If you’re a reading family, then you probably love having good books to read throughout the year. There are plenty of Christmas books out there, but we try to focus on read alouds that are the Christmas story we know from the Bible.
To help you sort through the options, here are more than 25 Christ centered Christmas books, perfect for all ages. (You could also use some of these in a Christmas book Advent calendar!)
25 Christ Centered Christmas Books
The Story of Christmas by Helen Dardik
This sweet little board book is perfect for babies and toddlers.
Over in a Stable by Suzanne Nelson
This story takes the style of the poem “Over in a Meadow” to introduce children to the Christmas story.
The Christmas Baby by Marion Dane Bauer
This is another great board book option for babies and toddlers.
Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck
I love the illustrations in this simple story to help introduce the youngest children to Christmas.
Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Written by the author of the Jesus Storybook Bible, this is a great book to read during Advent.
Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson
At first glance, this story might not look like it’s going to be about Jesus! But make sure you read all the way to the end.
The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell
This book weaves together the story of Jesus from both the Old and New Testament.
Christmas Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist
This sweet book includes little envelopes with letters inside that the children can read to learn more about Christmas.
The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
This story is set in the past and shares how aspects of who Jesus is are symbolized in the candy cane.
God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren
This book is short and sweet and explains Christmas in the context of all the good things God has given us.
One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham
This book has incredible illustrations and is a Christmas classic, celebrating how God has shown his love at Christmas.
‘Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist
This book is a spin on the traditional “Night before Christmas” poem, instead telling the story of Jesus’ birth.
Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell
This book tells the story of Jesus’ birth from the perspective of the animals in the stable.
A Christmas Goodnight by Nola Buck
This is a sweet book for younger kids that combines a little boy celebrating Christmas with the story of Jesus’ birth.
Who is Coming to Our House? By Joseph Slate
This story is about the animals preparing for Jesus to come and be born in the stable.
The Donkey Who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul
This is a beautiful story told from the perspective of the donkey who carried Mary to Bethlehem when she was pregnant with Jesus.
From Eden to Bethlehem by Danielle Hitchen
This is a wonderfully illustrated board book that traces stories throughout the Bible, ending in Jesus’ birth and the Christmas story.
The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt
This could also qualify as an Easter book, but it also connects to the Christmas story.
M is for Manger by Crystal Bowman
This is a great book for toddlers and preschoolers that walks through the alphabet while also telling the story of Christmas and the Nativity.
Itsy Bitsy Christmas by Max Lucado
This book tells the story of Jesus’ birth through the eyes of two little mice.
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
A lamb who finds himself crippled doesn’t think he has a purpose, but this lovely story ends with the lamb being present for Jesus’ birth.
The Last Straw by Fredrick Thury
Another retelling of the Christmas story, this time from the perspective of the camel that carried the wise men.
The Friendly Beasts by Rebecca St. James
The title of this book is very old poem that is as if the animals in the stable were singing to Jesus at his birth.
The Night Before Jesus by Herbert Brokering
Another spin on the Night before Christmas poem, this time tracing the Christmas story in the book of Luke.
The Little Shepherd by Elizabeth Jaeger
There seems to be a theme with many of these books—telling the Christmas story from different perspectives. This one is told by a young shepherd who is awakened one special night by angels singing.
Keeping Holiday by Starr Meade
This is one of our all-time favorite Christmas books. It is out of print so very expensive on Amazon, but see if you can find it at your local library!