First Christmas
By:  Adel Nassief (Illustrator)
Alastair Macdonald (Author)
 ISBN-13: 9781599620558
  published in September 2008 by Welcome Books –New York -USA 


The story of the first Christmas is one of the most beloved of all time. It has been retold in religious text, song, art, poetry, and prose. But now, for the first time, it comes to us from the point of view of Ezekial—Zeke, for short—Joseph’s trusty donkey who helps him with his work as a carpenter, carries Mary to Bethlehem, and is present in the manger for the birth of Jesus. Intended for children and families, The First Christmas is written in anapestic tetrameter—the same modern, upbeat, playful, and rhyming rhythm of “The Night Before Christmas” and much of the poetry of Dr. Seuss.
Artist Adel Nassief has created 21 original Coptic icons to accompany this story. The ancient art tradition of Coptic Christian iconography—founded and based in Egypt—can be traced back to at least the 3rd century AD. Painted with tempura and gold leaf on wood panels, these magnificent works give The First Christmas a timeless quality. Together Alastair Macdonald’s gentle retelling of the story of Christmas and Adel’s Nassief’s rich illustrations will instill in children and adults alike the real wonder of Christmas and make this edition an instant classic.
 
Adel Nassief Illustrator
ADEL NASSIEF is a Coptic Christian artist who works and resides in Alexandria, Egypt. The Christian Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt is one of the oldest Christian churches and has an ancient tradition of decorating churches with icons of stories from the Bible. In this tradition, the icons are said to be “written” rather than painted. Nassief “wrote” these illustrations as traditional Coptic icons using tempura paint and gold leaf on wood tablets. He also paints large murals and mosaics. More of his work can be seen at www.adelnassief.net