Book Review

Faith 1 Minute

The Spider Who Saved Christmas by Raymond Arroyo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“All are here for a reason,” the Blessed Mother Mary tells Joseph to “let it be” when he is about to kill the spider Nephila (Greek for “fond of spinning”) when they enter a cave on the flight from Herod’s soldiers. This beautifully illustrated and heartfelt retelling of a Christmas legend is an instant classic for the holiday bookshelves.
I first encounted this legend in a 1989 book called “The Cobweb Christmas” by Jenny Koralek upon my first Christmas as a public librarian and found the story fascinating. I was pleased when our library purchased Raymond Arroyo’s version and since Christmas holds were through, I sat down to read it this afternoon. Told from the point of view of Nephila, herself trying to protect her unborn spiderlings, it’s an enchanting tale about the value of gifts, no matter how small, and how Christ touches all hearts of all creatures. The portrayal of Saint Joseph is another plus in this retelling. (view spoiler)[ There is a poignant background picture as the Holy Family prepares for bed–that of a soldier killing an infant during the slaughter of the males under two years of age ordered by King Herod. It is muted enough not to disturb little ones being read the story but there to remind us of the horror that happened. (hide spoiler)]
On a side note, if you need a cure for arachnophobia, this beautiful story will calm your fears (and make you think twice before killing that “unwanted” spider in your home).



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Published by Tamara Menninger

Catholic Geek always learning more about the faith, I help out with youth group and R.C.I.A. dismissals, I've been a sacristan for over 7 years. When not at my full-time job, I'm just a geek and small town 50ish fangirl (Once Upon a Time/Rumplestiltskin/Belle/Rumbelle) and post my fan fiction on Archive of Our Own. Since high school in the 1980s I've been working at finishing a complete novel. My current project aims to be a series featuring Scottish private investigator Ian MacLaren who's a bit like a modern Job, and like Job, Ian and me have learned our "days fly faster than a weaver's shuttle." (Job 7:6) I also love animals (and am the current owner of five cats--Merry, Legolas, Beverly, Scarlett and Tiger Lily) and nature (I love to speculate on the stories old trees have seen). I'm also upfront with my battle with depression since being formally diagnosed in 2006. My pseud, Weaver's Grace, is to put God first (as the creator and Divine Weaver of all our stories), then a nod to J.R.R. Tolkien's pray before writing ("to trust in God to guide in the weaving of the tale") with my love for Rumplestiltskin as played by Robert Carlyle on "Once Upon a Time" added in (he started out as a simple Spinner before the whole spinning straw into gold thing and his 7th seven persona was Detective Weaver).

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