My kids come by a love of reading naturally. I love books and I especially love reading to my children. I really love reading to them. So, what does read-a-loud have to do with a Christ centered home? I think it has a lot to do with it.
Books give us insight and experience without leaving the comfort of our home. When we read together I have a chance to transfer important values in a sweet and enjoyable way, no lectures or preaching, just a story. We read, we cuddle, we talk. There is so much more than just reading going on. We are making connections with each other. Our relationships are strengthened. Connections are taking place in my children's hearts and heads about what is good and right. Books fill my children's hearts and minds with great deeds, ordinary joys and beautiful ideals. When these kinds of things are in their hearts and minds it is natural for them to love light and goodness.
Even books that don't completely align with our values give us an opportunity to learn from their stories. When my children started reading the Percy Jackson series we were able to talk about how infidelity hurts children, the heartache and pain children experience when a father or mother is missing from their life. It was a chance for me teach again the importance of the family. We got to talk about mythology and the desire people have had through the ages to worship something or someone. I could express gratitude for the knowledge we have of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, not petty gods, but loving, just and merciful Gods.
Mormon tells us, "That which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God (Moroni 7:13)." The books we read do just that. They invite and entice my children to do good and to serve God. That is why books are essential to a Christ centered home.
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