The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas, An Austin Family Story

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"After Mr. Irving had left, we opened the day's Christmas cards the way we always do, taking turns, so that each card can be looked at and admired and appreciated.

John remarked, "Some people just rip open their cards in the post office. I bet the kids never see them at all. I'm glad we don't do it that way."

"Everybody's different, John," Mother said. "That's what makes people interesting."

"Well, nobody else I know does something every day during Advent the way we do. What's our Special Thing for today?"

"Oh, I think the holly and the mistletoe's plenty. Start setting the table, Vic. It's nearly time to eat.""

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Madeleine L'Engle

L'Engle authored more than 45 books for all ages, but is best known for the Newbery Medal winner A Wrinkle in Time. She is a significant 20th century author who received 17 honorary doctorate degrees, the Margaret A. Edwards Award for a lifetime contribution of writing for teens, and the National Humanities Medal among many, many other awards and citations.

Joe DeVelasco

DeVelasco, worked as a courtroom sketch artist, regularly illustrated articles and covers for Christianity Today, held drawing workshops at his studio in Chicago as well as worked with the Chicago Tribune.  He illustrated a few books including my favorite - The Singer by Calvin Miller.

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Wonder

The rhythm of growing up is pretty consistent from one generation to the next -- even when the world around us changes human development follows a more or less predictable pattern. The life pictured in this Austin family story is just about as far from children's lives today as the Laura Ingalls Wilder books were from my generation's experiences.  But every child in any given generation or culture must figure out where and how they fit within their world -- it's the wonder of growing up! 

L'Engle wrote a five-novel series, the Austin Family Chronicles with this Christmas story as a prequel; the stories are of their time, but L'Engle's gifted writing still rings current at the heart of the story.

Early chapter book readers, 48 pages. Vicky Austin’s family does one special thing each day of December to prepare for Christmas. This year they’re also preparing for the birth of a new brother or sister, due after the New Year.