3 Books for Winter Solstice

Some churches are having Winter Solstice or Longest Night worship services. They view this as an opportunity to acknowledge the darkness of the season, particularly for those who have experienced loss or those who don’t find the hope of Advent as easily as our culture expects. 

Below I give you links to a couple of PBT books that could inform your worship planning. Also, these books could be read or their stories told to worshipers. 

Next, I feature an extraordinarily beautiful new book about darkness and light. It nicely connects to Jesus’ lost parables, but it could also be read aloud on Winter Solstice, when a conversation about holy darkness is potent with meaning.

Owl Moon, a beloved classic, amazingly could be read anytime during Advent (It is about longing and involves patience and silence.) and for Epiphany (It is about a journey in the dark.) On the longest night, it has particular resonance because of the family's milestone ritual - a dark search for an owl.

Singing Away the Dark is the author's very personal childhood story about how darkness on her way to school was frightening, but singing helped her manage her fears.

Picture Book: Dark on Light

Author: Dianne White

Illustrator: Felicita Sala

Summary: This book begins and ends with the same view: The first at sunset & the last at sunrise. 

But the point of this story is "Even when it is dark outside, there is still so much light."  Three young children look out the window as the sun goes down. 

The 3 go out the front door despite the darkness, flashlight in the hand of the oldest, with no adults. With poetic verse, the book celebrates what and who (Many animals & plants!) are sensed on their night journey. Are they exploring? On a night hike? No. It becomes apparent they are searching, at least the 2 oldest are. The youngest is distractedly playing! 

Earlier, on the 2nd double page spread, a dog has wandered from the home. This is who the children are seeking! This is who they were looking for through that window!

The beloved dog is found and greeted. 

Then all are made aware of the glorious sky! (See image at top.) All 4 head home and are lovingly greeted by the 2 adults (parents? grandparents? You decide.), who take them straight to their shared bedroom. There loving security is present in every nook and gesture so that a sleepy peace comes to all, especially the one lost then found.

Hanna’s Comments: The goal of finding the missing dog can be easily missed at a first reading. Once the dog was found, I realized they had snuck out to search. I went back to earlier pages and saw what I had missed. I suggest you introduce the book by reading the author & illustrator's names (Always do this!). Then say, "This is a book about 3 children who decide to go out at night because someone they love is missing." 

As you read, point to the details you don't want missed and teach some new vocabulary (sage, noble, sapphire...). With young children, together count the animals before turning the page. Choose 1 animal to say a quick prayer of thanks or praise to God. 

Encourage natural wonder about other living things, the darkness, and God's mysteries. Components of the story that you might want to use in a lesson include flashlights, sage, and lavender. An experience with essential oils would be a nice touch! End with an imaginary journey prayer about the dark. Encourage being mindful of God's treasures in darkness and thankful that God is with us always, everywhere, in light, dark, and when both are present, as is often true. 

Update: This author has published a similar book about the cycle of a day. It’s called Blue on Blue. It would be a great book for teaching gratitude practices across a typical day.

Her book Green on Green moves through a traditional North American seasonal cycle, including Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions. Those holidays are not named. However, the usual rituals are evident. Therefore, this book would serve well as a component of a lesson on the importance of seasonal and holiday rituals. Be sure to tie such rituals to God’s provisions.

Original Publisher: Beach Lane Books, 2022

Age Appropriateness: 4 and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Jesus' 3 lost parables (Luke 15:1-2) or any scripture about searching such as the "pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:45-46) OR how the light of love gives us courage in metaphorical or real darkness such as Ruth and Naomi must have experienced on their journey to Israel. 

PBT Applications: Read this book on the Winter's Solstice or to a group of children anytime of year to explore Jesus' lost parables. Spend extra time on pages that show the children's bedroom. Discuss the comforts of bedtime rituals & objects that help us feel safe and loved. Ask about feeling God's presence in bed.

Darkness & Fear

Picture Book: The Dark

Authors: Lemony Snicket

Illustrator: Jon Klassen

Summary: Lazlo is a young boy who is afraid of the dark. The dark is sometimes in Lazlo's closet or behind the shower curtain, but mostly it lives in the basement. 

At night, the dark goes outside and spreads itself against the windows and doors of Lazlo's house. 

Lazlo greets the dark each morning, hoping it will stay in the basement.

But one night, the dark visits Lazlo in his room (the nightlight goes out) and says that it wants to show Lazlo something... 

in the basement. The dark lures Lazlo to a bottom drawer of a chest, all the while explaining why the things Lazlo is afraid of are important, especially the dark. 

"Without the dark, everything would be light, and you would never know you needed a light bulb." 

Lazlo takes the light bulb, says thanks to the dark, and returns to his bedroom. 

When Lazlo visits the dark the next morning, he notices how the open drawer looks like the dark is smiling. 

The dark is never scary to Lazlo after that night. 

Hanna’s Comments: If you know the work of Lemony Snicket, you know he is an expert at dark humor and dark wisdom. Here he plays with concepts of fear and darkness but also courage and perseverance; all are important subjects for people of faith to explore, especially knowing we can have coping strategies and spiritual practices in particular. Recently, I read a beautiful article about the death of writer Rachel Held Evans. At her death, our world lost a great Christian witness, but her 2 young children lost much more. The article mentions that RHE often read this book to her young son. Heartrendingly, his experiences with this book and the conversations they likely had during the reading might help him grieve the loss of his mother. Children are naturally fascinated by fear and darkness. They want to be more resilient during such experiences. Reading books like this one and others are one way to encourage more meaningful spiritual formation. For adults this book could introduce a small group based on Barbara Brown Taylor's excellent book Learning to Walk in the Dark. On Sunday, I plan to teach a lesson to elementary children by reading this book and Caroline Woodward's Singing Away the Dark, another PBT favorite. Then I'll simply guide the children in a conversation comparing and contrasting the two books. Afterwards, I'll tie their ideas to our summer sermon series featuring some OT heroes who all experienced fear and showed courage. 

Original Publisher & Date: Little Brown, 2013

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio

Scripture Connections: Be strong & courageous... the Lord is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9); Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5); …in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33); God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)

Idea(s) for Application: As described above, this book would be a great tool for exploring darkness and fear with children and adults.

Turner & Catrow #2

Picture Book: When God Made Light

Author: Matthew Paul Turner
Illustrator: David Catrow

Summary: The same 2 little girls we enjoyed in the first Turner and Catrow book (see my last post) are back!  Here they are celebrating God's creation, beginning with 4... 

familiar... 

words.

Big sister creates her sun costume 

while little sister dabbles in some creative play too. 

Light and shadow are explored via graceful dancing by all sorts of creatures. The beauty and benefits of light are listed... 

warm summers, blooming flowers, golden wheat, and gorgeous sunrises.  

Readers are encouraged to look up to the sun and be grateful to God. 

At day's end, as you wave goodbye to the sun, stick around for the moon and it's beautiful, light-reflecting ways. 

Don't let the absence of the sun, keep you from having fun! There are flashlights for night hikes and fireflies too.  

There are all sorts of light ready to dazzle you, some bolting, some sparkling and bursting. 

All is amazing, but what might be most glorious is God's light inside you. So beam and shimmer, for you are light for the world!

Hanna’s Comments: What a gorgeous book! So many children (and adults) need to hear there is God's light inside of them waiting to be shone in the world for good. Don't let this picture book experience be limited to simple platitudes. Encourage you audience, no matter their age, to talk about how faith, hope, and God's loving presence has shown a light in darkness for them. Tell stories of dark times transformed into loving lessons or hopeful opportunities. These little girls deserve rich conversation about God's glorious and transformational light in nature AND in their lives.

Original Publisher & Date: Waterbrook, 2018

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: And God said, “Let there be light"... And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:3-4); humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27); Let your light shine before others. (Matthew 5:16); Jesus said, "I am with you always..." (Matthew 28:20); The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5); Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children in a lesson about God’s creation story in Genesis or Jesus being the light of the world or that God-given spark of light in all of us.

PBT Redux #18 A Perfect Book for Epiphany

January 6 begins the Epiphany Season when the church considers The Magi’s journey. These were gentiles, thought by Jews to be outsiders, and yet Matthew, a Jew, tells this story. The Magi followed the bright star and worshiped the babe despite their alienation. They were drawn to do so by hope grounded in their life’s work and their personal imagination.

Today's repost is a beautiful, classic picture book that offers a similar journey by a child. She is human, an outsider to the forest. Like The Magi, she has a companion and together they embark on a dark journey for that which (and who) is beautiful and mysterious. 

The spiritual aspects of Owl Moon are likely obvious, but there are also many applications to today’s political and social contexts. We know of many aliens in many situations. And we are aliens ourselves sometimes. 

Read the story of The Magi to a group of children or adults. Then read this story and ask them simply to find connections between the 2 stories. You will be amazed by the conversation! One reason why this picture book works so well is its first person point of view. Listeners will step inside the story and be the child. In the discussion, be sure to ask about personal hopes going forward and what (who?) they hope to find in 2018.  

 

Picture Book: Owl Moon

Author: Jane Yolen

Illustrator: John Schoenherr

Summary: The narrator, a girl it seems, embarks on a family rite of passage. She and her Pa go owling. She tells us she knows just what to do and has been waiting for this time with her Pa for a long time. Owling involves a silent walk into the woods the night of an “owl moon.” The sounds, sights, and mystery of the forest are explored and felt by the reader as Pa imitates the great horned owl’s call and they anticipate a sighting. An owl does call back. Pa shines his light upon the creature before it flies away. Pa and narrator walk home in silence when silence is no longer necessary but seems the right response to something so beautiful and rare.     

Hanna’s Comments: This beautiful picture book celebrates the quiet love of a father and child as well as the possibilities of darkness and God’s nature. It also offers an example of what patience and a little bravery in a new environment might offer those willing to explore, even while holding the hand of one who is more mature. The narrator explains:

When you go owling, you don’t need words or warm or anything but hope.

This quiet adventure can be a metaphor for many spiritual and theological explorations. I can’t help but recommend to you of one of my favorite spiritual writers, Barbara Brown Taylor, and her recent book, Learning to Walk in the Dark.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Philomel, 1987

Age and Grade Appropriateness:  3 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: Audio

Scripture Connections: Be still & know (Psalm 46:10), Treasures of Darkness (Isaiah 45:3), The journey of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12); The many times Jesus prays apart from the disciples

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book and ask about connections to the journey of The Magi. This book would also be a great start to an adult small group’s study of Barbara Brown Taylor’s Learning to Walk in the Dark.

December Holiday Books 8 & 9

Today's PBT features are all about Christmas eve rituals. The first is a brand new book inspired by an old poem, the reading of which is a common Christmas Eve ritual. The second book, from a favorite author, involves a family’s ritual. On every Christmas eve, this generous family ventures into the dark woods. 

Picture Book: ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas

Author: Glenys Nellist

Illustrator: Elena Selivanova

Summary: In the tradition of Clement C. Moore’s poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Glenys Nellist has written verses that capture the beauty and power of Jesus’ birth.  

Below is just a sample with a few of my favorite illustrations: 

'Twas the evening of Christmas, when all through the town, 

Every inn was so crowded, no room could be found.

Tired Mary and Joseph, who went door to door,

At last found a place on a small stable floor. 

The pigeons were nestled all snug in their beds, 

While visions of breadcrumbs danced 'round in their heads.

The cows closed their eyes, and the oxen laid down;

The doves cooed so gently; the lambs made no sound. 

And out in their fields taking care of their sheep, 
Some shepherds were just getting ready to sleep.
When all of a sudden, they had such a fright, 
As a whole choir of angels lit up the night. 

 And to that small stable came three splendid kings
With gifts for the baby - all beautiful things. 
They jumped from their camels and knelt at his feet 
With their frankincense, gold, and myrrh that smelled sweet. 

The stable was filled with a wonderful light
As stars above Bethlehem twinkled so bright.
And high in the heavens, God whispered, "My Son,
You'll bring hope to the world and love everyone." 

As Mary laid Jesus, asleep in the hay, 
She thought of all that had happened that day. 
The mice heard her whisper, as she tucked him in tight, 
"Merry Christmas, my son, and to all a good night."

Hanna’s Comments: If you love the secular Clement Moore poem as much as I do, you'll also love this sacred poem. Here you have the story that is truly the reason for Christmas. Why not read both poems to your family at home or your family of faith at church? They will love the connections and just might create a new Christmas Eve ritual.

Original Publisher & Date: Zonderkidz, 2017

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: The Nativity stories are told in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book at a Christmas eve worship service or at home before nestling all snug in your beds for a long winter's night.

Picture Book: Night Tree

Author: Eve Bunting   

Illustrator: Ted Rand

Summary: You’ll find yourself wishing you were in the car with this family and not quite sure what they are up to on a Christmas Eve. Wherever they are going, it's obviously a joy-filled family tradition. 

The story is told by the big brother, Luke, who's excited to finally arrive in the quiet woods with all their supplies. A lantern makes sense, but food and a blanket? Off they go! To get a Christmas tree? Not quite. 

Surprises make the journey more fun despite the cold dark. 

When they arrive at "our tree," Luke says it has been their tree "forever and ever." Like the children, it has grown. 

Other animals are watching. Luke says there are secrets all around them in the forest. 

This loving family prepares for the work of the evening; everyone wants to play a part. Luke explains that for weeks they've been preparing the popcorn strings and balls of seeds, millet, and honey. They put treats under the tree for animals who don't climb.

Their tree is decorated as a beautiful feast for the forest so they circle it with pride. 

When their own picnic feast is spread, they sit in silence, hoping for creaturely companions. The animals are too shy to come, but this family knows their friends will arrive later. After supper, favorite songs of the season are sung. 

 

The cold and the late hour have them heading to their car, one child worn out, the other child's gaze and thoughts linger.  

Later in bed, Luke is settled in, but his mind isn't on presents. Instead, he thinks of their tree in the woods, made more beautiful and festive with generosity. 

Luke imagines a gathering reminiscent of the peaceful kingdom foretold in the book of Isaiah, singing their own Christmas carols while they enjoy the bounty.

Hanna’s Comments: I wish I had known of this book when my children were young. It might have inspired us to bring Christmas feasts to the many wild animals near our home. Rituals such as these ground children and give them crucial aspects of their identity that serve them all their lives until they are ready to create their own rituals. My summary above doesn't capture Luke's love for the beauty and wildness of his family's chosen sanctuary. If your family loves the wild, this is a book that will enrich your love for God's creation and the beauty of the season. 

Original Publisher & Date: HMH, 1994

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: The Nativity stories are told in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book during a children's Sunday school lesson about the faith aspects of rituals during Advent and throughout the year. Then ask your children to share about their own family rituals.