Reading is a valuable teaching tool, especially when you’re trying to communicate an important message such as Christmas to little hearts and minds. If you’re looking for a creative way to help your kids learn the true meaning of Christmas, check out these 5 children’s books. Each title is linked for your convenience.
1. Jesus Calling: The Story of Christmas by Sarah Young
The Christmas story is the gospel story, and Jesus Calling®: The Story of Christmas takes that complex concept and helps kids understand it without dumbing it down. This children’s book shows that before the beginning of time, God had everything all planned out and that every piece of His plan is perfect, particularly the birth of His Son Jesus. Your child is sure to love the flow of this book, as well as the eye-catching illustrations.
2. God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren
God Gave Us Christmas is a beautifully written and illustrated children’s book that answers all of your kiddos’ questions about Christmas in a thoughtful and engaging way. Amazon reviewer poisonivy said of this book:
“This is the best explanation of God & Christmas that I’ve ever read in a children’s book or movie. Mama takes Little Cub around to different sights & explains to him how God is at work and/or how it demonstrates God’s presence and love for us, & explains why God gave us Jesus. While looking at the Northern Lights, Mama explains, “He sent His only Son as a baby so that we would know light from dark. Jesus is the Light of the World. Jesus is how God gave us Christmas.” In response to Little Cub’s astonishment that Jesus came to us as a baby, Mama says, “All kings begin as babies. God knew we would need someone we could touch and see and smell… to understand just how much He loved each one of us.” There are several explanations of how God gave us Christmas and who & what exactly Jesus was to us (the Light of the World, King of all Kings, the Bright Morning Star, & the best present of all).”
3. Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale is a great book to read at bedtime because it teaches your child about the birth of Jesus without being too heavy or wordy. The illustrations are beautiful and peaceful, and your child will love following the Christmas story from the animals’ perspective.
4. Good News! It’s Christmas! by Glenys Nellist
This darling little children’s book about the first Christmas is simple yet captivating. Christmas is good news because it means that we have hope and that Immanuel has come: “God is with us!” That may sound like a big idea to try to teach children, but this book doesn’t overcomplicate it. It lets the simplicity and excitement of that message speak for itself.
5. Little Bible Playbook: The First Christmas by Allia Zobel-Nolan
Little Bible Playbook: The First Christmas is another excellent Christmas children’s book that toddlers especially will enjoy. It’s easy to read, yet has the complete Christmas story. Amazon reviewer Allison says,
“I’m so pleased with this book! It tells the Christmas story beautifully, accurately, and at a just right level of detail for a toddler. The last page states that God loves us so much, He gave us His Son, the Savior. A few other Christmas board books I looked at seemed to leave you hanging at the end, just saying the baby was loved, etc., not stating Jesus is God’s Son & the Savior. The pictures in this book are top notch as well. My LO loves animals so she was especially captivated by all the cute animals. The pages are all cut different shapes too which adds a little extra fun. Highly recommend!!”