From an early age, children are taught the elements of the Christmas story: the angel, the journey, the shepherds, the joy. Now Unto Us a Child Is Born: A Family Celebration of Christmas offers an invitation to explore those elements in more depth, adding fascinating cultural and historical background to shed new light on the familiar tale.
• What prophecies foretold the coming of Christ?
• What was Mary's early life like?
• Why did the baby Jesus sleep in a manger?
• Where did the Wise Men travel from? Award-winning author Jennifer Swanson draws on Biblical scholarship and teaching to provide rich context for the Gospel account and fresh insights into the story. The marvelous pictures from artist Diana Renžina evoke both the beauty of classical art and the simplicity and warmth of a traditional style. Direct quotations from the Bible anchor the text, while the words of ten beloved hymns add to the reverent atmosphere. It's the perfect book for families to read together as Christmas approaches, and to revisit every year as part of their holiday celebrations.
Don't miss the companion title Stories of the Saints!
Jennifer Swanson is fascinated by all of God's creation, which has led her to an award-winning career as the author of more than 45 books, with a specialty in science nonfiction. Her many titles include The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide to Inventing the World, cowritten with Dylan Thuras; Outdoor School: Rocks, Fossils, and Shells, which was named to Kirkus's Best Nature Book list; books for Lego, National Geographic Kids, and the Big Fat Notebook series; and Up Periscope, a School Library Journal Nonfiction Elementary Best Book of the Year. Jennifer lives in Jacksonville, Florida, and you can find her online at jenniferswansonbooks.com.
Diana Renzina is an Latvian artist who is inspired by nature, folklore, Art Nouveau architecture, and many other beautiful things around her home in Riga, Latvia. She has illustrated The Story of All Stories: A Story Bible for Young Catholics and several nonfiction science picture books. Outside of drawing, she enjoys taking photos, being in nature, dancing tango, listening to music, and reading.
