Review-Julie Hansen-The Night Before Christmas A Savior Was Born

 

The Night Before Christmas A Savior is Born by Julie Hansen

Published November 1, 2026

There are plenty of children's books about Christmas, but not all of them take us back to the reason we celebrate in the first place. Julie Hansen's The Night Before Christmas: A Savior Is Born seeks to do just that by introducing young readers to the greatest story ever told, the birth of Jesus Christ.

Written in gentle rhyme, the book takes children through the familiar events surrounding that first Christmas. While this book covers the familiar parts of the Christmas story, Hansen presents them in a way intended to capture the wonder and excitement of that special night.  And that is what we need to present when reading the story to children.

What makes this book particularly meaningful is the personal story behind it. Hansen's inspiration came while she was expecting her first child. As she experienced the anticipation and love of becoming a mother, she began thinking about Mary and what it must have been like to carry and give birth to the Son of God. That perspective gives the story a special warmth. It reminds us that the Christmas story wasn't simply a collection of extraordinary events. It was also the story of a young mother welcoming her child into the world under circumstances unlike anything she could have imagined. 

I especially appreciate the emphasis on the identity of the baby in the manger. Jesus wasn't just another newborn child, and Christmas isn't simply about a beautiful night, a star in the sky, or presents under a tree. The child born in Bethlehem was God's gift to humanity. He came as our Savior and King. 

That is an important message for children to hear, particularly during a season when it can be easy to get caught up in all the excitement, busyness and commercialism surrounding Christmas. We can enjoy the decorations, the music, the presents, and the family traditions, and trying to fit everything in our schedule but we should never lose sight of the reason behind the celebration.

At just 28 pages, this is a short children's book designed to be read aloud with children. The rhyming presentation makes it especially appropriate for parents and grandparents who want to establish a Christmas reading tradition with their children. It could also be a useful addition to a church library or children's ministry.

Julie Hansen has taken a familiar Christmas story and approached it with a mother's heart and a desire to share the gospel with the next generation. I appreciate books that help parents and grandparents pass along the biblical story of Jesus' birth rather than allowing the true meaning of Christmas to get lost in the festivities. I respect the perspective she takes when writing this book.

After all, the greatest Christmas gift wasn't wrapped in colorful paper or placed under a tree. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.

And that is a story worth sharing with every generation.

The Night Before Christmas: A Savior Is Born is a welcome reminder that Christmas is ultimately about Jesus—our Savior, our King, and God's greatest gift to the world.