Christmas Books

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I'm starting to face the inevitable. It's coming. Very quickly. The days of preparation are not enough. The kids have been bugging me to get out decorations, and thus far I've avoided it. I think more because it consumes a whole day than for any other reason (although I'm philosophically opposed until later in Advent; not that I always win that argument). Today we will get out the Nativity -- that's supposed to come right after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, so we're a day late.

I'll also pull out all of the Christmas books. They are more likely to get me in the mood than anything. I'll admit that I'm not likely to read, even once, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (I know, bad mom), but there is a huge stack we will read.



I did already read one, that I borrowed from the library. It's Frank McCourt's new book, Angela and the Baby Jesus. I read the adult version, which has only a few illustrations, but it was a very sweet story; I will read it to the kids before it goes back. It was written in typical McCourt fashion -- with the characteristic lyrical Irish style and his characteristic exaggerations (Angela's mother supposedly told her that to tell a lie in the presence of the baby Jesus is the worst lie in the world.) Some people may not like McCourt, but I really enjoy his style and can deal with explaining his exaggerated manner while I'm reading it to the kids. Grab it from the library, if you can, and read it for yourself. I would love to see the children's version with more illustrations, but I'll likely not be able to get my hands on it before Christmas.

On to some of my other favorites.

My absolute most favorite, if-I-could-only-have-one-this-would-be-it book is The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado. I cannot get through this book without quietly crying, partly because it's such a beautiful story and partly because I have my own Francis, who is very much like the little lamb in the story.

Waiting for Noel is one of my favorite Advent/Christmas stories, mostly because it is illustrated by my most favorite illustrator, Mark Graham. But, it is a very sweet story, about waiting for something special to come.

The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Wahlburg is another I have to breathe deeply to get through without crying. The kids love the book because it's about candy, but I love it because of the beautiful message.

The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Helen Berger is one of my favorite tellings of the nativity, with beautiful illustrations, along with The Very First Christmas by Louie Stowell for its beautiful simplicity.

Two completely secular books (other than the fact that they are Christmas books) that are favorites, especially with Peach, are Dick and Jane: A Christmas Story, which is really just about different family traditions, but has many of the sweet Dick and Jane illustrations, full of color and innocence, and The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry which is fun due to the scratch and sniff stickers, even if you have to scratch really hard.

And, for me, I will read The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, without which, something would be missing in the season.

What are some of your favorite Christmas books? I'd love to hear.

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