The Candymaker's Gift

Before naptime one day, I read this book to Marie...

The Candymaker's Gift by David and Helen Haidle

I initially was just going to read half or so and save the rest for another time, but I didn't want to put it down!

It's about a legend of the candy cane. We've all heard one legend or another, but this book actually nearly had me in tears.

In other words... I highly recommend it!

It's beautifully illustrated.

And it presents the Gospel so clearly, I was blown away.

After the story, there's a few pages of ideas for using the Candy Cane to share Christ. It also lists the details of what the candy cane means.

And the very last page shares how to receive Christ with Scripture!

I just love it! Maybe a new little tradition for Christmastime? I'm planning on getting some candy canes and reading this book together as a family and then discussing it... as much as a 3.5 yr old and 17 month old can :)

What are some of your favorite Christmas books? Please share!

The Meaning of the Candy Cane (directly from the book by David and Helen Haidle)

Hard Candy: Reminds us that Jesus is like a "rock," strong and dependable. Psalm 31:3

Peppermint Flavor: Reminds us of the gift of spices from the wise men. Matthew 2:11

White Candy: Stands for Jesus as the holy, sinless Son of God. 1 John 1:7

Cane: Is like a staff used by shepherds in caring for sheep. Jesus is our "Good Shepherd." John 10:1-18, 27-30

The Letter J: Is the first letter in the Name of Jesus, our Savior. Matthew 1:21

The Color Red: Reminds us of God's love that sent Jesus, and of Jesus shedding His blood for us. John 3:16, Revelation 1:5

The Stripes: A large stripe reminds us of the cross on which Jesus died. Three small red stripes reminds us of His suffering - the crown of thorns, the stripes from the whip on His back, the nail wounds in His hands and feet. John 19:1-30

A Lineage of Grace

Francine Rivers is my favorite author. She's an excellent Christian writer, but that's not the only thing that draws me to her fantastic books. She does some serious studying before she writes her fictions and fills her books with accurate history. I love history when it's interesting to learn!

So I got 2 sets of books for Christmas this year and have been thoroughly enjoying A Lineage of Grace series. So I thought I'd tell ya a little about it.


 

I just finished the first 2 books and just love all that I'm learning! She took women in the Bible and study of history and brought these women to life. Even though I've read these stories a hundred times straight out of Scripture, I never really tried to understand these women and how they must have felt and what they must've thought.

The 2nd book is based on Rahab, the prostitute who hid the Israelite spies in Jericho. In return, the spies promised to protect her and all in her house. (Joshua 2, 6).

I don't want to spoil the story for you (even if you already know it!) but one thing that hit me while reading this was how Rahab, who was part of the line of the Messiah, has a whole passage in the Holy Bible devoted to her. The Israelites didn't need to send spies into Jericho. They had already defeated countless others and didn't need a couple of soldiers scoping things out when God already knew exactly what He was going to do. God sent those spies for Rahab - a prostitute. What Francine Rivers took from this was that Rahab asked God for salvation. She received it.

At the end of each book (in the set I got) there are a handful of Bible studies on the passages covered in the book. God did His usual and spoke to me through His Word and as a result, I found peace during a time of anxiety -

James 1:5 "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Thank You, God.

I highly recommend the A Lineage of Grace series.

Has anyone else read these books or any of her other books? What do you think? Can you recommend any of her other books??