Tracks in the Straw: Tales Spun from the Manger

by Ted Loder

A collection of stories centering on the birth of Jesus.

180 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Olivia Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting study for the advent season. I enjoyed reading from different character perspectives to give more humanity to the Christmas Story. Definitely takes a bit to get into. The one I enjoyed most was the story from Joseph’s perspective. The author leaves you with a good, personal story at the end to make you reflect on how you see Christmas, as simple as it is, in every day moments. The first Christmas was simple - yours can be too.

[Vanessa Siemens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A creative read for Advent. This book consists of 25 sections with different imagines tales from characters that encounter Jesus. It ranges from the perspective of a shepherd to animals in the manger. It's creative and interesting to imagine well known stories from different and new perspectives. I didn't love all the sections but there were a few I really enjoyed.

[Tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a different perspective about Christmas and how that night almost 2000 years ago was like for so many different people and animals. :) The main message is that Jesus sees you, even when others don’t. A very quick read, unless you want to read it for advent. Definitely adding this to my Christmas reads each year!

[Kay Mcgriff · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, this is one of my favorite reads leading up to Christmas.

[Audrey Marcusen McMacken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Christmas (Advent) in July rabbit hole

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ughhh... another selection from the CCS bookclub riddled with bad theology. This one was written by a methodist minster deep into "social justice" according to his bio on the book tab. What is the point of a Catholic spiritual reading bookclub that doesn't read Catholic authors, or at least authors that support Catholic teachings???

I stopped reading around pg. 26 when they are describing Mary in labor pains... it took a few moments to connect the dots but Mary didn't have labor pains! Those were a punishment attached to original sin that were assigned to women in the garden of Eden after the fall of man. Since Mary was conceived without sin and remained sinless during her lifetime, she wouldn't have had labor pains. Such a simple thing, but easily overlooked if you don't have a firm grasp of Catholic teachings. I don't trust myself to find all the errors in this book (and the bookclub seems to study these book as pure truth). Just like historically inaccurate movies, erroneous images and ideas can easily take hold in your memory once you are exposed to them. I don't want bad theology messing with my mind. Books like these are cancer to faithful catholics, unless you have a trusted guide to point out the inaccuracies and theological pitfalls.

I'm really disappointed in the CCS bookclub. I wanted to find a home there, encouragement to read more spiritual works and the comradary of fellow devout & reading Catholics. But it hasn't offered that. And, it isn't doing me any good.

Time to leave. Awkward & disappointing.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great alternative ways of imagining Jesus birth from different accounts - good for youth and adults.