In order to better welcome the arrival of Christmas, I started reading Christian books about Christmas and Children's books about Jesus a few weeks in advance.
I read 30 Best Christian children's Christmas books about Jesus before and after, and the average number of readings per book is more than 3 times.
Christianity is the world's three major religions, with the largest number of believers in the world, and it has produced countless classic literature, so do you know what are the works of Christian attractions? let's take a look together
So, what have you read Christian books about Christmas?
Christ-Centered Christmas Books for babies and children of all ages
Simply put, these 30 Best Christ-Centered Christmas Books can be divided into three types:
- Best Christmas books about Jesus
- Children's books about Jesus, and
- Christian books about Christmas
All those categories are mostly about the origin of Christmas (nativity) and how Christians celebrate Christmas.
If the birth of Jesus is accompanied by some stories, how the church celebrates Christmas is full of religious meaning.
The child can tilt his head with a puzzled face and ask his mother, where did the shepherd go? You can also excitedly point to the mother to see the newborn baby (Jesus) in the cowshed.
However, they could not understand the various movements with religious meanings made by various spirits with long wings and pointed ears.
Originally, I was a non-religious person, and naturally, I would not deliberately teach my children to learn a certain religion.
At most, it is used to fill the knowledge base, and it is enough to have more knowledge. Therefore, this type of picture book is usually read once and clicked until the end.
Here is my list of 30 Christ-Centered Christmas Books for the Whole Family.
30 Best Christian Children's Christmas picture books about Jesus
The expression of Christian belief is based on the Bible as the core blueprint and is based on the belief documents formed by the apostles, churches, and denominations of past dynasties. It is very rich in content.
Among them, the Apostles' Creed has been recognized as the most admirable and reliable summary by churches and theologians of all ages.
The core belief of Christians is that God came to the sensual world of human beings in the flesh of Jesus, and Jesus' declarations about the nature of God and the possibility of human existence make his historical life a standard for people to believe in. This is one of the central revelations of Christianity.
As fully God God is also fully human. His life was a perfect example. No sinful nature, no offense, because of his great love for the world, completely obeying God's will, bearing unwarranted charges, suffering under the ruler Pontius Pilate at that time, being nailed to the cross, dying, and being buried, descended into hell. Christianity believes that the cross demonstrates God's great love and salvation.
Discover the best Children's Jesus Books and Christian books that teach with eternity in mind.
Below I recommend the 30 Best Christian children's Christmas picture books about Jesus.
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1. Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck
The gentle beauty of the story of the First Christmas is now available as a board book. With a simple, lyrical text and radiant artwork, this book is perfect for the youngest child to be a part of the wonder of the Nativity.
Parents, grandparents, and caregivers have all embraced this telling. Don't miss this beautiful little book from the acclaimed team of Nola Buck and Felicia Bond.
2. God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergen
Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition 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. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that Jesus is the best present of all.
This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and discover how very much God loves them.
3. The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving by Jan Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears explore the value of generosity and gratitude in The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving. Children will discover ways to implement traditional values and share God’s goodness in Zonderkidz's The Berenstain Bears Living Lights™ series of books.
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving:
- Sparks conversations about the joy of giving to others?
- Encourages age-appropriate discussions about sharing and developing an attitude of gratitude?
- Perfect for back-to-school reading, summer reading, birthday gifts, and holidays? gift-giving
- Perfect for early readers ages 4-8, reading out loud at home or in a classroom
The Berenstain Bears Living Lights™ series:
- Features the hand-drawn artwork of the Berenstain family
- Continues in the much-loved footsteps of Stan and Jan Berenstain
- Is part of one of the bestselling children’s book series ever created, with more than 250 unique books published and nearly 300 million books sold to date?
Look for additional inspirational children’s picture books in The Berenstain Bears Living Lights™ series.
4. Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell
This favorite Christmas picture book is now available in a reduced-size padded board book perfect for little hands with bright red foil on the cover to share the holiday cheer!
In the stable next to an inn, Kind Ox is just settling in for the night when Old Dog comes into the stable. Kind Ox makes room for Old Dog, who in turn makes room for Stray Cat, who then makes room for Small Mouse--and each time, the larger animal says to the small, "There's always room for a little one here."
Finally, Tired Donkey comes by, carrying Joseph and Mary, who asks "Where will my child be born?" Kind Ox replies, "There is always room for a little one here." And so, Jesus is born in the stable with the animals all around Him.
5. The Christmas Story by Jane Werner Watson
Share the true meaning of Christmas with your children this holiday season. This simple but poetic text brings to life the story of Jesus' birth in a stable in Bethlehem.
First published in 1952, this Little Golden Book adaption of the Christmas story was illustrated by beloved artist Eloise Wilkin. This classic picture book retelling of the Christmas story is a perfect gift for the holidays.
6. The Animals’ Christmas Eve by Gale Wiersum
This sweet barnyard Christmas counting story makes the perfect gift!
In the barn on Christmas Eve,
After all the people leave,
The animals, in voices low,
Remember Christmas long ago . . .
So begins 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.
7. Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas by Hisako Aoki
Discover the true meaning of the holidays as Santa Claus retells the story of the first Christmas in this sweet picture book from Hisako Aoki and Ivan Gantschev.
When Santa Claus tells the forest animals that he is not looking forward to delivering all those heavy packages, they are worried that there won’t be a Christmas anymore.
To help everyone understand that Christmas would still come even if he didn’t, Santa tells the story of the first Christmas, and they all learn a good lesson about the meaning of this special holiday.
8. Jesus’ Christmas Party by Nicholas Allen
9. Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer
10. The Nativity by Julie Vivas
11. Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate
A modern Christmas classic about how the animals prepare a cozy welcome for the baby Jesus, perfect for under the tree or in stockings.
"Who is coming to our house?
Someone, someone," says Mouse.
As Pig makes room, Lamb cleans up, Goose stacks the hay, and Duck lines the crib with eiderdown, Mary and Joseph are on their way by donkey. All the animals are eager to welcome baby Jesus to their home.
A warm, lyrical book your family will cuddle up with for years.
12. Happy Birthday, Christmas Child! by Laura Sassi
Intended for little ones ages 0 - 4 and their families, Happy Birthday, Christmas Child is:
- a sturdy board book perfect for little hands
- a charming introduction to the wonder and joy of Christmas
- a spark for a conversation about how Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ birth
- a fun way for toddlers and preschoolers to practice counting and naming things
- a great gift option for Christmas, birthdays, baby showers, children’s ministry, preschool programs, and more.
13. The King of Christmas by Todd R. Hains and Natasha Kennedy
Join FatCat and the wise men as they follow the light of the Christmas star, journeying over sea and field, through market and temple, to find the King of Christmas. In each place they look, a new friend joins their search.
The journey doesn't end with the manager. Once the magi and their lively cast of friends and friendly beasts find Jesus at the nativity scene, they ask where else he can be found. On the cross? In the tomb?
And where do we find the King of Christmas today? In his word, where he promises to be found. Wherever his name and word are, you will find him too. Merry Christmas to all of God's children!
14. Bethlehem Barn by Debra Westgate-Silva
Ancient legends tell us that for one hour on Christmas Eve, animals are given the gift of speech. If we could have heard the animals on that very first Christmas Eve, what do you think they would have said?
Donkey, Cow, Sheep, Chicken, and Bird are having a typical winter night in the barn. That is until the Cow finds something in her food trough. Astonishment turns into awe when Bird reveals that it's a human baby. And not just any human baby, it's baby Jesus, the people's Savior!
All the animals are humbled--the baby Jesus, in their barn! A frenzy follows while the animals do everything they can to make Him comfortable, warm, and safe.
With soft, beautiful artwork and a delightful animal cast, Bethlehem Barn is a light-hearted, fun retelling of that very first Christmas that will charm children and adults alike.
Bethlehem Barn is perfect for:
- Parents looking for a sweet, funny read-aloud book with a Christian message
- Grandparents looking for a special gift for their grandchildren
- Christian school teachers looking to build their classroom libraries
- Sunday School teachers looking for a fun Christmas read-aloud book
- A Christmas Eve storytime tradition that will delight listeners of all ages
- New baby, baby shower, baptism, or christening gift
15. The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell
Superb illustrations by Catalina Echeverri and faithful, Bible-centered story-telling by Alison Mitchell combine to make this a book that both parents and children will love.
16. Jesus Came for Me by Jared Kennedy
Jesus Came for Me is part of The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible series. For children, ages three to seven, this beautifully illustrated, Christian, children's book begins with the announcement of John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah and ends with the visit of the wise men.
Jesus Christ, our great God, was born as a little baby, and his birth is good news and great joy for all people including your child!
Help your little one know that Jesus is always present, and he helps us believe and wait for him. Because of the compelling content and modern, vivid illustrations, children will live in the joy of the greatest truth of all: Jesus is with us!
This conversational book simply tells the story of the gospel and invites children to respond. Jesus Came for Me helps toddlers and preschoolers celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
17. Christmas is Coming! by Tama Fortner
Christmas is for celebrating Jesus, God’s greatest gift to the world. While Christmas excitement often focuses on hanging lights, opening gifts, and decorating trees, Christmas Is Coming! offers a different—and true—reason for our joy and celebration.
Designed to be read and reread during the days leading up to Christmas, the story lets children ages 2-6 listen with wonder and anticipation as the story of God’s plan for Jesus’ arrival unfolds.
18. All The Colors of Christmas by Matthew Paul Turner
Matthew Paul Turner celebrates the Christmas season, particularly the colors that infuse the holiday and all the memorable sensations and experiences—including a festive market, sledding, and nativity scene—connected to those bright hues.
Matthew draws his readers into a whirling ribbon of the familiar reds and greens of Christmas, as well as other festive hues, including white, gold, blue, and brown.
Christmas is RED.
It's a bright shiny sled.
It's candy canes,
and toy store lanes.
It's sprinkles on sweet bread.
Christmas is BROWN
It’s pinecones scattered round…
It’s a cradle soft with hay
And a donkey’s gentle bray.
It’s God within
a baby’s skin
on that very first Christmas Day.
All the colors come together when readers are reminded that Christmas is YOU—you’re a part of the story, the joy, and the glory!
Matthew shows us again and again that the holidays are nothing without being with the people we love, celebrating treasured traditions, and making new memories—all in vivid color.
19. A Very Noisy Christmas by Tim Thornborough
Some people think that Christmas was a "Silent Night". Far from it. It was filled with shouting, singing, and screaming! It was as noisy as any of our Christmas celebrations.
This fun and fresh retelling of the Christmas story comes with invitations to make some noise so that children can join in as parents read to them.
But it also shows children that at the heart of the Christmas story is something we should all be quiet and see: God’s Son Jesus was born so that we can be friends with God forever.
A wonderful Christmas gift for children aged 2-4.
20. There’s a Lion in my Nativity by Lizzie Laferton
This rhyming book with warm, quirky illustrations makes a beautiful Christmas gift for children who are 4-7 years old.
In this story of a Christmas nativity play, Mary thinks she is the star of the show. However, as the play goes on, she finds that every scene has been stolen by an unlikely character or object, such as a tent, a phone, and a lion!
With the help of the narrator, Mary realizes that each one actually teaches us a profound truth about Jesus. The tent teaches us that Jesus came to live among us humbly; the phone teaches us that Jesus came to connect us to God, and the lion shows us that Jesus is the king of the universe!
Along with Mary, readers will see that Jesus is the true star of the show and that it is wonderful to know him.
21. Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Families will treasure this fresh perspective on the nativity for years to come. Beautifully illustrated and told from the perspective of the animals and all creation, Song of the Stars:
- features easy-to-read text and is perfect for ages 4–8
- is ideal for Advent and Christmas storytime
- explores the joy, excitement, and celebration of creation and the coming of Jesus
- inspires discussions of why Advent is observed
This gorgeous picture book is great for Christmas-themed story times and an addition to your family library that will be treasured for many years.
22. Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
In this reissued edition by Margaret Wise Brown, Christmas in the Barn tells a childlike interpretation of the Nativity story with all-new full-color illustrations from New York Times bestselling illustrator Anna Dewdney, creator of the Llama Llama series.
"Brown's tender, lyrical account of the Nativity has been reissued...with illustrations that expand the succinct text, giving a quiet sense of grandeur while at the same time making readers feel a part of the events. A lovely book for a new generation of readers" says School Library Journal.
23. The Littlest Watchman by Scott James
The trouble is, it's hard just waiting. And one night, Benjamin finally gives in and stops watching. But that same night, as he sits outside Bethlehem, he gets to watch something wonderful.
Kids will be gripped by what Benjamin saw and will be excited by the Christmas story all over again.
24. ‘Twas the Evening of Christma's by Glenys Nellist
'Twas the evening of Christmas, when all through the town,
Every inn was so crowded, no room could be found.
Tired Mary and Joseph, who went door to door,
At last found a place on a small stable floor.
For over 200 years, families have gathered on Christmas Eve to hear the much-loved words of Dr. Clement C. Moore's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. This year, families can gather together to share the real Christmas story--the story of Jesus' birth.
'Twas the Evening of Christma's 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.
All families will delight in this simple retelling of the most famous story ever told. With a cover that comes alive with foil and sculpted embossing, this book is sure to become a Christmas classic.
25. A Child is Born by Margaret Wise Brown
This lyrical celebration of the miracle of Christmas is now just the right size for little hands!
Margaret Wise Brown's simple, poetic language brought to life by Floyd Cooper's spectacular paintings offer a fresh perspective on the Holy Family and the miraculous birth of Christ.
26. A Churchmouse Christmas by Barbara Davoll
The hour is drawing near for the church's special Christmas play- and Christopher wants to add a churchmouse to the church's nativity scene.
When the play finally comes together, Chris learns that the true meaning of Christmas is for all of God's creation.
27. Goodnight Manger by Laura Sassi
- Is perfect as bedtime reading for your toddlers and little ones, especially during the holiday season
- Makes the Christmas story fun and accessible for young readers
- Helps kids think deeper about what being in the stable may have been like for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
- Can be read during Advent, the Christmas season, or celebrations of Jesus’s birthday
- Makes a great gift for baby showers, new moms, grandchildren, toddlers, nieces and nephews, and boys and girls 0-4
It's bedtime for Baby Jesus, but who knew a manger could be so loud? Mama, Papa, and all the animals try to get the baby to sleep, but between itchy hay, angels' joyful hosannas, and three kings bearing noisy gifts, it's just too loud. Until Mama finds a way for everyone to work together to shepherd Jesus into peaceful dreams under the twinkling stars.
If you enjoy Goodnight, Manger, be sure to check out Goodnight, Ark as well!
28. Goodbye to Goodbyes by Lauren Chandler
In this vivid, moving, and exciting retelling of the story of Lazarus, Lauren Chandler helps children understand how Jesus makes all the difference to death. Children will see that because Jesus rose from death, he has power over it and all who believe in him will also rise, just as Lazarus did.
The author, Lauren Chandler, used the story of Lazarus to help her own children come to terms with her husband’s (Matt Chandler) brain tumor.
Whether children are coming to terms with the illness or death of a loved one, or simply fearful of when that day might come, this book reassures them with the amazing truth that Jesus came to say goodbye to goodbyes — forever.
29. Jesus by Devon Provencher
With each volume written to complement all the others, this series is designed to help children develop a cohesive framework of theology that includes God, creation, humanity, Jesus, and the gospel-allowing you to start having crucial conversations with your children as early as possible.
30. The Lord’s Prayer by Tim Ladwig
The beloved words of The Lord's Prayer serve as the text for this remarkable book, in which Tim Ladwig illustrates how the words of this ancient prayer can have real meaning in our lives today.
In Tim's paintings, a young girl and her father spend a day together helping an elderly neighbor. The love and guidance the child experiences in her relationship with her dad reflect the heart and will of our Heavenly Father in concrete ways children of all ages will understand.
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