B is for Bethlehem

A is for Augustus Illustration by Elisa Kleven

A is for Augustus
Illustration by Elisa Kleven
from B is for Bethlehem: A Christmas Alphabet by Isabel Wilner.

Jesus is coming! And that means it’s time to get out the bathrobes and head scarves and dust off those angel wings. Whether your church stages a well-practiced drama or holds a “come-on-the-day” pageant, Nativity plays are part of a tradition going back to the middle ages. If we don’t get all caught up in the politics of who gets to play Mary, they can be a lot of fun.

Here are two pictures from B is for Bethlehem: A Christmas Alphabet by Isabel Wilner and illustrated by Elisa Kleven–a lovely, imaginative telling of the Christmas story that works well as a pageant script or as a book to share with little people.  V is for Venite, but I won’t reveal what they do for X, Y, and Z.

F is for Flocks

F is for Flocks
Illustration by Elisa Kleven
from B is for Bethlehem: A Christmas Alphabet by Isabel Wilner.

4 comments

  1. MC says:

    Thank you so much for these peaceful words and beautifully illustrated post. I thought “B” might be for Bible Barbies

  2. Steve says:

    Beautiful! I suppose this is only available in print?

  3. elisa kleven says:

    Thank you for featuring my illustrations from B IS FOR BETHLEHEM here! I am happy to say that the book, originally published in 1991 will be re released in a lovely new hardcover format in fall of 2015. I hope to have more specifics on my web site , http://www.elisakleven.com, soon.
    Best wishes,
    Elisa Kleven

    • Awc says:

      So glad to hear it will be available again. It’s one of my favorites. I’ll be on the lookout!