THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

A popular Christmas song is paired with painted illustrations of the Nativity.

Brooks’ “O Little Town of Bethlehem” lyrics are printed in couplets on tan-colored pages with spot art featuring human and angelic characters. Facing each page of text is a scene in the desert, beginning with a pregnant Mary riding a donkey alongside Joseph walking with his staff along a road. They enter a town at night and disembark in a barnyard, where angels gather above and then people come bearing gifts. The final spread shows Mary caring for tiny baby Jesus, both of them glowing; the facing text quotes Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.” Endmatter offers the music, additional verses, and a note about the text. Moses’ naïve art combines strokes of muted colors with the deep blue of a night sky and bright white and golden spots of robes and horns, moon, and stars. The scenes hum with the significance of the night represented. While the angels and the crowd are depicted in hues ranging from dark brown to pale, the three main figures are decidedly pink, and the baby’s hair appears golden. Some Christian families seeking to share the tale of Christ’s birth with their young ones will find this a fitting tribute. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Refreshing.