When our children were young, one of our favorite activities leading up to Christmas was reading a story through Advent. Each of the four Sunday nights we lit an Advent candle in anticipation of the coming of the Light of the World (Jesus).

Jotham’s Journey, by Arnold Ytreeide, is one of the four books we read together as a family. The story takes readers from the first Sunday in Advent to Christmas Eve in Bethlehem. As ten-year-old Jotham travels across Israel searching for his family, he encounters robbers, wise men, and inn-keepers – but I don’t want to spoil the story.

Ytreeide provides parents with an opportunity to have spiritual discussions with children about the coming of our Lord Jesus.

If you have children in the elementary grades living at home, why don’t you get a copy of Jotham’s Journey this Advent season and read it with your children. You might enjoy the story as much as they do!

Other Advent books by Arnold Ytreeide include: Bartholomew’s Passage, Tabitha’s Travels, and Ishtar’s Odyssey. For a review of Ishtar’s Odyssey go to https://bookblurbs.org/2018/10/26/ishtars-odyssey-a-family-story-for-advent/

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group

Ytreeide, Arnold. Jotham’s Journey: a Storybook for Advent. Kregel Publications, 2008.