January is coming to a close and with it, Christmas is in that definite stage of being tucked back alongside all the New Year's resolutions and holiday greetings that made the season so bright and sweet. The rest of the year ready to go into full-swing.
But I wanted to hold on a tad bit longer... let Christmas linger through January if I could. Perhaps it was the mixed up Christmas season we experienced this year and the idea this book sparked that I might be able to 'hold onto' Christmas a little bit longer... maybe it was simply just how cute this book looked... I had a feeling it would become a treasure to be kept close every Christmas season. I was not disappointed:
Everything Christmas compiled by David Bordon and Tim Winters was absolutely a gem. It isn't just the beautiful cover that catches the eye, it is the well-laid-out format within the covers.
From the alternating traditional color scheme of red and green to the simplicity of all the nuggets shared inside... the visual aspect of this book does not leave one feeling overwhelmed by busy images or incomprehensible section lay-outs.
It isn't just a superficial appeal though. The contents are steeped with rich literature, helpful tips and fun facts. Each day starts with a poem set to keep your eyes on Jesus and the Spirit of the season. This, then, flows into a short story or historical account pertinent to the season. Authors like Dickens, Irving, and Shakespeare have places within this text. Traditions by country are shared and jokes for children are lightly peppered in for fun. Delicious recipes tantalize the taste-buds. Trivia can be used to sharpen your knowledge or thrown out to share as an annual Christmas party game. My favorite was the Lyrics to favorite Christmas Carols followed by the story behind their inception and the overall tone that Christmas is not just a day or a season... it is an occasion which is meant to be an always-part of our very being because of the King we celebrate.
I can hardly share ALL the great nuggets in this little treasury of Christmas... there were far too many to recount. I can tell you, if you need to quick-reference any of the multitude of tidbits, the Index is one of the most concise I have seen in a long time.
The only negative aspect I can think to report about this book was the lengthiness of each day's contents. Far too much for the average family to get done all in one day during the busy Christmas season. However, I don't see that as a real negative since this can provide layers of exploration for years to come. It will not become a once-read-done-being-read type of book. No, it will become a classic filled with classics to grace your shelf or coffee table not only during the Christmas season, but all the year through.
Check your calendars, make plans, you will want this book come December 1st! I know it will be close at-hand come Christmas season this year!
Be Blessed as this season fades to the next,
* This book review is my opinion alone. Blogging For Books provided this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.
But I wanted to hold on a tad bit longer... let Christmas linger through January if I could. Perhaps it was the mixed up Christmas season we experienced this year and the idea this book sparked that I might be able to 'hold onto' Christmas a little bit longer... maybe it was simply just how cute this book looked... I had a feeling it would become a treasure to be kept close every Christmas season. I was not disappointed:
Christmas is not a day or a season, but a condition of heart
and mind. If we love our neighbors as ourselves;
if in our riches we are poor in spirit and in our
poverty we are rich in grace; if our charity vaunts not itself,
but suffers long and is kind; if when our brother asks for a loaf
we give ourselves instead; if each day dawns in opportunity and
sets in achievement, however small; then every day is
Christ's day and Christmas is always near.
James Wallingford
Everything Christmas compiled by David Bordon and Tim Winters was absolutely a gem. It isn't just the beautiful cover that catches the eye, it is the well-laid-out format within the covers.
It isn't just a superficial appeal though. The contents are steeped with rich literature, helpful tips and fun facts. Each day starts with a poem set to keep your eyes on Jesus and the Spirit of the season. This, then, flows into a short story or historical account pertinent to the season. Authors like Dickens, Irving, and Shakespeare have places within this text. Traditions by country are shared and jokes for children are lightly peppered in for fun. Delicious recipes tantalize the taste-buds. Trivia can be used to sharpen your knowledge or thrown out to share as an annual Christmas party game. My favorite was the Lyrics to favorite Christmas Carols followed by the story behind their inception and the overall tone that Christmas is not just a day or a season... it is an occasion which is meant to be an always-part of our very being because of the King we celebrate.
The only negative aspect I can think to report about this book was the lengthiness of each day's contents. Far too much for the average family to get done all in one day during the busy Christmas season. However, I don't see that as a real negative since this can provide layers of exploration for years to come. It will not become a once-read-done-being-read type of book. No, it will become a classic filled with classics to grace your shelf or coffee table not only during the Christmas season, but all the year through.
Check your calendars, make plans, you will want this book come December 1st! I know it will be close at-hand come Christmas season this year!
Christmas is the day that holds all time together.
Alexander Smith
Be Blessed as this season fades to the next,
* This book review is my opinion alone. Blogging For Books provided this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.
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