Easy Navigation
Christ-Centered Christmas Books for Children
Christmas time is always a joyous season filled with love, togetherness, and the reminder of the early life of Jesus. There are many traditions that families start because of this magical season and one of our favorite Christmas traditions is reading one book each day beginning December 1st until Christmas day. This includes Christ-centered Christmas books.
While there are many books you can read, I’d like to share a list of Christmas-themed books to consider adding your countdown to Christmas book reading tradition.
I tried to gather as many Christ-centered books as I could and while some of these don’t talk about Christ and The Nativity specifically, none of them mention Santa Clause or Rudolph. Instead, these picture books focus on the true meaning of Christmas, making them good books to include in your Christmas advent this season.
Step your holiday tradition up a notch by doing more than just reading a book a day. Use these books to create your own child-friendly advent. Wrap each book in Christmas wrapping paper and place them under the tree. Allow your kids to unwrap one book every morning leading up to Christmas.
This is a very fun way to include the childlike fun of Christmas while still focusing on the true meaning of Christmas at the same time (Especially if your books a Christ-centered, like most of the ones in the list below.) These books might just become your child’s favorite Christmas books of all time! And as a side note – these books would also make good gift ideas for families.
This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.
25 Must-Read Christmas Books for Christian Children
The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt
The Tale of Three Trees is probably my very favorite Christ-centered Christmas book for kids, and my kids love this book too. Every time I read this story, I get tears in my eyes. The Tale of Three Trees takes us into the dreams and aspirations of three trees and what they wish to become when they are finally cut down.
The story takes us to what appears at first to be disappointing, dream-crushing realities, but that instead end up being better than they’d hoped. The birth, life, and death of The Savior are what turns their broken dreams into lives more fulfilling than they ever could have imagined.
The Tale of Three Trees Reading
The Christma Train by Thomas Monson
Another beloved Christmas tale in our home is The Christmas Train. In this book, a little boy gets a Christmas present that he has been wishing for for a very long time – an electric train. The boy’s mother also bought a little wind-up train for a poor boy down the street, but this train, though not as cool as his electric train, had a beautiful tanker car that the little boy wanted.
Fast forward a little bit and the poor boy doesn’t notice the missing tanker car, but the first little boy feels a pang of guilt that he just can’t ignore. Read the book to see what the little boy does next and your family is sure to feel the spirit of the true meaning of Christmas.
Even better – this book is a true story as remembered by the author.
The Christmas Train Reading
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a heartwarming picture book that tugs on the heartstrings of family lost and another one gained. This book is a great story for young children and families because it talks about miracles and love rather than just presents, candy, and red-nosed reindeer. Join woodcarver Jonathan Toomey, along with a widow and her young child, as they experience a Christmas miracle.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey Reading
A Christmas Goodnight by Nola Buck
A Christmas Goodnight is a beautiful picture book for young children where the nativity story comes to life. This story will help your children understand (and appreciate) the story of Christmas. Learn about the birth of our Savior in Bethlehem with beautiful Nativity scene illustrations with this poetic children’s book.
A Christmas Goodnight Reading
Grandfather’s Christmas Tree by Keith Strand
Grandfather’s Christmas Tree is a beautiful story that shows the power of prayer, especially during the Christmas season. A young family living in the Colorado wilderness is suddenly faced with a horrible snowstorm and the only chance for survival is faith, prayer, and one final spruce tree.
Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon
Surrounded by the sad accounts of battles and bombs, this historical story shows how miracles can begin at Christmas. Christmas in the Trenches is a true story that details the miraculous events that happened one cold Christmas morning during World War 1.
Christmas in the Trenches Children’s Book on YouTube
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell
Surrounded by Christmas love, Room for a Little One tells of a kind ox who makes room for creatures smaller than itself – showing true Christlike love. This is a sweet little story that illustrates the true spirit of Christmas and how that coincides with The Nativity scene. Another favorite at our house.
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale Reading
Itsy Bitsy Christmas by Max Lucado
Itsy Bitsy Christmas is especially touching if you have children who feel less than big sometimes. When they hear about two small mice who are on the search for the King, overcoming opposition – they’ll be greatly encouraged.
Itsy Bitsy Christmas Reading
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
The Crippled Lamb is an amazing story of how a lamb felt left out because of its crippled leg. It’s a true story of the power of prayer and how God’s special plans always prevail.
The Crippled Lamb Reading
Through the Animal’s Eyes: A Story Of the First Christmas by Christopher Wormell
Through animal imagery, Wormell uses animals to share the story of King Herod trying to deceive the wise men bringing a unique twist to the Christmas story. Through The Animal’s Eyes is a fun picture book for young children that surrounds the Savior’s birth.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
The Gift of the Magi is a popular Christmas tale that has been retold in many versions throughout the years. This story shows the relentless love of two people who give so much of themselves to provide a Christmas gift for the other, showing that they cared more about the other having a merry Christmas than they cared about themselves. A true depiction of Christ’s love for us.
Christmas in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Christmas in the Big Woods is part of a book that has been part of many family traditions for years – The Little House series. Perfect for young readers, this story is about the Christmas celebrations with a young girl and her family. The book is set in pioneer times, making it historical fiction. Christmas in the Big Woods is another fun picture book for young children.
Christmas in the Big Woods Reading
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree is an Appalachian cultured story that shares the beauty of Christmas from a spirit of love and self-sacrifice from the perspective of homesteaders during the Great War.
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree Reading
The Story of Christmas by Pamela Dalton
In The Story of Christmas, Dalton’s images follow the incredible nativity story from the appearance of the angel, to the shepherds who came from the fields, and the three wise men who followed the star to pay respect for their new King.
One Wintry Night by Ruth Graham Bell
In One Wintry Night, Bell’s special account of the Christmas story is told from a contemporary perspective mixed with a history of God’s redeeming love. It also has beautiful illustrations.
Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer
Humphry’s First Christmas is a story told from the eyes of the camel who carried the three wise men on their journey to Bethlehem to visit Baby Jesus. Inside, there’s a unique twist that brings a whole new meaning to joy and love.
Humphry’s First Christmas Reading
The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Keats
The Little Drummer Boy is a story that sheds light on where we get the infamous Little Drummer boy song. Children will gain an entirely new meaning on what it means to give what you have to God – even if you feel like you have nothing.
God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Bergren
In God Gave Us Christmas, a little cub’s question leads him and his mother on an adventure to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. This cute children’s book is part of the God Gave Us series, which also includes God Gave Us The Bible.
God Gave Us Christmas Reading
Tonight You Are My Baby: Mary’s Christmas Gift by Jeannine Norris
As a mother, I especially love Tonight You Are My Baby. This Christ-centered Christmas book details a special story that will help children see the love a mother has for her child, wrapped in this beautiful retelling of the nativity account. Mary (and Joseph) truly did play a huge part in this miraculous Christmas gift to the world – the birth of Jesus Christ. A must for any Christmas book wishlist.
Tonight You Are My Baby Reading
This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotton
As you may guess from the title, This is the Stable is a Christmas book that sheds light on the magnificent gathering that ultimately comes together because of the birth of Baby Jesus. From the animals to the wise men, all are gathering to see the miracle.
This is the Stable Reading
One Small Donkey by Dandi Mackall
One Small Donkey is a cute picture book that also has a board book option for really young children. In this heartwarming story, children follow the story of a donkey who feels he is too small with nothing to offer, and then he ends up making a huge impact on a very important event. Sometimes being the biggest, fastest, and strongest isn’t what’s needed to complete a job.
The Very First Christmas by Paul Maier
And speaking of children’s books about the birth of Baby Jesus, The Very First Christmas is a great Christmas story with an archaeological and historical perspective. Kids can read about Christ’s birth rather than just myths and fairytales with this beautifully illustrated picture book.
The Stable Cat’s Christmas by Christina Vrba
The Stable Cat’s Christmas is another beautiful children’s book to add to your family tradition wishlist. From the perspective of a cat, children will learn the importance and blessing of giving your heart to Jesus.
The Animal’s Christmas Eve by Gale Wiersum
This beautiful Golden Book features a sweet rhyming story in which a group of animals recounts the events surrounding Jesus’ birth in the manger, and the parts some of their ancestors played in it. Your kids will love The Animal’s Christmas and their telling of the story of Jesus’ birth.
The Animal’s Christmas Eve Reading
‘Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist
‘Twas the Evening of Christmas echoes the familiar language and rhythm of Dr. Clements’ poetry, but instead of focusing on Santa, it focuses on the baby Jesus, who is, after all, the true hero of Christmas. If you’ve ever enjoyed ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, but wished for a more Christ-centered Christmas tradition, then this is definitely the book for you.
‘Twas the Evening of Christmas Reading
A Birthday Party for Jesus by Susan Jones
Last but certainly not least, we have A Birthday Party for Jesus. This book is a heartwarming reminder to children that Christmas isn’t about Santa or asking for presents; it’s about celebrating Jesus’s birthday.
Ideas for Starting a Countdown to Christmas Book-Reading Tradition
Traditions play a huge role in most families during holiday seasons and Christmas is no different. I have so many fond memories of Christmas traditions I did growing up with my family, and I hope my kids grow up with their own fond memories.
Consider one, some, or all of the ideas below for adding a countdown to Christmas book-reading tradition for your family.
Hide & Find
Each night hide a book somewhere around your home. Once it’s found, sit down as a family and read the story together. This is a fun substitute for Elf on the Shelf.
Instead of promotion that mischevious little elf, teach your kids about the true meaning of Christmas, plus the love of reading, all while having a fun, daily hide-and-seek activity.
Or check out these Christian alternative to Elf on the Shelf ideas instead!
Wrap & Read
Wrap each one of the 25 books individually and place them under a special small Christmas tree. Each evening, let one child choose a book to open and read it as a family.
Lights, Camera, Action!
After reading a story, let your children try to reenact it. Let them be as creative as possible using clothes, stuffed animals, and other toys. Acting is a fun form of creative play that also promotes critical thinking skills, plus it makes for a good home movie opportunity to send to Grandma.
Hopefully these ideas and books will help keep Christ in Christmas in your home while building memories that will be talked about for years to come! Enjoy!
Related Posts:
Light The World Christmas Tradition
Christian Alternatives to Elf on the Shelf
Christmas Book Activities for Where’s Santa Clause
Christ-Centered Christmas Books for Children
- Free Printable Valentine Multiplication Worksheets - June 4, 2025
- Free Printable Martin Luther King, Jr. Word Scramble - June 4, 2025
- Digital Math Curriculum | Pros, Cons, and Options - June 4, 2025