Christmas is Full of Unexpected Joy and Truth in Courtney J. Strong's Christmas Book

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Valerie - All right, today we have a special treat. We are revisiting a conversation from the past. Back when we were navigating marriage and parenting, I had the pleasure of chatting with Courtney J. Strong and illustrator Carissa Robertson. They have teamed up on a new Christmas picture book, The Trail of Unexpected Gifts. This book unwraps the wonderful story behind the gifts given at Christmas. Welcome to Bookworthy, Courtney and Carissa!

Courtney - Hi, we're so happy to be here today. Thank you, Valerie.

Carissa - I'm super excited to talk about the book and catch up with you.

Christmas Traditions

Valerie - This is so fun! I was thrilled to see your posts about this book and the project you both have been working on. But before we dive into the book, I want to ask you both about Christmas in your homes. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Courtney - One of our favorite traditions is when we officially start the Christmas season. There are some people in our household who aren't fans of Christmas music year-round, but I could listen to it all the time! So, we have a set date to kick off the festivities. That date is when we gather our gifts for Operation Christmas Child and drop them off. That’s when we agree to start playing Christmas music, watching movies, and baking goodies. It’s a fun day for us!

Valerie - That sounds so fun! We’ve participated in Operation Christmas Child for many years, and we have a strict no Christmas music rule until after Thanksgiving. I like your approach because that drop-off usually happens the week before Thanksgiving. How about you, Carissa?

Carissa - For me, it’s hands down the tradition of making "snowball soup" while decorating our Christmas tree. I started this when my kids were little, and it has become a big deal for them. It’s basically chicken dumpling soup, but instead of noodles or dumplings, I use biscuit dough, so it looks like snowballs floating in it.

They love it so much that they ask for it throughout the year, but I remind them it’s only for when we decorate the tree. It’s a simple soup, but the tradition makes it special.

Valerie - That sounds delicious! Now, Courtney, tell us a little about your book.

Courtney - The Trail of Unexpected Gifts started with a thought about a child who really wants something for Christmas. I envisioned the parents wanting to give it, but knowing it would be a sacrifice. I wanted to illustrate what that decision looks like. The Lord impressed upon my heart that I wanted families to imagine the moment when the Trinity decided to give the ultimate gift, knowing all the sacrifices involved. I aimed to help people visualize this beautiful story, showing that the present with their name on it came at a great cost but was given with love.

Valerie - That is so sweet! I love how you’ve woven the gospel into Christmas in a fresh way. We often hear about Jesus being born, but it’s important to remember that He came fully aware of what was to come. That’s part of the gift too. Now, Carissa, what was it like illustrating this book?

Carissa - I learned a lot! I told Courtney from the start that I didn’t usually draw people, but God pushed me to stretch my skills. I was proud of myself by the end. It took more work than I anticipated, and I was surprised by how much editing was involved. I realized that getting the words and grammar right was crucial. It was a fun challenge that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Illustrating a children's book has been a dream of mine for years, so this was the perfect opportunity.

Valerie - That’s wonderful! I’ve always known you were talented. It’s great to see you using your skills for children. Illustrations in a children's book are just as important as the words, as they can convey so much more.

Heart Behind the Proceeds

Valerie - Can you share a bit about your heart behind the proceeds from this book?

Carissa - Yes! All the royalties go straight to Vision Rescue. They’ve been around for 20 years, focusing on helping children in the slums of India. Their goal is to get kids off the streets and into education. It takes a lot of resources to feed and educate these children and to prevent trafficking, which is a significant issue in India. We’ve been involved with this nonprofit for about seven years, and it’s a ministry close to our hearts.

Valerie - You’ve been involved with that mission for a long time. What drew you to this particular ministry, Carissa?

Carissa - Honestly, God put it in our path. We faced some significant challenges in our lives that made us reevaluate our priorities. We wanted to make a kingdom impact, and Vision Rescue was right in front of us. We fell in love with the people and culture, and we’ve been going to India two or three times a year for many years, sharing the love of Jesus while meeting physical needs.

Valerie - That’s so true. Building relationships and addressing emotional needs is often the first step before addressing spiritual needs. Now, Courtney, what do your kids think about this book?

Courtney - They have been very involved in the process! They helped with editing and provided valuable feedback. I initially wrote the story without knowing the names of the children, but then I realized I should name them after characters from stories I used to tell them. So, I named them Ralph and Mallory, which made it even more special.

Valerie - That’s such a sweet connection! How about you, Carissa? What do your kids think?

Carissa - My younger ones paid more attention to the book, while my older ones were more focused on the illustrations. They had opinions about the details, like hair color and clothing. It was interesting to see how involved they were in the process.

Valerie - Kids are great at giving feedback! Now, when did you decide to team up for this book?

Courtney - I reached out to Carissa a couple of years ago with the idea. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I knew she would be a wonderful partner. I wanted to create something that aligned with God’s heart and would bring joy to families.

Valerie - And that’s happening this Christmas! So exciting! Courtney, this isn’t your first book. Can you tell us about your other book,Preoccupied with Promise?*

Courtney - Sure! My first book, Preoccupied with Promise, is a six-week Bible study for women. It focuses on how we can be preoccupied with God’s promises instead of the world’s problems. It’s been rewarding to see women grow through this journey.

Valerie - The story of the woman at the well is so relatable. Now, did you always want to be an author?

Courtney - Yes! Writing has always been a passion of mine. I remember enjoying creative writing classes and writing stories with my cousins. It’s been a lifelong dream.

Valerie - That’s wonderful! How about you, Carissa? When did you start drawing and painting?

Carissa - I started young, probably like Courtney. I painted murals in high school and always had art projects going on. After having kids, I put it aside for a while, but a friend inspired me to pick it up again about ten years ago. Since then, I’ve been painting and working on various projects.

Valerie - That’s great! Do you have a favorite children's book other than your own?

Carissa - Honestly, I haven’t thought about that in a while. My kids have moved on to chapter books. But I remember reading a lot of Bible story books to them.

Courtney - I love Finding Winnie. It tells the story of how Winnie the Pooh came to be, and I appreciate the blend of fiction and history.

Valerie - That’s a favorite around here too! It’s fascinating to see how characters we love have real-life connections.

Courtney - Yes! And I love how it ends with the idea of new beginnings and seasons of life.

Valerie - Carissa, have you thought of any favorite books?

Carissa - I keep thinking of books but can’t recall their titles. One that pops into my mind is Count on Golf. My kids loved that book, and we read it every day until the pages fell out!

Valerie - It’s funny how certain books stick with kids. Ladies, I’ve loved this conversation! Courtney, do you have any other books on the horizon?

Courtney - Not at the moment. I want to focus on spending time with my family after this book launches. My kids have ideas for future projects, so we’ll see what comes next!

Valerie - How about you, Carissa? Do you think you’ll take on more projects?

Carissa - Yes! I’m definitely interested in illustrating more books. Each project teaches me something new, and I’m excited to explore different forms of art.

Valerie - It’s been a pleasure to chat with you both. Where can people find out about your books?

Courtney - We’ll keep everyone updated on social media. You can follow Courtney J Strong for all the latest news!

Valerie - Thank you, ladies, for joining me today!

Carissa - Thank you!

Courtney - Thank you! This was great.

Valerie - And thank you for joining us on this episode of the Bookworthy podcast. Check the show notes for any books or links we discussed, and let us know in the comments what your favorite Christmas tradition is.

Happy reading!