a long and difficult path (like Mary and Joseph on the way to Bethlehem), God says, “I will march out ahead of you.”
These are powerful truths for everyone—parents, grandparents, and children!
I also loved how Glenys began with Isaiah, which will help children to make the important connection that Jesus was the fulfillment of a promise God made to bring his light to the world. I also loved how she concluded with a space for the child to write a letter back to God, as a way of giving a gift back to him.
Although my children are grown now, I know I would have used this beautiful book year after year as a family tradition and well-loved Christmas read-aloud. It was a joy to receive this book in the mail and have the opportunity to review it.
About the author: GLENYS NELLIST was born and raised in a little village in northern England. Her stories and poems have been published in children’s magazines where her writing reflects a deep passion for bringing the Bible to life for young children. Glenys lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, David.
