Summary

With simple words and rhyme scheme ideal for children ages 4 to 7, Julie Stiegemeyer recreates the sights and sounds of the first Christmas. Christmas Night emphasizes the two natures of Christ -- His abject humility and His ultimate divinity. With each verse, Jesus' perfect life and death on our behalf is underscored. Most of Christmas Night takes place in the humble stall as a paradoxical setting for the birth of the King of kings and the Lord of lords: "Jesus has no kingly hall. Jesus has no fortress tall. Home becomes a cattle stall for Jesus, born for us. So sequined stars become a crown, night, a robe to wrap around, God's own Son to earth came down, He's Jesus, born for us." Christmas Night predictably recounts the events of that first Christmas, but it also includes the flight to Egypt, an event not typically found in children's Christmas books. This additional information helps children begin to see Jesus' birth as the beginning of a life story that will culminate in His ascension into heaven. The illustrations in this book are in keeping with the standard for this age group¿brightly colored images that may have less detail than those for older children but that capture the drama and reality of the events. The result is an informative and engaging book that will teach young readers about the birth of their Savior from sin.