Advent and Christmas are my favorite seasons for children's picture books. There's nothing so cozy as bundling under a blanket with my brood and breaking open a beloved book.
This year, we're adding a new picture book that I know will earn a spot on our list of traditional favorites.
What Happens if Saint Nick is Sick?
The Night the Saints Saved Christmas opens with the grand gift giver, Saint Nicholas, waking up on Christmas Eve with a sore throat and runny nose.
Unable to fulfill his festive duties, his heavenly friends rally together to ensure a successful Christmas Eve mission.
They realize that if they work together, the gifts will be delivered in time.
A Worldwide Wonder
They organize themselves by region, each going to the country in which they were from or ministered.
"Israel for me,"
Peter said with a smile.
"And Max can take Poland;
he lived there a while.""Martin de Porres
can handle Peru.
And Italy, Lucy,
is perfect for you!"
The Saints in this story range in age and vocation but each use the charisms they were given on earth to serve the world on Christmas Eve.
Dashing on horseback
was brave Joan of Arc.
Like lightning she flew,
just a streak in the dark.
The Ultimate Gift
The book ends with all the Saints ending their adventurous night around the manger to worship the newborn King. The author, Gracie Jagla, through her delightful prose, reminds us that Jesus is the ultimate Gift we receive on Christmas. In a lyrical way that captures the imagine and causes the heart to soar, we see that grace is the free and undeserved gift we receive from God.
Then back up the heaven
the saints flew away,
while kids opened gifts
on that bright Christmas day.The gifts are a symbol
of God's glorious love—
underserved graces
sent from above.
Finally, the Saints are highlighted as our friends for the journey—our brothers and sisters in Christ who are always ready to "dispatch" to help us in our need.
Add The Night the Saints Saved Christmas to your Christmas picture book round up, you won't regret it.
And who knows, look out your window for Pope Saint John Paul II on skis this Christmas Eve!
BIS Reads // The Night the Saints Saved Christmas #BISblog //Click to tweet
Olivia Spears lives in Kentucky, where sweet tea and bourbon flow like milk and honey. She holds degrees in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and works from home while enjoying her children and husband. She curates relevant and inspiring content for Catholic women as Blog Manager. She is the narrator of Set a Fire, And Hay Became Holy, and All She Had as well as a contributing author for Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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