Advent & Christmas Book Ideas For Your Family

Advent begins on November 27th this year! As parents, if we want to be prepared to dive into the season we should decide which resources to utilize this year to guide our families. Whether you have preschoolers or elementary-aged kids, here are nine resources to consider:

1) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

This book is one of my favorites to read with my boys each Christmas. Through compelling and hilarious fiction following the crazy Herdman family, Robinson engages young readers with a modern understanding of the incredible gift Christ is and how this should change the lives of everyone. If you haven't read this with your kids, you should! Robinson helps kids see how powerful the coming of Jesus truly is.

2) The Littlest Watchman by Scott James

This storybook is a creative way to engage kids with the beautiful message of the Christmas story. Young readers can identify with having to wait for Christmas just like the main character, Benjamin. 

3) The Littlest Watchman Advent Calendar by Alison Mitchell

This is a great advent calendar for kids ages 5–8. I used this with my own boys for a few years and loved it. Since it accompanies the book, it's a great way to keep things simple while still focused on the heart of Advent with kids.

4) Jesus Came for Me: The True Story of Christmas by Jared Kennedy

This board book for preschoolers walks through key elements of the Christmas story from the arrival of John the Baptist, the birth of Jesus, to the visit from the wise men.

5) The Light Before Christmas by Marty Machowski 

This family Advent devotion incorporates fiction with devotions on the meaning of Christmas. I'm looking forward to diving into this with my boys this year!

6) The Christmas Promise Storybook by Alison Mitchell

This storybook walks young kids through the Christmas story and traces the faithfulness of God to keep His promise.

7) 12 Days of Christmas Around the World by Wycliffe Kids

This free guide will take your kids on a journey to learn how other cultures celebrate the holidays. This resource is highly adaptable depending on your family's needs. It can be as simple as five minutes (and skipping the activity) or take longer if you have time to do each day's suggested activity.  

8) Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids by Asheritah Ciucui

Using story, the author engages kids with who Jesus is. Young readers will learn how Jesus is the Bread of Life, Light of the World, Resurrection and the Life, Good Shepherd, Prince of Peace, etc. as a mother tells about her encounters with Jesus as a girl.

9) The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Kit by Sally Lloyd Jones

Zonderkidz created a free downloadable Advent kit that pairs with The Jesus Storybook Bible. Each day kids can make an ornament that matches the story of the day. The Advent kit also includes Advent music, memory cards, and coloring pages.