God Gave Us Christmas
by Lisa T. Bergren
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Book Reviews of God Gave Us Christmas
Book Review: Beautiful little book
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a beautiful little book. The artwork is wonderful and draws in the reader. Though not real, the winter landscapes are breathtaking. They are so beautiful. And, that is a major theme of this book - God's invisible qualities are clearly seen by what he has made. While Santa is hard to find, God is everywhere.
This leads to a second theme of this book - Christmas is about God and not Santa. The book treats this matter in a sensitive fashion. It does not come out and say that Santa does not exist, but downplays his importance. Santa is a model of generosity and care, but God and Jesus are to be celebrated most. Mama guides Little Cub with her wisdom in a kind, loving and gentle way.
One criticism is that the book seemed choppy at points. For example, Little Cub asks, "Can we leave them at home." At first, it was a little unclear who Little Cub was hoping to leave behind. Also, there was no clarification as to why Little Cub wanted to go alone. Another minor criticism is that some of the pages are harder to read as the dark print blends in with the darker illustrations.
Overall, I found this to be a lovely little book for young children. It can also serve as a launching pad into a meaningful discussion as to the meaning of Christmas.
This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah.
Book Review: Precious Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Little Cub is curious about Santa and Christmas. Wanting to go find Santa, Mama tells Little Cub that Santa is hard to find, but God is much easier. So, the next morning Mama and Little Cub set out to find God. The beauty of the book is the discovery that God is very near, but sometimes it takes moving away from the normalcy of life to have our eyes truly opened to His presence. This is exactly what Mama wanted to show Little Cub. In the process, she was able to explain to her the true reason for Christmas, and Little Cub falls asleep on Christmas Eve dreaming not of Santa, but of the birth of the King.
An additional note - as mentioned, this book does discuss Santa. We as a family do not ignore Santa, but we don't make a big deal of him, either. This book handles Santa in a wonderful way, acknowledging that he is a part of our society's Christmas tradition, but emphatically redirecting children to God and His gift of Jesus.
After reading this and the newest addition, God Gave Us Love, the rest of the books in this series are definitely on my wish list!
Book Review: Santa v God?
Summary: 4 Stars
Little Cub asks a probing question that most children do, in some iteration, at some point. "Who 'vented Christmas? Was it Santa?"
The author proceeds from there to simply yet eloquently explain through Mama Bear the truth. Using a journey to "see" God, she explains His love and His gift of Jesus. She even tackles who Santa is. Big stuff for little ones (and adults) to understand.
I love the God Gave Us books, Ms. Bergen is talented with being able to break down huge concepts into simple ones for children to grasp, helping them to understand that God loves them completely and gave His Son for them sacrificially.
Don't know how to help your child understand why we have Christmas? This is one you can use!
Side note: The illustrations are adorable, but I find it funny that inside, the Bear family wears their pajamas, but when trekking across the snow, they don't. Just me, I'm weird that way.
Note: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.
Book Review: God Gave Us - Jesus
Summary: 4 Stars
When Little Cub and her Mama set out on a Christmas adventure, in God Gave Us Christmas, to find God, Little Cub discovers the wonders of God in the Aurora Borealis, the majestic ice caps, the bright Morning Star, little flowers and the meaning behind the crèche. Little Cub learns about Jesus, the best present of all--that He was sent because of God's great love for all of us--to show us how to love others.
This story is a great message about how God sent us Jesus and how Christmas was essentially begun. Without Jesus's birth there would be no Christmas. Santa Claus is mentioned in the story as a character or model for kindness and giving. Every Christmas is a time to return and set our hearts and minds to that giving spirit. After all we were given the greatest Christmas gift long ago - Jesus - he was sent out of love. Our gift of grace, peace and redemption was given to us. And we now have the opportunity to give back and remember that God Gave Us Christmas when he sent Jesus.
Book Review: Disappointed
Summary: 2 Stars
I was a bit disappointed with this book. Since it's called "God gave us Christmas" I thought it would draw on the biblical account of Christ's birth and talk about Jesus being born in a stable in bethlehem etc. but it didnt. It doesnt mention any details about the nativity at all. It does show nativity decorations in two of the illustrations but that's it.
The story starts with Little Cub wanting to go find Santa. Mama Bear says that Santa is hard to find but says they will go find God instead. They go for a hike, when camping for the night Mama Bear wakes up her child. When Little Cub asks why, Mama Bear replies "Because it's God, Little Cub. Come see!" Then she shows Little Cub the northern lights. Through out the book God is compared to other things such as; ice falling into the sea, a "star that changed from green to red to green again", and a flower. I think these poor analogies would just confuse a young child and that the message of this book is wishy-washy. I will not be reading it to my daughter.