The Sparkle Box (Review and Giveaway!)

Last year, our pastor challenged us to radically change our giving habits at Christmas—and to give as Jesus gave.  He reminded us that Jesus didn’t come to heal the healthy or feed the full.  Rather, He fed the hungry and healed the sick. 

And then, in the ultimate gift of love and sacrifice, He offered forgiveness for the condemned.

And changed lives forever.

What if we truly gave as Jesus gave and made that our gift to Him this Christmas?

That’s what this beautiful hardback children’s book is all about.

The Sparkle Box, by Jill Hardie, is the story of a little boy named Sam who unwraps a touching family tradition of honoring Jesus just exactly as our pastor suggested.  So I was excited to read it with my little guy.

Throughout the season, Sam and his family reach out in various ways to the needy in their community.  Unknown to Sam, his mom and dad record the gifts on little slips of paper and tuck them into the sparkling gift box on the mantle.  Sam’s curiosity about the special gift grows throughout the story. 

Then on Christmas Day, they open the box and read about the gifts they gave in honor of Jesus’ birthday.  His parents remind him, that whatever we do for people in need, we do for Him.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:40

It’s a beautiful story, with beautiful illustrations.  It will have your little ones looking for ways to let their lights sparkle for Jesus throughout the whole year!

The book even comes with a pretty little Sparkle Box to help you begin your own meaningful family tradition!  My little guy couldn’t wait to put a bow on the top and set it on our mantle. 

And I’m looking forward to helping him fill it!

Thank you Jill, for making such a great tool that we as parents can use to combat the commercialism of Christmas!

Also, thanks to Jill and the publisher, I have the privilege of giving a brand new copy of The Sparkle Box to one of my readers!  If you would like a chance to win it for your own family or a family you know, be sure to leave a comment on this post.  I will draw a winner at random from the comments next Friday.  Please make sure I have a way to contact you should you win!

An additional note!  My friend Mari at My Little Corner Of The World is also hosting a giveaway for this book!  Why not enter hers as well and have two chances to win!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."