Christmas Countdown Books

One of my preferred ways to celebrate Advent with kids is to use a Christmas Countdown Book Box.  This is an outstanding activity for children of all ages with the books modified for reading level. Each day of Advent, a new book is read that talks about the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Each day, a new book is placed in the “story box” that is placed under the Christmas tree (I use one of the hard boxes that is store-bought and pre -printed with a wrapping paper design). The children get to take turns going to the tree and opening the box to get the special Christmas book to read. As children get older, chapters of longer books can be read. To add extra fun, you can wrap the books. To start your collection, you can ask for family members to give your family books for Christmas to start your collection and also get books form the library to add to the book box.  I have special memories of snuggling up on the couch with my kids after their afternoon naps.  Sometimes I even allowed them to drink hot cocoa while reading the books.  We would often re-read books from previous days.
Suggestions for books to include (also any stories about the FIRST CHRISTmas):
Any First Christmas Story Books
The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
Alabaster’s Song by Max Lucado
Jacob’s Gift by Max Lucado
The Legend of the Christmas Stocking by Rock Osborne
The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Rock Osborne
There’s “Sno” Gift like Jesus by Michael & Sarah Hupp
Saint Nicholas, The Real Story of the Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer
Who Was Born This Special Day? By Eve Bunting and Leonid Gore
Celebrating a Christ-centered Christmas - Children’s Edition by Emily Freeman
Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt
Bartholomew’s Passage, Tabitha’s Travel, Jotham’s Journey and Ishtar’s Odyessy (a book series) by Arnold Ytreeide

Longer Books for Older Children (read a chapter)
A Christmas Carol
Pilgrim’s Progress
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Chronicles of Narnia
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Little Women
Little House on the Prairie Books
Hinds Feet on High Places

Are there some books you'd recommend that tell the story of the first Christmas?

Please NOTE:  I updated this list in 2020.  To see the most recent post, please refer to this page: https://bethrunkle.com/christmas-countdown-books-updated-with-new-titles-for-2020/

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