Bedtime Stories Matter for Mom, Too
By the time my daughter turned three, I was *over* the bedtime routine. Brushing teeth was a battle of wills; choosing between the heart pajamas or the ones with sloths on them seemed to be a life-or-death task. Even the bedtime reading—something I thought I would cherish as a mom—felt boring. I found myself trying to read as quickly as I could to finish the book she chose. But around that time, I realized that her attention span was growing—and it opened us up to a bigger and better world of books.
We had just graduated from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Goodnight Moon. I’m deeply passionate about helping my kids love to read: It’s a joy in my own life, and I wanted them to get the basics of ABCs and rhyming as early as possible. But incorporating high-quality, gospel-centered books along with those beloved childhood staples gave us selections that my children love and, better yet, continue to teach and encourage the adults who read them, too.
This lesson first struck me as I was reading The Garden, The Curtain, and the Cross one night. The book traces the relationship between God and his people from the garden of Eden, through Old Testament temple worship, all the way to Jesus’s death on the cross. While the illustrations are gorgeous, the true beauty is how the gospel is presented for all ages. At its most basic, my daughter can listen to the story and hear how our sin separates us from God, but Jesus’s death on the cross can restore our relationship with him. As the book says, God ripped up the “keep out” sign—the curtain—between us and his presence. Reading that for the first time, I wondered, How often do I take that simple but powerful reality for granted?
I grew up hearing the gospel message, and I accepted Christ at a young age. I’m thankful for the resources I now have to grow in my faith as an adult, along with the Bible: podcasts, Bible studies, and books are all in the rotation. But I was surprised by how much hearing the gospel through a child’s lens impacted me. It brought to mind the word propitiation from Romans 3: Jesus became the permanent, complete sacrifice for humanity’s sin.[1] I am invited into God’s holy presence in a way the Israelites never could be: not because of anything I have done but because my identity is in Jesus, who paid the penalty for my sins. As Hebrews summarizes, we can now have confidence to draw near to God with “a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Heb. 10:22). What a wonder!
I can recall several other moments like this when I was rushing through bedtime to get to the finish line and the me-time I’d been craving. Instead, in the pages of our bedtime story, I was called to pause on a truth—or even a single line—that reminded me of the love God has for my children—and for me. Each time, the reading quieted my heart and mind, in the same way I hope it does for my kids before they drift off to sleep. Sometimes, I don’t need deep, heavy theology to speak to my heart. I just need the Holy Spirit, humbling me through the biblical truth that shows up even in books I bought for my toddlers.
A few practical notes:
Just like any publishing sector, children’s literature varies in quality. Some books include gospel-centered stories that are full of rich, biblical truths. Others might be lacking. If you’re looking for guidance, here are some tips for picking out new additions that will encourage your entire family:
If there are gospel-centered websites or resources you love as a parent, see what they’re recommending for your children. Often, those sites will have fully vetted the content and messaging in each book they put on their site. (You’re not off the hook for checking them out yourself, but it accomplishes some of the legwork for you.)
Children’s ministry leaders in your church likely have a few favorites, either from personal experience or from knowing what the kids they serve are interested in. Reach out for suggestions.
Publishers often group similar books together. If you like one book, see if its publisher promotes it in a series or if the author has written more than one book. The quality and biblical standards will likely be similar.
Ask your friends which books their kids are loving! If you’re looking to save money, suggest a book swap for a few weeks.
If you have time to visit a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you’ll be able to scan the pages yourself. (Online booksellers normally offer a preview of a few pages too.) If affordability is a concern, consider vetting the books ahead of time and requesting them from your local library.
Bedtime still isn’t always the snuggly, rose-colored experience I’d like it to be. And Dr. Seuss and Daniel Tiger still make appearances too. (Even books that aren’t explicitly Christian can contain many redemptive or character-building themes!) But curating an intentional, purposeful library that shares biblical truth with my kids means I’m reminded of the gospel in new ways too. When the larger story of the Bible is simplified or summarized in a responsible way, it can illuminate a truth we might not have grasped yet—or encourage our hearts at just the right time.
So maybe savor that bedtime read a little extra tonight, Mom. You might be surprised at the treasures God has for you there.
[1] Romans 3:23-25
A note from the R\M Team: We’re blessed to access a lot of quality resources in the Christian publishing space and we love sharing our favorites with you! Check out Our Recs for a wide range of gospel-centered titles to consider adding to your family bookshelf!
