Christmas Books That Teach You the Meaning of Christmas
What's the real meaning of Christmas? The season of the gimmes? Gimme toys? Gimme electronic gadgets? Gimme gift certificates?
That probably isn't the real meaning of Christmas. It's not about the parties or the sharing of tasty meals, either. All the holiday gift giving, all the parties, all of the shiny decorations can take over the meaning of Christmas and it can get swallowed up.
Christmas books can help remind you of what it's really all about.
The simple Christmas gatherings of yesteryear have turned into one stress after another until you can feel like you're stuck in a maze. With the hustle and bustle of everything going on, getting off track and lost in the maze of focusing on material stuff happens.
But it doesn't have to stay that way. You can get back on track and have the true meaning of Christmas foremost in your holiday celebrations. You can pick out some good Christmas books that you can read together as a family that will show the true meaning of Christmas.
These books come in different formats and aren't difficult to get a hold of. If you have little ones at home and you want them to understand that Christmas is not about the material possessions, start a practice of sharing Christmas related stories after dinner every night or as a bedtime story. You can get under the blankets together and teach them holiday priorities that will last a lifetime. Start with 'Twas the Night Before Christmas!
You can easily purchase these books online at Amazon.com (so-called the 'biggest online book store') that carries a huge number of Christmas book titles.
Some Christmas books even share the meaning of Christmas in a way that make it come alive for your family by allowing the acting out of parts of the story.
Some Christmas books will offer you the opportunity to personalize the stories by putting your child's name in the book. Children remember the stories because of hearing their name used. And what child doesn't laugh out loud and beg for more when his or her parents read a story about How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
What are the best Christmas books to buy that can teach the meaning of the Christmas holiday? The BEST Christmas books are those that teach about giving and being thankful for even the small things in life like The Christmas Shoes.
Find books that teach about the origin of Christmas and the peaceful day that it started out as. Look for Christmas books that teach that Christmas is about being grateful for family, that it's about not focusing on ourselves but on being there for others.
Seek to purchase books that will teach about how Christmas is shared the world over. Children are natural born learners and they soak in what they're taught but when we get too busy during Christmas with the getting and the glittery decorating, they can learn the wrong lessons.
So take the time out to share with them Christmas books that will Show Them the Real Meaning of this Christmas holiday. To begin with I've listed some of the best ones below.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
'Twas the Night Before Christmas has never before been presented inside such a lavish, gift-worthy package. The full-color AniMotion windows that appear within the festively trimmed illustrations add movement and depth to this beloved tale.
From a locomotive circling the Christmas tree to the flickering flame of a candle, this distinctive version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas will not only inspire visions of dancing sugarplums, but the heartfelt hope that St. Nicholas himself will be placing this special gift under the tree.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville's holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday.
The Christmas Shoes
A delightful and heartwarming book - It contains two stories. The first is of Nathan, a young boy who's mother is dying of cancer. This will be her last Christmas as death is just around the corner. Nathan wants to make this Christmas the "best ever" for his mother. The second story is about Robert, a man who has just realized that he has put his business life in front of his family for way too long. When his wife tells him that she wants to leave him, Robert realizes that he has been a bad father and husband all these years and sets out to make things right again.
The Light of Christmas
This is an incredible children's book. It tells a simple story about a young boy Alexander. In the town of Noel, the Keeper of the Flame rekindles the torch each Christmas Eve. This year he will choose "whoever gives the truest gift" to light it. Alexander wishes he had something special to offer and, of course, he does; he helps an old man who turns out to be the Keeper of the Flame and is chosen over all of the other hopeful (but not helpful) gift-givers. A predictable "true meaning of Christmas" story.
What Is Christmas?
This book is intended for children aged 4-8. Here is a book for toddlers that resolves the dilemma many parents have as they attempt to reconcile their religious faith with the secular celebration of Easter. The author first asks the question: Is this what Easter means? By the end of the story, even the youngest child will agree with the author, "Now I get it, the eggs are fun and the Easter bunny is okay, but Easter's not about that stuff. It's about God's son."
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree
Acclaimed author Gloria Houston has written a tale that is as joyful and timeless as Christmas itself. Jewel-like paintings by two-time Caldecott Medal winner Barbara Cooney capture all of the season's warmth and mountain flavor. "A heartwarming holiday story, simply told and graced with true sentiment rather than sentimentality."--Kirkus Reviews. Publisher's Weekly Bestseller. Booklist Best Books of the Decade.
Christmas Day in the Morning
A truly classic book that has a warm message for the season. The story focused on giving rather than getting at Christmas.
A Wish to Be A Christmas Tree
About the charming tale of an overgrown pine that was always passed over for Christmas, and what his woodland friends do to help him, is sure to become a holiday classic for years to come. With delightful illustrations by wildlife artist Michael Glenn Monroe and enchanting text by Colleen Monroe.
Humphrey's First Christmas
A beautifully illustrated Christmas story. We've all heard the story of the three wise men who brought their gifts to Baby Jesus. But what about the camels who carried them? Here is the story of Humphrey the camel and his long, cold journey to Bethlehem. Humphrey has lost his blanket and schemes to acquire a new one. When the party reaches its destination, Humphrey is so drawn to the love surrounding Baby Jesus that he finds himself selflessly giving his new blanket to the Christ child. Carol Heyer's rich acrylic paintings showcase the quirkiness of the camel and add humor to the story. Here is a book that both entertains and informs without ever straying from the meaning of the holiday. Recommended for Ages 4-8.
God Gave Us Christmas
As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder...
"Who invented Christmas?"
Mama's answer only leads to more questions like "Is God more important than Santa?" So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama's gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that...
Jesus is the best present of all.
This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.
What's the real meaning of Christmas? The season of the gimmes? Gimme toys? Gimme electronic gadgets? Gimme gift certificates?
