12 Days of Christmas 2017 - Day 2: Advent Storybook
Tomorrow I'm going to a graham cracker building event and a Christmas craft party. I'm excited for both because, with each coming event, it brings Christmas that much closer!
Tonight my dad read a chapter from a historical-fiction advent storybook, called Jotham's Journey. We've read a book from this series every years for the last five years. Even though the book we're reading is a repeat form another year, I still love hearing it. Like I've said before, I'm one of those people who holds traditions dear, so I love anything tied together with good memories. During the advent reading, which we do after dinner, we turn down the lights, light the candles and eat cookies. We try to do it with the whole family when possible, so even my toddler brother sits and listens. Well...okay. I don't know how much actually of it actually gets to his head, especially when he's wolfing down Oreos or reading his own books. ;) But anyways, today's chapter was about Jotham, the main character, meeting Zechariah and Elizabeth. He was so full of awe and wonder at the miraculous birth of John, and when Zechariah was telling Jotham of his awe and reaction of this great wonder that he and his wife - probably grandparents' ages - would have a baby after decades of waiting, it just made me really marvel at then. And then to think that Jesus' birth was even crazier! Jesus had no biological earthly father but was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Isn't that just wild? Sometimes I forget just how amazing Jesus' birth was. I reading an email from a friend today, and she was just marveling at the Christmas story. Honestly, she helped remind me of how powerful His coming was, so thank you, Leanne! :)
As I mentioned, this book is historical-fiction, and it has really helped me envision what it would be like at the time of Jesus' birth. The main characters of each book in the series are children (around nine years old). I think it's special that the writer decided to have the story told in the eyes of a kid. If you would like to check out this Christmas advent storybook series, click here. By the way, if you don't like spoilers, do not read the preview of Amon's Adventure, the Easter advent book.
These advent readings are important to me not just because of the tradition, but because reading it reminds me of the power of Jesus' birth. It changed many, many people's lives and really, the course of history. If you ever read one of these books (and I hope you get the chance), I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do. Does your family hold advent readings? Tell me about them in the comment section below! I would love to hear from you. :)
