Award-winning children’s author, Jill Roman Lord, penned the perfect book for the holidays. In One Night in Bethlehem board book, a young child imagines what it would have been like to be present when Jesus was born. The sweet young child imagines being a lamb and keeping Christ warm. He thinks about being an angel and announcing Jesus’ birth. And he wonders if he could have led the way to the newborn babe if he had been a shining star.

This darling story introduces children to the incredible story of Christmas.

And just in case you don’t know author Jill Roman Lord, let me introduce you to her and give you the opportunity to find out more about her newest children’s book.

Julie: Jill, how did the idea for One Night in Bethlehem come about?  

Jill Roman Lord: The idea came to me when I was in church listening to the sermon. The minister said, “Imagine being present at the birth of Jesus.” After that, I didn’t hear another word of the sermon as I envisioned a children’s story about imagining being present at Jesus’ birth. What would it have felt like from the different perspectives? This book consumed my attention the rest of that service.

Julie: How long did it take to write the story?

Jill Roman Lord: The book came together fairly easily once I got the idea swirling in my mind. It flowed out on paper pretty easily, so it probably came together initially in a few hours. But it took a few days to weeks to get it hammered out. I had a few books published with Worthy [Publishing], so I naturally sent it to them, and they accepted it pretty quickly.

Julie: What do you want children to take away from your book?

Jill Roman Lord: Children hear the story about the birth of Jesus at Christmas that happened over 2000 years ago, but I want them to see that He is still worth celebrating. I hope they see that Jesus is alive and working in their lives now. I hope this book sparks a love for Jesus and a longing to learn more about Him and realize His great love for them. It’s hard to capture all that in a children’s story, but I hope this plants a seed for continuing to celebrate Jesus and learning more about Our Savior, Jesus.

Julie: Which of the characters that you mentioned in the book is your very favorite to read about?

Jill Roman Lord: Between the child narrator, cow, lamb, shepherd, wisemen, and Jesus, I’d pick Jesus every time. But taking Jesus out of the character line up, I’d choose the lamb as they are referred to in the Bible in so many ways. I love learning how the lamb represents Jesus, meekness, atonement, and trust, for example. I also love that the lamb is on the cover. 

Julie: What’s your favorite part about Christmas?

Jill Roman Lord: Besides celebrating Jesus? That’s number one, but along with that, I love the joy that accompanies the holiday season. It’s joy that Jesus brings and is seen in being with family, gathering with friends, giving and receiving gifts, good meals, and counting down to the birth of Jesus.

Julie: What other holiday books have you written? 

Jill Roman Lord: This book was actually first published in 2011 as a touch and feel board book and had a good long run. My publisher decided to give it a new look and bring it back to life, so now only the cover is touch and feel. But I’ve also written The Silent Noisy Night and That Grand Christmas Day! I’ve also written Easter books that accompany each Christmas book: The First Easter Day, The Quiet Crazy Easter, and That Grand Easter Day! Oh, and I have a couple Thanksgiving books as well, Happy Thanksgiving Day and My Thanksgiving Blessings.

Julie: How long have you been writing? 

Jill Roman Lord: I first started writing in 1996, and my first book, a children’s devotional, was published in 1999, Snuggles With God: Big Hugs for Little hearts.

Julie: What was your “day job” before you retired? 

Jill Roman Lord: I worked as a nurse anesthetist for nearly 34 years (33 years, 8 months and 4 days to be exact). My last 5-6 years were focused in OB anesthesia in labor and delivery doing epidurals/c-sections. That was always my heart in that career. I finally hung up my surgical cap for good after a great career. I loved it as it provided me time to write as well through the years.

Julie: Jill, please tell us about your family. 

Jill Roman Lord: I’ve been married to my hubby Bill for thirty-seven years. We have three grown kids, and two grandbabies now. Our oldest 2 girls are married, and our younger son is finishing up his PhD. 

Julie Lavender

post by Julie Lavender