Jesus Storybook Bible advent ideas and giveaway

Have you noticed how Christmas is coming before Thanksgiving this year?

Trees are up. Next to pumpkins. Should we put up some kind of pumpkin turkey thanksgiving tree?

BUT, then again, you could say it’s Christmas all year long because God’s love doesn’t just come to us at Christmas. He’s loving us all day all year always… So anyway, I don’t mind. I love Christmas! I love Thanksgiving! I love holidays!

OK. So I don’t know if you ever noticed this, but in case (like me) you hadn’t — (I know. I wrote it. But that’s the way with stories. They’re in charge. Not you.) Anyway, if you’ve read THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE (or THE STORY OF GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU) there are precisely 24 stories leading up to the birth of Jesus in the narrative.

Jesus Storybook Bible Christmas

So?

Well. December has 24 days leading up to Christmas day.

Yes and…?

So you can read a story a day for Advent. (Advent, that beautiful time waiting for coming of someone we’ve been waiting for — that quiet season leading up to Christmas day.)

(How perfect! Almost as if it was planned. Except it wasn’t. At least, not by me.)

It’s like in an advent calendar, where you open a window a day and get chocolate, you can read a story a day (but in the interests of full disclosure, there is no chocolate.) (Sorry. But there IS a fab giveaway of my signed books — keep reading!)

Jesus Storybook Bible advent reading

I only realized this about the 24 stories when I heard from readers and families about how they were reading a chapter a day from THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE starting December 1st — reading through all the Old Testament stories, each story pointing to the rescuer, the prince, the light, the little baby who would come, the one all the world is waiting for and arriving at the story of Jesus’ birth right on Christmas day.

And then last year, FaithGateway shared a great resource and I’m excited that they’re offering it again this year — a FREE Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Printable and Reading Plan.

JSB-Advent-Freemium-400x400

And I’ve seen lots of other ideas popping up too—on Twitter and Facebook and everywhere!— and I wanted to share those with you too.

Jesus Storybook Bible advent celebration ideas and free printable downloads:

Want us to add your link to this JSB advent roundup? Leave a note in the comments!

BUT WAIT! Don’t go yet! I haven’t even got to the giveaway bit yet! That’s right! Enter the contest below and you could win a Sally Lloyd-Jones prize pack including…

… all autographed actually on the very book by Sally Lloyd-Jones! Oh yes, that’s me!

Sally Lloyd-Jones Book Collection

Enter the fancy giveaway here and get all sorts of extra entries for sharing with your friends (and other people who aren’t your friends too).

SLJ Prize Pack Giveaway

A friendly website competition disclaimer: All entrants will be added to the Sally Lloyd-Jones Infrequent Newsletter email list, from which you may unsubscribe at any time.

Thank you for stopping by, happy advent, happy eager anticipation, happy thanksgiving, happy Christmas!

-SLJ.

121 Responses to “Jesus Storybook Bible advent ideas and giveaway”

    • Jo Ann Triplett

      I’ve never read any of your books but God brought me to the devotional which lead to this contest for a reason. I am in a spiritual growing season with my family and God is so good! My children are hungry for God and we are doing our best to read and use teachable moments every chance we get. I would love to be able to share these books with them to help feed their hunger. Thank you for allowing God to use your gifts for His glory!

      Reply
  2. Alisha

    I absolutely LOVE your books! It is my goal to have all of the books you’re giving away in this blog. My son and I have read The Jesus Storybook Bible probably 3-5 times! It’a easy, comprehensible, and the illustrations are spectacular!
    Thank you!

    Reply
  6. tanya johnson

    this past summer i was working at a christian summer camp and one of my cabiners came to camp with the Jesus story book bible. They were so excited when i read it to them before bed. I found it so clear and able to understand, Ive always had trouble understanding the bible stories but reading this bible was eye opening. i looked forward to reading it every night just as much or even more than the children. i would really recommend it not only for young children but adults too.

    Reply
  7. Jamie Patrick

    My girls and I love the Jesus Storybook Bible, and have used it for Advent for the last couple of years .

    Reply
  9. Dawn S

    Reading through JSB for Advent is my favorite Christmas tradition personally and as a mom! The stories overwhelm me with God’s love for us all.

    Reply
  10. Lou Ann Brown

    As we pause to give thanks, I am thankful for you and how you have communicating Biblical truths in ways that toddlers through adults can grasp and see the redemption story. I look forward to using the free Advent reading posted.

    This is a wonderful give away! Happy Thanksgiving.

    Reply
  11. Sarah Henderson

    Kids Holy Yoga (Christ-centered yoga) will be posting a pose or movement to correspond with the daily story. We believe that our bodies can be part of our worship of Jesus-we want to love Him heart, mind, soul & strength! Follow along on Instagram @kidsholyyoga (https://instagram.com/kidsholyyoga/) or on Facebook at Kids Holy Yoga. Thank you! We are so blessed by your work!

    Reply
  13. Michelle U

    Hoping to get my mom The Story of God’s Love for You for Christmas. Perfect gift to for new believers (without insulting them by giving them a kids book!)

    Reply
  15. Lisa

    My kids love the Storybook Bible; even just this morning before school they wanted me to read a story from there! Children’s bibles are not all that common where we live in rural Mexico, so we’re ordering a several more in Spanish to give away this Christmas!

    Reply
  18. Lisa

    Last year a close friend and coworker got laid off. Shortly thereafter, I heard Sally read aloud from Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing, which inspired me to promptly buy it for that friend. I really want to win it for myself now.

    Reply
  19. Linda

    My husband is a pastor & we give The Jesus Storybook Bible away to the children in our lives! It’s the best one I’ve ever read (and that’s alot)!

    Reply
  20. mangomumma

    Oh how I would love to win these wonderful books. I just found out about them a week ago and have been scouring the internet to get one at a good price. I love how you speak right to the heart of a child. It’s like you deliver the words like a real life play. Thanks for sharing your beautiful heart for Jesus in word, for children and us adults who are still children at heart. What a ministry! Gods sweetest blessings to you and yours.

    Reply
  22. Guille

    Sally, we are very blessed by your gift of painting with your words the beauty of the gospel and sharing it, not only to our children, but also to us, the parents!

    We pray for your ministry and your projects! (we also pray for more of your books in Spanish!)

    Grace and peace,
    Guille

    Reply
  25. hepzibah

    Ever since we got the Jesus story bible it is Sooo much loved by our 3 little boys n us.we have read it to them several times but they just want more of it. I wish we had it in our language !! We have been thinking n praying to do something to get it in our language..it will b such a blessing to millions of ppl in India! We would Love get more books of yours.Thankyou sally !

    Reply
  26. Indy

    I have ten months-old twins and The first gift I bought to them was the JSB. I started reading it to them when they were two months-old and they really like those moments.

    Reply
  27. Sara

    So looking forward to focusing on what Christmas is really about with my girls! Love the Jesus Story Book Bible and so do my girls!!

    Reply
  28. A.J.

    Wow, wow, wow! Not only can I (possibly) win The Jesus Storybook Bible DELUXE edition, but also get three other amazing books plus a poster, with the collection autographed by Sally Lloyd-Jones? AUTOGRAPHED BY SALLY LLOYD-JONES!!! Awesome.

    Reply
  29. Christy Brown

    The JSB has been such life to our family – there were times it was my main Bible as an adult because it was so simple and powerful bringing Jesus to light from Genesis to Revelation. Thank you for such a gift to so many!

    Reply
  32. Vicki Miller

    We love the JSB! We’ve actually read through it several times, and I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t realize about the 24 stories leading up to the birth of Christ story. So now I have an Advent plan ☺️ Thank you for sharing your gift of words with us Sally!

    Reply
  33. Susanna

    I just gave away my Jesus Storybook Bible, and would love to have another to keep (or share)!

    Reply
  35. jenn h.

    would love to gift a few of your books to my niece and nephew for Christmas… and keep a few to myself 😉 this year, I’m thankful for “family” away from family and a God who truly sees us. happy thanksgiving y’all!

    Reply
  40. Kaitlin Simmons

    We LOVE The Jesus Storybook Bible! I actually got one on my own (without any kiddos) and read many nights. Then, once we found out we were having a little girl – we began reading it to her. We are so thankful for such a great book that points all back to Jesus!

    Reply
  41. Jen

    We lent one cd from our set years ago and have yet to replace it now that my boys are old enough to appreciate the stories My favorite Jesus Storybook Bible testimony was from my labor and delivery nurse who said her special needs teenager had been able to grasp so many of God’s truths in the Bible through the easy to understand format!

    Reply
  43. Erin

    I am so thankful for my little family. I have a wonderful husband that works hard for his family and two sweet daughters that at one time we didn’t think we could ever have. God has blessed us so very much!

    Reply
  44. Kasie

    We absolutely love the Jesus Storybook Bible. We give them as baby shower and Birthday gifts as well.

    Reply
  45. Lindy Glass

    Hands down my favorite book to give people who are looking to understand more about the faithfulness of God throughout the Old and New Testament! I love how every story points to Jesus’ great rescue!

    Reply
  46. Amy

    We LOVE the Jesus Storybook Bible! I’m a preschool director, and we use it weekly in chapel, and my own kids love to hear the stories as well.

    Reply
  47. Krystal

    We LOVE The Jesus storybook Bible, even my husband and I keep listening to the audio book long after the kid fall asleep.

    Reply
  48. Renee

    My family has truly been blessed through our time spent reading the Children’s Storybook Bible. I regularly give it as a shower gift or child’s birthday gift. And not only is it is engaging for children, but parents alike will find it delightful in it’s simple style and whimsical artwork… revealing Christ from the very start!

    Reply
  53. Erin B

    We’re truly in love with the JSB. Not only is it our favorite, but it’s a favorite gift to give. A friend said it right when we were asking for Bible recommendations for our preschooler: “My kids love this. They told me we had to buy it. And I wondered why I had to buy another Bible. How different could it be. But it is!”

    Reply
  55. Pam M

    So thankful to have both sets of Grandparents in town for the week. Has not happened in 13 years.

    Reply
  57. Caitlin

    We love your storybook bible so much, we gave them out to all our VBS kids at our church plant in NYC. I’m making felt ornaments for our Jesse tree to go along with the advent readings. We would love to get to read your other books!

    Reply
  61. MJ

    My grandson and I have read it cover to cover 3 times. The stories still teach my heart. I always want to share with my ladies Bible Study group. God has blessed us through this book.

    Reply
  62. Tammi

    My daughter and I really enjoy reading “The Jesus Storybook Bible.”
    I love how it reveals how each story in the old testament points to Jesus.

    Reply
  63. Ndanilyuk

    Looking forward reading again the storybook as advent prep towards Christmas with my daughter. So thankful for this resource!

    Reply
  64. Morgan Ham

    I’ve begun using “Thought to Make Your Heart Sing” as MY morning devotional, when I only have a couple of minutes before my littles begin to need all my attention. It always sets my heart straight before another disorienting day begins!

    Reply
  65. Elizabeth Ratledge

    The Jesus Storybook is our “go-to” book for both Advent and Lent. As a matter of fact, two years ago I was reading through the Bible in chronological order. By the time Lent came around, I was in some pretty dark parts of the Old Testament. It was reading through The Jesus Storybook with my three kids that helped me keep going and not fall into despair. It does such a beautiful job of pointing us to Christ and the hope that is in Him. We love Sally’s other books too. 🙂

    Reply
  66. Lisa Landy

    I love how the Jesus Storybook Bible has the focus of all of the old testament stories on the coming of the baby Jesus. I can’t wait to use this as the basis of our Jesse Tree!
    Lisa Landy

    Reply
  70. Lindsay

    I’m thankful for my family and our second baby boy this holiday season and that my husband is home from deployment so we can all celebrate together!

    Reply
  71. Robyn Bowman

    I have been using the Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum in our Wednesday night Kid’s Club and am so excited about depth of understanding Scripture that the kids (and adults) are obtaining. Thank you so much for sharing your insight of the Gospel.

    Reply
  73. Jessica

    Just stumbled across this giveaway after eeeeking in my post about the Jesse Tree devotional I made for my 3-year old this year (it’s not officially Advent until I go to sleep, right!?). I absolutely LOVE the Jesus Storybook Bible and buy it for all my friends that have young kids 🙂 I have memories of reading it to my oldest when she was still a newborn and crying because of how beautifully-written it was (and I’m almost positive it wasn’t just the hormones and/or lack of sleep :))

    Thanks so much for the opportunity to be included your Advent round-up: http://leavenintheworld.com/2015/11/29/jesse-tree-devotional-for-kids-year-c/

    Reply
  75. Kristen Wilkinson

    We lit the first candle on our wreath today at lunch after church. We sang “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”… just like my parents did with me! It’s a joy to introduce this story to my daughters. Yesterday we hung some garland and my 3 year old said “We’re bringing Christmas to our house! To get ready for Jesus’ birthday!” It’s starting to sink in!

    Reply
  79. SARAH

    After reading through so many children’s Bibles we’ve finally found one we all love and that connects the stories to the bigger story of God’s love as shown through his untimate rescue plan for his creation. We love the Jesus Storybook Bible!

    Reply
  81. Leah Finn

    My family loves JSB! We are currently on our second or third copy because we have worn them out. As much as I love JSB, The Song of the Stars is my favorite Christmas book. I get choked up reading it every single time. Thank you for producing such wonderful books, based upon THE most wonderful book ever!

    Reply
  83. Bonnie

    Love the Jesus Storybook Bible! Our copy is looking well loved 🙂 Can’t wait to look at Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing!

    Reply
  84. Karen O

    The Jesus Storybook Bible was recently recommend to me as a first time mom, hoping to get a copy for my son!

    Reply
  85. Catie

    This is our absolute favorite bible to read with the kiddos. Would love to add to the collection with your other boos!

    Reply
  86. Amy K

    Our favorite tradition is going to our church’s Christmas play each year with our family

    Reply
  88. shannon grochowski

    LOVE Jesus Story Book bible! We recommend it to all of our friends and family and have given away some as gifts through out the years! My favorite is Song of the Stars, it’s on our wishlist this year for the kiddos. It actually made me cry!

    Reply
  89. Lindsey

    Our family loves the Jesus Storybook Bible! I’m excited to do something like this in the future!

    Reply
  91. Deborah

    Well, I love all your books but have recently discovered Song of the Stars! Oh, my. It makes me so excited to celebrate my Savior’s birth at Christmastime! I can’t wait to read this book with my daughter 🙂

    Reply
  93. Jeanne

    We love your books! We have a baptism coming up this month and I got The Jesus Storybook for my nephew.

    Reply
  94. HBL

    I am thankful that a friend gave me The Jesus Storybook Bible. It introduced me to the writings of Sally Lloyd-Jones. What a wonderful gift!

    Reply
  95. Brenda Morton

    Looking forward to sharing these with my grandboys! They are so into pretending right now at almost 3 and 13 months.

    Reply
  97. Cindy Hasko

    Hi! 🙂 I would really love to win this awesome collection from you! Oh please! I adore books like these from wonderful and encouraging talent. Also, I homeschool my son and we have God, Jesus, Bible, prayer and devotion time included in our school day together. Not only is it very special to me as we bond while doing so, but it teaches him God’s love and the ways Jesus and the Bible want us to live from day to day. I am really excited and I hope to win so very bad! 🙂 Christmas tradition is with my family and we read God’s word before our Christmas dinner. I would love to either have these books to read at our Christmas dinner and/or to wrap as gifts to give to my son as Christmas gifts. Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Cindy Hasko

      p.s. I also did a blog post regarding your contest. Hopefully, others will be encouraged by this and your books as well. Thank you! 😉

      Reply
  98. LRF

    I found your site through Proverbs 31 -after read your devotion there I came here looking for more about your books! Such a lovely giveaway and such wonderful books!

    Reply
  100. brpa

    I learned of your books through Proverbs 31 devotional that I receive daily in my inbox. I love the idea of a “Bible” for kids that tells the story in a language and level they can understand. I am so excited to purchase this and read it to my future child (I am 20 weeks pregnant).

    Reply
  101. Kelly

    This would be awesome to give to my 8 yr old grandson and 3 yr old granddaughter. Thank-you for spreading the Good News in this way!!

    Reply
  102. Jenna Senter

    I am very thankful for my family this holiday season. This is the last Christmas for it to be just me and my husband, as we will (prayerfully) be welcoming our first little girl into the world in late January. This month feels like a race to wring out all of our “lasts” to the full in order for us to start wringing out our “firsts” next year. And I’m just thankful for it all.

    Reply
  104. Janice

    We love the JSB and Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing! I especially love the latter for it’s introduction of private devotional time to my kids. Thank you for such excellent resources!

    Reply
  106. Pamela Glenn

    I was reading ‘Encouragement for Today’ and learned about you. I am going to be learning more about you and your books from your website. The books seem wonderful and inspiring for kids and adults!! I would love to have one to read to my 2 granddaughters. They are 3 and 5 years old. Thank you for the chance to win.

    Reply
  109. Dave Burt

    Our family have loved using the Jesus Story Book Bible this year for advent. We have hung up the beautiful faithgateway cards in our living room and created our own felt ornaments to hang on the tree. This has really helped our little person remember the main points of each story and he has been telling lots of people all about the stories!

    This is our advent activities and ornaments for this year: http://basically.burt.id.au/2015/11/advent/

    Reply
  110. Debbie H.

    I love the Jesus Storybook Bible. This Christmas I am most excited about The Story of God’s Love For You. I am giving it as a gift to my nieces who do not understand God’s amazing love for them through His Son.

    Reply
  111. Margaret

    I’m thankful that my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter will be with us for Christmas! Praying for opportunities for God to move while they’re here!

    Reply
  112. Susan

    I am so thankful that I was introduced to you through your Family Life Today interview. I love “children’s” books and am thrilled that God has led you to communicate the big picture of the Bible and Biblical truths with such an honest, clear, and beautiful voice.

    Reply
  113. Sharon

    This is our third time through the Jesus Storybook Bible for Advent. Love the way it leads up to the birth of Christ. The only book I don’t have is the newest one so I’ll be passing along the other three as gifts!

    Reply
  114. Sharon

    This is our third time through the Jesus Storybook Bible for Advent. Love the way it leads up to the birth of Christ. The only book I don’t have is the newest one so I’ll be passing along the other three as gifts!

    Reply
  115. Kyndra Moore

    We LOVE the Jesus Storybook bible!! We have 7 kids and we are flying out on Christmas Day to serve in Africa!! We have been using this book as our advent and doing a few a day so we can be finished in time to do an early Christmas. I have never enjoyed advent so much. We can’t take all the smells and aesthetics that we associate with Christmas, but this story is the most important part and going thru JSB for advent is a new tradition that we will take with us for sure and that I will do even when the kids are grown. Thankful for God’s provision to give us a better & meaningful tradition when in my immaturity, I was bummed about giving up some of the lesser ones so we could Go! We can’t wait to get to the birth!!! There is no better book to lead up to the excitement that Jesus is coming to town!! Who needs Santa?!

    Reply
  116. Amelia Nolen

    These books are staples in our house. I would love to win this giveaway to do just that…give these books to family who aren’t walking with the Lord.

    Reply

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