A young girl from Nazareth named Miriam and her best friend, a goat named Naomi, become traveling companions to the village carpenter, Joseph, and his pregnant wife, Mary, as they head to Bethlehem when Joseph is required to be part of a birth count. Miriam is a kind and generous girl who takes great care of her beloved goat and is always thinking of others, and she is excited for the adventure of helping Mary.
On the long and difficult journey, Miriam shows many kindnesses to Mary, often sacrificing her own comfort to make sure the expectant woman is cared for. Her benevolence does not go unnoticed when, on the day Mary gives birth, the girl is praised by an angel who arrives to welcome Jesus, the baby who will grow up to share his like-minded love and compassion with the world.
It is a fresh re-envisioning of what the momentous Christmas journey might have been.
A young girl from Nazareth named Miriam and her best friend, a goat named Naomi, become traveling companions to the village carpenter, Joseph, and his pregnant wife, Mary, as they head to Bethlehem when Joseph is required to be part of a birth count. Miriam is a kind and generous girl who takes great care of her beloved goat and is always thinking of others, and she is excited for the adventure of helping Mary.
On the long and difficult journey, Miriam shows many kindnesses to Mary, often sacrificing her own comfort to make sure the expectant woman is cared for. Her benevolence does not go unnoticed when, on the day Mary gives birth, the girl is praised by an angel who arrives to welcome Jesus, the baby who will grow up to share his like-minded love and compassion with the world.
It is a fresh re-envisioning of what the momentous Christmas journey might have been.
Each year, during Christmastime, people celebrate and retell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Mary, a virgin and soon-to-be mother, and her husband Joseph leave Nazareth and travel to Bethlehem, where they take shelter in a stable because the inn is full. There, Mary gave birth to Jesus and was soon afterward visited by three wise men. Miriam and Naomi: A Christmas Story is a lovely story that has some elements from the famed traditional tale, but adds unique elements such as the inclusion of a young girl, Miriam, and her goat, Naomi. In this rendition, Joseph and Mary take Miriam and Naomi with them to Bethlehem to be "counted." They were to be Mary's aides. Miriam's mom worried for her young child taking this trip, but the child's father had a dream that their child should go. Many religious individuals make life choices based on dreams or visions, so Miriam's father foreseeing his daughter's trip was religiously plausible. She might be young, but she and her goat proved very helpful on the journey, especially when they reached their destination: Bethlehem.
No wise men followed a bright star, leading them to the manager. However, the stars led Joseph, Mary, and Miriam to the outskirts of the city. In this story, the travelers also found no available rooms, so, like the famous religious tale, the innkeeper said they could stay in the stables. In this story, the innkeeper offered to send his sister to assist with the delivery. A beautiful baby was born and placed in a manager, where a biblical visitor visited them. Again, not a wiseman.
The illustrations in Miriam and Naomi: A Christmas Story are truly captivating. Each scene is a visual masterpiece, making readers feel like they are walking alongside the characters through the Jordan River Valley and across the rocky terrain or staring down at the city lights. The city lights were a lovely touch, bringing so much life to the scene. The newborn baby and its visitor, bathed in glowing light, were also quite lovely.
Amazon's suggested reading age for Miriam and Naomi: A Christmas Story is 3-8 years. While some words (ex., Micah's prophecy, Ephrathah, and roused) might need explaining to preschoolers, kids of all ages can love the illustrations. Naomi, the helpful goat, was adorable and quite the show stealer!
Share the joy of the birth of Jesus Christ with your family or class this holiday season! Show how one small child and her beloved goat took great care of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Encourage your kids and class to lend a helping hand to others.