Finding children’s books about Christmas is not hard.
Finding books about Christmas that mention Jesus is harder, and finding one that speaks the full and glorious truth about Jesus is nearly impossible. The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell, however, is one such book, telling the truth of God keeping his promises through Jesus’ birth.
Written in picture book format, it tells a story of Christmas that differs from the world’s story and any suggestion Christmas “started with a boy called Nicholas”. It is a faithful retelling of the very first Christmas, combining four elements essential in gospel-centered picture storybooks for kids.
The Christmas Promise
Alison Mitchell
1. Truth
There is no “make believe” in this story. This is gospel truth through and through.
“A long long time ago … God promised a new King”. Alison Mitchell clearly links Jesus’ birth to a God who keeps his promises. Jesus is not just a special baby born at Christmas, but a promised King, “a new King; a rescuing King; a forever King”, sent from God. The narrative relies on and stays true to the Christmas story told in Luke and Matthew. This is hardly surprising, since The Christmas Promise belongs to a series of picture books called “Tales that Tell the Truth”! Mitchell even provides additional bible references at the end so you can trace some of the Old Testament promises with your children.
2. Literary Value
The simple language makes the story easy for even the littlest kids to follow. The lyrical nature is fun to read aloud, especially the “whoosh” of the angels! Questions at the story’s beginning allow opportunities for natural conversation to occur between the child and reader. Repetition is a helpful tool for remembering, and Mitchell repeats important words, emphasising God as promise-keeper, Jesus as King, and the angels as God’s messengers.
3. Illustrations
Brightly coloured and whimsical, the pictures complement the text, clearly depicting Jesus’ birth as a joyous event. They invite little eyes to see the wonder of the angels, the surprise of the shepherds, and the glory of Jesus the King. They provide great prompts for talking together about Jesus’ birth.
The pictures … invite little eyes to see the wonder of the angels, the surprise of the shepherds, and the glory of Jesus the King.
4. Connection to God’s Big Plan
Lastly, the book’s final few pages hint towards the role Jesus plays in God’s big plan. Baby Jesus grew into a man, who came to walk on earth, to teach, to die, and to rise again, providing the way of our salvation. This was God’s plan from the beginning. In Jesus, God demonstrated his faithfulness to his promises. The Christmas Promise echoes Sovereign Grace’s “Hope of the Ages”:
The prophets had glimpsed and the angels had watched with awe
The unfolding plans of our faithful, redeeming God
What they longed for we have seen
What was promised we believe
Hope of the Ages …
Desire of nations, promised salvation,
God with us.
Isn’t this something we want our children to know and treasure as truth? Keeping Jesus at the centre in a culture that ignores him is difficult. There are many competing narratives about “the reason for the season.” Telling and retelling children about the very first Christmas is important for giving Jesus central place in your festivities—in both your life and theirs!
A helpful Christmas gift for a child, a parent, or anyone who knows children. It is a tale that tells the truth of how Christmas fits in with God’s big plan of salvation, a salvation that is available to even the littlest child. As Jesus himself says, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)
