When we consider the greatness of the gifts God has given us in Christ, any offering we could make in return seems rather paltry. But in looking at the men and women of the Christmas story, we find models of gift-giving that any believer can imitate. Though simple, their gifts were given out of hearts of love, gratitude, and joy.
Want to know how the books for the 12 Days of Christmas sale were chosen? We asked different employees to choose a book that has special meaning to them. In the list below you will find links to several of their stories.
Chickadee Winter
Just a Minute
Next Fine Day
The Princess and the Goblin
Refresh Your Heart
Walking in the Spirit
“When I was in elementary school, I was captivated by the story of these children in World War II. Their bravery in fighting against the enemy and the exciting adventures they experienced were so exciting that I felt like I was in the story with them. I struggled to put the book down, and read through all three in the series one right after the other.” —Andrew
Based on historical events, the Young Refugees Series by Ed Dunlop takes young readers to a time when fighting for your life was an everyday reality. Hans and his younger sister Gretchen risk their own safety to protect others in Nazi-occupied Europe. (ages 9–12)
“I read a lot—books of all shapes and sizes—but one of the books that I remember enjoying as a child was Jenny Wren. Looking back, I was probably intrigued by the story since Jenny’s life as an orphan was so different from my life. Hers was filled with instability and left her wary of trusting anyone, even the sweet couple that tried to offer her a safe, loving home. Now that I’m older I think about this story and see a beautiful analogy of God’s love for us woven throughout. I hope it blesses you as much as it has me.” —Carolynn
Grace, love, and forgiveness permeate this youth novel by Dawn L. Watkins. Jenny Wren, a foster child, has just moved to live with the Logans, but she does not expect to stay long. (ages 9–12)
“I picked Mumsi Meets a Lion because it reminds me of when I was a kid imagining what it would be like if I met a lion. Would I be able to stand still? Would I run away as fast as possible or would I try to fight the lion off? I don’t know, but it sure was fun thinking about it.” —David
And that is exactly what young readers will encounter when they read Kim Stegall’s picture book—an account of a boy named Mumsi and what he does when a lion comes across his path. (picture book)
“I never read The Railway Children until I was an adult. A friend recommended it to me around the time my second child was born, and I fell in love with the book immediately. Be sure to read the book aloud so that you can fully appreciate the beauty of the author’s language choices and storytelling ability. The story itself celebrates the carefree innocence of childhood and will delight your young child again and again.” —Megan
You’ll find themes of adventure, family values, and trust throughout this wonderful youth novel by Edith Nesbit. (ages 9–12)
“I chose What Do I Know About My God? because it’s a book that I return to over and over again when I need to be reminded of what Scripture says about who God is and what He does. As a teenager, I first remember seeing this book at my aunt’s house and wondering if it could teach me more than I already knew about my Lord. Now having finished the book and taking up the challenge to begin my own journal, I can say that God has used this book as a tool in my life to help me grow in my relationship with Him and in my gratefulness for His words. It has also been a source of encouragement as I share the Bible truths with other women God brings into my life.“ —Meredith
This book by Mardi Collier is great for personal growth or group study. Although written for women, it presents truths about God that are valuable for all believers.
“What’s Stopping You? sounds like something that I could have used when I was a teenager and didn’t really understand God’s Word. It seemed that very few people had the knowledge, the patience, or the time to teach me. I believe that if I had better understood what I needed to do to become more like Christ, some of the wrong choices I made wouldn’t have affected me so much.” —Byron
Written by Nathan Thomas, this book challenges teens to pursue God with all their being.
Have you read any of these books? Share your story with us below.
I love decorating for Christmas! Recently (thanks to Pinterest) I’ve become more of a “do it myself” kind of guy and have enjoyed creating my own Christmas decorations.
If you’re looking for something that you and the kids can do to add a homemade touch to your Christmas décor this year, look no further. I’ve created some ornament patterns that you can download and print out for your kids to create one-of-a-kind ornaments.
We’d love to see your ornaments! Share a picture of your ornament creations with us on our Facebook page.
The wolves howl hungrily in the Big Woods, but inside the little log cabin a cozy fire projects the lively shadows of Pa’s fiddle playing while Mary and Laura sing along. Scenes like this one from the Little House series are still etched in my mind. My mother read each of the Little House books to us children, and I recently began reading them with my daughter.
This beloved series captures the essence of pioneer life. We experience the nineteenth-century American frontier with the Ingalls family on long journeys plodding across the prairie in a covered wagon, through relentless Dakota blizzards that nearly brought a town to starvation, and against harsh farming realities such as grasshopper plagues and hailstorms. We learn perseverance, discipline, family harmony, and courage.
Yet as I’m reading through this series as an adult, I’ve noticed a big omission in the Little House series. We take for granted that Little House is a wholesome Christian series. After all, the Ingalls family prays, goes to church, and lives morally. However, the Christianity portrayed in the Little House series is merely cultural, from dull Sabbath-keeping and moral judgments to religious platitudes, such as “The Lord helps them that help themselves.”
The gospel is conspicuously absent from the Little House series and so the shell of Christianity that remains implies a works righteousness that cannot save.
So as I read the Little House series with my children, I want to point out the instances of cultural Christianity and contrast it with biblical truth. This may help them recognize cultural Christianity today, such as when we hear politicians say “God bless America” with never a mention of Christ or our need for repentance, or when we interact with that likable neighbor who believes his moral life and good deeds and occasional church attendance earn him a title deed to heaven. As we enjoy the story of American frontier life, here are some discussion questions you can use to help children distinguish between the shell of religion and real life in Christ.
In Little House in the Big Woods (210–11), Laura was astonished at how Charley disobeyed and distracted his father. She couldn’t imagine being so naughty, and she thought he got what he deserved in being stung by the yellow jackets.
Discussion Questions
The Little House series is full of practical proverbs and optimistic sayings, such as “All’s well that ends well” and “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” In Farmer Boy (146), Mother is frightened at the possibility of being robbed, but Father reminds her, “The Lord will take care of us.” She responds, “The Lord helps them that help themselves.”
Discussion Questions
In On the Banks of Plum Creek (168–76), Laura shows the normal human response of loving her friends and hating her enemies, seeking to get even with haughty Nellie Olsen by chasing her into the muddy creek area infested with bloodsucking leeches. Laura’s friend thought Nellie got what she deserved, and “deep down inside her Laura felt satisfied when she thought of Nellie dancing on the creek bank” (176).
Discussion Questions
Several times in the Little House series, the Ingalls family encounters Indians, much to Ma’s displeasure. In By the Shores of Silver Lake (82), she declares, “I always heard you can’t trust a half-breed.” The author observes, “Ma did not like Indians; she did not like even half-Indians.”
Discussion Questions
Stay tuned for Part 2 with more discussion questions to help us see the Little House series through a biblical worldview and gospel lens.
Works Cited
Laura Ingalls Wilder. Little House in the Big Woods. New York: Harper & Row, 1971.
———. Farmer Boy. New York: Harper & Row, 1971.
———. On the Banks of Plum Creek. New York: Harper & Row, 1971.
———. By the Shores of Silver Lake. New York: Harper & Row, 1971.
All of us at BJU Press would like to say “thank you” to the teachers, parents, and administrators who work hard to help students with learning disabilities to reach their full potential. We interviewed Anna Hamrick, a teacher who assists struggling readers, to get her perspective on teaching. It’s my hope that her thoughts will be an encouragement as you continue helping your students.
1. How long have you been a teacher? How much of that time have you been working with students who have learning disabilities?
This is my ninth year teaching full-time. I also was a part-time substitute teacher in Greenville County for six years while I was home with young children. Thinking back, I believe I have worked with students with learning disabilities every year.
2. Where do you currently work?
I currently teach in the Learning Resource Center at Bob Jones Academy Elementary School.
3. How do you help the students at the Learning Resource Center?
I teach the third- through sixth-grade students who struggle with reading. We work on phonics, decoding, expression, comprehension, and many other reading skills. My desire is that the students will take what they learn in my class and apply it to their other reading assignments and to their recreational reading. Ultimately, I want my students to love to read!
4. How do you adapt BJU Press textbooks when teaching your special needs students?
The adaptations I make to the reading curriculum are minor. I definitely move at a slower pace. I also place a much heavier emphasis on oral reading. This gives me an opportunity to pinpoint areas of weakness in rate, decoding, punctuation, and expression. For my younger students, I often read the entire worktext page to them while allowing them to answer the questions independently.
5. Do you have any advice for teachers who teach students with learning disabilities?
Be patient and be flexible! Be prepared to adjust your plans if necessary. Sometimes learning disabled students need extra time with certain skills.
Be aware. Keep an eye on how your students are doing in all their classes. Communicate regularly with the parents and the general education teachers.
Be approachable. Make sure the teachers and parents know they can come to you for advice, help, and encouragement. Be prepared to give the general education teachers suggestions for accommodations in the regular classroom and to give parents advice for how to help at home.