Last year I had an idea that I’d like to read Jostein Gaarder’s The Christmas Mystery to the children. At the time, I read it myself, but decided to hold off reading it to the kids.
The Christmas Mystery is a charming little story, told through an advent calendar, of a girl (Elisabet) who chases a lamb through a department store and across country. On her travels, she meets various figures from the nativity scene and discovers that they are all travelling across time to Bethlehem and the birth of Christ.
The story is told via a little boy, who is given the Advent calendar by an old shopkeeper and told that it is a magic calendar. When Joachim opens the first door on the calendar, a piece of paper falls out and he discovers the story of Elisabet, and each day her journey unfolds and her meetings with new members of the Nativity.
Anyway, I’ve been reading The Christmas Mystery with Rachel for a couple of days now. Granted, we’re a bit behind and need to catch up by a few days if we’re to finish on the 24th December!
I think she’s liking the story so far, as she’s repeating the tale to Lisa and her aunts. In fact, when she was given an advent calendar as a gift, she was a bit disappointed that a piece of paper didn’t fall out!
I’ve since found out that reading The Christmas Mystery has become a family tradition for some people – one review on Amazon.co.uk said:
Our family started reading The Christmas Mystery about 5 years ago and it is now a very special Advent activity and a way to come together as a family in a busy season. While it is a bit confusing at first- the story moves backward through time and geography-it is so rich and has so many layers that it’s absolutely worth reading.
There are bits that obviously confuse Rachel, but I try and skip these or simplify them as best I can. However, after we read the night’s chapter, I ask her to tell me what happened in the story that night, and then we look at the picture on the next chapter to see what the next tale will be about.
If I remember correctly, the end of the tale moved me the last time I read it, so I’m looking forward to Rachel’s reactions! Anyway, I’ll maybe post a few updates here before Christmas!
I’d like to take full responsibility for bequeathing my books (hereforeto known as the Wooftie Collection) to Rachel’s family.
Gaarder is a genius. I hope she reads the rest when she’s older.
What a nice idea Gerdy. A lot more interactive than going to mass.
Your Wooftie Collection is hit and miss at times, but I can’t fault your selection of Jostein Gaarder novels. I’ve read a few of them so far, but strangely enough not Sophies World. It’s on my list!
I was surfing the web for a presentation of my term paper about Jostein Gaarder and found your site.
And I can’t agree more. Josteins books are fantastic, and I would recommend you “slip in” some other books as she gets older. “The Solitaire Mystery” and “Sophies World” are the best, with “Maya” and “Through a glass, darkly” running up behind them.
Good luck on religiously and spiritually awakening your daughter
SOunds like fun!
Mary, mom to many children and owner of many story books!
“The Christmas Mystery” is a beautiful book -I read it every year and have given it to friends. It would make a lvely film, in a similar format to “The Polar Express”. Thank you Jostein for a beautiful story.
We started reading “The Christmas Mystery” as a family each December night starting December of 1996 when I was on sabbatical in England. It has become a special part of our family Christmas each year since then. This is our 12th year, and a bit different since now my oldest son has gone to University. He made it back several days ago and can at least listen to the last week.
You might think that a pair of teenagers wouldn’t be interested, but the book is accessible on so many levels – and to them I think it also represents memories of our family Christmases.
This is a wonderful book.
Stephen Sheppard
Williamstown, Massachusetts
I found this book at the library when my daughter was in grade 1 and we read it together. I loved it so much, I bought a copy for myself and we have been reading it together every Christmas. She is now in grade 4 and my other daughter in grade 1 now joins us for the story each night before bed. It is a favourite in our household!
Audrey McGregor
Burlington, ON
Bought the Christmas Mystery to read over Christmas but have only just got round to it.Once started i couldnt put it down it is wonderful.First i thought i would give it to my mum and then i think i shall buy copies as early christmas gifts next year for my own children to be read to their children.I loved it many thanks.