Holiday Traditions: Jotham’s Journey

The story is without question high-adventure featuring wild animals, thieves, kidnappers, and as my 6-year-old commented, “some really bad men.” These may prove too scary for young children as the daily readings often end with Jotham in a precarious situation, but Ryan, who is eight-year-old, is captivated by the story. Every night, he follows my reading with a request for “just one more page.” He was so motivated to read further in the book (read: he was sneaking the book off the shelf ), that I had to hide the book to keep him from reading ahead! Dare I admit that I DID read ahead; I couldn’t hide the book from myself – and I just couldn’t help myself!

The devotions may require further discussion and clarification in order for younger children to fully understand how the message relates to the passage read in the story and/or how it pertains to them as they prepare for Christmas, but they have proven in our family to be a wonderful way to begin to discuss the true reason for the Christmas season, preparing ourselves for Christmas, and living Christmas throughout the whole year with the boys.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our adventures with Jotham this Advent season, and are looking forward to getting to know Bartholomew, who we met briefly in Jotham’s Journey, next year. Next Advent season, I hope to add some additional activities, such as singing a hymn or two, to our celebration each evening, but if not, our Advent season is sure to be meaningful as we work our way through Bartholomew’s Passage.

I am indeed glad that Arnold Ytreeide’s books are back in print and that they were shared with us so enthusiastically, and whole-heartedly recommend them to anyone who is looking to start an Advent tradition with their family.