Why
Easter? /Why Christmas? By Barbara Reaoch, Ilustrated
by Carol Mccarty
Easter and Christmas are two seasons that speak
of the coming of Jesus, his death and resurrection, and the hope we have as
believers. Yet, we often struggle to
communicate these profound truths to our children. In steps Barbara Reaoch, with books on Easter
and Christmas that reach the hearts and minds of children with biblically
faithful lessons designed to help children trust in the Savior. The Easter
book combines 28 lessons with beautiful illlustrations by Carol McCarty
to get at the heart of the story of Jesus, his death and resurrection. Both books include times for scripture
reading, truths, discussion, memory verses and singing.
I particularly thought that the lesson for Week
3, Day 16 was very insightful and encouraging.
At the end of the lesson on Jesus being taken to the Sanhedrin and to
Pilate, Barbara writes in the Discuss section, “Discuss “mighty triumph” and
victor.” When it seemed that Pilate was
in control how was Jesus triumphant. How
was Jesus the real victor during these trials (36)?” We often think of triumph and victor in
political and military terms, thus promoting the idea that force is the only
way for kingship to be displayed, yet the kingship of Jesus was radically
different. Barbara brings out the
kingship of Jesus and his response to Pilate in a most interesting way by
contrasting the way of Jesus and the way of Pilate.
The lesson on Luke 2.21-35 in Why Christmas was
a very good retelling of Simeon and Jesus.
The truth that Barbara captures is that, “God forgives anyone who trusts
in Jesus (44).” Simeon had been waiting
for a long time for the coming of the Messiah and when Jesus came joy came to
this old man. Barbara reminds children
that it is not a select few who are able to believe in Jesus or the elite, but
anyone who trusts in Jesus, putting their whole lives in his hands. Barbara goes onto lead the children in a
discussion regarding “all who heard it wondered,” signaling the great event of
the telling of the coming King by the shepherds. Barbara links the truth of the story with
what the people might’ve been feeling as they heard this marvelous story, in
turn, causing children to wonder what they might’ve felt if they were hearing
this same story.
I really appreciate both of these books for
their keen insights, ability to draw children into the story of Jesus, and the
way Barbara gets to the main theme of each story. Children will be challenged and blessed by
these two books. I plan to use these two
storybooks in church and at home with my daughter.
Thanks to Shepherd Press and Cross Focused
Reviews for the copy of these books in exchange for an honest review.
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