The Legend of the Christmas Cookie

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION: 

The Legend of the Christmas Cookie tells the story of a young boy named Jack who learns from his generous mother the story behind the Christmas cookie. The family who began the tradition of baking the special cookies gave them to the needy and shared the story of the very first Christmas. This sweet holiday book offers inspiration for readers to become cheerful givers themselves and encourages them to share the true tale of Jesus' birth. A delicious recipe is included on the jacket flap so readers can make their own Christmas sugar cookies.

 

MY THOUGHTS:

The Legend of the Christmas Cookie by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by Richard Cowdrey shares an important message in this upcoming Christmas season. Times are hard, parents have to cut back on extras as wages are low, bills are high, food prices are soaring, and many families have had to tighten their budgets in order to afford necessities in life. Such is the story of Jack, whose father has had to leave the family to travel West to find work so that his family could have money. Jack is upset because they have just found out his father will not be home for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Jack walks into his home to find his mother making cookies...however, the cookies are not for them, they are for the needy in his church, even though Jack and his mother are also very needy. Jack's mother, asks Jack to help her make the cookies and during this process she tells him the story of the first cookies, made in religious shapes that were meant to tell people about the message of the birth of Jesus. On Christmas morning, Jack is happy to see that his mother has given him one of the cookies, shaped like an Angel. However, before he could eat it, there came a knock on the door and there was a stranger who asked for a bite to eat...Jack had to make a decision about his cookie and in doing so found the true meaning of Christmas. 

I will admit the first time I read this story, it struck me as almost cold-hearted. However, as I read it again and reflected on it, it struck me as a faith-filled story about sharing the message of Christmas with those who may not know about it. It is about the self-less act of giving to others in this Christmas season, as there is always someone who has less than you do. My children loved the pictures and after reading it, they began asking if we could make cookies for others this Christmas. It invoked in them a sense of sharing instead of always asking for things. 

Overall, I would recommend this story to be added to your Christmas library. 

DISCLAIMER: I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher Zondervan and their Zonderkidz division in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.