The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions [Hardcover]

Lisa Whelchel (Author), Jeannie Mooney (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2004

The ADVENTure of Christmas is a guide for moms concerned that their children are losing sight of Jesus in the midst of the distractions the holiday season brings. Lisa Whelchel was such a mom, but instead of abandoning the traditions of Christmas she rediscovered their original meanings, which were intended to remind people of God’s unfathomable gift. Hanging lights on the house, wrapping gifts, and decorating the tree have become opportunities to teach her children about how they relate to Jesus’ birth. With The ADVENTure of Christmas, mothers can redeem what’s been lost from the very symbols that are gentle reminders of the true meaning of Christmas.

Have you discovered that Jesus sometimes gets lost in the middle of the hustle and bustle of His birthday party? Would you like to be able to keep your children's focus on Jesus and also join them in the wonder of the celebration?

For each of the twenty-four days preceding Christmas, The ADVENTure of Christmas serves as a fun and handy guide that describes the significance behind your favorite traditions. Hanging lights on the house, wrapping gifts, and decorating the tree will become opportunities to share how these customs relate to Jesus' birth. The ADVENTure of Christmas recaptures the true meaning of this beloved season, giving reasons to celebrate for years to come.

Story Behind the Book

Feeling like Jesus had gotten lost in the frenzy of the holiday season, I asked the Lord to show me what I could do to teach my children the true meaning of Christmas. I was caught off-guard when He simply replied, "Don’t do anything differently. Look in the middle of the celebration and you will find Me." He was right. There was no need to orchestrate moments to pontificate about "the commercialization of Christmas." Instead, Jesus is beckoning us to come to the party and bring the kids. In doing so, we run into Him at the mall, the movies, even at school. He hides in the lights, the carols, and the cards. He is there when we dress the evergreen tree, when Dad dresses up in a red suit, and even when we eat turkey and dressing!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lisa Whelchel, a native Texan and a Grammy–nominated vocalist and songwriter, is best known for her role as Blair on the long-running television comedy The Facts of Life. Now a homeschooling mother, speaker, and pastor’s wife, she is the bestselling author of So You’re Thinking About Homeschooling, The Facts of Life (and Other Lessons My Father Taught Me), and the Gold Medallion nominee Creative Correction. Lisa and her husband, pastor Steve Cauble, live in Texas with their children Tucker, Haven, and Clancy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 72 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (September 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590520890
• ISBN-13: 978-1590520895
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.4 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Holidays > Christmas

More About the Author

Lisa Whelchel, a native Texan and Grammy nominated vocalist and songwriter, is best known for her role as Blair on the long-running television comedy The Facts of Life. Now a homeschooling mother, speaker, and pastor's wife, she is the bestselling author of So You're Thinking About Homeschooling, The Facts of Life (and Other Lessons My Father Taught Me), and the Gold Medallion nominee Creative Correction. Lisa and her husband, pastor Steve Cauble, live in Texas with their children Tucker, Haven, and Clancy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Help for the "Holi-dazed" Mom, November 1, 2004

By 

Karen Ehman "author, speaker & mom of three" (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions (Hardcover)

Are your holidays a cozy, reflective time of making memories with your children, pointing them to the true meaning of CHRISTmas? Or are they a frenzied blur of activities, crisis shopping and secular trappings that have nothing to do with the true essence of the season? Fear not....armed with this book, mom, this year can be different!
Lisa has created a tool for moms that will simplify their holidays while pointing them to the Christ Child in the manger who can also live in their heart. She uses over 20 symbols and traditions of the season- candy canes, carols, lights, Christmas cards, gift giving, etc..- along with their history to teach lessons of love and life. With each mini-history piece are recipes, ideas and activities designed for family togetherness. There are also "teachable moments" sections that provide questions to ponder with your kids. I CAN'T WAIT to use this book with my own three kiddos this year. Each Christmas my dear hubby and I are intentional in our celebrating with our children. We look for teachable moments, opportunities for outreach and ways to share Christ with the unfortunate, the poor and those society deems as "less-than-lovely". We also research common symbols of the season in an attempt to redeem their intended meaning. How wonderful to finally have all of this wrapped up in one volume.
I am thrilled to have this resource to recommend to women in my speaking travels. It is a gem you will refer to over and over again each year. You'll also want to order a few for gifts, as I have a couple of friends who already want to borrow my copy . This book is a winner- with glorious, whimsical artwork by the talented Jeannie Mooney in a beautiful hardcover format. Buy one now so you'll be prepared for the upcoming season. Then this year you and your family can celebrate the true "reason for the season" instead of getting caught up in the commercialism and ending up "holi-dazed" once again. You won't be sorry!

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, the book I've always wanted!!!, December 2, 2004

By 

K C - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions (Hardcover)

I am SO thrilled with this book. A lot of wonderful information in the book that can help deepen the spiritual life of the entire family during the Christmas season. It takes all the very traditions we're practicing and giving the spiritual meanings behind them. Very colorful, hardbound, great eye appeal. My 4 year old can't keep his hands off it. I am eager to make the Christmas Tree cake and the Happy Birthday Jesus cake. I have a baby who was born on Christmas, so I didn't know how to make 2 unique cakes, this book gave me 2 cake ideas!! I also love the kiss a day idea. We started it yesterday. You wrap 25 chocolate kisses in cello and ribbon. Then each day the child gets one and gives you a kiss on the cheek- a kiss for the kiss. As the 25 kisses get to be less and less the kids actually SEE how close we are to Christmas. So many other fun ideas! Thank you thank you thank you to Lisa for taking the time to book a book together which is on the topic and style I've always wanted! I'll be using this book for years and would even buy it for friends for the holidays.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Blessing!, June 21, 2005

By 

N. Risen (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions (Hardcover)

I love this book! I have two little ones and am starting to gather ideas to start our family traditions, and this is a great resource! It is important for me to teach my children about Jesus and explain His significance, and this book has projects that do this as well as make it fun for the family. I only wish Lisa Whelchel had a book like this for all the holidays.