I have a large collection of Christmas-themed picture books; there are at least thirty different titles in the stack on my shelf. One of our December Family Home Evening traditions is to read two of those books every week--one of which tells the Christmas story. Whether it's through my repeated readings of the four Gospels, or having memorized and sung various Christmas cantatas, or from having participated in many lesson-and-carol-style Sacrament Meeting programs--I have the story of Jesus' birth as told in the scriptures memorized. And I want my children to know it by heart, too. So we read the Christmas story, in as close to the original form as we can get.
The book we read next can be silly or spiritual, as the mood strikes me. We might read a version of Clement C. Moore's "The Night Before Christmas" or one of Hans Christian Andersen's Christmas-themed fairy tales. (If that last happens, Patrick has to read. I can't get through "The Little Match Girl" without sobbing--no exaggeration.)
This past Monday, we read a gorgeous book with text from the King James Bible with photographs of medieval triptychs for illustrations. That was a treat to ponder.
But then we read one of the loveliest books in my entire collection, What Think Ye of Christmas? Ester Rasband (who happens to be the wife of my former mission president) wrote the thought-provoking words, and her neighbor, Jana Winters Parkin (who happens to be one of my dearest friends in the entire world) painted the exquisite illustrations.
This book is special, and not just because I am privileged to know the co-creators. What I love about it is that it turns the familiar complaint of observant Christians--"Christmas has gotten so commercial," or something similar--on its head. Yes, the secular nature of the world's December festivities--and sales and promotions--can overwhelm. But with a little thought, we all can "put Christ back in Christmas," as the Knights of Columbus remind me via billboard every year.
I read the book slowly to the family, pausing frequently so that they could examine the illustrations. We then had one of the best Gospel discussions we've ever had during Family Night. We talked about how Santa Claus can be seen as a type of the Savior; we marveled over how Jesus is both Shepherd and King. I loved the insights my children had and shared, sparked by the words and pictures before them. It was a truly memorable experience.
So--if you were at my house looking through my pile of Christmas books, and you asked me which of them I would most recommend that you buy--it would be this one. Buy a copy to treasure; buy a copy to give to someone you love. We bought several copies last year and gave them to the families whom we caroled last year on Christmas Eve--and every single one of those families (whether religiously observant or not) told me later how much they loved this little book. It truly is a gift that keeps on giving.