Series
Children
Christopher & Christina Meet the Nativity: A Baby in a Manger (Christopher & Christina’s Time Machine Book 36)
Step Into the Greatest Story Ever Told!
What if you could travel through time and witness the very first Christmas?
Join Christopher and Christina as Grandpa Theo's magical time machine carries them back to Bethlehem, where they discover the humble stable, the newborn baby Jesus, Mary, the shepherds, and the Wise Men.
About This Book
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Under a brilliant guiding star, the children experience the wonder of the Nativity firsthand. They hear how angels announced the Savior’s birth to ordinary shepherds and see the Wise Men bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Most importantly, Christopher and Christina discover a beautiful truth they will never forget:
Jesus came for everyone—including you.
Filled with warmth, wonder, faith, and child-friendly storytelling, A Baby in a Manger brings the Christmas story to life while helping young readers connect the Nativity to their own faith.
Inside this book, children will discover:
• The story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem
• Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the Wise Men
• The angels’ announcement of the Savior’s birth
• The meaning behind the star and the gifts of the Wise Men
• A simple prayer for children
• Thought-provoking questions for family or classroom discussion
• A drawing activity that invites children to imagine themselves at the manger
• Scripture connections to Luke 2 and Matthew 2
Perfect for Christmas reading, Christian families, Sunday school, children’s ministry, homeschool lessons, and bedtime devotionals, this story encourages children to remember that the message of Christmas is personal:
Jesus came for shepherds. For kings. For YOU.
What is Christopher & Christina Meet the Nativity about?
Grandpa Theo’s time machine carries Christopher and Christina back to Bethlehem to witness the first Christmas under a guiding star. They see Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Jesus in a humble stable, hear the angels announce the Savior’s birth to ordinary shepherds, and learn the meaning of the star and the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought by the Wise Men. The message at the heart of the story is that Jesus came for shepherds, for kings, and for every child reading. The book includes a simple prayer, discussion questions, a drawing activity in which children picture themselves at the manger, and Scripture connections to Luke 2 and Matthew 2.
Who wrote Christopher & Christina Meet the Nativity?
It was written by Alfred Basta, a professor, author, and musician, with co-author Nadine Basta.
What genre is Christopher & Christina Meet the Nativity?
It is a Christian children’s picture book, a short illustrated Christmas story that retells the Nativity through a time-travel adventure and ends with activities for families and classes.
Who is Christopher & Christina Meet the Nativity for?
It is for children and the adults who read with them. The description recommends it for Christmas reading, Christian families, Sunday school, children’s ministry, homeschool lessons, and bedtime devotionals; no age range is stated.
Is Christopher & Christina Meet the Nativity part of a series?
Yes. It is Book 36 of Christopher & Christina’s Time Machine, a series of picture books in which two children visit Bible characters with a time machine. See the series on Amazon.
Where can I buy Christopher & Christina Meet the Nativity?
Christopher & Christina Meet the Nativity is available in paperback and Kindle editions. The paperback ISBN-13 is 979-8175936965 (37 pages, published September 20, 2026).
Amazon (paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) | Indigo (author page)
About the author: Alfred Basta is a professor, author of Ward No. 8 and The Malgrave Letters, and musician as The Bastas Project.
Last updated: October 12, 2026
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