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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