7 Christian Christmas Books to Read With Your Children This Christmas
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Christmas with little ones literally brings back the magic of the season.
I want my children to grow up remembering the joy of Christmas, not just because of the presents beneath the tree, but because of the little traditions that made this season feel special. A tradition my family had was my mother sat us all down and read The Christmas Orange and we all ate a chocolate orange. I want them to remember the stories we read together, the prayers we said, the ways we served others, and, most importantly, the beautiful gift of Jesus Christ.
One of the best ways to bring a little more intention into the Christmas season is through books and wholesome family. moments. There is something so special about gathering the family together and reading an impactful story.
These are the kinds of books that will help you return to the feeling of Christmas year after year. I would love for my kids to someday read these books to their kids and continue the tradition.
Here are seven sweet stories to consider adding to your Christmas bookshelf that I come back to year after year.
1. The Christmas Orange
The Christmas Orange is a beautiful story to add to a Christmas reading collection, especially if you want to teach your children about generosity, empathy, and finding joy in the little things.
Christmas can easily become a season of wanting. Children make wish lists, circle toys in catalogs, and eagerly count down the days until they can open their presents. And don't get me wrong I love having kids to continue the magic of holidays. Seeing it from their eyes, while there is nothing wrong with enjoying the excitement of gifts, I want my children to understand that the heart of Christmas is about something much greater.
Stories like this offer an opportunity to talk about some difficult conversations and appreciating what we have, being thankful for the things we might otherwise overlook, and learning to recognize the joy that comes from giving.
A little family tradition: After reading this story, give each child a chocolate orange to enjoy together. Talk about the little things you are grateful for and how even a small gift can mean so much when it is given with love.
2. Itsy Bitsy Christmas
Itsy Bitsy Christmas is such a fun book to add to your Christmas collection, especially if you have little ones who are still learning about the Nativity and the story of Jesus.
One of my favorite things about Christmas with little kids is getting to see the season through their eyes. Everything feels so much bigger and more exciting to them. I want to hold on to that magic while also making sure they understand what we are actually celebrating.
Books like this are a sweet way to introduce little ones to the story of Jesus in a way they can understand. They may not grasp every detail yet, but the more we read and talk about it, the more familiar the story becomes.
A little family tradition: After reading this book, get out your Nativity set and let your kids help arrange the pieces. Talk about Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, and let them ask questions as you go. It does not have to be a big lesson. Sometimes these little conversations are the ones that stick with them.
3. The Joy of Giving — The Berenstain Bears
I have always loved how children's books can teach important lessons without making everything feel like a lecture. The Joy of Giving by The Berenstain Bears is a great addition to your Christmas bookshelf if you want to make generosity part of your family's holiday traditions.
Let's be honest, Christmas is exciting for kids. There are presents to open, wish lists to make, and so much anticipation leading up to Christmas morning. I love that part of the season, too! But I also want my children to learn that Christmas is about more than what we receive.
I want them to experience the joy of doing something kind for another person, even when there is nothing in it for them. Whether that means making something for a sibling, helping a neighbor, or giving a gift to someone who needs a little extra love, these are the kinds of habits I hope will follow them into adulthood.
A little family tradition: After reading, choose someone your family can bless this Christmas. It could be a grandparent, a neighbor, or a friend. Let the kids help make a card, bake a treat, or pick out a little gift. The point is to show them that giving does not have to be extravagant to be meaningful.
4. The Little Drummer Boy
The Little Drummer Boy is one of those Christmas stories that reminds us that we do not have to have something extraordinary to give.
I think this is such an important lesson for children to learn, especially during a season when so much attention is placed on buying things and finding the perfect presents. We can easily get caught up in all the things we want to do for Christmas and forget that some of the most meaningful gifts cannot be wrapped.
I want my children to know that they can offer Jesus their little acts of love, their prayers, and their kindness toward others. They do not have to wait until they are older or have something impressive to give. They can start right where they are.
And really, isn't that part of what makes this story so beautiful? It reminds us that what we offer matters when it comes from a sincere heart.
A little family tradition: Read the story together and then sing The Little Drummer Boy. Ask each child to think of one way they can show Jesus love this Christmas. Maybe they can help a sibling, say a prayer for someone who is hurting, or do something kind without being asked. Keep it simple and let them come up with their own ideas.
5. The First Christmas
Of all the Christmas stories we read, the story of the Nativity is the one I want my children to know by heart. The First Christmas is a great way to teach them the truth about Christ’s birth.
Before the presents, the cookies, and all the excitement of Christmas morning, there was a baby born in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph welcomed Jesus into the world, shepherds came to see Him, and God gave us the greatest gift we could ever receive.
I want my children to grow up knowing the Nativity as more than a story we pull out once a year. I want them to understand that this is the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place.
As they get older, they will begin to understand more of the story and what it means for our faith. For now, I love the idea of reading it together, letting them ask questions, and making it a familiar part of our Christmas season.
A little family tradition: Read the Nativity story together while sitting beside your family Nativity set. Let the kids hold the different figures as you tell the story, or add a new piece to the scene each evening as Christmas approaches. You could even save baby Jesus for Christmas morning as a special way to mark His birth.
6. Christmas on the Farm
Christmas on the Farm is a cozy, festive story that brings the warmth and wonder of Christmas to life in a farm setting. With familiar animals and seasonal fun, it’s a lovely choice for little ones who enjoy cheerful stories and Christmas traditions.
I love books like this because they invite children to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of the season. As you read, you can talk about the animals, the changes on the farm, and the ways people prepare to celebrate Christmas. It’s also a sweet reminder that some of the most memorable holiday moments come from being together.
A little family tradition: After reading, make a simple farm-themed Christmas ornament together—perhaps a paper animal, a little barn, or a star for the stable. Hang it on the tree and let your child tell you which part of the story they liked best.
7. The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
The Crippled Lamb is a tender Christmas story about Joshua, a little lamb who feels left out because he can’t run and play like the others. When an unexpected journey brings him to the stable in Bethlehem, Joshua discovers that even the things that make him feel different can have a purpose.
I love this story because it offers a gentle way to talk with children about belonging, compassion, and trusting that every person matters. It also reminds us that God can work through our limitations and place us right where we’re needed.
A little family tradition: After reading, talk about a time someone helped you feel included—or how your family could help someone else feel welcome this Christmas. You could also invite each child to name one thing they appreciate about someone in the family.
The best Christmas traditions don’t have to be elaborate. Sometimes, they begin with a story, a few minutes together, and a conversation that stays with your children long after the decorations are packed away. I hope these books bring your family a little extra joy and help you make memories—and traditions—you’ll return to year after year.