Our top 15 favorite Christmas story books to read aloud as a family.
I love to savor each and every moment of the Christmas season. We have chosen to intentionally slow down and enjoy each day in December as a family. One of the ways we have done this is to spend time reading aloud together. Gather your family, cozy up in warm blankets with a warm drink under the twinkling lights of your Christmas tree and enjoy a good story (or several) together! Without further ado here is our list of the best Christmas books to read aloud.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This post may contain affiliate links.
The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown
This is such a sweet story about a little fir tree longing for purpose and bed ridden little boy. The little boy’s dad digs up the tree year after year for Christmas so that he can bring a living tree to his son. The tree grows year after year along side the little boy. The illustrations are beautiful pictures painted by Jim LaMarche.
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen
Every time I read this aloud I imagine myself as Sara Stanley in Road to Avonlea. In the episode The Story Girl Earns Her Name she beautifully recites this story during a magic lantern show. After watching it I had to buy the book and I’m so glad I did. It is a sad but beautiful story about a little girl hiding in the freezing cold night from an abusive father. She lights match after match to try to warm herself and each time she remembers and longs to be with her dear departed grandmother. The version we have is gorgeously illustrated by Rachel Isadora.
The Gift of the Magi By O. Henry
A young newlywed couple cannot afford to buy each other a Christmas present so they both sacrifice something they love to bless the other.
Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo
This is one of my favorites! A little girl befriend’s an organ grinder and his pet monkey and invites them to church to see her Christmas play.
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston
It is Ruthie’s families turn to provide the church with their Christmas tree this year. So earlier in the spring Ruthie and her Papa pick out a tree high up in the mountains. When summer comes Papa gets called off to be a soldier before Christmas and Ruthie Mama is determined to get his tree to the church in time for Christmas Eve.
Christmas Farm by Maer Lyn Ray
Wilma had been growing flowers for year and decided it was time for a new crop of something different. She eventually lands on the idea of growing Christmas trees. Together with her young neighbor boy Parker she orders sixty-two Balsam starts. Parker and Wilma plant and care for the trees together for 5 years and at last they open the farm to sell the trees once they are ready.
Night Tree by Eve Bunting
A family takes a trip out into the woods at night. When they get there they set out to find their special tree to decorate with popcorn garland and treats for the animals. It is a lovely adventure with great illustrations!
The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden
This one is a longer read but one of my favorites. It is a story of an orphaned girl wanting a grandmother to go visit on Christmas, a Christmas doll wanting a little girl and Mrs. Jones who wants a little girl to share Christmas with.
Christmas Tapestry Patricia Polacco
This is a wonderful story about how God works in ways we do not always understand at first.
Baby in a Manger by Julie Stiegemeyer
A sweet retelling of the Nativity story with eye catching illustrations.
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado with Jenna, Andrea, and Sara Lucado
I’m a huge fan of Max Lucado books and this one does not dissapoint. Joshua is a cropped lamb that longs to be like the other lambs but soon learns that God has a very special plan for him that was made possible by his crippled leg.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
By now chances are you’ve heard or seen the movie made off this book. The book is a simpler version, which I enjoy. The illustrations are magical and the story is just as wonderful!
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
This is definitely one of my absolute favorites! If I could only have one of the books on this list it would be this one for sure! Everything about it is perfect, the story and the illustrations. I have seen the movie and liked it but the book is the best! It is a story of sadness, healing, kindness and understanding, and so much more all while including the birth of our Lord as well.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
If you’ve never read any of Karma Wilson’s books you are missing out. She is one of my four kids favorites! She has a whole series about Bear and this is the Christmas one so naturally we had to add it to out collection. Jane Chapman’s illustrations are fantastic!
Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson
Another one we love by Karma Wilson and illustrated again by the talented Jane Chapman! Mortimer mouse is looking for a warm cozy home when he discovers a family’s nativity manger. Give it a read to find out what happens!
So there you have it, the best 15 Christmas books to read aloud together! There are so many more and a few on my wish list right now to buy but I thought I would limit it for today. What about you? what are your favorite Christmas read alouds? Comment below!
Thanks so much for visiting today! For more about slow family living visit this post!