Grab some hot cocoa, curl up on the couch, and read to your kids or as a family today. Who knows? This could be a new family Christmas tradition.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaotic craziness of Christmas. The gift buying, cookie baking, going to events and parties and gatherings with friends and family. Your schedule gets packed faster than Santa’s toy bag.
Amidst the crazy, take some time to remember Jesus, the reason for the season. The best way to do this is intentionally setting aside some time to spend with the Lord in quiet. One of the best ways to do it is to read a book. It’s a quiet, relaxing, beautiful activity you can do with your family, and there are lots and lots of books about the birth of Jesus for all ages.
Here are ten titles to look into:
1. Christmas Time: It’s All About Jesus by Sue M. Barksdale and Alicia T. Young
This book uses passages from Mark and Luke to tell the story of Jesus, using writing that is poetic and child-like so kids can understand. I love the illustrations in this book and how cute they are. (Amazon, Ages 3-5)
2. Celebrating Christmas with Jesus: An Advent Devotional by Max Lucado
Beloved pastor Max Lucado has written an advent devotional that Christians can read during the holiday season. This book tells about many events in Jesus’ life, from his birth to his death. It also reflects on the gift that God has given us, which is Jesus, the reason for the season. It invites the reader in so they can celebrate and experience Jesus as he becomes the center of Christmas. This devotion makes a splendid gift for those who are seeking the truth or don’t know the truth. (Adult)
3. Christmas in a Manger: The Story of the Birth of Jesus by an Animal in the Stable by Lillian Trebilco
This unique telling of the birth of Jesus is from the viewpoint of a cow named Betsy. I found this to be an interesting angle. It has excellent reviews, saying that Betsy the cow’s thinking is much like a child’s and that the story is told respectfully with gentle humor in a way that a child can understand. (Ages 2-7)
4. The Boy Who Cried Christmas by Dennis Bailey
For those who love the Christian Fantasy genre, this seems like an interesting book. It’s about a boy named Leo Ailishie who comes from a wealthy family. Leo is all about getting his way for the holidays and making sure his Christmas list is long enough. He also embellishes things and lies. On the streets of New York, Leo encounters an angel who transports him back to Jesus' birth. Upon returning home, Leo has the greatest story to tell, one that can change lives. His biggest problem is that no one believes him... (Ages teen to adult)
5. Because of Bethlehem: Love is Born, Hope is Here by Max Lucado
Christmas can mean so many things to different people. For some, it’s a celebration of love, joy, Jesus, family, and friends. Other people find it to be a season of loneliness, grief, and loss. It’s not always the most wonderful time of the year.
When we think of the Christmas story, it makes our hearts burst with joy. However, when we really think about it, it was kind of bleak. A king ordered a census that Joseph and Mary had to travel to comply with. Mary had to ride on a donkey’s back eight months pregnant, and when they got to where they were going, there was no room at the inn. In the modern day, this would sound like an enormous hassle, but in that hassle hope was born.
Because of Bethlehem invites readers to look at Christmas from a different point of view. One that sees more than Christmas trees with presents piled underneath. Instead, we need to focus on the baby in the manger who became the King on a cross.
This book will help people rekindle their connection to the Christ that Christmas represents. It will help them receive the promises of the Christmas season and let go of the to-do lists and trust Jesus. It will also help people heal their heartache by realizing and embracing that God is always near, always for them, and always with them. (Adult)
6. The Spider Who Saved Christmas by Raymond Arroyo
This book tells a tale filled with faith about Nephalia, a cave-dwelling spider that plays an important role in the Christmas story. It also talks about the origin of Christmas tinsel and how we can find hope in the darkest circumstances. This book has stunning illustrations that both kids and adults will love. (Ages 4-8)
7. The Wise Men Who Found Christmas by Raymond Arroyo
This book tells the true story of the three wise men who came to see Jesus. They were not three kings, nor did they live in the East or even Persia. In fact, they risked everything to find out the truth. Based on new historical evidence, this story tells about three men who followed a star and witnessed the greatest story ever told. (Ages 4 and up)
8. A Charlie Brown Christmas: Deluxe Edition by Charles M. Schultz and Vicki Scott
Charlie Brown is a classic. I’ve loved this story since I was a kid, but as an adult, I love how Linus tells the Christmas story in such a simple way for kids and adults to understand. The deluxe edition of this book has a cloth cover, foil stamping, and gorgeous illustrations. No matter what edition you get, simple or deluxe, this is a wonderful, classic story to share with the next generation. (Ages 4 and up)
9. A Brave Lady Called Mary: The Story of Mary, Mother of Jesus by Joy Eugine-Oakorie
This book describes Jesus' mother, Mary, and God's favor toward her. It tells of a young woman who loved God so much that she would do what he asked of her. When an angel appears and tells her she will give birth to the Son of God, she accepts the news with grace and humility. It’s because of her giving birth to Jesus that we get to experience the greatest gift of all. (Ages 3-8)
10. A Birthday Party for Jesus by Susan Jones and Lee Holland
This book brings the meaning of Christmas home in a way that children can understand. This story is about some forest animals that are getting ready for a giant and exciting event. As you read the story with your child, there is a clue on each page about which forest animal knows about the true meaning of Christmas and how he wants to share this with his other forest friends. By the end of the story, kids will know the true meaning of Christmas. (Ages 2-4)
This book helps children enjoy Christmas by celebrating Jesus. It reinforces Christian values in a warm, friendly way, and it helps to counterbalance the commercialism constantly bombarding children through TV and social media.
These are some outstanding books to read to your family this Christmas season to help remind everyone why we celebrate. So, grab some hot cocoa, curl up on the couch, and read to your kids or as a family today. Who knows? This could be a new family Christmas tradition.
Photo Credit: ©Getty/maximkabb
