God Gave Us Christmas, by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Lisa Tawn Bergren has written a series of lovely children's books featuring the polar bear family.  Mama and Papa and Grampa Bear teach lessons of life and faith to the little bears.  In Bergren's newest offering, God Gave Us Christmas, Mama Bear and Little Cub leave Papa at home with the baby cubs as they go on a trip to learn the meaning of Christmas.  Mama Bear, in her wisdom, does not disillusion Little Cub about Santa, but makes sure Little Cub knows that God, not Santa, invented Christmas.

Mama Bear takes Little Cub to see God.  They see the northern lights, and the power of glaciers.  But most importantly, they see Joseph and Mary and Jesus, and talk about the real meaning of Christmas.  As Mama Bear says, "Jesus is the best present of all. . . . Jesus is a present for everyone, grumpy or happy, mean or kind.  God gave us all Christmas."

God Gave Us Christmas will delight fans of Bergren's bear family books.  This new one features art by David Hohn, instead of Laura Bryant.  He maintains the style and characters recognizably, but I tend to like Bryant's work better.  Nevertheless, it's a cute story, with pretty pictures, and communicates the real meaning of Christmas in an engaging way.