I have such exciting news!  My friend Christi just finished (yes hot off the press) her newest book entitled Advent Journey with Mary and Joseph.  She has it available for immediate download and has set up a blog with activities to do with the book.  This project she did with her daughter Gabriela who illustrated the book.  Here is the information on the book:

 “The is a work of historical fiction that recreates the journey Joseph & Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem The book is ideal to be used as a family Advent activity or can be read as a bedtime story. “Mary & Joseph had just finished their early breakfast when they heard a commotion outside their courtyard. Mary recognized ten year old Jarib’s young voice, shrill and angry amidst the cries of a dozen or more bleating goats. They both hurried outside to see what was upsetting him. Jarib’s halug flapped in the breeze as he angrily flung himself about, trying to free himself from the strong grip that a Roman soldier had him in. Jarib glared as the Roman laughed at his futile efforts to free himself. Suddenly, catching sight of Mary’s shocked face, the Roman sheepishly let the boy go… causing him to sprawl in the dusty road…” Learn why the Roman Soldier is there and then join Mary and Joseph as they cross the 80 miles of dessert with its many challenges and dangers.”

Christi is a Mama to 13 and a grandmama to four little ones.  She and her husband Hugo have been married for over 30 years.  They are a beautiful Catholic family we met on the Feast of the Sacred Heart.  They are so lovely!  That same day we met at Church and hit it off so well, they invited us over for dinner at their home and we’ve been friends ever since.  Yes, I did just say we met them at Church and went to their home in the same day.  You know when you meet another Catholic family and you just hit it off and feel like you’ve known each other for always?  It was like that with them!  I was fascinated by their family, it was like an orchestra when I saw them in action.  I ONLY have five kids and most of them are small so it was lovely to see a large family with teenagers and little ones and how they worked together to make a home.  Now this lovely little (well not so little) family has written this great book for their family and offering it for our homes to enjoy.  She is offering only digital editions of the story but in the future hopes to be able to sell printable copies of the story.  If you are looking for authentic Catholic stories to share with your family this Advent, this is the book for you!


Many Blessings,
Mama Erika

About the Author: Christi L Gareis