In a world where Christmas is more commercialized than ever before, it is all too easy for parents to drown in the noise of it all. Barbara Reaoch has written A Better Than Anything Christmas at just the right time. It is a welcome and refreshing opportunity for parents to zero in on what is truly important: the gospel. The daily advent readings and questions make for excellent family discussions around who Jesus is and why He came. We loved A Jesus Christmas for how it offered our children an opportunity to grapple with big doctrinal ideas in a way that was easily digestible, even cross-culturally. I look forward to sharing A Better Than Anything Christmas with the family this Christmas, most especially for how it promotes theologically robust discussion and a deepening and enduring understanding of the Word of God. From toddlers to teens, this devotional offers far greater value than even the most beautifully wrapped packages beneath the tree.

How do we make the Christmas season focus on the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us? How do we not get swept away in the incessant hullabaloo of this holiday? There are so many advent calendars, what do we choose?! We can be tempted to simply do nothing because of the overwhelming options.

Well, I am very excited about this resource! THIS is how we have decided to have a special, set aside time each day in December. A Better Than Anything Christmas: Explore How Jesus Makes Christmas Better is a short devotion-like guide for the whole family. There are 5 points for every day including reading scripture, explaining it, answering questions, praying, and doodling. This journal gives your space to write answers and draw. The prompts are simple enough for toddlers and engaging enough for teens. Really this is a perfect resource for the whole family and a great opportunity for parents to lead their family in the counsel of the Lord this Christmas season. You will want to plan ahead for this one and have it before December 1.

What I like about the book:

This is an interactive, engaging family book. It's designed to write and draw inside the book. With questions for older and younger children to be asked and answered, as well as a daily place to create as a family a response.

Daily scripture readings are the foundation of the reading.

At the start, the author clarifies vocabulary that will come up throughout the book, great educational & reader connection.

Each day follows a pattern: Explore, Explain, Engage, Enter in, then a task to complete about the day.

Excellent Questions in the readings. Will develop critical thinking skills.

What I wonder about the book:

Will children and/or teens find it worthy of repeating and discussing each day? I've enjoyed a lot of advent readings, that my family has not found so delightful. I will have to see how it goes over. A lot of it is personality and the reader 'selling' it to those who will listen. I find this book sellable.

My real wonder is if there are more ideas for the activity beyond- draw or write ideas. This part only reaches two learning styles, and this is the aspect that would affect my family the most. The author does say 'or something else' often, but that leaves it to the readers to inspire their family with the other ideas. I'm an educator and could easily enhance the ideas. But most families may struggle.

Thankful to partner with the goodbook company and read an advance copy of this book.