Jotham’s Journey Advent Stories

Do you know about the Jotham’s Journey advent stories? Yes, it is time to plan for advent season! I definitely wanted to be sure you knew about a series of read alouds we always enjoy during the Christmas season. Because Advent begins in just about a month! And because this fantastic series blesses us each and every year!

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What are the Jotham’s Journey Advent Stories?

This advent series of books by Arnold Ytreeide includes Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage and Tabitha’s Travels. Plus, just two years ago, the newest book in the series was introduced. Ishtar’s Odyssey. Many homeschooling families enjoy these but I’m still surprised that there are a few that don’t know about them. Our whole family participates. Hodgepodgedad reads the few pages before the children’s bedtime, starting the first Sunday of Advent. How quickly the children all get bathed and pj’d so we can all gather around and read Jotham’s Journey or another in this series.

It is the element of suspense that get our children and makes them beg to read another chapter. The author brings the Biblical setting to life – pulling together all the elements, the characters, the joy of Christ’s birth!

Leaning in close to listen to one of the final nights of Jotham’s Journey.

Special Note: we believe the story is for families with children of all ages, we do need to caution you that Jesus was not born into a sinless world. There are some quite suspenseful scenes. So, as the author cautions parents on the Information for Parents page, if you have a sensitive child, you may want to pre-read a chapter and skip over any parts you feel your younger child might be frightened by. Our youngest was five when he joined in the first time. And we find that some of these scenes that might be troubling are wonderful opportunities to discuss how we would handle a similar situation – with a Biblical response. Our experience with these stories has been nothing but positive which is exactly why I am sharing them with you! The children are always begging for at least a preview of the next night – or for another chapter!

Where Can You Find the Jotham’s Journey Advent Stories?

“Jotham’s Journey started it all, Bartholomew’s Passage continues the adventure, and Tabitha’s Travels completes the story. Jotham and his friends will delight your family with their tales of intrigue, suspense and victory every night of Advent as their stories twist and turn and intertwine. Meet Nathan the Fool, Eliakim the wise man, and Salimar the astrologer. Shepherds, thieves, priests and inn keepers — all play vital roles in the lives of these three lost ten-year-olds.”

I am SO thankful that my friend, Little Sanctuary, shared about these advent stories several years ago. We’ve read all four and will complete our second time through this advent season.

We’ve also read and highly recommend Amon’s Adventures for the Easter season.

You might also like these advent resources from the archives:

• Holiday Fun from our review authors
• Charlie and Noel: an Advent Calendar Story
• A Christmas Adventure – Scripture Adventures Review
• Christmas Lessons

“Stir us up, O Lord, to make ready for your only-begotten Son. May we be able to serve you with purity of soul through the coming of him who lives and reigns.” ~ Advent Prayer, Bartholomew’s Passage

Homeschooling for over sixteen years now, Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos with five children. She is author of You ARE an artist art curriculum for all ages, a cookbook series and helpful homeschool habits at Hodgepodge. She and her husband, Steve, are owners of The Curriculum Choice.