20 Living Books for Advent and Christmas
Charlotte Mason Advent Traditions
We are so incredibly excited for Advent this year!
Preparing A Gentle Advent for you has warmed our hearts so much toward the coming season. We are delighted that so many of our dear friends and readers have decided to join us, and there is room at our virtual Advent celebration for your family, too!
These living literature books are a Charlotte Mason inspired reading list and are all books recommended to help your family experience a delight filled, character building, historically rich Advent and Christmas season. Many of these take more than a day to read or listen to together, so I only included 20 instead of 24. Some of them are harder to find, but well worth the effort and since they are available used, it is easier to justify buying more ;)
For our family, we select our Christmas books for the season and place them around the base of our tree which usually goes up the day after Thanksgiving. We have made this a tradition in our home that involves carols, hymns, baking, and homemade hot cocoa. We add a new book every Saint Nicholas Day. Because we follow the 4 gift rule, something you want/need/wear/read, we wait till Christmas Eve to put presents under the tree.
Creating an atmosphere of love and learning only sweetens the beauty of the season. Where they were available, I included audiobook versions as well since the holidays can mean lots of busy hands and lots of travel. I can't wait to hear which ones your family adds to your holiday reading this year!
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Living Books for Advent and Christmas
A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens - Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean-spirited miser, is visited by a series of ghosts who help him discover the true meaning of Christmas.
A Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol Audiobook
The Crippled Lamb - Max Lucado - Joshua is a young, crippled lamb who can't run and play with the others. Though Joshua feels sad, God shows him that HE has a purpose for everyone's life.
The Crippled Lamb [Board book]
The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Grun - This picture book tells the story of the life and miracles of Saint Nicholas. He was well known for his acts of kindness and generosity, and is celebrated with a feast on December 6.
Jotham's Journey - This exciting story follows Jotham as he journeys across Israel to find his family. He encounters thieves and robbers as well as wise men and shepherds before ultimately finding his way to the Savior who was born in Bethlehem.
Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters - A Coretta Scott King Award winning holiday book that describes Christmas on a plantation in the pre-Civil War era. This book describes Christmas from the viewpoints of both the big house family and those living in the slave quarters.
Christmas In The Big House, Christmas In The Quarters (Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner)
One Wintry Night - Ruth Bell Graham - This unique version of the Christmas story takes readers on a journey from Creation to Resurrection as they listen to the story unfold with a young mountain boy who is hearing it for the first time.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey - Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the village, and he is lonely. No one knows of the sadness he has hidden away. One day, a stranger approaches him and what happens next is a Christmas miracle.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Tailor of Gloucester - Poor tailor mouse is freezing in his workshop during a hard winter. He has a very important job to complete, but he is running out of thread - and out of time. Luckily, his friends pitch in to help save the day.
The Tailor of Gloucester Audiobook
Uncle Vova's Tree - Patricia Polacco - Take a look at the Russian Orthodox holiday of Epiphany. Explore the traditions, costumes, and decorations that are associated with this special day.
The Tale of Three Trees - Hunt - Three trees growing on a mountain dream of what they want to become when they're grown. Their wishes come true in the most unexpected of ways.
The Story of the Other Wise Man - Henry van Dyke - During the time of Jesus's birth, a fourth wise man sells all he owns to buy a gift he wants to present to Jesus. Though he doesn't get to journey with the rest of the wise men, he sets out on a quest that has an unexpected ending.
The Story of the Other Wise Man
The Gift of the Magi - O. Henry - Della and Jim long to give each other Christmas gifts, but they can't afford it. Each makes a sacrifice to get the other what they really want. While the gifts are useless, the couple's love grows stronger through these acts of love.
Silent Night: The Story of the World War 1 Christmas Truce by Weintraub (for older children)Â - Early on in World War I, troops on both sides laid down their weapons in order to celebrate Christmas together.
Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce
Silent Night: The Remarkable 1914 Christmas Truce Audiobook
The Glorious Impossible by L'Engle - The birth of Jesus was a glorious impossible. Celebrate the miracle of God's love in this beautifully illustrated picture book.
Letters from Father Christmas by Tolkein - Every December, Tolkein's children would receive a letter from Father Christmas. They told tales of life at the North Pole. Children are sure to delight in these stories involving reindeer on the loose, clumsy polar bears, goblins and more.
Letters From Father Christmas Audiobook
Christmas in the Country - Cynthia Rylant - This delightful story describes a snowy Christmas in the country. This book is a reminder that sometimes simpler is better when it comes to enjoying the holidays.
The Legend of the Poinsettia - Tomie dePaola - This Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be a symbol of Christmas. It's also a gentle reminder that it truly is the thought that counts when it comes to giving gifts.
A Song for Young King Wenceslas - Cecil Maiden - In 10th-century Bohemia, 14 year old Wenceslas has to fight for his throne against the pagan forces led by his mother and brother. This book is a bit harder to find, but well worth the effort!
A Song for Young King Wenceslas
The Candle in the Window - Grace Johnson - It's Christmas Eve, and Gunther misses his wife and son. When a stranger appears and encourages him to place a candle in his window. She says this candle will light the way for a visit from the Christ Child.
I Saw Three Ships - Elizabeth Gouge - Polly is sure that something special is going to happen this Christmas so she leaves her bedroom window open on Christmas Eve. When she wakes up the next morning, she discovers that more than one miracle has taken place.
These are our 20 favorites! What Advent books do you love?