“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:9-14 ESV
This Advent season we sit in awe of Christ taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man, and dwelling among us. There is no better Advent experience that you can provide for your children than reading the Bible together as a family. Even still, our family intentionally chooses to incorporate Christ-centered picture books during Advent.
Storybooks aid our children in visualizing the magnificence of the incarnation, while simultaneously bringing the story to them in a tangible way. This makes discipleship easily accessible at any time during your children’s day and a biblical-based resource that can be referenced from their bookshelf all year long.
Storybooks, by nature, are the author’s personal interpretation of the Holy Bible. Each storybook we’ve recommended is based on our opinion of an overall content accuracy rating. At the bottom of this blog post, you will find our overall top three most valuable storybook resources!
God’s Big Story:
Each of these storybooks displays God’s Big story of redemption following the longer story of the Old Testament before Christ’s birth. They also display the wise men presenting their gifts to Jesus as an older baby or toddler.
Christmas is Coming by Tama Fortner
Christmas is Coming journeys from creation to Christ’s birth with an intentional focus on creation, prophets, the angel’s visit to Mary & Joesph, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, Christ’s birth, and later the presentation of gifts from the wise men.
This Is the Christmas Story: Story and Scripture Book by Kids Read Truth
A wonderful kid’s book displaying God’s big redemption story through the lens of darkness and light with scripture references on each page. Displaying the beginning of creation, to Abraham, King David, and Isaiah, later the angel’s visits to Mary and Joesph, and Christ’s birth, ending with the visit from the wise men.
Biblically Accurate Birth Story:
Each of these storybooks illustrates the wise men visiting after Mary’s labor and delivery when Jesus is an older baby or toddler.
All Is Bright: When God Came Down One Silent Night by Clay Anderson
A beautiful retelling of Christ’s birth story in rhyme incorporating scripture references on each page. This book is unique in that it is the only Christmas book that illustrates Jesus’ birth in the lower room of a historically and architecturally accurate first-century structure. It is also the only Christmas book recommended highlighting “Mary’s Song” of praise (Luke 1:46). All Is Bright also intentionally highlights lyrics from Silent Night throughout with the hymn written at the end of the book for the family to sing.
The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell (Part of: Tales That Tell The Truth 14 book series)
The Christmas Promise likewise depicts a very accurate interpretation of Christ’s birth while declaring that “Christ is the rescuing and forever King” is born! With playful illustrations, this book looks at the imagery of Kings throughout history in direct contrast to Christ the gentle and lowly King of the universe in infant form, and later shows a few images of His ministry and sacrifice on the cross.
The Birth of Jesus by Katherine Sully
Our family loves all of Katherine’s Bible-based storybooks. This retelling is beautifully phrased and easy for children to grasp with great content accuracy. This is the only book included in our recommendations list that shares King Herod’s role in Mary, Joesph, and Jesus fleeing to Egypt.
Christ’s Birth Story:
Each of these picture books illustrates Christ’s birth with both the shepherds and wise men visiting Jesus as an infant in a manger.
A Very Noisy Christmas by Tim Thornboroug
A vibrant and playful retelling incorporating the teaching tool of the reader’s voice volume to captivate children’s attention. This book requires parents to read softly and loudly as it corresponds to the content on each page creating a very giggly enjoyable reading session with little ones.
‘Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist
‘Twas the Evening of Christmas is the perfect Christmas Eve tradition. A parallel short story to ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, this biblically based resource uses a poetic rhyme scheme to retell the birth of Christ.
Christmas in the Stable Touch-and-Feelby Rhonda Gowler Greene
A touch-and-feel rhyming retelling of Christ’s birth with the playful incorporation of animal sounds makes this a perfect intro to the story of Christmas for infants and small babies.
The ABCs of Christmas by Jo Parker
A clever retelling using the alphabet to guide children through key moments of Christ’s birth and the Christmas season.
Seasonal Books Incorporating Christ’s Birth:
J is for Jesus: The Sweetest Story Ever Told by Crystal Bowman
This is one of our family’s all-time favorite Christ-centered Christmas books with a focus on evangelism. Using the simple illustration of a Candy Cane, Crystal Bowman talks children through the purpose of Christ’s life and death in a very sweet rhyming retelling.
Sounding Joy by Ellie Holcomb
Ellie Holcomb has a beautiful cadence within her writing style derivative of her singer/songwriter background. This book journies through playful winter scenes and brings all of these joys back to the “Good News of Great Joy” (Luke 2:10) found in Christ’s birth.
Each of these resources includes rich content, beautiful illustrations, and endless discipleship opportunities through organic gospel-centric conversations with our children. Our top three most valuable storybook resources are: All Is Bright: When God Came Down One Silent Night, This is the Christmas Story, and The Birth of Jesus.
If you’re seeking more ideas to incorporate intentional discipleship throughout Advent check out our blog post, Advent Family Devotionals.
Book Props:
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