5 Faith-Filled Books That Keep Christ at the Heart of Christmas

While The Night Before Christmas paints a cozy picture of sugarplums and stockings, these are five beautiful books that go deeper: they carry children (and the grown-ups reading aloud) straight to the stable on that silent night when Heaven came down to earth. Each one quietly reclaims the wonder of Christmas for Christ Himself—perfect for snuggling up with little ones after the cookies are baked and the gifts are wrapped (or even if they're not quite there yet!), reminding every heart that the real story of Christmas doesn't begin with reindeer on the roof, but with a Baby in the manger.

Here are some of our family's most beloved Christmas stories!

1. The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola

   A glowingly illustrated origin story of the Christmas flower we all know and love. A gentle lesson for children to understand that even the humblest gift—in this case simple weeds laid at the manger—can bring joy to Jesus.

   
   

2. The Donkey’s Dream by Barbara Helen Berger

   On the road to Bethlehem, a humble donkey carries Mary and begins to dream of beautiful, mystical images—a ship, a rose, a city of light—until he finally sees the Child who holds them all. A true masterpiece!

   
   

3. The Christmas Cat illustrated by Tasha Tudor

   Tasha Tudor’s delicate watercolors follow a stray kitten through a snowy New England Christmas Eve until he meets St. Nicholas, and finds a cozy home with loving children who have honored Jesus in their hearts at Christmas.

   
   

4. The Twelve Days of Christmas illustrated by Laurel Long

   We call this the "look book" as every page is a hidden-picture treasure hunt. Children (and adults) will spend hours discovering tiny details in Laurel Long’s lavish oil paintings that celebrate of the classic Christmas Carol.

   
   

5. My Advent Angel by Catherine Fowler Sample and illustrated by Anna-Therese Fowler

   Written in children friendly verse with stunning illustrations that bring the story of Christmas to life, it not only tells children about the first Christmas, it shares the story of God's love for mankind, and how He loves each of us, as if there were only one of us.

Written by: Catherine Fowler Sample

Hi, I'm Catherine—mom of three, wife to one very amazing husband, and the heart (and night owl) behind My Advent Angel.

Years ago I worked with the producer of Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ to write and produce the film The Dating Project. I’m also the author of Gather Together: Recipes and Reflections to Build Friendships Around the Table (Ave Maria Press). Both of those projects grew out of the same desire that still motivates me now: to build up relationship culture around Jesus—whether that be in dating, at a dinner party, or in the domestic church. If My Advent Angel helps even one child fall more in love with Jesus, my heart is full.

Come say hello on Instagram @myadventangel—I answer every message myself (usually between homeschooling and drinking too much coffee).