A Beautiful Year with Jesus

A Beautiful Year with Jesus is a thoughtfully crafted devotional that combines Scripture, prayer, and contemplative imagery to invite you into a peaceful rhythm of daily connection with God. Created with simplicity and depth in mind, this 30-day devotional is especially suited for those who long to connect with God but struggle to find the time.

Each entry is short, meaningful, and easy to engage with—offering a Bible passage, a brief reflection, and a closing prayer that help you pause, recenter, and draw near to God, even in life's busiest seasons. To create a richer, more meditative experience, A Beautiful Year with Jesus features original artwork by two gifted artists: Rachel Yumi Chung and Katie Waiyu. Rachel, based in Virginia, paints whimsical, joy-filled worlds deeply rooted in faith, Korean heritage, and a sense of wonder. Katie, based in the UK with roots in Hong Kong, crafts art that celebrates the quiet beauty of everyday life and invites the viewer into rest.

Together, their illustrations infuse each page with visual peace and gentle reflection. Whether you begin your mornings with it or return to it in quiet moments throughout the day, A Beautiful Year with Jesus offers space to slow down, breathe deeply, and encounter the presence of Jesus—one day at a time. This book is perfect for your personal daily devotional times with God or as a beautiful Bible study guide with friends

Alabaster explores the intersection of creativity, beauty, and faith through original artistic content and stories of makers/doers.

Alabaster Co. began late one night when friends Bryan Chung and Brian Chung were deep in discussion on creativity and God. Reflecting on the direction culture was taking toward visual images, innovation and design, an idea was born: create a brand passionate about fully exploring the intersection of creativity, beauty, and faith. Realizing that beauty is a foundational value when talking about creativity and God, they decided to name the company Alabaster, after one of the only times Jesus uses the word beautiful in the Gospels. In Mark 14:1-9, a woman breaks an alabaster jar of incredibly expensive perfume onto Jesus' head. Many people in the room scoff at her and say what she has done is a complete waste. But Jesus defends the woman saying, "leave her alone, why do you bother her? What she has done is a beautiful thing." It is this complete act of sacrificial giving which Jesus calls - in the original greek - kalos, which literally means beautiful as a sign of inward goodness. We wanted to have this same level of intentionality and thoughtfulness as the woman did as we created Alabaster. Alabaster was officially launched on Kickstarter in October 2016 with its first project: Alabaster: The Bible Beautiful. After a successful launch, the books were printed and a conversation began. Since then, we've put the books on Amazon, made new projects and are planning for the future, all with the same passion: explore the intersection of creativity, beauty, and faith for the sake of a more beautiful human flourishing.

In an era defined by endless digital notifications, demanding to-do lists, and the relentless noise of modern life, finding the time and mental space to cultivate a deeply rooted spiritual life can often feel like an insurmountable challenge. Recognizing this widespread sense of burnout, Alabaster Co.—a brand widely celebrated for seamlessly bridging the gap between sacred Scripture and magnificent, contemporary design—has created a profound antidote. A Beautiful Year with Jesus: The 365-Day Bible Devotional is a thoughtfully crafted, visually stunning invitation to slow down and intentionally encounter the presence of God. Unlike traditional, text-heavy theological volumes that can easily overwhelm a tired reader, this book operates on the refreshing premise that a meaningful, daily connection with Jesus does not require hours of isolated study. Instead, it offers a gentle, highly accessible rhythm of devotion designed specifically to fit into even the most crowded and chaotic schedules.

The architectural genius of the book lies entirely in its simplicity and its realistic expectations of the reader’s time and energy. Each of the 365 entries is deliberately designed to be consumed in just a short minute, removing the barrier of intimidation that so often prevents people from opening their Bibles. A daily entry strictly follows a highly effective, tripartite structure: it opens with a carefully selected, grounding verse of Scripture, follows with a brief, deeply thoughtful reflection, and concludes with a guided closing prayer. This consistent framework ensures that the reader is not simply consuming information, but actively pausing to recenter their mind and heart. Whether it is read during a quiet, early morning coffee ritual, tucked into a brief lunch break, or used as a calming anchor just before sleep, the devotional builds a sustainable, life-giving habit. It provides the perfect stepping stone for those who desperately long to connect with God but consistently struggle to find the time to do so.

What truly elevates A Beautiful Year with Jesus far beyond a standard daily devotional is its breathtaking visual presentation. Alabaster Co. has always championed the profound idea that beauty and truth are inherently connected, and this volume brings that philosophy to life through original, commissioned artwork on every single page. To create this visually contemplative experience, the publishers partnered with two exceptionally gifted illustrators. Rachel Yumi Chung, an artist based in Virginia, infuses the pages with whimsical, joy-filled worlds that draw heavily from her Christian faith, her Korean heritage, and her deep, abiding wonder for the natural world. Complementing her work is Katie Waiyu, a UK-based illustrator with roots in Hong Kong, whose art masterfully honors the quiet, understated beauty of everyday, mundane life. Together, their contrasting yet harmonious styles transform the act of reading into a deeply meditative experience. The illustrations do not merely decorate the text; they actively invite the viewer to linger, to breathe deeply, and to rest visually before diving into the spiritual reflections.

Thematically, the reflections within the book speak directly to the unique, multifaceted anxieties of the twenty-first century. The authors deliberately bypass overly abstract theological concepts in favor of highly practical, emotionally resonant wisdom. Throughout the year, readers are guided through vital, restorative themes such as learning to hear God's gentle voice above the deafening roar of cultural noise, finding the courage to trust in divine timing when circumstances feel chaotic, and discovering the profound, unshakeable comfort of His presence in seasons of grief or uncertainty. The devotions also challenge the reader to live with greater purpose and intention, encouraging a daily renewal of joy that directly combats the cynicism of the modern age. By bridging ancient biblical truths with immediate, contemporary struggles, the book creates a safe, beautifully curated space for readers to confront their vulnerabilities and seek divine guidance.

Beyond the spiritual and visual content, the physical craftsmanship of the book itself plays a crucial role in the reader's experience. Whether bound in a vibrant yellow cloth hardcover with a matte protective jacket, a flexible softcover, or a premium green faux leather, the book is designed to be a tactile sanctuary. Printed in full color on high-quality uncoated paper, it feels substantial and sacred in the hands. In a world where most of our reading is done by endlessly scrolling on cold, blue-lit screens, holding this beautifully weighted, thoughtfully bound book is a grounding, physical act of rebellion against the rush of the digital world. It is an artifact meant to be lived with, left open on a bedside table, and returned to day after day.

Ultimately, A Beautiful Year with Jesus stands as a masterful achievement in modern Christian publishing. It is much more than a simple collection of daily readings; it is a year-long curriculum in the art of slowing down. Alabaster Co. has successfully proven that spiritual discipline does not have to be rigid, exhausting, or devoid of aesthetic joy. By asking for just a brief minute of quiet attention each day, and rewarding that attention with profound truth and stunning beauty, the book provides a realistic, deeply encouraging pathway for believers to align their daily lives with the gentle, unhurried pace of Christ.