An amazing look at the big picture of Christmas as it tells not only the coming of Jesus but God’s big plan to rescue us from our sin by sending a Savior.

Nate’s take: This book is beautifully illustrated and even keeps the storyline in chronological order while avoiding many of the “traditional” pitfalls.  Something that we sometimes miss in our every day life is how God is not just taking care of us but has a plan. One great way to be reminded of that is the reason why Christmas had to happen; our sin. This story shows how God took care of us and wants us to be rescued. This book could plant a seed or start a special gospel conversation.

Nate’s keys to success: This book could should be a repeat book as it covers so many big topics. It could also be a great Christmas Eve book for the whole family. It would be great for older kids to read to younger as well. This story is not just one day with a baby but a promise made to Adam and Eve now fulfilled for “Christmas is Coming”!

These six story pages are full of interaction as walk through some of the different aspects of the Christmas story.

Nate’s take: Made perfect for an older child that might want something that is challenging and they could do with a parent or by themselves. It provides a great chronological view of the Christmas story and the stories after. With a “Christ connection” and a paragraph story it makes for an easy to read while you “work” activities book.

Nate’s keys to success: a younger child could easily to just point at things they see as you read the short stories on each page multiple times during the Christmas story. While an old child could he given a dry erase pen and sent to complete each page in a reusable wipe off list.

A rather expressive book that highlights some of the noisier parts of Christmas.

Nate’s take: With it’s dark skinned art and simple phrasing it briefly highlights yet accurately depicts the Christmas story in a LOUD then quiet sing song that would get any preschooler quiet active and giggling while learning about the Christmas story.

Nate’s keys to success: this book is on repeat during the evenings of the Christmas season in our house so be sure to have plenty of space for silly acting out. Plus if you put hand motions to the pages you might find your kid(s) acting it out without you.

9 days before Christmas 10 including Christmas (start Dec 16)

This simpler advent calendar builds a manger scene that you could wrap a manger in your house or just follow along as we see theirs come together.

Nate’s take: A lot of advent calendars take a lot of time. I find this lands perfectly in that range of “you can feel Christmas is right around the corner” and the “hey my kids might like doing this together.”

Nate’s keys to success: using your own nativity could provide a very hands-on impact to this season that could make a manger a meaningful tool of telling the Christmas story. Giving out jobs and rotating them based upon skill level could provide a way for the entire family to get involved.