It’s barely fall and I’m already talking about Christmas. I’m not typically one to decorate my tree early or set up lights until the colder weather of December welcomes cozy nights by the fire.
However, this year I’ve been dreaming about Christmas long before the pumpkin spice lattes began filling the coffee shops. I’m so excited to share with you about my new children’s book, The Gift of All Gifts: Celebrating God’s Special Present for You. I loved getting to write this book and Melissa Fischer made the words come alive with her beautiful images and whimsical characters—her work is stunning! The Gift of All Gifts is a combination of three things I love: children’s books, gift-giving, and Christmas.
Children’s Books
I love writing books for children, particularly books that rhyme. I remember being a young mom and searching for books that I loved reading to my children and had a simple, but important message I wanted them to learn.
However, I often found the books that had the best messages were not as fun to read and the books that were fun to read, often just had simple and playful messages.
In my first two children’s books Wherever You Go and His Grace is Enough, I wanted to combine one big truth for a little heart to learn within a fun-to-read book for both the parent and the child. I also tried to share a message that was a needed reminder for me as a parent as I taught the same truth to my child.
Whether in poetry or song, rhyming verses have a way of getting in our heads, whether we like it or not. I hope that the playfulness of the rhyme and the engaging illustrations will draw children into this story with a sense of excitement as they wonder, “What is the gift of all gifts?”
Gift Giving
Every year, I look forward to giving gifts to my family. However, as I face the hustle and bustle of shopping and the culture of consumerism, I find myself questioning, “What does any of this have to do with Jesus?” Is the way we celebrate Christmas just an excuse to overspend, overindulge, and focus too much on temporal pleasures? Should I run from the stores, remove the presents from the tree and find other ways to celebrate?
Years ago, as I discussed my internal struggle with my husband, he kindly reminded me that gift giving is not just a reflection of worldly materialism (although it can be), but it’s also a reflection of our Creator, who delights to give gifts to His people. We love giving gifts to those we love because we’re made in the image of a gift-giving God.
That car ride conversation many years ago was the inspiration for this book. I wanted to explain to children how the gifts we give to one another are simply a reflection, a foretaste, a shadow, of the greatest gift that’s ever been given.
Christmas
One thing I love about the Christmas season is that everywhere I go, joyful music fills the air. Often, gospel messages are shared in public spaces as Christmas hymns are played in stores and restaurants. We find ourselves humming along, “Let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day.”
Christmas is a time of rejoicing for the Christian, as well as a season of opportunity. Perhaps your neighbor will join you for the Lessons and Carols service at your church. Maybe they would want to come to the women’s ministry’s Christmas tea. Or perhaps they might be willing to read a new children’s book about Christmas with their children.
One of my greatest hopes for The Gift of All Gifts is that this small book will share the biggest message the world has ever received. I hope it will point young hearts (and their parents) to Jesus—the true Gift of all gifts:
Open this Gift!
Receive him today.
Pray to King Jesus—
His Word shows the way.
I also hope it will teach children to share the message of the gospel with others.
If your kids love doing activities, there’s a free bonus activity pack. It’s full of coloring sheets and word searches, as well as the recipe for my favorite Cinnamon Roll Cookies. There are also premade gift tags for you to share the cookies with neighbors and friends, perhaps as you invite them to join you at church. You can find out all the details here!
Every Christmas, I give my children a new Christmas book. After 25 years, we have quite a Christmas library. It’s a joy to add this one to the mix and I’ve dedicated it to my three children: Emma, John, and Kate. I hope this book might be one your family can enjoy, sitting by the tree, rejoicing together in the Gift of all gifts!
