Book Review: The Christmas Promise

It is hard to believe November is upon us and that Christmas is right around the corner. No doubt, people are already making plans and preparing for the Christmas season. It is, indeed, the Christmas season in which stories are read and shared. One such story is the real reason for the season, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, there does not seem to be too many children’s books that highlight this event and the significance of it for our own lives. That is why I am thankful for Alison Mitchell’s work The Christmas Promise. She goes through the accounts of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men to tell about the birth of a king so that children can hear the simplicity of Christ’s incarnation. It is a simple message that tells the truth that this is no ordinary king: He is a rescuing king, a forever king, God’s chosen king, and the new king. Mitchell sums it all up this way: “Everything God promised came true.” She points the children to a promise-giving and promise-keeping God who will do what He has said. Ultimately, the greatest promise God has made is Jesus, for He is the King that came. This book makes that clear. This book also points us to the Book. Once the story has been read, there is page that addresses the question, “How do we know about the Christmas promise?” It, then, gives Scripture passages (from Matthew and Luke) to read the actual story of Jesus’ birth. Old Testament passages like Genesis 12, 2 Samuel 7, and Isaiah 53 are also highlight to show that God promised Jesus to His people long before Jesus came to earth. In summary, The Christmas Promise is a great book for parents to read to their children, reminding them of why we celebrate Christmas and what it means for all of our lives.

I received this book for free from The Good Book Company via Cross Focused Reviews for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.