‘Twas the Night That Began Christmas
Catherine Conrad Waters. Illustrated by Bill McCracken. Daphne, AL: SBA Books, 2019. 31 pp. (Large hardback).
Twas the Night That Began Christmas” is a children’s book modeled after the famous poem, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” I generally don’t like takeoffs of other works, and hasn’t this one been done enough? I mean, how many variations of the poem do we need anyway?
Well, maybe just one more. This one. It is really well done — it doesn’t sound like a copy at all even though the author was careful to preserve the rhythm of the original. This variation begins with the search for a room at the inn and ends with the resurrection and anticipation of the second coming.
The illustrations in the book enhance the story beautifully. The book would be an uplifting addition to the pile of Christmas books we pull out every year to enjoy with those special children in our lives.
Glimpses of the Savior: 50 Meditations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year
Shirley Crowder & Harriet E. Michael. Dallas: Pix-N-Pens Publishing, 2018. 224 pp. (Paperback).
What a great idea — we start thinking about Christmas well before December arrives so why not start our Christmas devotions then too?
These well-written devotions begin with the first fall of leaves and the imagery of apples and colorful trees and continue into the shiny new year with its fresh opportunities.
The authors are lifelong friends whose parents served on the missions field in Nigeria together when they were children.
Their readings are sprinkled with stories of that experience and many others, rich and varied, yet always directing the reader toward glimpses of Jesus.
The Perfect Love Song
Patti Callahan Henry. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2019. 240 pp. (Hardback).
Somebody tell me how it is that I was unaware of author Patti Callahan Henry until now!
I did know about one of her books, “Becoming Mrs. Lewis,” but I never slowed down long enough to see who wrote it.
“The Perfect Love Song” is the sweet story of a young musician who struggles to make sense of his life and priorities in light of his newfound success.
The author has deftly woven together a story with many moving parts (even the legend of the Claddagh ring for you Irish enthusiasts) and made it all work smoothly together to explore, in the words of the author, “what happens when our hearts quiet” and “what opens up when our souls reach for what lasts.”
A Christmas Home
Marta Perry. New York: Jove, 2019. (ebook).
After 10 years of moving from place to place with her widowed drifter of a father Sarah finally feels her younger siblings are old enough to take care of themselves so she returns to the Amish community of Promise Glen, home to her grandmother and most of her relatives. Much more quickly than she expected Sarah finds a job working as office manager for a furniture maker with twin sons but no wife.
Noah’s wife had left him one day without a word. As far as anyone knew Noah has made no effort to find his wife and he doesn’t know where she is.
You can guess where this is going, can’t you? Like all good romances, and especially Amish romances, the reader can take comfort in its predictability.
But a well- written romance also has an element of surprise … and this one is well-written and enjoyable.
It is warm and inviting, with smells and sights and sounds of a close-knit Amish community and a love story that you know will develop, but you just can’t quite figure out how.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Martine Bates Fairbanks, Ed.D., reviews books and movies for The Alabama Baptist. She is a university professor and retired principal. She is a member of Central Baptist Church, Decatur.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Staff Picks
1. His Holiday Family (A Town Called Hope Book 1)
By Margaret Daley
2. Back to Christmas
By Dennis Canfield
3. Christmas in Winter Hill
By Melody Carlson
4. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
By Barbara Robinson
5. Expecting Christmas (a devotional)
By Iron Stream Media
6. The Characters of Christmas: The Unlikely People Caught Up in the Story of Jesus
By Daniel Darling
7. Holiday Living: Using Year-Round Holidays to Build Faith and Family
By Brenda Poinsett
8. Celebrating Christmas with Jesus: An Advent Devotional
By Max Lucado
9. The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent
By John Piper
Share with others: