It was last week of October when I got an email from best-selling author Anthony DeStefano, asking if I was willing to look at his newest book, “Little Star.” And with a little reader for a son, I figured a Christmas book should be a good addition to my five year old son’s growing collection of books.
As it turns out, Anthony DeStefano’s Little Star is not your ordinary Christmas Story book for kids. As opposed to all other stories about Christmas for children being told the same way, Little Star is a refreshing change. Not that there is anything wrong with the story we grew up with. It’s basically because the nativity account, this time, is being told from the perspective of the stars. The book was beautifully illustrated by Mark Elloitt, who did a good job at giving life to the characters. My son really got hooked and we were moved as we went along.
I totally get Pat Boone when he said that Little Star is destined to be a classic. Watch Pat Boone in the above video clip as he reads Little Star to the children.
Reading this book again today reminds me of my husband’s preaching last Sunday in church (www.sbcmakati.org). The message was about the star that God used. The message coinciding with the very message of Anthony DeStefano’s book. I was surprised when I listened to him that morning. I even had to ask him if he already read DeStefano’s book. He hasn’t. I was convinced that there is that invaluable lesson in the star that God used.
Last Sunday’s worship service’s message had three points.
- Shine like the star.
- Lead like the star.
- Bring joy like the star.
Matthew 2:1-10
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
We encourage our readers to get hold of this book in time for Christmas. Your children are sure to love it. Our family loves Little Star by Anthony DeStefano! 🙂
