Customer Reviews

Bartholomew's Passage: A Family Story for Advent

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This is the first year that we have read BARTHOLOMEW'S PASSAGE as a family for Advent devotions. We read JOTHAM`S JOURNEY, by the same author, two years in a row, and really enjoyed the way the two stories intertwine! You can enjoy BARTHOLOMEW'S PASSAGE without ever reading JOTHAM`S JOURNEY. Both stories stand on their own as an exciting adventure set in the time just before the birth of Jesus. As both stories allude to the other, you will enjoy alternating a different book each year. Along the way, you'll learn about the way that the Bible was copied and stored, the tyranny of the Romans over the Jewish people, and culture and daily activities of people in Bible times. The story of Bartholomew is very exciting! There are some parts that are brutal or violent, so I would rate this as a "PG" story and not read to very young children that might be scared of "murderous slave-traders" and the like, at bedtime. After an exciting story chapter is read (always with a "cliffhanger" ending!), there is a short "lesson" or devotional following. I think the devotions are even better this time, than in JOTHAM'S JOURNEY. The author, Arnold Ytreeide shows a spiritual maturity, and an insight into the spiritual development of kids that is outstanding. Instead of "God will always keep you safe", we learn that sometimes bad things do happen, but, God will be there with you through the hard times. The devotional goes down easy because the story is so good! The story, itself, is about a boy that is taken away from his family, and sold as a slave to a cruel master. He is saved by a monk from Qumran and the two must escape from Roman soldiers. Bartholomew's adventures take him from the Dead Sea to Bethlehem, where he helps a man and a very pregnant woman find a place to spend the night. Many good morals and family values are shown along the way. The kids keep begging for one more chapter--which I usually oblige. We don't read this "every" night during advent like the book says to. We read when there are no Christmas or school activities scheduled for that night, then read ahead a little (because we may get behind again), but usually end up with the final segments on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. The story culminates with the birth of the Christ child and a happy ending all around. Through these Christmas devotional books, our family experiences a very rewarding month of read-alouds each December. What a wonderful way to keep Jesus at the forefront of the season! Thank you, Arnold Ytreeide!

Our family just finished reading this for advent this year. Last year we read Jotham's Journey. Bartolomew's Pasaage was a great follow-up and our kids were so excited to see how the stories overlapped in the their adventures. It is very action-packed and great for both boys and girls. I would highly recommend it for family devotions at Christmas time.

"Bartholomew's Passage" is a family Advent story meant to be read together along with a lighting of the Advent candle wreath in the 4 weeks before Christmas. Designed to appeal to children age 7 and over, "Bartholomew's Passage" reveals the old Advent story afresh from a boy's viewpoint. Read and considered thoughtfully together, "Bartholomew's Passage" can help children and parents build a better relationship with God through faith and prayer. "Bartholomew's Passage" is realistically designed, with a real boy hero who encounters real obstacles and dangers in his advocacy for the holy family. "Bartholomew's Passage" is a mindful gift for Christian families to give their children.

I read this book to three of my children ages 5, 8, and 12. They all liked it and looked forward to reading it each night, often begging for more. I did not read the devotional at the end of each chapter, but let the story speak for itself. I did think that the character Nathan, a Jew awaiting the Messiah, seemed more like a modern day evangelical. But the story was interesting and gave my children a good idea what life was like during the time of Christ and how the Jews longed for the Messiah to come. It also showed God's merciful love, in taking harsh circumstances and working good out of them. Reading this book each night during advent was well worth it.

My kids love it! It has gotten the whole family ready for Christmas! I would recommend this book for children 5 to 13 years old. However, it is enjoyed by the whole family.

This is a great fast pace, intense story that keeps the attention of many ages. I am reading this story to AWANA children ages 5-12, and it is holding their attention. They love it and are following along even though it is a week between each section. I love how the three stories intertwine!

This series of books is a favorite for our family. The stories are exciting as well as biblically sound. We have been reading Jotham's Journey and Tabitha's Travels during Advent for several years now. This year we were unable to do it and the kids, ages 16 and 13, said Christmas was just not the same without it! We're looking forward to reading this in Christmas 2010.

This is another excellent read by Mr. Ytreeude. He is an excellent author weaving his story together - this time weaving in the first book of the series - Jotham's Journey - it made the book more fun to read. Those of us who could remember what happened in Jothams Journey could rest easier.
We learned a little about Roman History too. It definitely wasn't to pleasant for the people back then.

This is the first year we've done a family devotional for advent and it is a tradition we will look forward to each year! Bartholomew's Passage is full of excitement and adventure. My husband & I took turns reading each night and our 8, 6, & 3 year olds wouldn't let us forget "Bartholomew time"! Next year we'll read Jotham's Journey.

We read this for the advent season and loved it. I think we liked Jotham's Journey better though. It may be a little scary for younger children because of the reality of what the Romans did. I understand this book and Jotham's Journey were out of print until recently and am thrilled they are back.