All about Advent & Christmas: Sharing the Seasons of Hope & Wonder with Children is a resource unlike any other. Explore the rich traditions surrounding Christ’s birth as you journey through Scripture to understand the story of salvation and discover the meaning behind many of our celebrations during Advent and Christmas.
Highlighting treasured customs from throughout Church history, All about Advent & Christmas features the stories of saints we celebrate throughout December and explains numerous other aspects of Catholic liturgy and teaching. With detailed illustrations to make the liturgical seasons come alive, All about Advent & Christmas will guide readers of all ages closer to the Savior whose birth we look to with joy.
Katherine Bogner is a Catholic school teacher from Central Illinois who is passionate about equipping parents, catechists, and teachers to share the beauty and truth of Christ and His Church with children. She is the author of All About Advent and Christmas, Through the Year with Jesus, and Through the Year with Mary. Visit her website, LookToHimAndBeRadiant.com, for free lesson plans, printables, and other resources for teaching the faith.
Shari Van Vranken is a graphic designer and illustrator with over thirty years of experience. The creative force behind CatholicPaperGoods.com, Shari has illustrated and shared the stories of over three hundred saints. She homesteads and homeschools in rural East Texas with her husband and teenage son.
Reviews
I love All about Advent & Christmas. The content is wonderful and the artwork is fabulous. The book is not just a children's book. I will use it as a "coffee table book" to enjoy with family and friends.
All About Advent & Christmas, Sharing the Seasons of Hope & Wonder with Children, written by Katherine Bogner and illustrated & designed by Shari Van Vranken is a colorfully illustrated children’s book. This holiday-themed 44-page book encourages interactive exploration of Advent and Christmas through insightful biblical information presented in a relatable fashion for children and their families.
The lively, life-like illustrations create an engaging map of resources as the author weaves important “Words to Know” along with vibrant infographics, quotes, and call-outs that are easy to follow from chapter to chapter. For example, within The Liturgical Year section, the author includes a quote from the Catechism of The Catholic Church to accompany the lesson.
"The Church, in the course of the year, unfolds the whole mystery of Christ from His Incarnation and Nativity through His Ascension, to Pentecost and the expectations of the blessed hope of the coming of the Lord. "
While this beautiful holiday book targets children to strengthen their faith journey and understanding of Advent, I found the readings and insights just as helpful for my continued Catholic education as a devoted convert and parent with four little ones at home. I particularly appreciated the suggestions for how families and friends can come together to celebrate around the Advent wreath, recite holiday prayers, and review key biblical stories, saints, and Christmas traditions as a group.
Each chapter focuses on either a significant topic, saint, or tradition, all with the bottom line of showing us how we can better understand the specialness of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Within each section, there is an educational term, call-out, and beautiful illustration to enhance our knowledge while reminding us how lucky we are to celebrate such a meaningful and rich holiday with our own communities around the world.
The author puts Advent and Christmas into a worldwide context, highlighting ways countries in Latin America celebrate. For example, in countries like Mexico and Guatemala, a festival called Las Posadas (which means “the inns”) begins on December 16 and lasts for nine days. A group of people led by children playing the roles of an angel, Joseph, and Mary travels to different home or church each night.
Quotes and important facts feature Saint Juan Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Nicholas, Saint Lucy, other saints of Advent, and Biblical figures as well. The section "Saints of Advent '' reviews the December feast days and how we can celebrate these holy women and men each day of December.
Portions of the book celebrate “The Light of the World,” showcasing to readers how God uses light to draw us closer to Him. The opening chapter, Light and Darkness, introduces us to the light of Jesus.
"When God created the world, the first thing He did was speak light into being. God made the sun, moon, and stars to illuminate our journey and brighten both our days and nights."
I highly recommend this book to all families seeking to enlighten their holiday in holy ways this Christmas season!
Great source of information. So happy the Byzantine Catholic Church and Eastern Rites are mentioned. Can’t wait to give this book to my daughter and grandchildren !
I love this book! My kids do too! I especially love the saints during advent section. I was curious if you make a book that displays all the saints throughout the year like that?
