Look! A Child’s Guide to Advent & Christmas

Look! A Child’s Guide to Advent & Christmas is published by from Paraclete Press and is beautiful both in spirit and appearance. The poetic narration makes difficult concepts, such as “waiting for someone born so long ago,” easier for both children and adults to understand. The illustrations are subtle, as though viewed through a gauzy light. The story takes us from the people of the Bible who waited for redemption to the people of the church today who are still waiting. The book not only introduces children to the powerful symbolism of Advent, especially that of light and darkness, but also talks about Advent as a time for spiritual practices such as journaling, painting, using prayer beads, and serving others. The book ends with the image of a congregation on Christmas Eve in a darkened church which becomes filled with the light of candles: “The Christ light grows and grows, until all our faces are glowing. I can feel the mystery.” Reading this book, I can feel the mystery too.