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FLASHSALE
The Forgotten Nativity
What if the birth of Jesus looked different than you were taught?
Hardcover + Audiobook Bundle, Paperback, Ebook & Audiobook
The Forgotten Nativity: A Historically Honest Christmas Story is written by Julie Remington and illustrated by Darla Tolsma.
The Nativity story may be the most familiar and most misunderstood story in the Bible.
We all know the story by heart. Or at least we think we do.
Centuries of mistranslation (of Luke 2:7) and misunderstandings, along with Christmas art, Nativity sets, pageants, and storybooks, have shaped the pictures in our minds—adding and leaving out details from Matthew and Luke.
And what we show our kids today can shape the way they imagine Scripture for a lifetime.
It’s time to look again at the too-familiar Nativity story.
Historically Researched + Biblically Faithful =
A Surprising Kids’ Christmas Book
Created by a neurodivergent mom and former missionary with an eye for overlooked details, it is shaped by scholarly consultation and extensive biblical and historical research.
Where the biblical text is silent, the goal has been to imagine responsibly, portraying the world of the Nativity with historical care and wonder.
Help your kids imagine the world of Scripture with more honesty.
This retelling reaches back past centuries of familiar tradition to bring the world of the first Christmas to life. Young shepherds and a midwife enter the story as Jesus is welcomed with the hospitality of a first-century home.
Reading historically honest Bible stories like The Forgotten Nativity with your kids can help nurture their trust in the Bible...and in the God who came to dwell among us.
When we unintentionally wrap a Bible story in our own culture...
...our kids can miss so much of the world Scripture actually came from, and what that world reveals about Immanuel himself.
Build trust instead of passing down misunderstandings. The Forgotten Nativity gives you the opportunity to teach your kids something invaluable: to look closely, ask good questions, and discover what Scripture actually says.
What Christian Scholars and Ministry Leaders are Saying
About The Forgotten Nativity: A Historically Honest Christmas Story
David Vila, PhD
Distinguished Professor of Religion & Philosophy and Director of the Abila Archaeological Project in Northwest Jordan
“I have nothing but praise for this wonderful book for children. The great pains that the author and illustrator took to capture the world of the first century, even in the smallest details – everyone carrying flasks of water for the journey to Bethlehem – faithfully represent the lived world of our Savior’s birth. Readers young and old will benefit immensely from the careful re-telling this familiar story, both in word and image.”
Bobby Gilles
Pastor
"Finally, a children's book that presents a historically accurate account of the nativity! From the dark skin tones to the depiction of shepherds as young family members, both male and female, the narrative and illustrations get it right. But The Forgotten Nativity doesn't read like a dry lecture. My youngest children loved it, and I look forward to reading it to my baby grandson in the years to come."
Sandra Glahn
Seminary Professor & Storyteller
"The Forgotten Nativity: A Historically Honest Christmas Story is the kids’ book about Jesus’s birth I’ve been waiting for. The work exchanges centuries of cultural baggage for the story as it more likely unfolded, with characters who look and have names like the people of first-century Bethlehem. Lovely illustrations and a neurodivergent-friendly font make the work accessible to readers of all ages. Told from Gabriel’s point of view, The Forgotten Nativity is a beautiful addition to any family’s holiday shelf, and a great choice for anyone who’s wondered what an angel might say if he could tell the story himself."
David Dawson
President, Foundation for Middle Eastern New Testament Studies (FoMENTS), founded by Dr. Kenneth E. Bailey
"We are really excited by how The Forgotten Nativity has captured Ken Bailey's insights. Parents will surely be enriched by the depth of story too!"
What Readers are Saying about The Forgotten Nativity
"Wow! What a lovely book! I’ve heard the story of Jesus’ birth so many times, but this book gave me a beautiful, new perspective on a familiar story. The text is honest about things that are a little tricky to explain to children, but clear and easy to understand on their level. The illustrations are gorgeous!!
I definitely recommend watching the accompanying videos before or after reading it. It helps to clarify the perspective and research that has been done for this story.I received this advance copy of the book for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily because I throughly enjoyed it!"
(Scroll down on this page to watch the videos Erika F. mentions.)
"Right off the bat, I appreciated the more culturally-appropriate names used with an explanation and pronunciation guide. It made me realize that using our Americanized/English versions of names like "Elizabeth" when referring to people named in the Bible possibly adds to biases we might have about Middle Eastern names. I love the idea of sharing these names and historical information with children in a supportive setting, where they can practice pronouncing names they might not be familiar with.
As I was reading, I found this retelling of Jesus' birth put a lot of emphasis on the spiritual values of expectation, hope, trust, faith, and joy through the thoughts of the characters. I could see using this book throughout the season of Advent, in fact, to note the hope that is expressed in the story, and then peace, love, and joy. It would be a fantastic resource to use in children's classes at church or at home."
(Received an Advance Review Copy)
"(I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving a review voluntarily.)This book is a beautifully written and illustrated telling of the birth of Christ. I always appreciate a children's book that doesn't "dumb down" stories for children. This book did not disappoint.
I loved the use of Aramaic names and simple explanations of the culture of the day that were used throughout, which encourages kids and parents alike to put themselves in the shoes of the characters not the other way around. I also appreciated the QR codes included in the back of the book so readers can learn more about why the author included the details she did and the scholarship she drew upon."
Why I Created The Forgotten Nativity
I believe our kids deserve a biblically faithful, historically researched picture book about the birth of Jesus.
As a former cross-cultural missionary, neurodivergent mom, and lifelong student of Scripture, I was captivated by what I discovered as I learned from Bible scholars about the historical and cultural context of Jesus's birth. When I couldn't find a Christmas picture book that brought this beautiful context to life for my own daughter, I decided to create it.
My hope is that The Forgotten Nativity invites your family to honestly imagine the first Christmas, and nurtures trust in the Bible and faith in God.
—Julie Remington
The Forgotten Nativity: Available Now!
Available Now: Hardcover + Audiobook Bundle, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Limited first printing for Christmas 2026. Order early so yours arrives in time!
Frequently asked questions
The Forgotten Nativity is designed to be enjoyed together. Here are a few ways to make it part of your Christmas season:
- Read it slowly. Pause on each page to look for details in the illustrations, like the clothing, homes, and animals of first-century Bethlehem, and let your kids' questions lead the conversation.
- Listen together. The dramatized audiobook, available on its own or with the hardcover, brings the story to life with voices and sound effects, so kids can follow along page by page.
- Say the names. Watch the short pronunciation video and practice saying Maryam, Yawsef, and Yeshoo together.
- Use the free bonuses. Color the Imagination Coloring Pages, create your own Shepherd Song, and pray through Luke 2 with the guided Imagination Prayer.
- Compare it with what you've seen. Think about the nativity sets, Christmas pageants, movies, and books your family knows. Ask your kids what's different in this story and why, then explore the answers together at honestimagination.com/nativity.
- Make it a tradition. Read it during Advent, on Christmas Eve, or each year as your kids grow, noticing something new every time.
Yes! It's about a 10-minute read for ages 5 to 10, which makes it easy to fit into a lesson, an Advent program, or a Christmas chapel. It follows Matthew and Luke closely, so it pairs naturally with reading Luke 2 and Matthew 1 together.
Jesus really walked on this earth. Rather than leaving the Bible's stories in the realm of "once upon a time," we can show children that Jesus lived a real life, in a real place, among real people. When kids begin to imagine that world, with its homes, clothing, languages, and customs, the biblical story often becomes more vivid and meaningful.
This kind of Honest Imagination can lead to a clearer understanding of who God is and a deeper connection with Him, building a faith that's rooted in truth and can grow with them for a lifetime.
In the Works from Honest Imagination
The Forgotten Nativity Family Advent Guide
The Forgotten Nativity Imagination Coloring Book
And the story continues… Herod, the Magi, and the flight to Egypt will be in a future book! Sign up for the newsletter and be the first to know.
Got questions about The Forgotten Nativity?
Who Were the Shepherds?
Did Luke tell us the gender and age of the shepherds? Find out what we know from the Bible and the historical record on who the shepherds were, and see why the shepherds in The Forgotten Nativity are kids. (3 min)
Was Jesus Born in a Stable?
We've all seen nativities with wooden stables. How does that compare to a closer look at the Bible? What clues can we find in the Bible and the historical record about the kind of place Jesus was likely born? (5 min)
Learn the Aramaic Names in The Forgotten Nativity
See the characters in the book with their Aramaic & English names and pronunciation. (90 seconds)
Still got questions?
Ask me questions about The Forgotten Nativity using the contact form in the footer. I'll keep adding videos with answers!
Want to Go Deeper?
"The Manger and the Inn: A Middle Eastern View of the Birth Story of Jesus" by Kenneth E. Bailey, Presbyterian Outlook
Bailey's own accessible explanation of the "inn" and where the manger really was. The best place to begin.
"The Christmas story we don't know", Baptist Press
A short summary of five details from Bailey's work that change how we picture the first Christmas.
"Jesus Was Probably Born in a Relative's House, Not an Inn" by Dr. Michael LeFebvre, The Biblical Mind
A pastor-scholar walks through the text and archaeology of first-century homes.
"Jesus was not born in a stable" by Ian Paul, Psephizo
A Church of England theologian explains why the stable is a later tradition, and why it matters.
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels by Kenneth E. Bailey
The book that inspired much of The Forgotten Nativity. Bailey spent decades teaching the New Testament in the Middle East, and his chapters on the birth of Jesus are a must-read. Read a PDF excerpt on the birth of Jesus, courtesy of IVP.
"The Manger and the Inn: The Cultural Background of Luke 2:7" by Kenneth E. Bailey, Bible and Spade
Bailey's original scholarly article arguing that Jesus was born in a private home (subscription required).
Open Hearts in Bethlehem by Kenneth E. Bailey
A Christmas drama built on Bailey's research and the hospitality Jesus received, great for churches. Read Bob Trube's review.
"The Way of a Shepherd", CBE International
Why many shepherds in Jesus's day were likely women and girls.
"Psalm 23 and Who Are the Shepherds?" by Joanna Seibert
A reflection on young shepherds, including girls, in biblical times.
"Away in a Manger?" by Marilyn R. Gardner
A writer who grew up in Pakistan imagines the birth as a community event, with women and a midwife gathered around Mary.
"Rethinking the Nativity" by Rachel Pieh Jones
How living in a culture where women give birth at home changed one writer's reading of the story.
Women of the Bible in Context podcast with Jessica LM Jenkins of We Who Thirst
Episodes exploring the historical context of the nativity from the consultant who helped shape The Forgotten Nativity.
A Woman's Place Is in the Story: Seeing Women in the Biblical Narrative by Sandra L. Glahn
A seminary professor shows how women throughout Scripture, from the Hebrew midwives to the Samaritan woman at the well, are essential to the biblical story, not just brief cameos.