Childrens Advent Stories for Bedtime (Fully Illustrated)

Julie and David Lavender love old traditions of Christmases past and new adventures of Christmas present. Julie adores one particular family tradition—gingerbread house creating—so much that she recently published a children’s picture book called A Gingerbread House.

They love searching for Christmas trees on Julie’s childhood farmland, climbing trees to snitch mistletoe, sipping hot chocolate after driving around town to look for Christmas lights, creating gingerbread villages and keeping them out all year long, wearing matching Christmas pajamas, and retelling the Christmas story with props on Christmas Eve.

With three grandchildren now, Julie and David especially love watching Christmas unfold and anticipating the birthday of Jesus through the eyes of little ones.

Julie, a former public school teacher and homeschooling mommy, has a master’s degree in early childhood education. David, a former medical entomologist for the US Navy and wildlife biologist for an army installation, has a master’s degree in entomology and a biology undergraduate degree.

Julie and David’s six favorite humans are their adult children, Jeremy, Jenifer, Jeb Daniel, and Jessica, and sons-in-law, Adam and Dawson. And their most favorite people in the whole wide world are their three grandchildren: Benaiah, Maverick, and Danae.

Since David retired in 2024, Julie and David enjoy more time with their children and grandchildren, spend hours outdoors observing God’s beautiful creations, and find lots of time to write together. They are the authors of books, magazine and newspaper articles, and devotions.

Their most favorite hats to wear? Mommy and Grandmommy, Daddy and Granddaddy. View titles by Julie Lavender

Julie and David Lavender love old traditions of Christmases past and new adventures of Christmas present. Julie adores one particular family tradition—gingerbread house creating—so much that she recently published a children’s picture book called A Gingerbread House.

They love searching for Christmas trees on Julie’s childhood farmland, climbing trees to snitch mistletoe, sipping hot chocolate after driving around town to look for Christmas lights, creating gingerbread villages and keeping them out all year long, wearing matching Christmas pajamas, and retelling the Christmas story with props on Christmas Eve.

With three grandchildren now, Julie and David especially love watching Christmas unfold and anticipating the birthday of Jesus through the eyes of little ones.

Julie, a former public school teacher and homeschooling mommy, has a master’s degree in early childhood education. David, a former medical entomologist for the US Navy and wildlife biologist for an army installation, has a master’s degree in entomology and a biology undergraduate degree.

Julie and David’s six favorite humans are their adult children, Jeremy, Jenifer, Jeb Daniel, and Jessica, and sons-in-law, Adam and Dawson. And their most favorite people in the whole wide world are their three grandchildren: Benaiah, Maverick, and Danae.

Since David retired in 2024, Julie and David enjoy more time with their children and grandchildren, spend hours outdoors observing God’s beautiful creations, and find lots of time to write together. They are the authors of books, magazine and newspaper articles, and devotions.

Their most favorite hats to wear? Mommy and Grandmommy, Daddy and Granddaddy. View titles by David Lavender

SHAHAR KOBER is a prolific children's book illustrator whose work has been published worldwide. He was the recipient of a Sydney Taylor Honor Award in 2009 for Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride. He lives in a small town in Israel, where he also works as an art director and illustration teacher. See more of his work at skober.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram at @shaharkober. View titles by Shahar Kober