I really do like this book, and I am not just saying that because we got it as a gift, the illustrations remind me a lot of the images in a bible I had as a child. The illustrations are beautiful and full of detail, great for young kids who like to pick out all the details as you read to them. First, I love that Michelle starts off with a bible verse.
And she brought forth her firstborn son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger; because there was
no room for them in the inn. - Luke 2:7
This book is one that you and your family will welcome into your family traditions of reading every year to young and old. Michelle Medlock Adams does a wonderful job telling the story of Jesus birth through a gorgeous old dove that was there first hand to see the TRUTH of Jesus birth.
The donkey called from down below, "We're ready, Mrs. Dove! Please tell your story once again, The one about God's love." Old Mrs. Dove settles in the center of the circle of animals to tell the story that the barn yard animals have heard many times before, but all of them long to hear the story again because each time Old Mrs. Dove tells the story it feels new. "It happened here, right in this barn, The Son of God was born right here, upon this small straw bed." My boys looked at me when I read this line, like "REALLY IT HAPPENED THERE?". The Old Dove continues in rhyming verse to tell the story of a young couple that arrives in Bethlehem, the young woman on the donkey ready to have her child, but there isn't any room in the inn.
"She was so young, so beautiful,
And Mary was her name.
Somehow I knew when she gave birth
I'd never be the same."
"And then it happened, just like that,
I hear the baby's cires.
She pulled her baby close to her
and looked into his eyes.
She said, 'Jesus will be your name,
just like the angel said.'
And then she smiled and praise our God,
and kissed the baby's head."
The barnyard animals ask Old Mrs. Dove many questions and she patiently tries to answer them all, then she continues to tell them of the Shepherds that came in from the fields because the angel told them of the Savior, Prince of Peace. The animals continue to interupt with with many questions, but donkey wants her to continue because his favorite part about "the kings who bring the things" is coming up.
"That happened later on," said Dove.
"That's what I have been told.
I've heard three kings brought Jesus gifts:
Frankincense, myrrh, and gold "
The animals discuss the gifts and what they would give to Jesus, but Dove brings the story back to the most important part when she says .
"But God gave the best fit of all -
He gave his only Son.
And Jesus is for you and me.
He is for everyone."
"That's what Christmas is all about -
"God's never-ending love."
Michelle puts it best in the words she artfully puts onto the pages of this wonderful Christmas book. Please take the time to find it and add it to the books you read to your children ANY TIME, but especially during the Christmas season, because the author makes it VERY CLEAR what is the most important part of the season of giving, the gift given to EVERYONE in the form of Jesus Christ.
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