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Christmas Mystery
Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder
26 posts | 13 read | 14 to read
THE CHRISTMAS MYSTERY transcends all barriers. We all love a beadtime story and here we have a philosophical meditation wrapped in the simple clothes of a journey across Europe to Bethlehem. The qualities of wonder and enquiry that readers loved in SOPHIE'S WORLD are as strong as ever in this beautiful and mysterious story. This has a metaphysical matrix that brings in God and doctrine in a way that will appeals to believers and non-believers alike. A boy called Joachim acquires a strange old Advent calender - and uncovers from it the story of a girl called Elisabet, who disappeared from her home fifty years earlier. Elisabet has been taken back through time and right across Europe to Palestine, to see the Holy Family in Bethlehem. Two thousand years of history flash by, and angels, shepherds and wise men join her on her joyful pilgrimage. It is Joachim who, through the Advent calendar, makes it possible for her to come home.
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Emilymdxn
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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For day 1 of #decemberdreams I thought I‘d do a book that‘s all about a magical #advent calendar! I love everything about jostein gaardner and this one is so so gorgeous, everything magic I love about Christmas.

#wintergames @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Well done 👌🏼🩵📚 12mo
rwmg I've gotten into the habit of reading this every 2 or 3 years or so as an advent calendar book, one chapter per day 12mo
30 likes2 comments
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batsy
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Pickpick

I bought this when it was published, which the book & the price tag stuck on the back tell me was 1996! I read it then & remember liking it a lot. This month I've been craving fluffy, undemanding reads & was happy to find it this on my shelf. There's something old-fashioned about Gaarder's children books but in a good way. It's about the meaning of Christmas, but it's also about the magic, mystery, & miracle of the diversity of humanity & beliefs.

Nute Sounds like a perfect read for these times and this season. Frequently, of late, my brain has been desiring undemanding reads serving as a sort of balm to help get through the stresses of current everyday living. So happy that you found a book close at hand on your bookshelf.😊 4y
batsy @Nute A balm is right! That's exactly what I need from my reading currently. And thank you, it is lovely to "shop" in one's own book collection sometimes ?❤️ 4y
Lindy I‘m glad you‘ve hit on the balm you need. My comfort reading at the moment is popular science. Maybe it‘s because science has a degree of certainty to it. 🤷 4y
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Cathythoughts So glad you found solace ❤️ 4y
annamatopoetry love this one, read it as a calendar book for a bunch of years, but haven't gotten around this year. 4y
batsy @Lindy That makes sense! When lockdown first started and the pandemic was "new" to us in a sense, back in March, I actually found this weirdly comforting. It set parameters for what could happen, in a way, that was better than not knowing 4y
batsy @Cathythoughts Thank you, Cathy ❤️ 4y
batsy @annamatopoetry I meant to read it the same, but couldn't limit myself to a chapter a day :) It was lovely as my "night book" to dip into before bed. 4y
Lindy I‘ve checked and Spillover is in my public library‘s collection. There are 2 copies and 14 holds ahead of me, but I will get my turn eventually. Thanks for the recommendation. 4y
annamatopoetry have you read The Solitaire Mystery? Same author, same age target, one of my absolute favorites, as a kid and ever. 4y
86 likes10 comments
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Emilymdxn
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Pickpick

My first holiday read of the #wintergames2020 finished! This was, like all Gaardner books, wonderfully mysterious, strange and heartwarming. A boy finds a strange homemade advent calendar which tells part of a story every day and leads to answers about woman who went missing decades before. Highly recommend!

#merryreaders @Clwojick +26

TheSpineView I see a poetry book!❤📘 4y
rwmg I'm reading it a chapter a day. 4y
58 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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rwmg
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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A little boy buys a magic Advent calendar. Each day he opens a window to find a picture and a message. I read it 10 years ago and am re-reading it one chapter a day as if the book were an Advent calendar itself.

#mycover

batsy I'm doing the same this month! I read it when the English translation was newly published so it's been awhile. 4y
rwmg @batsy 😎🤜👍 4y
11 likes1 stack add2 comments
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monalyisha
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Is this your adorable baby?

Welp, this is a first. I received a Christmas card in the mail today, addressed only to me & not to my husband... & I have no idea who it‘s from. 😆😅

My only thought is: maybe it‘s a Litsy friend who I know first by handle? I‘m genuinely stumped — but happy someone thought to send me festive blessings? 🎄❄️🤷‍♀️

Avanders Lol! Yeah that's my baby 😁 Good eye @jmofo ! ☺️ 6y
monalyisha @Avanders THANK YOU! Omg. I thought I was losing my mind. 😂😂😂 You have restored my sanity for Christmas (granted, you may have been at least partially responsible for my temporary madness — but hey). Merry Christmas!!! 🎁🎄💖 6y
Avanders @monalyisha Merry Christmas! 🤗🎄♥️ 6y
73 likes4 comments
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hilded
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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My pick for #AdventRecommends for day 3 is very fitting for the season. It‘s a lovely advent calendar book, where there is one story each day leading up to Christmas 🎄

The #audio version is also beautiful, with a nice soundtrack starting and ending each chapter. This book never fails to get me in the Christmas spirit 🤩

#Favourites
#Seasonreadings

bookcollecter I've read #SophiesWorld and #ThroughAGlassDarkly which is a beautiful, yet sad tale that is at Christmas time as well 6y
hilded I haven‘t read the latter, so will definitely get to that. Thanks :) @bookcollecter 6y
AnneCecilie Love this one. This has for the last years been my Christmas book, switching it up this year. 6y
hilded Enig, den er herlig 🤩 @AnneCecilie 6y
31 likes1 stack add4 comments
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rachaich
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Pickpick

Ah I loved it. Perfect reading for an entire family :)

15 likes1 stack add
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rachaich
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Oh how I'm adoring this book.
It's absolutely wonderful.
I think it'd be ace read aloud to some older children throughout the advent season :) :)

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rachaich
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Hmm. Is it too early for this?

BarbaraBB No it‘s not 🎄💕. I used to love Gaarder 6y
15 likes1 comment
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rwmg
Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder

To all those celebrating the birth of the Christ child, a very merry Christmas, and a kewl Yule to those who aren't

VioletBramble Thanks Robert. Happy Holidays!! 7y
kwmg40 Merry Christmas to you too! 7y
3 likes2 comments
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annamatopoetry
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Merry Christmas!

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DivaDiane
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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This is the only Christmassy book I own, besides A Christmas Carol. I haven‘t read it. Every year, I remember sonewhat belatedly that I have it and then I thin, “but I have so many other books I want to read!

Anyone read it?

#TisTheSeason #ReindeerReads @Jess7

hilded Yes, it‘s beautiful with one story of each day leading up to Christmas. A perfect advent book for the whole family 🎄 6y
hilded Sorry, I just noticed this was a one-year old post, lol 😂 Still a nice book. 6y
DivaDiane @hilded No worries! You effectively reminded me of this book! 6y
hilded 👍 6y
60 likes4 comments
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eraderneely
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Day 4: Is this too on-the-nose for #setinwinter ?
#decktheshelves

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HannaPolkadots
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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#seasonsreadings2017 day 3: #onlyatchristmas. There are so many things, but reading Jostein Gaarder's The Christmas Mystery is one of my favorite ways of counting down to Dec. 24th ❤❤❤ @Reallifereading

TrishB Lovely pic 👍🏻 7y
Godmotherx5 I love the flower in the teapot. I might steal that idea. 7y
HannaPolkadots Steal it @Godmotherx5 ! 😁 7y
Godmotherx5 Thank you ☺️ 7y
25 likes4 comments
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AnneCecilie
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Pickpick

This is my bookish calendar counting down to Christmas. I have read this book at least three times.

Every chapter is a day in December and it tells the story of Joakim who come across a special calendar in the bookstore.

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annamatopoetry
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Of all my #christmassyreads, I think The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder is the most christmassy. It's a calender book, with twenty-four chapters and a story within the story, about Joachim and his magic advent calender, and Elisabeth who follows the little lamb...
Other christmassy reads include Through A Glass, Darkly, also by Gaarder (they both feature an angel called Yriel. Hmm) & Christmas In Noisy Village (Astrid Lindgren).

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RinaBrahmbhattBarot
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Pickpick

I'm sure this same sentence can be applied to many other religions! #17thDayofAdventCalendar #BookSwap.
Really enjoying this book. One chapter per day :)

That-Bookish-Hiker So true! 8y
melbeautyandbooks So true! 8y
101 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Ange44
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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My current chapter in this nice little Christmas Story.

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Ange44
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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With only two weeks to go, it's time for a Christmas book! I love Jostein Gaarder but I haven't read this one yet. Now is the perfect time.

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RinaBrahmbhattBarot
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Pickpick

I ❤️ this book. This is my 📚 Advent calendar..so many times I just want to read ahead but i am keeping the mystery going till 24th Dec

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BookswithTea
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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I've had this book forever, but haven't read it! Seems like a good time to start. 🎄📚

14 likes1 stack add
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Sapphire
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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History is like a big pile of pancakes where each pancake is a new map of the world.

MyNamesParadise Omg now im craving pancakes. 8y
33 likes2 comments
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Sapphire
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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Joachim knew that Jesus loved everyone, but in his dream he had been fond of chocolate too.

Zelma I haven't read this one yet, but I absolutely love A Solitaire Mystery. 😍 8y
Sapphire @Zelma I adored Sophie's World and have Maya on my tbr. This is an amazing author. I don't know if he uses the same translator all the time. This is an easy read. 8y
26 likes2 comments
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RinaBrahmbhattBarot
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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#Christmas #AmReading #BookSwap #1stDecember #BookventCalendar. This is a great 📚, Thanks to my BookSwap club I found Jostein Gadder (now one of my fav author).

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Sapphire
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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I am finishing one print and one kindle book this weekend. Looking forward to my December TBR, with some Christmas titles too (thanks to this group).

christineandbooks I have The Husband's Secret on my stack too... and my kids love The Greenglass House and keep telling me I should read it... 8y
Bloomingjen The Greenglass House looks interesting. I must investigate. 8y
40 likes2 comments
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RinaBrahmbhattBarot
The Christmas Mystery | Jostein Gaarder, Elizabeth Rokkan
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I'm starting to read my #Christmas list. Do you make #Festive #ReadingList. If you do, please share it here. #AmReading #BookSwap #BookReviews #BookGiveAways coming soon :) 🎁🎁🎁📚📚📚

Sapphire I have not read this book, but love this author. 8y
RinaBrahmbhattBarot @Sapphire snap! Me too. He's amazing - I was in love with Sophie's World. Amazing book. Thanks to my #BookSwap I came to know about his books :) 8y
BibliophileMomma I love reading Christmas books during December. 8y
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Sapphire @MyBookSwapClub ; just ordered this from Powells along with the lemony snicker Christmas book: the Latke that would not screaming. So Apparently I will be reading children's Christmas books in December this year! 8y
RinaBrahmbhattBarot @Tiffness83 same here! Gets you into festive spirit :) 8y
RinaBrahmbhattBarot @Sapphire 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 The Christmas Mystery book, explains each day of Christmas - so you can read one chapter starting from 1st Dec. 8y
55 likes4 stack adds6 comments