Kristin Hill Taylor

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{Giveaway} The First Christmas

November 17, 2013 by Kristin Leave a Comment

“The First Christmas Night” is a beautiful retelling of the birth of Jesus on that joyous night in Bethlehem so long ago. The poem begins with the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem and winds though Christ’s birth, the angels’ appearance to the shepherds, and the visit by the wise men.

‘Twas the very first Christmas, 
when all through the town
not a creature was stirring –
there was not a sound.

Did you recognize the rhyme? Different words, but, yes, it sounds like “The Night Before Christmas.” I love this version of the Christmas story because it’s the one that really matters. It’s like tradition meets truth. The simple, yet elegant, verses will appeal to little ones and are accompanied by the rich illustrations.

Just take a look …

That’s Cate showing you her favorite page, which says:

He had not a crib,
but in a manger instead, 
the tiny new baby
lay down his sweet head.


Here is another. Those wise men look so real!

When they finally found
the babe they had sought,
gold, frankincense, and myrrh
were the gifts that they brought. 

_______

About the author :: Keith Christopher is a composer, arranger, orchestrator, and educator, and he has served as editor and producer for several major music publishers. In addition to writing and studio producing, Keith served on the faculty at the Blair School of Music of Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He lives in Hendersonville, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.

About the illustrator :: At a very early age, Christine Kornacki developed a love for painting and bringing stories to life. After receiving a BFA in illustration from the University of Hartford, her dreams of illustrating children’s books began to take shape, including illustrating best-selling “The Sparkle Box” for Ideal’s Children’s Books. Christine’s recent work also includes illustrating the six-book series for the American Girl historical doll characters Marie-Grace and Cecile. She spends her days painting in her studio, which adjoins a charming cafe in New Haven, Connecticut.

About the book :: Publisher by Ideals Books, “The First Christmas Night” is a 32-page, hardcover book. Aimed at kids ages 4-8, the rhyming language can help them develop verbal language skills and learn to read. This book is ideal for family story time during the holidays, children’s ministers and Sunday school teachers, and even Christmas carolers who want to set it to a tune! You can learn more about it at the book’s website and Ideal Books’ Facebook page.

________

So who wants a copy? Just leave a comment below telling me a truth or tradition you love about Christmas. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents. A winner will be chosen randomly on Saturday, Nov. 23.

EDITED: Congratulations, Carrie Coombs! You win a copy of “The First Christmas Night.” I hope Elijah likes it and you all enjoy your Christmas as a family.

________

I received our copy of “The First Christmas Night” free from FlyBy Promotions in exchange for this mention on my blog. This review is composed from my own thoughts and those my kids shared with me. I have no doubt we’ll actually use this book for years to come. I included Amazon affiliate links because I do think the book is worth buying. 

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Filed Under: books, FlyBy Promotions, giveaway, holiday

Comments

  1. kasmith03 says

    November 18, 2013 at 11:50 am

    Looks like great pictures!! One tradition we have is reading the Christmas story about Jesus before we open presents. I love this time of year, the decorations, the focus on Christ!! I am ready to set up my tree already! 🙂

    Reply
  2. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 18, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    Seriously one of the most beautiful children's books I've seen. I love this season too – and it seems be starting early this year with Thanksgiving being later. And, really, I'm OK with that. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Mel says

    November 18, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    A tradition I love (and one we just started two years ago) is inviting our neighbors over for cookies and eggnog and cider about a week before Christmas. We all come from different backgrounds, and we really started it so we could get to know some of them better, but it's such a fun time to come together and celebrate. We're looking forward to it this year. 🙂 This looks like a great book…Maelie keeps asking for books about Jesus. It's so beautiful to see her wanting to learn about him already. 🙂

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 18, 2013 at 7:02 pm

    That's a great tradition, Mel! Your girl learns that from you, momma!

    Reply
  5. Elaine says

    November 20, 2013 at 10:20 pm

    we like to light candles for every night in december

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 21, 2013 at 12:31 am

    Lovely! Thanks for entering, Elaine!

    Reply
  7. Becky Lile says

    November 21, 2013 at 9:51 pm

    I love setting up our nativity scenes. My parents gave me Jesus, Mary, and Joseph figures many years ago and then gave me a new piece (person or animal) each year for several years after that. Now that we have children, that one gets displayed out of reach. 🙂 My boys have a nativity scene that is safer for them to touch, and I'm looking forward to looking at it and interacting with it with my 4-year-old this year.

    Reply
  8. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 22, 2013 at 12:09 am

    We have the Little People nativity scene that my kids love playing with and rearranging. That's neat you have one you've built over time – what a neat memory! Christmas with kids is the best. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Whitney C says

    November 22, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    I love everything about Christmas. Setting up the nativities with my children. Picking out a Christmas tree. Opening a book every night and doing the Jesse Tree devotional.

    Reply
  10. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 22, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    Yes – kids make the holidays especially fun! I'm glad you entered, Whitney! Good to see your face here. 🙂

    Reply
  11. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 24, 2013 at 3:05 am

    How neat! I love that!

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    June 12, 2014 at 12:48 am

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About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our high school girl who never forgets, our middle school boy who has no fear, and our joy-filled first-grade girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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To live in communion with one another, means to sh To live in communion with one another, means to share meals, space, advice, and prayers. It also means sharing hope, disappointment, dreams, and forgiveness. 

We explore what this looks like in “Created for Communion,” along with other biblical foundations for friendships and community.

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So many of my Facebook friends shared lovely pictu So many of my Facebook friends shared lovely pictures of their daughters yesterday for the completely made-up National Daughters Day. Regardless, today I'm all in my feelings about my daughters. 

They're 16 and 8 right now. Both of their classes have been studying ancient Egypt and had a joint feast today. Sweet, huh? 

BUT THEN TIMEHOP GOT ME! Apparently, NINE years ago today, when Cate was a second-grader, her class had an Egyptian feast. I think about a particular picture of Cate and her friend Kilee from that day AND THEN IT CAME UP IN MY TIMEHOP TODAY. Facebook also told me that same day nine years ago, Monica and I became Facebook friends. We probably were at the Egyptian feast and decided we'd be friends because our girls were friends. Y'all, God has been so good to me through my friendship with Monica. Our families click in a special way with our three sets of same-aged kids, most of whom have been adopted. 

Anyway, my daughters. They're lovely, funny, and smart. I love that Cate helped Rachel with her Egyptian eye makeup this morning and made her a Nutella and banana sandwich. I love that they got to have a party today at school together. I love that even though they're eight years apart, they're sisters. 

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You’re a light wherever you go! And you like to You’re a light wherever you go! And you like to go! You’re always making friends, asking about our next adventure, wanting to know what’s next, and talking if you’re not singing. You’re the joy our family needed in 2015 and you continue to be the one who makes us laugh and love better than we did before we knew you. 

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