By Deborah Hopkinson, il. by James Ransome

One of my favorite children’s picture books is Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. Clara, a very young slave girl was separated from her family and sold to another plantation to work in the fields. She learned to sew and used her talent to create a quilt that helped many slaves escape to freedom.

I feel a connection to Clara with my vision for Bible quilts for children’s beds. Just as Clara’s quilt pointed the way to freedom from slavery, Bible quilts can point the way to spiritual freedom found only in the Scriptures. My heart’s desire is that many will catch this vision for reaching young children and their parents for Jesus with the daily reminder of Bible stories when Children go to bed and when they wake up in the mornings.

I hope to find more ways to make Bible quilts available in the weeks and months ahead. Meanwhile there is a second Bible quilt coloring book nearly ready to publish under the title The First Christmas. These pictures could also be used to make a Christmas tree skirt.