How “’Twas the Night” Came to Life

By

A clear blue night sky with a Christmas Star shining brightly.
"And lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over the place where the young child was."

Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner?

Somehow, it always sneaks up on us. Maybe you’re the type who has every gift wrapped and labeled by Thanksgiving—or maybe you’re like me, still figuring things out while humming “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”
Either way, you’re probably already thinking about finding that perfect gift—something meaningful for a child, or maybe something simple and heartfelt for an adult who appreciates life’s quieter joys. Well… I might have just the thing.
I’ll admit it—I’m not always the best at having everything planned out ahead of time. But when I became a brand-new pastor, I wanted something truly special for my very first Christmas Eve service. That night felt like a big deal. My extended family was coming. So were neighbors, a few co-workers from my side job, and of course—my kids. (Did I mention there are quite a few of them? Some biological, some who became ours through love and grace.)
So, there I was, a new pastor with a full house and a full heart, asking myself: What do I say on Christmas Eve? How do I tell the greatest story ever told—the story of the Savior’s birth—in a way that captivates a 3-year-old, touches a grandmother, encourages a youthful teenager, and can reach the heart of a construction worker?
I prayed, “Help me, Lord!”

And He did.

God gave me a poem that night—a poem that has since been shared across the world. It’s been performed by others, told in churches, and even recorded by a gospel group in Nashville. "Twas the Night" came to life and began it's journey. "Twas the Night" was my Christmas gift from God.

How “’Twas the Night” Came to Life

But I didn’t want it to stop there. I had a bigger vision—to turn that message into a beautiful children’s book that could reach hearts young and old, and in between, reminding everyone of the true meaning of Christmas.

From Mission Trip to Masterpiece

A few years later, I found myself on a mission trip in a little town in the Dominican Republic. I loved walking the streets, meeting the people, and soaking in their joy and faith. That’s where I met Daniel—a young artist whose love for Jesus was as vibrant as the colors in his art.
As we spent time together, I could see that God had brought us together for a reason. When I told him about my poem and the vision for the children’s book, something just clicked. Before long, we began working together to bring “’Twas the Night” to life through art.
We talked about the heart of the story, the age group it was for, and the tone we wanted to capture. Then Daniel did what only a true artist can do—he breathed life into the story through his illustrations. When I saw the finished art, I was in awe. It was exactly what I had dreamed of.
To make the book even more special, I added a few interactive features to keep children engaged—fun games, discussion prompts for families, and even a “Did You Know?” section filled with surprising facts about the original Christmas story. (Do you know – what you might not know??? You’ll have to read the book to find out!)
I also included a few ideas for how my family works to “Keep Christ in Christmas,” hoping it might inspire others to do the same.
Image of Gordan Douglas carrying a little boy on his shoulder surrounded by happy kids in the Dominican Republic
Gordon Douglas on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic
Cover of the delightful children's 'Twas The Night

A Gift with Purpose

And that’s how a simple prayer from a brand-new pastor became a poem, a message shared around the world, and now—a treasured children’s book.
My prayer for “’Twas the Night” is that it leads people to a living, growing faith… one that deepens their awe and wonder at the miracle of Jesus’ birth.
May it remind you—and everyone who reads it—of the greatest gift ever given.

Have a Merry Christmas, 

~Gordon Dougas