By Kevin Lee

A LOT of good Christmas books have come to my attention lately. Here’s my ‘Best of 2007’ (with one flashback to 2006):

• Gwen Ellis & Liz Pichon: The First Christmas, Kregel Kidzone

When children open the doors to this stable-shaped playset, they’ll discover an adorable book, two sheets of press-out characters and a stand-up panorama backdrop they can play with for hours. The book tells the story of Christ’s birth, while the stand-up characters allow kids to act out the story for themselves. This is a classic children’s book, good value and a keepsake publication.

• Jean-Pierre Isbouts & Bruce Chilton: The Biblical World, National Geographic Society

This beautiful atlas blends vintage National Geographic photo quality with writing from a non-denominational perspective. The book covers a wide range of sources – from ancient hieroglyphic texts to the latest scientific findings – to place Bible stories in the framework of history. To locate sites and events, Geographic cartographers have created 50 all-new maps of stunning quality. Chronologically arranged chapters describe the birth of Israel in its historical and biblical context. The lavish illustrations and carefully crafted text make this big book truly hard to put down.

• Andrew Peterson & Cory Godbey: The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats: An Unlikely Royal Family Tree, Thomas Nelson

If you dig deeply enough into any family history, you’ll likely find some interesting characters. This book recounts the unique genealogy of Jesus Christ – the good, the bad, the ugly. The artwork and unique approach to the story-line makes this the kind of book kids will want to read and reread, with mom or dad along for the experience. As with the best of children’s books, both young and old will be equally smitten with the story. Comes with a CD.

• Chip Davis: The Season for Joy, Thomas Nelson

This gift book offers Mannheim Steamroller’s wonderful take on Christmas music. Each page is edge-to-edge graphics, along with text which shares stories and history around the sounds of the season. Tucked in the back is a CD with two Christmas songs. Each chapter relates the joyful wonder of the season, with references from Isaiah to Charles Dickens to our times. To be enjoyed by a fire.

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• Billy & Ruth Graham: This Christmas Night, Thomas Nelson

The miracle and meaning of Christmas is recounted through remembrances by the Grahams. This book tells the story of the nativity and life of Jesus, wrapped in a beautiful volume. The seasonal illustrations and reflections are eloquent and tender, and turn our hearts to home and faith. The warmth of the Grahams’ words are testimony to their ministry.

• Lee Strobel: The Case for the Real Jesus, Zondervan

Strobel always makes a strong case. He explores controversial questions being asked in our culture today: Did the church distort the truth about Jesus by tampering with early ‘alternative’ gospels? Were Christian doctrines taken from earlier mythologies? Do recent objections disqualify Jesus from being Messiah? The reader can evaluate the evidence, as Strobel lays out the information and asks the experts – as always, in his readable style. This is a valuable tool – both for one’s  own learning and as a means of engaging with the culture.

• Marty A. Bullis: The Miraculous Journey, Regal Books

How do you focus on the birth of Christ during the most frantic, consumer-driven holiday of the year? These 29 devotions, which take you from the beginning of Advent to Christmas Day, will help prepare your heart for Christmas. Scripture readings, thoughts and space for journaling are all offered in this beautiful edition.

• The Inspirational Christmas Almanac, Honor Books, 2006  

Packed with stories, prayers, recipes, carols, crafts and trivia, this book pulls together all the traditions associated with the true meaning of Christmas in one beautiful book you’ll use year after year. It’s a book you can pick up, open up and find an inspiring moment in the midst of the season.

• The Word of Promise from Jesus, Thomas Nelson

This book highlights words of Christ printed in red in some Bibles. In the accompanying CD, dramatic passages from the gospels are read aloud by Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ. This is a beautifully illustrated ‘promise book’ which will be perfect to give this season. Jesus’ words are powerfully presented in both graphics and sound.

• The Word of Promise: Christmas Story, Thomas Nelson

We encounter the miraculous events surrounding the birth of Jesus in this ‘audio theatre’ book. It features original music from legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. Talented actors such as Lou Gossett Jr. and  John Heard do justice to the momentous story. This CD will send us back to the Bible, to read on. Inspired work, done by the same cast which performs the full New Testament in another audio edition.

Kevin Lee is the owner of Sign of the Fish in North Vancouver.

December 2007