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

Lisa Whelchel (Author), Jeannie Mooney (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release 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 0.5 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #382,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful

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

By Karen Ehman

Format: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! Read more ›

25 of 29 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

Format: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.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

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

By N. Risen

Format: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.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! December 9, 2004

By Tinamarie S. Hintz

Format:Hardcover

This book is wonderful for Mom's tring to teach their children about the TRUE reason for the season! It gives thoughtful ways to tell a story each day about everyday holiday activities and great teachable moments for practical examples for any age child. Most important, it helps us as parents teach our kids about the love of God through even the most commercial season!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as great as I expected November 28, 2009

By la chap

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was SO excited when this book arrived at my door, and continued to be so, even after reading the introduction.
However, I am disappointed. I agree with another reviewer, that much of this book is trite, and even cheesy. I had hoped for devotionals tied into activities, and a daily format, that builds upon each day in Advent. It's more of a crafty history scrapbook for elementary-aged children. This is a book to borrow from the library, as a helpful, one-time reference for crafty ideas + history. I think I will purchase this one instead: http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Ready-Christmas-Yolanda-Browne/dp/0758608608

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding! June 14, 2006

By G. L. Quetel

Format:Hardcover

This book is a great way to teach your little ones about the meaning of christmas as a christian. The lessons are short, but powerful and fun.

After going through each day of this wonderful book, my [...] decided to except Christ and was baptised on Christmas day this past Christmas! She really loved the lessons she learned about it's true meaning. Everything was so hands on!

We are making this book and all the wonderful ideas a permenate part of our familys' christmas traditions. All three of my daughters' really got into the "spirit" of things. This year, they will all receive a copy of it for christmas to help start their own future family traditions.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Ideas but Nothing New November 8, 2007

By J. Davidson

Format:Hardcover

If you're a Christian and you're interesting in teaching your kids the reasons behind the way we currently celebrate Christmas, this is a good place to start. A lot of it you have probably heard before, but it's all in one place in this book. Everything Christmas is covered from the tree to Santa, with Christian explanations for each thing, ideas for discussing these things with kids, and fun activities related to each item.

If you're a nitpicker like me there are some things in the book that will make you twitch. Like the "Legend of the Candy Cane" being related as fact, or no mention that Christmas trees were originally pagan. Several legends (like St Nick's story) are retold as fact with no mention that other versions exist or that the legend may not be true at all. You can easily modify these stories to let your kids know they may have as much truth as old Washington and the Cherry Tree, but buyer beware.

Overall I think it's a great book. No "War on Christmas" is mentioned, no "it's all evil, so chuck the traditions," just some ideas for talking about God during Christmas.