Jacob's Gift

by Max Lucado, Robert Hunt (Illustrator)

Jacob is a young boy with a gift for carpentry who is busy finishing up a project for a contest. His teacher, Rabbi Simeon, not only instructs him in carpentry, but also teaches him important lessons about God. Rabbi has just taught Jacob that when you give a gift to one of God's children, it's like giving a gift to God. The night before the contest while working on his project, Jacob has fallen asleep in the workshop and is awakened by a bright light. The light is a star which is directly over Jacob's father's stable. As he approaches the stable, he sees a man, a woman, and a newborn baby which is laying in the straw. Remembering what Rabbi Simeon had told him, Jacob returns to the workshop and takes his project (a feeding trough) to the new family. The morning of the contest, the Rabbi pleased to find out that Jacob has acted upon the lesson he learned and has truly given a gift to God.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Christian, Childrens, Religion, Fiction, Historical Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

With more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.

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Reviews

[Sunshine Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read so many Nonfiction books written by Max Lucado, so I was excited to read his children's book, "Jacob's Gift."

The illustrations by Robert Hunt are truly fantastic!

The story revolves around Jacob, who is the son of an Innkeeper. It is clear that Jacob has a natural gift for woodworking. "What is difficult for many is easy for you. Surely, you've noticed."

Jacob is taught to use his special gift to be a blessing for others and to bring glory to God. "You have a special gift. Have you ever wondered why God gave you this gift?"

Jacob is creating an animal feeding trough as a classroom assignment, but instead, gets led by a bright star in the sky near his father's inn. He notices Joseph and Mary and a baby in a stable and the baby is in need of a place to sleep. Jacob presents the newborn child with his very first gift - a cradle fit for a king.

"When you give a gift to one of God's children, you give a gift to God."

This book is truly a Christmas classic!

My book comes with a DVD add-on.

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacob has a true gift for woodworking and a desire to please his Rabbi and God. One quiet night, Jacob sees a beautiful star and is drawn to a nearby stable. What he observes changes him and his perspective forever. When he realizes this new baby has no place to sleep, he gives his manger to the new family.

A beautiful story about the birth of Jesus Christ from an unusual perspective. I love rereading this story each year, and I love watching my boys read it. The illustrations are simple and the lessons taught, so important. God has given us His son, and the best thing we can give back is to serve others as we serve Him.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for Christmas stories for young people and this one makes me cry every time I read it. It reminds me of that song, "The Little Drummer Boy".

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Max Lucado writes a beautiful story for young children that has such depth in its message that the adults who read it to their kids will see a message for themselves as well. In this unique Christmas story, apprentice Jacob works at refining his God-given gift of woodworking and along the way learns a lesson in giving good gifts. And then his good gift brings him face to face with newborn King Jesus! Illustrations by Robert Hunt will also appeal to readers of all ages.

[Margaret Welwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a beautiful story. It’s about how Jesus was born and Jacob did a really good job of building the manger. I like it that when we gift to one of God’s children, we give a gift to God. I like that he gave his manger to the Baby for His first gift. ~ Eliana, 7 years old

And there you have it—the story that had Eliana enthralled night after night after night. The shy but extraordinarily gifted young carpentry apprentice had a special project, a feed trough with wheels, that he hoped would earn him the privilege of helping to build the new synagogue. But the night before the apprentices’ projects were to be judged, a new Baby was born in the stable behind Jacob’s father’s inn. The Baby lay in a tiny nest of straw . . . .

Robert Hunt’s illustrations capture with great tenderness the shy but determined young apprentice, the wise rabbi who taught the apprentices, and the glory of the first Christmas night.

[Marci Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book portrays an explicit Christian message, so it probably wouldn’t be acceptable as a read aloud in public school, but if I ever teach at a private school this is definitely a book I would like to use as a read aloud. Taking the perspective of a child who built the manger Jesus was laid in at birth, this beautiful plot intrigued me, even as an adult. The illustrations are also beautiful and match the text well. The story is didactic in that it teaches you to honor God by using the gifts he gives you to help others before you help yourself. This story is not too long, but is not oversimplified either.
a. Author: Max Lucado
b. Illustrator: Robert Hunt
c. Publisher: Tommy Nelson
d. Date: 1998
e. Genre: Historical Fiction

[Shannon Bradbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful children’s book. Max Lucado has always been one of my favorite storytellers. A little boy is given a gift of woodworking. He is offered a chance to use his gift by his teacher in building a synagogue if his craft is the best. He works long and hard. My favorite part of this story is when his teacher pulls him aside and explains how much his gift is to give for others. A great book to encourage children to give and use their gifts to help others.

[Jessica Hembree · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy has a talent for woodworking and makes a very special gift that he did not expect to give. Each year, my family wraps our collection of Christmas and winter books so that we can randomly select one to read each night. This was tonight's book.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a young boy who builds the manger where Jesus is laid.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful Christmas story by Max Lucado. It's never been my favorite illustrated Christmas story for kids, but I think it's unique and lovely.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I delightful story about using your God given talents to serve others.

[Katya Starling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet tale that's perfect for any child you want to start leading to Christ.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational Christmas story.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for all. Lovely photos

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacob's Gift is about a young boy who wants to help the Rabbi. The Rabbi tells all his apprentice's that the person who makes the best project can help him work on the synagogue. Jacob does his best to get the job, and creates a manger with wheels. However, the night before the Rabbi is to choose the best project, he finds out that Mary and Joseph just had their baby in his Father's stable. He wants the baby to be comfortable, and so decides to give him his manger. When the Rabbi finds out, he is pleased, and lets Jacob help him work on the synagogue.

I liked this story for two reasons. One reason, was that Jacob decided to give his manger away, even though it would guarantee him the job with the Rabbi. The second reason I liked this was because of the word choices. Since they included Hebrew words like Rabbi and synagogue, it would help children learn Biblical vocabulary.

My one complaint is that the illustrations, though beautifully done, show Caucasian characters. Now maybe they could be taken as Hebrew, but it seemed to me that their features portrayed a white person. I wish the illustrator had done a better job matching the text in that way. That is why I gave it four stars.

This story would be good for Christian homes, and private schools. I think it could be in a public school library, but I'm not sure if it would be appropriate to read in a classroom. Recommended for ages 7-11.

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give at least two and a half stars to this book, and my leaning is toward the full three.

There are several surprising twists in this Christmas tale, especially for a short picture book. Max Lucado blends together into a cogent storyline one of history's most famously pivotal nights, and a boy's need to feel that he belongs in this world, and the combination becomes something very special and surprising, in many ways the perfect historical fiction Christmas narrative.

The writing is sure-footed and plain, but does an excellent job of guarding the plot's secrets until the exact moment that they are supposed to be revealed. So good is Jacob's Gift that I would rank it right up there not only among the best Christmas books I've read, but with the best picture books of any kind that I've read, too. It's difficult to imagine this book not being enjoyed by almost any reader.

[Alexa Maring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful words, with beautiful pictures to share a wonderful story. This book may not necessarily be appropriate for a public school read aloud based on its religious foundation, but the theme behind the words is one that is important for all ages. We are all given talents, but what we do with those talents are what make them all the more special. It is important for people of all ages to hear this moral, we are given gifts to give to others. It brings people happiness and kindness will spread. Reading this book will show others how using their gifts can make others happy and using your gift for others brings you happiness as well. Beautiful.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely story with beautiful, full-page illustrations, Jacob's Gift teaches a good lesson about giving and where skills come from. It also shows a different perspective on the birth of Jesus. A good family story, particularly around Christmas.


Note: Some editions come with the movie made based on the book. In the movie, some of the children are mean and pick on Jacob, destroying some of his work. Jacob shows irritation and impatience. His sister has a doll, which the Jews believed were forbidden.

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a bunch of Christian Christmas books to try to pick ones for my class. This one was good but also seemed so similar to many others I've read about characters who think they have nothing to offer but actually make a big contribution to baby Jesus. I did like this quote at the end: "When you give a gift to one of God's children, you give a gift to God."

Curriculum Tie-ins: Christmas, gift, carpentry, rabbi, nativity

#cbad 2018-2019 - 5th grade SCA - 11/28/18 - average rating 5.0

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of a young boy who learns that when you open your heart extraordinary things can happen.

I thought this was a real sweet book, Max Lucado is really so good at making a simple story portray a profound truth.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to me on Christmas day by my boyfriend's father. This is a tradition they have; every year, Dad reads a Christmas story to the kids before opening gifts. This was a lovely tale of a carpenter's apprentice who gives his big project to a little baby who needs a place to sleep. It encourages giving gifts to others because God gives gifts to us.

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to the kids last night. It is a nice little story about a boy who is learning to be a carpenter. He wakes one night to see the Star of Bethlehem, follows the light, and sees the baby Jesus on the hay without a bed (or manger).

[Devi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has the same theme with The Crippled Lamb. I just find this too mouthy for read-aloud and too lengthy for a 2 year old audience. A great read for older kids about perseverance and sharing of talents.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very adorable, very heartwarming retelling of the Christmas story from the point of view of the innkeeper's son. A simple story with the good, relatable message that sharing what we have with others pays back dividends in the end.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob is a wonderfull wood maker for only a young man. He gets a chance to share's his gifts with the baby Jesus. I loved this book.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Christmas story to read with the family, For older kids, 7+.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute Christmas story!

[Alena · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When you give a gift to one of God's children, you give a gift to God."

[Sanz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care much for the illustrations and the story was a little blah.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite, but a nice story.