Christmas Books You Should Own

source: shawn calhoun

I know, Christmas is in 4 days. But there’s still time to grab a few books as last-minute gifts. Or rather, as a few last minute family-times around the Christmas tree. Here are the…

Top Ten Christmas Books I Think You Should Buy Even Before The Stores Put Them On Sale For 50% Off

1. A Christmas Prayer by Amy Parker

This is a sweet book I got as a review. I liked it the first time I read it but the more we read it, the more I really like it. It’s perfect for Asa–a nice baby-preschool book. The story is of a little girl thanking God for the different characters in the Nativity. She sets up her own Nativity scene with her dolls. I like the personal and everyday-ness of it.

2. The Three Gifts of Christmas by Jennie Bishop

This book is precious. It’s the story of a princess who learns about real giving. Her parents institute a 3 gift rule. She is surprised at how 3 “small” gifts can mean so much. She then ends up giving her gifts away to others. Not only is it a lesson for our kids–it’s inspiring as a parent. It encouraged me to be bold in teaching my kids! Also, ours came with a great audio version…my kids won’t want me to read it to them after hearing it.

3. The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs

I’ve told you about this one before. Please just buy it. You will be so happy you did.

4. The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones

So it’s not technically Christmas. But the byline, “Every story whispers his name” is true. As you read the “Old Testament” in the book, you’ll be anxiously awaiting for the Christmas Day stories. If you don’t have this book, it is THE you-must-run-out-and-buy-this-one-no-matter-what book on your list. And if you already have it…well, then, buy the Deluxe Editionwhich includes the audio versions!

{my interview with Sally Lloyd Jones! and my Jesus Storybook Bible inspired art–a Christmas gift you could still pull off!}

5. The King’s Christmas List by Eldon Johnson

This is the book that inspired our Christmas-gifts-for-Jesus tradition. Buy it. Do it.

6. Who Is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate

I don’t even know where we got this book (probably 50% off last year…). It’s just a little picture book about a stable full of animals getting ready for a special visitor. But my favorite part is the ending…a tired looking, barefooted Mary is laying in the hay with her new baby. It’s just so real and messy. I love it.

7. The Legend of the Three Trees

This has become my new favorite Christmas book. And it will be my new favorite Easter book, too. I love when a Christmas book tells the rest of the story.

8. The Wonder of Christmas by Dandi Daley Mackall

I love Dandi Daley Mackall because she doesn’t always make conclusions in her books. Sometimes she just asks questions. I think she draws kids and parents to think about what they are reading. This book is the story of a group of kids putting on a classic Christmas pageant. Each child asks a question about their character, “I wonder what the shepherds thought…” or “I wonder what Mary thought…”. But the end is what gets me (literally, I get choked up ever time I read it), the kids then make a declaration that mimics and fulfills their original question. Beautiful. {ugh! the book is upstairs in Lydia’s room! when I find it in the morning, I’ll quote it for you!}

9. Jesus, Me, and My Christmas Tree, J Is for Jesus: The Sweetest Story Ever Told, My Christmas Stocking: Filled with God’s Love, A Star for Jesus, My Christmas Giftby Crystal Bowman

I just found these books at our church’s bookstore this week. And they just stared at me. Really. I felt like they were set out just for Impress Your Kids because they were four of the shapes/objects we’ve been talking about in our Advent Activities! Each book is in the shape of it’s object–Christmas Tree, Gift, Star and Candy Cane (<–that’s the final week)! Lydia and I sat down on the floor and reviewed the last 3 weeks just by looking at the covers! They are simple rhymes with the theme of “redeeming” these symbols. I’m so excited I found these!

10. What’s your favorite Christmas book?