A Bellwether Christmas and a Living Nativity

Barb Szyszkiewicz reviews a new novel for children that tells the story of the first living Nativity.

Laurel Guillen's novel, A Bellwether Christmas, takes place in and near Greccio, Italy. Franciscans know this place as the birthplace of the Nativity scene! St. Francis of Assisi organized a living Nativity as a way to teach the people of Greccio about the birth of Christ. In this novel for middle-grade readers (grades 4 and up), a smart and curious lamb named Bart sets some events into motion that allow him to meet St. Francis, participate in the Nativity, and bring about a sweet reunion.

Bellwether Christmas

A Bellwether Christmas is recommended for independent readers or family or classroom read-alouds. This book has terrific woodcut-style illustrations to go with the story, and Bart is quite the unforgettable character!

The tradition of the living Nativity is a longstanding one in my own parish, and since the parish was served by Franciscans for many years, our living Nativity is actually a retelling of the Greccio story. It begins with St. Francis preparing the scene in the stable, then stepping away as the Holy Family enters the stable and is joined by angels, shepherds, and the three Wise Men. Christmas carols alternate with the voice of a narrator to tell the story.

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As I read A Bellwether Christmas, I thought of the many years my own children participated in this tradition, playing the roles of St. Francis, shepherds, Wise Men, and angels. It's our custom to welcome as many children to portray angels and shepherds as want to participate, because "the more the merrier" definitely applies in the angel chorus, and you can't have too many shepherds to honor the Baby Jesus. And for the years when we were unable to secure live animals to participate in our Greccio Nativity, the parish has a fleecy sheep costume for a preschooler to wear. The unforgettable Bart reminded me of my own younger son, who played the sheep at least one year.

A Bellwether Christmas is a sweet story that will give readers young and old alike a new perspective on the Nativity scene they see in their churches and homes.

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