My Six Favorite Christmas Reads

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Hello! I've reappeared this week to share six of my favorite Christmas reads with you all this month. So, without further ado, here we go.



The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston is about a little girl and her mother who are waiting for her father to come home from war. Before he went away, the little girl (Ruthie) and her father went up to the tall mountains and picked the town's Christmas tree. This is a lovely book about courage, family and perseverance. The illustrations by Barbara Cooney are the icing on the cake. So beautiful. If you need something to read to your child or are just looking for an easy, heartwarming read, check this one out.

You can find it on Amazon here. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston




The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado is a book I read almost every year since my mother got it for me years ago. It's a tiny book about faith, hope and miracles. Perfect for Christmas.

Here's a link to find it on Amazon. The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado (The cover differs from the one displayed here, but it's the same book.)




The Fifth Seal by Bodie and Brock Thoene is the fifth book in the A.D. Chronicles, but you don't need to read the others to enjoy this one. This is a historical fiction about the Nativity story and the events surrounding it. The Thoenes do a good job of transporting you to Biblical times and showing the reader what it must have been like to live in those days. 

If you're looking for a longer read, this one is available on Amazon as well. The link will take you directly to it. The Fifth Seal by Bodie and Brock Thoene


Okay, so my list wouldn't be complete without a slightly sappy Christmas book. The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere is a book about two different families, both struggling during the Christmas season. It's a story about the importance of families, love and finding meaning during the busyness of life. 
 My aunt gifted this book to me as a teen, and this is one that I read almost every year when I become disillusioned with the commercialism of Christmas. It resets me and helps me think of what Christmas is all about.

You can find it on Amazon from any format from Kindle to Audio book by clicking on this link. The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere


Here's another children's read. I had a copy of this book when I was tiny and loved the bright and cheerful illustrations. It's a story about Christmas and finding the meaning of the tree and the decorations and how they all point to Jesus. It's an older book, but I found it available on Amazon. The Jesus Tree by Annette E. Dellinger








My Christmas wouldn't be complete without listening to this edition of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol done by Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre. I've listened to this every Christmas season since I can remember. To me, it's better than reading the book and better than any version of the movie. I found this available through Amazon here. A Christmas Carol produced by Focus on the Family and as a digital download through the Focus on the Family store here. A Christmas Carol (digital download)


Nota Bene: I am not affiliated with either Amazon or Focus on the Family. I'm just an enthusiastic bookdragon who is happy to share her favorite books with others. The links included are for your use and your use alone. I don't profit from them.

Have a wonderful week everyone and I'll talk to you soon!

-Julia Garcia / Arysta Henry

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