Tuesday, November 30, 2010

What Happened to Merry Christmas?


“’Merry Christmas is lost!’ Sam shouted as he burst through the door.

‘What’s wrong, Sam?’” Mother wanted to know.

Sam explained he got an invitation to a party, a holiday party, not a Christmas party. He went on to say, “’Teacher says there won’t be any Christmas….what about Christmas?’”

His mother said, “Maybe Christmas really isn’t lost, Sam. Just because something isn’t easy to find does not mean it is lost. Maybe we will just have to look a little harder for it.”

Sam’s mother told him about the Advent wreath on their table. She said it’s to help remind them that Christmas is coming. “The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.”

When Sam asked about the Christmas tree, she said evergreen trees are used for Christmas trees because they are always green and alive. They symbolize Jesus’ birth. The presents under the tree symbolize the gifts the Three Wise Men gave Baby Jesus.

She even pointed out that the word holiday means holy day.

Then Sam understood that Merry Christmas wasn’t really lost. You could find it if you looked for it because “Merry Christmas is everywhere.”

Robert C. Baker, the author of What Happened to Merry Christmas?, weaves Bible verses into the text. For instance, when Sam’s mother talks about the Advent wreath, she says, “The Candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). He came to take away the darkness of our sins by dying on the cross.” She quotes a scripture verse every time she points out something that relates to Christmas.

The bright, expressive illustrations by Dave Hill are truly delightful and add much to the text.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 5-9.

Publisher Info: Concordia Publishing House, 2007; ISBN: 9780758613462; Hardcover, $13.99.

Buy now at ChristianBook $10.99!

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