What do you think of when you hear the words children’s bedtime stories? For generations, parents have been tucking their children into bed with a bedtime story. Some of those stories are make-believe, perhaps even a spontaneous creation. Other bedtime stories are readings of a favorite book. The characters are familiar friends who are visited again and again, and who seem to join the child as they drift into sweet dreams. Or perhaps the bedtime story is a new adventure that parent and child share.

My memories of bedtime stories were different. I clearly remember my mother’s words. She wanted our last thoughts before sleep to be focused on the promises of God’s Word. Our bedtime stories were Bible stories. In fact, I still have one of the books my mom read to us.

I remember crawling into bed and hearing my mom read. I remember talking about what happened in the Bible story and how those promises and challenges applied to our own lives, not just to the lives of people in the Bible. I remember asking to see the picture that went along with the story.

I remember. There is a lot of repetition in that last paragraph – right? I think one challenge to parents is to create memories with their children that speak the words of Jesus. Reading a Bible story at bedtime is a wonderful way to do that.

Yesterday, I received a copy of Words to Dream On – Bedtime Bible Stories and Prayers by Diane Stortz. I immediately thought of a friend’s daughter who enjoys the parent-child tradition of bedtime stories. Here are some of the many reasons I love Diane’s newest book.

The beautiful colors and illustration of Noah’s ark on the cover are inviting. They invite parent and child to look inside, to join the adventure. The size of the book is even inviting. It is large enough for parent and child to comfortably see at the same time, yet it is not too big for little hands.

The story pages are just as colorful as the cover. Each story begins with a Bible verse, followed by text (with pictures that clearly depict the words), a Bedtime Blessing, and a Bedtime Prayer. The entire book has a special message and a special gift feel. It is a perfect gift for a special occasion, a perfect book for creating bedtime Bible story memories.

What are some of your family’s bedtime Bible story memories?

Blessings,

Carol