Christmas is special in so many ways. This is the time of year when all those special childhood memories come flooding back.
People seem to have a little more spring in their step and a bit more twinkle in their eye.
The warm fuzzy feeling and power of God’s love, joy & peace are in abundance this time of year.
But with all busyness of the season, the rush and the “gimmies” threaten to drown it all out sometimes. Many years it just seems like Christmas ends up more stressed than blessed.
However, if we slow down a little and put the focus back on Christ we can start to enjoy it again!
One of the best ways to do this is to gather with the family over a picture book about the true meaning of Christmas. Even though my children are too big to sit in my lap these days, they still love to pile together on the couch for a great Christmas story.
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s a precious time we can’t afford to miss.
Here is a list of some of our favorite Christ-Centered Christmas books for kids to get you started!
You can either wrap the books individually for your kids to open and read during the 12 days leading up to Christmas, or simply make more of an intentional effort to share these sweet stories together throughout the season.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. That means if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a small commission that helps support this ministry.
1. A Birthday Party For Jesus
A Birthday Party For Jesus is an adorable, heartwarming reminder to children that Christmas isn’t about Santa or asking for presents; it’s about celebrating Jesus’ birthday.
It tells a story of forest animals preparing for a big and exciting event, with each page providing another clue that somewhere in the forest, one special animal knows the true meaning of Christmas and wants to share it with the rest of his friends.
2. The Legend of the Candy Cane
This endearing and timeless Christmas story focuses on the importance of Jesus as it explains the Christian symbolism behind candy canes. When a young girl named Lucy befriends a newcomer to her small prairie town, and he reveals his identity and shares the legend of the candy cane, she discovers fulfillment of her wishes and the answer to her town’s dream.
3. Humphrey’s First Christmas
We love this imaginative book about a lovable camel named Humphrey who carries gifts from the wise men to the baby Jesus. In addition to the engaging text and gorgeous, whimsical artwork, Humphrey’s First Christmas reminds us of the importance of the holiday and the true meaning of gift-giving.
4. The Crippled Lamb
This one always tugs at my heart strings! The Crippled Lamb follows the story of Joshua, a lamb with a crippled leg who feels left out because he can’t run and play like other lambs.
Eventually, he discovers that God has a special plan for his life as Joshua’s prayers are answered in an amazing way on Christmas Day.
5. Song of the Stars
Written by Sally Lloyd-Jones, the same author of the Jesus Storybook Bible, Song of the Stars gives a fresh perspective on the nativity. Told from the view of animals and all creation, it explores the joy & excitement of creation along with the coming of Jesus, which has inspired discussions with my kids about why Advent is observed.
6. Christmas Love Letters from God
One of my absolute favorites! Christmas Love Letters From God includes seven stories about the birth of Christ, beginning with Isaiah’s prophecy and ending with the wise men’s visit.
I love that following each story, there is a “letter from God” that can be personalized with your child’s name, folded into a small envelope attached to the page.
7. One Wintry Night
What I love so much about One Wintry Night is that it shares the Gospel message so clearly. While a boy who is injured during a snowstorm seeks refuge in a cabin, the woman who lives there tells him the whole Christmas story, beginning with Creation and ending with the Resurrection.
8. ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas
I’ve loved Clement C. Moore’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas since I was a kid, so I was excited to find this title! Written in the same familiar language and rhythm, ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas focuses on the events of the night that Jesus was born.
9. The Sparkle Box
The Sparkle Box tells the story of Sam and his family blessing others with gifts from the heart. There is a mysterious sparkly box sitting on the mantel that Sam wonders about until he finally gets to open it on Christmas morning and finds slips of paper that say things like “mittens for those in need.”
His parents explain that the papers in the box represent the family’s gifts to Jesus that year. I love that this heartfelt story has inspired our family to adopt this faith-centered tradition in our own home, using the included sparkle box!
10. Room for a Little One
This is a sweet story about Jesus’ birth told from the stable animals’ perspective. The kind ox in Room for a Little One invites each one to come in to share his shelter, as they arrive one by one. Finally, a donkey comes to the door who is carrying Mary.
I really like that this tale helps young children understand how Mary and Joseph were provided for, when they needed a place to stay and have their baby who would become the Savior of the world.
11. Mortimer’s Christmas Manger
Through Mortimer’s Christmas Manger, kids realize the importance of making room for Christ. An adorable mouse named Mortimer finds a great new home that he wants to live in, but it’s already filled with statues.
He pushes them all out to make a cozy space for himself, but each day they’re put back in place. Then one day, when Mortimer overhears the story of the Nativity, he lovingly gives his bed back to the baby Jesus.
12. The Pine Tree Parable
We always read this one right after we put up our Christmas tree! A simple story about generosity and compassion, The Pine Tree Parable tells of a farmer’s wife who is saving the best pine tree from their farm for her own family- until a child reminds her of the true meaning of Christmas.
I love that this book teaches about the importance of giving over greed and materialism during Christmastime, and that it ultimately points to the best gift of all: Jesus.
When the hurry and commercialization of Christmas threaten to eclipse what December 25 is really all about, gather your family together and read a few of these stories that center on the Savior’s birth.
I know you will be blessed with special family memories which you will cherish forever!
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