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After being forced to wear lederhosen for the annual holiday card picture, twelve-year-old Chris thinks that the least his parents can do is get him the Tony Hawk skateboard he wants for Christmas. But when he recovers the hand-carved Baby Jesus that everyone thought had been destroyed in a fire the year his Grandma died, Chris realizes that some gifts are even more important than skateboards.
When the author had to discontinue a cherished tradition of reading Christmas stories out loud with his family and holiday guests each week in December, he wrote Finding the Baby Jesus. He had been unable to locate enough meaningful stories that could be read in a single sitting with wiggly children.
Praise for Finding the Baby Jesus:
“Tender and true, this warm Christmas tale brought tears to my eyes.”
–Heather Vogel Frederick, author of the much-beloved Mother-Daughter Book Club series and Oregon Book Award winner for The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed
“A touching story that speaks to the importance of family, giving, and the true spirit of Christmas.”
“A touching story that speaks to the importance of family, giving, and the true spirit of Christmas.”
–Matthew Kirby, author of Icefall, winner of the Edgar Allen Poe and the Pen Center USA Literary Awards for Children’s Literature
“Deeply moving. Poignant.”
“Deeply moving. Poignant.”
–Deborah Halverson, former editor at Harcourt Children’s Books and author of Honk If You Hate Me, a Gayle McCandliss Literary Award Winner
"The perfect little book to tuck away with your Christmas things and bring out year after year to read with family. As mother to three boys, I can't imagine a better protagonist than Chris. His typical teenage attitude followed by the softening of his heart towards a friend teaches a poignant and very relatable lesson on the true meaning of Christmas."
–Amazon review
"After I read this short story I felt like I had read a novel--every sentence is packed with action and imagery. I was emotionally connected to the characters, and the story is touching. I didn't see the plot twist at the end coming! A great story to read every Christmas."
–Amazon review
Finding the Baby Jesus by Kimball Fisher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a nice book to read during the holiday season. This book is, as the introduction says, perfect for reading aloud at Christmastime with your kids. How nice to read a story that shows kids the real meaning of Christmas, and it is not overly religious. In fact, I really don't think anyone would find it offensive. It is an easy, well-written read, and I recommend it to anyone!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
View all my reviews
Author Kimball Fisher
Kimball Fisher writes novels for young readers. He is also a best-selling business author, professional speaker, and management consultant. Some of his past jobs include: sailboat builder, ghost writer (not as scary as it sounds), illustrator, and factory manager (more scary than it sounds). For fun he builds furniture, stained-glass windows, and writing pens.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities (with minors in English, Asian Studies, and Japanese), and a Master of Organizational Behavior degree from Brigham Young University. He and his amazing wife Reenie live in Portland, Oregon, where they have seen pheasants, coyotes, and a bobcat in their own backyard.
Top 10 favorite Bible and/or inspirational stories (by the author)
This is actually only one Bible story, but here are my 10 favorite things about the birth of the Baby Jesus:
1- The wise men. I love the story about the wise men coming from the East to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Considering the distance they must have traveled, their journey had to have taken a long time, been difficult, and it was probably dangerous as well. But when they saw the star they followed it without hesitation until they reached their destination regardless of time, cost, or personal challenge. And when the king demanded that they reveal the location of the boy, they slipped away rather than endanger him. These were good people of some wealth and influence, uncommon in many Bible stories.
2- The shepherds. Unlike the wise men who had the means for travel and precious gifts, shepherds were likely among the poorest of the people of that time. But the angel didn't appear to the king or other high ranking officials who had the political power to make the life of Jesus easy; the angel shared the glorious announcement with the very humblest of workers whose only gift for the baby could be their presence.
3- The angels. I love it that the multitude of heavenly hosts were so excited about the birth that they praised God and said, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men." Was this announcement carefully rehearsed beforehand? Was it a spontaneous act of miraculous coordination? We don't know. But who doesn't hope that someday the angels proclamation of good will and peace will actually spread across the earth?
4- The star. Even the heavens couldn't contain their joy for the impending birth in the form of a new and glorious illumination. Something to pierce the darkness of night.
5- Mary. I don't know that I will ever fully appreciate what I think is one of the most beautiful and powerful statements in the Bible about the story of her delivery. After all is reported about the miraculous heavenly signs and manifestations attending the birth of her son, the gospel of Luke records so simply of Mary's reaction: "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."
6- Joseph. We know little of Mary's husband. But what we do know is a powerful testament of his love and devotion. In a day when an espoused husband was legally authorized--some would say expected--to destroy the life of a woman in Mary's delicate circumstances, the carpenter cared for and stood by her instead, probably risking far more than his standing in the community.
7- The Baby Jesus. Of course.
8- The much maligned innkeeper. There wasn't much the innkeeper could do to find a spot for the little family. And we sometimes forget that at that time in history, people often stayed in the stables with their animals. At least the innkeeper found a place where Mary and Joseph could have a little privacy. And there was a manger of fresh hay to keep the baby safe and off the ground.
9- The animals. To me, another special thing about the less than ideal circumstances of the birth of Jesus is that humans weren't the only witnesses and celebrants.
10- The new family. Sometimes in the celebration of this miraculous birth we forget that for Joseph and Mary the day would have been a highlight of their life regardless of what their boy did later. They had a son. That was miracle enough for them. One of the primary reasons I wrote FINDING THE BABY JESUS was to celebrate this joy of families and the traditions and memories that bind them together.
Tour Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 12/26/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Tour Schedule:
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/finding-baby-jesus-blog-tour.html
"The perfect little book to tuck away with your Christmas things and bring out year after year to read with family. As mother to three boys, I can't imagine a better protagonist than Chris. His typical teenage attitude followed by the softening of his heart towards a friend teaches a poignant and very relatable lesson on the true meaning of Christmas."
–Amazon review
"After I read this short story I felt like I had read a novel--every sentence is packed with action and imagery. I was emotionally connected to the characters, and the story is touching. I didn't see the plot twist at the end coming! A great story to read every Christmas."
–Amazon review
Finding the Baby Jesus by Kimball FisherMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a nice book to read during the holiday season. This book is, as the introduction says, perfect for reading aloud at Christmastime with your kids. How nice to read a story that shows kids the real meaning of Christmas, and it is not overly religious. In fact, I really don't think anyone would find it offensive. It is an easy, well-written read, and I recommend it to anyone!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
View all my reviews
Purchase
Kimball Fisher writes novels for young readers. He is also a best-selling business author, professional speaker, and management consultant. Some of his past jobs include: sailboat builder, ghost writer (not as scary as it sounds), illustrator, and factory manager (more scary than it sounds). For fun he builds furniture, stained-glass windows, and writing pens.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities (with minors in English, Asian Studies, and Japanese), and a Master of Organizational Behavior degree from Brigham Young University. He and his amazing wife Reenie live in Portland, Oregon, where they have seen pheasants, coyotes, and a bobcat in their own backyard.
Top 10 favorite Bible and/or inspirational stories (by the author)
This is actually only one Bible story, but here are my 10 favorite things about the birth of the Baby Jesus:
1- The wise men. I love the story about the wise men coming from the East to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Considering the distance they must have traveled, their journey had to have taken a long time, been difficult, and it was probably dangerous as well. But when they saw the star they followed it without hesitation until they reached their destination regardless of time, cost, or personal challenge. And when the king demanded that they reveal the location of the boy, they slipped away rather than endanger him. These were good people of some wealth and influence, uncommon in many Bible stories.
2- The shepherds. Unlike the wise men who had the means for travel and precious gifts, shepherds were likely among the poorest of the people of that time. But the angel didn't appear to the king or other high ranking officials who had the political power to make the life of Jesus easy; the angel shared the glorious announcement with the very humblest of workers whose only gift for the baby could be their presence.
3- The angels. I love it that the multitude of heavenly hosts were so excited about the birth that they praised God and said, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men." Was this announcement carefully rehearsed beforehand? Was it a spontaneous act of miraculous coordination? We don't know. But who doesn't hope that someday the angels proclamation of good will and peace will actually spread across the earth?
4- The star. Even the heavens couldn't contain their joy for the impending birth in the form of a new and glorious illumination. Something to pierce the darkness of night.
5- Mary. I don't know that I will ever fully appreciate what I think is one of the most beautiful and powerful statements in the Bible about the story of her delivery. After all is reported about the miraculous heavenly signs and manifestations attending the birth of her son, the gospel of Luke records so simply of Mary's reaction: "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."
6- Joseph. We know little of Mary's husband. But what we do know is a powerful testament of his love and devotion. In a day when an espoused husband was legally authorized--some would say expected--to destroy the life of a woman in Mary's delicate circumstances, the carpenter cared for and stood by her instead, probably risking far more than his standing in the community.
7- The Baby Jesus. Of course.
8- The much maligned innkeeper. There wasn't much the innkeeper could do to find a spot for the little family. And we sometimes forget that at that time in history, people often stayed in the stables with their animals. At least the innkeeper found a place where Mary and Joseph could have a little privacy. And there was a manger of fresh hay to keep the baby safe and off the ground.
9- The animals. To me, another special thing about the less than ideal circumstances of the birth of Jesus is that humans weren't the only witnesses and celebrants.
10- The new family. Sometimes in the celebration of this miraculous birth we forget that for Joseph and Mary the day would have been a highlight of their life regardless of what their boy did later. They had a son. That was miracle enough for them. One of the primary reasons I wrote FINDING THE BABY JESUS was to celebrate this joy of families and the traditions and memories that bind them together.
Links
Book Blast
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 12/26/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Tour Schedule:
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/10/finding-baby-jesus-blog-tour.html
Thanks for participating in my blog tour!
ReplyDeletesounds interesting thanks for the giveaway - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway. The book sounds really interesting
ReplyDeleteThanks
Raffle name: Nikki O