Last year around Christmas time the Lord laid on my heart to write a children’s book about the nativity and teaching the best Christmas story ever told, Jesus’ birth.

The year before last I had bought an unfinished nativity set for our daughter to paint and play with and set out at Christmas time. It took me back to my own childhood of having ceramic sets that were set out but were in the “no touching” zone. For me, I wanted to have something that was allowed to be played with. A tangible way to act out and talk about Jesus’ birth.

Last year when it was time to decorate for Christmas, out came that special set hand-painted nativity set, and the idea for a children’s book, The Nativity Set, was born.

I knew the perfect person I wanted to be part of the illustrations. Mary Evelyn Studio Art. A childhood friend and neighbor turned artist extraordinaire. We began collaborating early on at the beginning of the year and Mary Evelyn took my ideas and creative direction and pushed herself to create something we are both really proud of!

The family in The Nativity Set is based on our family because it was our time acting out the story of Jesus’ birth with our own nativity set is where the idea was born.

However, we have just a little girl here with us. I really wanted the book to have two children, a boy, and a girl, so that every family would find joy in reading The Nativity Set regardless if they have only boys or only girls.

Some of you may know, but we lost a baby a few years ago when, Kerrington, our daughter was just 2.5. (Which is the story behind our “Waiting on the Lord” Bible study)

We hadn’t even told Kerrington about the baby yet, but she told her teachers at Mother’s Day Out that she was getting a baby brother. So we believe the baby that is with Jesus now is a boy, and that is who “Timmie” is inspired by. His name is “Timmie” after my dad’s name, Tim.

As you can see this sweet book has a lot of my heart in it, and I am SO excited to share it you so soon!

I hope you are excited to journey alongside Kerrington and Timmie as their parents intentionally teach them the story of the birth of Jesus, one character at a time, with colorful and engaging illustrations, scriptures and prayer.

What’s even more exciting is that each book will come with its own unfinished nativity set to paint, just like Kerrington and Timmie get in the book!

There will also be an option to buy multiple nativity sets for families who have more than one child so each can have their own to paint!

Who’s excited?! We have been working so hard behind the scenes to bring this sweet book to you!

Make sure you are signed up for our newsletter to know when they arrive in the shop!

In Him, Tamara