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25+ Heartwarming Christian Christmas Books for Kids (2023)

Christmas is the perfect time for snuggling up with your kids and great Christmas books. Skip all the books about Santa and elves, and read books about baby Jesus and the first Christmas. 

These Christ-centered Christmas books make the perfect addition to your Christmas traditions and help your kids understand the true meaning of the season. 

These classic Christmas stories will not only teach your kids about the nativity story, three wise men, and shepherds but also about love, giving, and the Gift that was given to us on that first Christmas day. 

little girl holding a book in front of a Christmas tree

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Christ-Centered Christmas Books for Kids

No matter if you have toddlers or tweens, your whole family will enjoy these classic Christmas books for children. 

Best Christian Christmas Books for Toddlers 

Read these books with your preschoolers as you prepare for the big day. Even little hearts can understand when the Christmas story is presented in fun Christmas picture books or a simple board book.

Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck

This Christmas board book tells the story of the first Christmas in a gentle and lyrical way, making it perfect for young children. The radiant artwork and simple text are sure to capture the hearts of little ones.


The Christmas Surprise by Steph Williams

This engaging little book tells the story of the first Christmas, with fun illustrations that will engage young children. It’s perfect for use in toddler groups and children’s ministry, and also makes a great stocking filler.


The First Christmas by Holly Berry-Byrd

A retelling of the first Christmas story, this Lift-a-Pop board book is designed to engage children’s senses. The sturdy pages are thick and durable, but flexible enough for little hands to lift the flaps and explore the pop-ups. This interactive book is a great way to introduce young children to the Nativity story in an engaging and memorable way! 


Sounding Joy by Ellie Holcomb

What does joy sound like? Award-winning recording artist Ellie Holcomb explores this question through a delightful collection of Christmastime scenes, leading up to the discovery that joy sounds like the angels singing that Jesus had been born.


Good News! It’s Christmas! by Glenys Nellist

This beautiful children’s book tells the story of Jesus’ birth in a fun, rhyming way. With whimsical illustrations and a warm tone, it is perfect for reading aloud during advent or as a gift for a young family.


God Gave Us Christmas (God Gave Us Series) by Lisa Tawn Bergren

As Christmas Day approaches, Mama Polar bear helps Little Cub learn the answers to some of the holiday’s most important questions like “Who invented Christmas?” and “Is God more important than Santa?” ECPA bestseller will help kids understand the meaning of Christmas while learning how much God loves them.


A Very Noisy Christmas by Tim Thornborough

A Very Noisy Christmas is a fun retelling of the Christmas story that includes regular invitations for children to make some noise! But it also shows them that at the heart of the story is something we should all be quiet and see: God’s Son Jesus was born so that we can be friends with Him forever.


The Christmas Promise Storybook: A True Story from the Bible about God’s Forever King by Alison Mitchell

The Christmas Promise Storybook is a beautifully illustrated Bible storybook that tells the story of how God kept his promise to send a savior King. This perfect book for children aged 3 to 6 will teach them all about Christmas and how God’s love is forever.


Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer

Humphrey the camel is on a journey to Bethlehem with the Wise Men, but he’s most interested in getting his carpet blanket back. He bemoans its loss until he finally gets a new one, but when he sees baby Jesus shivering, he gives the child his new blanket without a second thought. Full of rich acrylic paintings, humor, and heart, this board book edition of Carol Heyer’s bestseller will swiftly become a cherished favorite with little ones.


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.


Itsy Bitsy Christmas: A Reimagined Nativity Story for Advent and Christmas by Max Lucado

Itsy Bitsy Christmas by Max Lucado is a beautiful Christmas story of God’s love for everyone, even the littlest of His creation. When Itsy and Bitsy, two charming little mice, hear that a King is coming to Bethlehem, they set off with great enthusiasm to find Him. Along the way, others discourage them saying they are too little and unimportant for any king. Just when Itsy and Bitsy begin to believe they really aren’t big enough for the new King, they learn that Christ the King has indeed come for everyone.


Christian Christmas Story Books for Kids (Elementary Age)

These Christ-centered Christmas books are perfect for your homeschool read-aloud time, family devotions, or just snuggling on the couch with hot chocolate!

The First Christmas Night by Keith Christopher

This gorgeously illustrated picture book features a lyrical retelling of the birth of Christ, written in the style of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.“‘Twas the very first Christmas when all through the town, not a creature was stirring — there was not a sound.” This beautiful retelling of the birth of Jesus celebrates that joyous night in Bethlehem so long ago.


The Christmas Blessing: A One-of-a-Kind Nativity Story for Kids by Erin Guendelsberger

A heartwarming, original telling of the very first Christmas in this picture book for kids! On this divine night in Bethlehem, a voice calls down to a group of animals gathered in a stable. It’s time to welcome a special arrival, the Savior who will gift the world with love and grace. Will the different animals be able to set aside all of their differences, come together, and work in harmony to have the manger ready in time?


The Berenstain Bears, The Very First Christmas by Jan Berenstain

This addition to the Living Lights series of Berenstain Bears books is perfect for early readers ages 4-8, reading out loud during Advent or the holiday season, as a holiday gift exchange or as an Advent gift. It tells the story of Gabriel’s announcement to Mary and the visit from the three wise men featuring the hand-drawn artwork from the Berenstain family.


The Night Before Jesus by Herbert Brokering

The Night Before Jesus tells the story of Jesus’ birth in a fun, rhyming way that children will love. With beautiful illustrations and easy-to-read rhymes, this book is perfect for introducing kids to the most important Christmas story of all.


Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids by Asheritah Ciuciu

This children’s book is based on the best-selling Advent devotional. Asheritah will help you introduce your kids to who Jesus is as they experience Who He is as a real Person Who can meet their needs.


A Christmas Tree for Jesus: Celebrating God’s Gift to Us by Susan Jones

A Christmas Tree for Jesus is a charming children’s book and song that reminds us of God’s great gift at Christmastime. The forest friends are excited to decorate their community’s tree in a very special way. In a sort of show and tell, each animal will add an ornament on a certain day until the tree is covered with beautiful handmade ornaments. But these aren’t just any ornaments—the animals have been asked to bring an ornament that shows something amazing they know about Jesus.


All is Bright: When God Came Down One Silent Night by Clay Anderson

All is Bright: When God Came Down One Silent Night tells the story of the first Christmas night when baby Jesus was born. With beautiful rhyming text and based around the lyrics of Silent Night, this book celebrates the wonder of Jesus’ birth and how he changed the world.


Related: 9 Best Christmas Devotionals to Make Your Season Cheerful

‘Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Christmas Season (‘Twas Series) by Glenys Nellist

This beautiful, heartwarming collection of devotions and stories from beloved author Glenys Nellist is the perfect way to celebrate the Advent season. Written in both prose and poetry, ‘Twas the Season of Advent will engage children and adults alike and become a new holiday tradition for families everywhere!


A Birthday Party for Jesus by Susan Jones

A Birthday Party for Jesus is a heartwarming reminder to children that Christmas isn’t about Santa or asking for presents; it’s about celebrating Jesus’s birthday. This inviting, full-color, illustrated picture book tells a story of forest animals preparing for a big and exciting event. Each page provides another clue to young readers that somewhere in the forest, one special animal knows the true meaning of Christmas and wants to share it with the rest of his forest friends.


The Jesus Storybook Bible: A Christmas Collection by Sally Lloyd-Jones

This book is an interactive Advent experience that brings the story of Jesus to life for the whole family. Featuring story, sound, and song, this engaging journey to Christmas is based on the bestselling The Jesus Storybook Bible, with over 6 million copies sold!


a boy and girl wearing Santa hats and reading a Christmas book

Related: 25 Cozy Christian Christmas Novels for Women

Children’s Christmas Books for Tweens

Even when kids get a little older they still enjoy Christmas stories. Give them these fun and festive reads to encourage their Christmas spirit!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

This is one of my personal favorite Christmas stories, and I can’t wait to read it to my kids for the first time this year! The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids.

So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas Eve pageant. But it will be a very different story once they discover there’s more at stake than who gets to be the star of the show.


The Promise and the Light by Katy Morgan

Here is a captivating retelling of the nativity story, written as a series of vivid and dramatic first-person accounts. This imaginative book will captivate children aged 8-12 and will help them appreciate the power and excitement of what happened at Christmas.


One Wintry Night: A Classic Retelling of the Christmas Story, from Creation to the Resurrection by Ruth Graham Bell

In this warm and wonderful tale, Ruth Bell Graham takes you through the most important events of the Bible. The reader is taken back to Adam in Eden, all the way up to Jesus Christ who was born in Bethlehem and rose from death and is a wonderful way to open up conversations with kids about salvation.


The Advent Storybook: 25 Bible Stories Showing Why Jesus Came by Laura Richie

The Advent Storybook invites your family on a beautiful, chronological journey through the ancient stories of Scripture. Beginning with Creation and tracing God’s faithful promise to send a Rescuer—Jesus. Each of the 25 Bible stories begins with a key verse and ends with a thoughtful question, helping you and your children think and talk about the reason we celebrate Jesus’ birth.


The Action Bible Christmas: 25 Stories about Jesus’ Arrival (Action Bible Series)​​​​​​​  by Sergio Cariello 

Looking for a unique, family-friendly way to celebrate Christmas? Look no further than The Action Bible Christmas! This new addition to the bestselling Action Bible line tells the story of Jesus’ birth from 25 “eyewitnesses”—such as the young student in the East who first saw the star, Zechariah, the innkeeper, and the dove in the stable rafters. With stunning illustrations and intriguing original accounts of Jesus’ birth, The Action Bible Christmas is perfect for sparking thought-provoking conversations throughout Advent and the holiday season.


Christmas Crossroads by Elizabeth Raum

Christmas Crossroads puts you in control of the story as three children set out to visit Jesus on the first Christmas. The trip is perilous, and your decisions shape the outcome. Join your favorite Christmas story characters on an adventure to the City of David. When one journey ends, a new one awaits. 


The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

A heartwarming story of love, loss, and hope. This anniversary edition includes a new note from the author and an audio narration by James Earl Jones.

Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle.


Home by Another Way: A Christmas Story by Barbara Brown Taylor

This enchanting Christmas story by beloved author and preacher Barbara Brown Taylor follows the three wise men on their world-changing journey to Bethlehem. In this beautiful retelling of their adventure, Taylor captures the power of one very special star and gives readers a new perspective on the three wise men and their encounters with King Herod, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.

Voices of Christmas by Nikki Grimes

Gabriel “paced the halls of heaven” as he memorized God’s message to Mary. He wondered what she would say. The Christmas story unfolds, as never before, through the voices of those who witnessed the Messiah’s birth. Listen to Joseph’s struggle. Rejoice with Elizabeth and Zachariah. Worship with the magi. Hear the fear in Herod’s voice. Receive the blessing of Simeon and Anna. And, like the shepherds, shout for joy!


Children’s Christmas Books

There is so much love surrounding baby Jesus during this season. Bring some of that love and joy into your family with these sweet Christmas storybooks for children.

Help your kids know the true meaning of the season isn’t in candy canes, Santa, or all the presents under the tree.  Read them the stories of Jesus, friendship, and giving that make the season truly wonderful.

Are your favorite kids Christmas books on the list? If not, leave a comment and share yours!

More Christmas Fun for Kids

Looking for more ways to enjoy the Christmas season with your kids? Check out these ideas:

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