“How do they celebrate Christmas in heaven?” asks a young boy of his grandfather.
This question opens the story of Christmas in Heaven, the newest children’s book by Anthony DeStefano and illustrated by Bernadette Carstensen. It is the question on this young boy’s heart as he continues to miss his grandmother, who just passed away.
And what a good question it is! One we all probably wonder. But one that takes the sweet innocence of a child to daringly ask and the quiet strength of a grandfather to answer with faith and hope.
But if we take a few moments to truly consider how do they celebrate Christmas in Heaven, our holy imaginations give us a sliver of vision to see what “eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, [but] what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Only God, our Lady, the angels, and the Saints truly know the grandeur and splendor of Heaven. But this heartfelt children’s book encourages readers of all ages to simply imagine what the glorious reality of Heaven could be like. Through a charming story of the Saints, and the hope of a grandfather and his grandson, readers are invited to open their hearts to the reality of Heaven for ourselves and our loved ones.
Celebrating Christmas in Heaven
When his grandson asks the profound question—“How do they celebrate Christmas in heaven?”—Grandpa responds by encouraging his grandson to close his eyes and settle into a story. He continues by describing how all the residents of Heaven prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas.
As the scene is set by Grandpa, “St. Gabriel’s starting the big celebration by blowing his horn in sweet adoration.”
Grandpa goes on to introduce his grandson to many of the incredible Saints in Heaven, as they do there what they were best known for doing on Earth. Among them:
- Saint Honoré, patron Saint of bakers, is making Jesus’ birthday cake.
- Saint Cecilia, patron Saint of music, is singing in the choir.
- Saint Lucy, patron Saint of the blind, is lighting the Christmas tree.
- Saint Nicholas is leaving presents under the tree.
- Saint Martha is cooking and cleaning in preparation for the celebration.
- Saint Thérèse is giving out flowers, while Saint Valentine shares chocolate hearts.
The litany of Saints preparing for Christmas is described in a delightful, whimsical rhyme. The sweet illustrations complement the clever rhymes, and together they tell the tale of the grandest affair of any kind, the celebration of Christmas in Heaven.
In addition to Christmas in Heaven being a delightful teaching on the Saints, the message goes even deeper when the sweet boy, through the eyes of faith, hopes that his grandmother is celebrating Christmas in Heaven too.
Hoping in Heaven
As this beautiful little book gives children an unforgettable vision of Heaven, it also strengthens in them the theological virtue of hope, “by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness” (CCC § 1817).
When the little boy asks if Grandma could be in Heaven, too, his grandfather assures him that when she enters Heaven, all the saints will be there. Jesus Himself will take her by the hand and lead her into His Kingdom:
“The Lord takes her hand and leads her to where St. Michael is waiting to hold out her chair. She sits down right next to Our Lady the Queen, looking more joyful than I’ve ever seen” (p. 31).
As the two remember Grandma with fondness, they are learning to peacefully say goodbye, because they hope that she is with our Lord in Heaven. Yes, hope “keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude” (CCC § 1818).
A Note on Purgatory
Of course, the Catholic Church teaches that most humans do not go straight to Heaven, and Christmas in Heaven addresses this in a note to readers at the beginning of the book. The author shares that “just like we need to clean up before attending a party, purgatory is a place where souls get ‘cleaned up’ for the most special party of all—the heavenly banquet with God.” He emphasizes that while the grandfather “hopes his wife is already with the angels and saints, we should always pray for our deceased loved ones in case they are in purgatory, so they can get to Heaven as quickly as possible.”
Sharing a New Story of Hope This Christmas
Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, it is fun to think ahead to sharing Christmas in Heaven with our little ones in just a few short weeks, because it is a new and fresh way to consider the Saints’ presence in Heaven and their intercession on Earth. And as we prepare to begin Advent with A Thrill of Hope, in the Year of Hope, this sweet story is yet another way to bring the virtue of hope into our children’s lives . . . and our own.
Sarah Damm is a regular contributor to the BIS blog. She is a Catholic wife and mother of six children, living in Minnesota. She spends her days running errands, helping with homework, and keeping up with laundry and the family schedule. Sarah loves her faith, coffee, and good books. You can find out more about her here. Read all of Sarah's posts here.
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