Unwrapping the Greatest Gift

This book looks and sounds lovely, but it has some seriously strange teaching. Taking the story of Christmas - ultimately all about Jesus, and it turns it into a self focused thing. """"YOU"""" is repeated so many times, on almost every page. When talking about creation it says things like: """"You were formed by a huddle of holy hearts. """" And after the fall it says """". . . God doesn't strike down the sinner. . . No matter what the day holds, no matter how the season of your life unfolds, God holds you and enfolds you. """" When it talks about God blessing Abraham it says,""""The earth under where you live and the sky curving over you right now and the stars spinning all round you in their brazen glory: these are all God's gifts for you, you, you. """" And that's just the first couple of chapters. There may be some great stuff in here, and the way the book is designed and printed is beautiful, but this is not a book I would trust to be teaching sound doctrine, even if it all sounds heart warming and full of love! So I do not plan to use it with my children, even if there is some good stuff in here mixed in with the self absorbed poetry. Aimed for families, probably 5 and up in age.

I bought this incredibly attractive looking book for my Family to enjoy using for our daily Advent Devotions this year and was really impressed with the layout of each Devotion, the exquisite illustrations, and the thematic Jesse Tree concept as a whole. However, in actually using the book, we have discovered that it is quite strange at times in the way in which it is worded and the Theology is also worryingly poor at times. Some of the Bible stories are tampered with in order to try to fit the point which the Author is trying to make, and within less than a week our entire Family became sick of the repetitive ending to each Devotion of God's """"unwrappable Love"""", which often feels forced for the context within which she is saying it. \\r\\n\\r\\n Given the price of the book, we were also very disappointed that the required ornaments for making the Jesse Tree do not come with the book, but must be downloaded or ordered and paid for separately. \\r\\n\\r\\n However, we did find many of the Family Activities lovely and meaningful to do as a Family, such as writing a letter to Jesus, and making a list of 10 different ways God has provided for you as a Family! \\r\\n\\r\\n Overall I feel a little disappointed that I was charmed by the gorgeous looks of the book into buying an Advent Devotional which is not as spectacular as it looks. \\r\\n

This advent devotional is one for the whole family. My children, ranging in age from 7-10 enjoy listening each night as we read about the story of Jesus. Ann powerfully connects old and new testaments in a way that allows the reader to see Jesus as central to the entire Bible. My youngest may not fully understand what is being read, but still enjoys listening and participating. This is the second year we have done this same devotional and my children are very excited that this has become one of our Christmas traditions. The book is beautifully illustrated and the experience can be enhanced by utilising the resources available on the website (the code is in the book).

This book has quickly become a new favourite Christmas tradition for our family. A lovely way to keep Christ at the centre of the holiday season as we count down to December 25 remembering God's amazing love and grace from Genesis to the birth of Jesus. Each day also includes prompts to help you share the love and joy of the gospel with others. Thoroughly recommended!

A beautifully written and illustrated book exploring the Jesse Tree, counting down Advent in anticipation of the coming of Christ on Christmas day. Each """"day"""" includes a Bible verse, a couple of pages written by Ann, discussion questions and suggestions for family activities. A wonderful read-aloud version for the whole family to enjoy, definitely a new addition and tradition for our family's Christmas preparations leading up to Christmas Day. \\r\\n