First is The Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader by Payne and Lenzo. Perfect for us as Handel is our composer this term and we have been listening to Messiah. Our Family Sunday School went through this years ago and we enjoyed it then. It has scripture, pictures, and fascinating text for every day of Advent. I think it's rather sumptuous. Included is a cd of Messiah excerpts referred to at the end of specific readings. Truly delightful!
Next is Joy to the World - The Forgotten Meaning of Christmas with Isaac Watts and Paraclete Press. This sweet-sized book is a thoughtful study on the meaning of that favorite Christmas hymn - "Joy to the World". It also includes readings and scripture for the "Twelve Days of Christmas - Reflections on Christ the King from the Writings of Isaac Watts."
So, I have this friend. Her name is Robyn and we have this sporadic relationship. Every so often, 2 or 3 times a year, we send each other a flurry of emails about what we've read, what we liked, what we hated, etc. Sometimes we disagree, but most of the time we give each other a truckload of new titles to seek out. I am thankful for her. Maybe we'll actually meet someday. Anyway, she recommended this last year and I bought it to save and savor for this Christmas season. It's a keeper! And anyone who enjoys Dickens and the Christmas season will like it. But the reason I found it so fascinating was the historical context it gave me for so many things that concerned Charlotte Mason; e.g., labor strikes, education, and child welfare. The copyright laws, and lack thereof, were interesting, too.
Finally, here are some of my past posts on Christmas books with lots of other recommendations for rich holiday reading:
What to Read For Christmas
Full Hearts
On Christmas Traditions and Books
Good King Wenceslas
The Canticle of the Bees
From joy to joy,
Nancy
Oh, I love the look of 'Joy to the world', I'm off to search for it in an Aussie online book shop. :)
ReplyDeleteEvery time we talk, write or I visit your blog, I wind up popping right over to amazon!
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to your book suggestions; thanks! :) Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! ~Beth Ann
ReplyDeleteNancy, I am hosting this week's Carnival of Homeschooling and the theme is books. Could I include your post?
ReplyDeleteDear Mama Squirrel,
DeleteYes, of course!
Warmly,
Nancy
The carnival is up now: http://deweystreehouse.blogspot.ca/2013/12/carnival-of-homeschooling-415-living.html . Thanks!
DeleteThank you for the treasure trove of literary delights!
ReplyDelete