{"id":3899,"date":"2020-12-11T16:00:10","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T21:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/?p=3899"},"modified":"2024-11-06T12:17:27","modified_gmt":"2024-11-06T17:17:27","slug":"9-books-that-celebrate-the-meaning-of-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/9-books-that-celebrate-the-meaning-of-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"The Reason for the Season: 9 Books That Celebrate the Meaning of Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Between shopping, get togethers (be them virtual or socially distanced), and visiting Santa, the true meaning of Christmas can get lost in the excitement. If you’re looking for a way to keep the real reason for the season at the forefront of your Christmas celebrations, try reading these books with your kids this December.<\/p>\n

no no 9780399234101 Who is Coming to Our House? <\/i> by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff <\/p>\n

This sweet board book tells the story of the birth of baby Jesus from the animals\u2019 perspective. Full of anticipation, the stable animals stack hay, dust the beams, and pad the manger with goose feathers in preparation for Mary and Joseph\u2019s arrival.
\n(Ages 0 – 3)<\/i><\/p>\n

9781400071753 God Gave Us Christmas<\/i> by Lisa Tawn Bergren, illustrated by David Hohn <\/p>\n

When Little Cub asks his mama who invented Christmas, she takes him on a journey. Together, they witness God’s work around them and learn about the very first Christmas.
\n(Ages 3 – 7)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780593578049 Holy Night and Little Star<\/i> by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Khoa Le <\/p>\n

A hesitant little star finds her courage when called upon to play an important role in welcoming the Child on Holy Night. This heartwarming retelling of the Christmas story emphasizes the importance of recognizing one’s own unique gifts and spreading kindness.
\n(Ages 3 – 7)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780147509529 Joy to the World <\/i> by Tomie dePaola <\/p>\n

Comprised of The Night of Las Posadas<\/i>, The Story of the Three Wise Kings<\/i>, and The Legend of the Poinsettia<\/i>, Tomie dePaola’s Christmas collection is a lovely celebration of the Advent season. With sheet music of classic carols like \u201cSilent Night\u201d tucked in between each story, it’s a book the entire family can enjoy.
\n(Ages 3 – 7)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780593647813 Tamales For Christmas<\/i> by Stephen Brise\u00f1o, illustrated by Sonia S\u00e1nchez <\/p>\n

Long before the Christmas tree is up, Grandma starts making and selling tamales to ensure every grandchild finds a gift on Christmas morning. She works through fall and winter, her tally of tamales soaring to 1000 dozen. Her effort provides for her family and extends to those in need, embodying a spirit of giving through her labor of love. The illustrations are every bit as precious as the story.
\n(Ages 4 – 8)<\/i> <\/p>\n

RELATED: Christmas Books for Kids and Families<\/a><\/p>\n

9780375841507 Amazing Peace <\/i> by Maya Angelou, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher <\/p>\n

Maya Angelou inspires readers to embrace the peace and promise of Christmas in this poignant illustrated poem about a family that joins with their community \u2014 rich and poor, Black and white, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish \u2014 to celebrate the holidays.
\n(Ages 4 – 8)<\/i> <\/p>\n

9780698119659 Welcome Comfort <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/290812\/welcome-comfort-by-patricia-polacco-illustrated-by-patricia-polacco\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Patricia Polacco <\/p>\n

As a foster child, Welcome Comfort has never known what it is to celebrate the holidays with a loving family \u2014 that is, until one magical Christmas changes his life forever. A story on the power of love and kindness, Polacco weaves a unique and heartbreakingly beautiful tale that will stay with readers for years to come.
\n(Ages 4 – 8)<\/i> <\/p>\n

9780394800790 How the Grinch Stole Christmas!<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/43047\/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-by-dr-seuss\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Dr. Seuss <\/p>\n

Seuss’s classic tale has become a holiday favorite, but it’s not just a funny story about a grouchy hermit stealing Christmas gifts. It’s about redemption, choosing happiness, and understanding that Christmas is about much more than decorations and presents.
\n(Ages 5 – 9)<\/i><\/p>\n

9780763678227 The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/193045\/the-christmas-miracle-of-jonathan-toomey-by-susan-wojciechowski\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P.J. Lynch <\/p>\n

A widow and her son ask Jonathan Toomey to carve them a nativity scene in time for Christmas, having lost theirs. With messages of hope, kindness, generosity, and love, this beautifully touching story is worth revisiting year after year.
\n(Ages 6 – 9)<\/i><\/p>\n

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2024.<\/i><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re looking to keep the real reason for the season at the forefront of your Christmas celebrations, try reading these books with your kids this December.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":17193,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[139,231,407,639,652,659,954],"coauthors":[23],"class_list":["post-3899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-special-needs","tag-spirituality","tag-giving","tag-christmas","tag-holiday","tag-religion","tag-educators","ages_stages-baby-toddler","ages_stages-pre-k","ages_stages-growing-reader"],"yoast_head":"\n9 Books That Celebrate the Meaning of Christmas | Brightly<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019re looking to keep the real reason for the season at the forefront of your Christmas celebrations, try reading these books 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