Once Upon the Very First Christmas - by Rory Feek (Hardcover)

This book reminds me of the many church Christmas pageants in which my own five children were involved. It also reminds me of several when I was the adult in charge of lively children who were wise men, shepherds, angels, and of course the main characters, Mary and Joseph. Their lively spirits were daunting to adults in charge; and then on performance night, their antics brought bemused smiles and smirks from adults who watched with delighted pride. In the book, we have the simple light rhyming prose that tells the story of the birth of the Christ child and His placement in a lowly manger for a bed. The chapel or church in which the children are acting out the Biblical story is simple with no grandiose architecture or glittering gold. Simple. Just as our Lord's birth was in a simple place. The illustrations speak to the "make-do" costumes and stage props. We see the sweet faces of children - some solemn and some enthralled - as they go through their assigned placement and say their lines. We see a tradition that should continue on through the ages as it has for generations of church going families - the telling and re-telling of the story of Christ's birth as an infant into a world that literally had no room for Him. I love this little book and families with young children will treasure it. I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.