Hello, friends. Today I am so excited to tell you about a book that it hot off the presses and arrived at my house a few days ago. My friend Glenys Nellist, one of our favorite children’s book authors, has just published Twas the Season of Advent, Devotions and Stories for the Christmas Season. Although I have loved all of her books, this new Christmas might be my most favorite one yet.
The first page opens with a lovely invitation to really treasure the true and beautiful story of the Christmas season. Picture making a cup of cocoa or tea and cozying up with your favorite kids or grandkids. Here’s a great idea- you could do a Facetime call with special children who live far away. Just 10-15 minutes each day would produce so many lovely memories.
Over the next twenty-five days, we are going to share in a wonderful adventure together. We’ll begin each day in the quietness of our own homes, perhaps gathered around the Christmas tree, while all the lights are twinkling in the darkness. And we’ll read together and learn about God. We’ll meet angels and shepherds, magi, and Mary. We’ll spend time with Isaiah and Elizabeth and Joseph. And we’ll end up back where we begain- at the manger, where God is waiting to introduce us to Jesus. And there, at the manger, we’ll worship and wonder.
Glenys Nellist, Twas the Season of Advent
Each day begins with a bit of poetry written in the engaging style of the classic “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Next there is Scripture (some days from the gospels, but other days from the Old Testament), a beautiful devotional writing, and then a prayer that you can pray with your kids.
Bethlehem lies sleeping, beneath a silver moon,
Waiting for a baby- his birth is coming soon.
A star shines in the darkness, heaven’t silent sign.
Bethlehem lies sleeping- this is waiting time.
GlEnys Nellist, ‘Twas the season of Advent
If you’ve read The Gingham Apron for long, maybe you remember that each December my kids and I do something called Advent in the Afternoon. We have a bit of a tea time with a snack, and I read to them some Scripture and then some favorite Christmas literature from the collection that we’ve aquired over the years. I’m excited to add ‘Twas the Season of Advent to this family tradition this year.
Giveaway! We are so happy to share that we are giving away one copy of this lovely hard-back book, ‘Twas the Season of Advent.
Just leave a comment below about with whom you’d love to read this story. Or perhaps leave a comment sharing one of your favorite Advent traditions. We will pick a random winner on Wednesday, November 24th. (To gain an extra entry, please head over to this instagram post and follow the directions there.)
*This giveaway is sponsored by Zonderkidz and is open to entrants in the USA with a physical street address (no PO boxes.)
This book looks so wonderful. We started celebrating Advent as a family a few years ago at our old church. My husband and I had never heard of Advent before, even though he grew up in a Christian home. We’re always on the hunt for fun books and activities. This would be a great addition to our December mornings!
I would love to read this with my 3 kids!
love to have this to share with my grandchildren. they spend a lot of time at my house and I am always looking for ways to introduce Christ into all things we do.
This is so beautiful! What a great way to celebrate the season!
Our second grandchild is due in January & we recently found out our 3rd is due this summer, I would love to start a tradition of reading this with them! I like the idea of focusing on the true reason we celebrate CHRISTmas!
I recently purchased The Gathering Table & when I got it I knew I had to purchase more for gifts! So if the Gingham Apron is excited about this book, I’m sure it is a great one to have!
I would love to purchase this book, however not sure how to.
I will enter the give away, but will purchase if possible.
Hello! You can purchase it lots of places. Here is the link to Christian Book Distibutor’s.
This book sounds wonderful! We would love a new book to celebrate the season with our kids!!!
I would love to read this book to my 5 children. We have a handful of Christmas books that we read during the Advent season, usually with a cup of hot cider or cinnamon cardamon tea. Reading together with a warm drink is the epitone of coziness to me. And teaching my children about Jesus is always the best. Thank you for sharing a beautiful book!
I would love to read this my girls! I’m wanting to incorporate Advent into our Christmas traditions and this looks like a great resource!
Would love to share this book with my Lara, Kathleen, Edward, Mary as we celebrate advent each day with prayer and a calendar. Am requesting our librarian to please order this book so many may celebrate the birth of Jesus into a loving family. Christmas eve is also the birthdays of Grandfather and Great-GrandMother…We are thankful for our blessings. Mary
I would love to share this book with my three girls, ages 7-12. I homeschool, and we love cuddling up on the couch reading books together. And it’s always fun showing them a new perspective of the birth of Jesus.
I would love to read with any of my 12 grands, even the older ones 🙂
This book sounds fabulous! I have a wonderful idea. If one of my 6 grandchildren would get us all on zoom we could read through a page together each day and then have each child make a comment on what we read. They are all good friends. What an amazing tradition we could start! I am so impressed with the reading from this book that is posted here.
That sounds perfect! I really hope that this works out for your family to do this. You’d have such great memories.
Would live to read this with my 7 year old great niece. Thanks for opportunity
Love not live. Spellcheck n electronics think they’re so smart. 🥴
I would love to read this book each evening to myself 🥰