Read the Christmas story.
Gentle retellings for children to read together as a family. Perfect for Christmas Eve or December family nights.
The Birth of Jesus
The night a manger in Bethlehem became the most important place in the world.
Palm Sunday
The crowd carries palm branches and shouts Hosanna as Jesus rides in on a donkey.
The Resurrection
On the third day, the women find the stone rolled away. Jesus is alive.
Want to read them all in order? The reading plan walks through 27 stories from Genesis to Revelation. See the reading plan →
Why Christmas stories matter for children.
Christmas traditions for families.
Christmas coloring pages.
Seven free printable sheets that follow the same story: the road to Bethlehem, the manger, the shepherds and the angel, and the wise men who came later with their treasures.
All Christmas coloring pages
The full set in one place, each sheet named with the passage it comes from and free to print for home or Sunday school.
Explore →Nativity coloring page
Mary beside the feeding trough, Joseph with the lamp, and one star through the window. Luke 2:7.
Explore →Christmas Bible verse page
Luke 2:11 in big bubble letters to color one word at a time. A memory verse for the weeks before Christmas.
Explore →Take ten printables home
Our favorite ten coloring pages and verse cards, free in one pack, sent to your inbox.
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Teaching these stories at home or in a class? See our Bible story lessons for ages 3 to 8, starting with a free Noah’s Ark lesson.
Recommended Christmas story books.
Beautifully illustrated books that tell the Christmas story in age-appropriate ways.
Looking for books to go with these stories? Visit Our Favorites.
Questions parents ask about Christmas stories.
What is the best Christmas Bible story book for children?
The Jesus Storybook Bible includes a beautiful retelling of the nativity that connects the Christmas story to the whole arc of the Bible. For very young children, The Beginner's Bible Christmas edition and board book nativity sets are excellent choices. Look for books that emphasize the birth of Jesus rather than surrounding cultural traditions.
How do I explain the Christmas story to a young child?
Start simply: God promised to send someone special, and He kept that promise when Jesus was born. A mama named Mary and a papa named Joseph traveled far, and Jesus was laid in a manger because there was no room at the inn. Angels sang and shepherds came to see. It was the most important night in all of history. Build from there as children grow.
At what age should children know the Christmas story?
Children can begin hearing a simple version of the nativity story from infancy. By age 3-4 most children can follow the basic narrative of Mary, Joseph, the manger, the angels, and the shepherds. By age 5-6 they can understand more of why Jesus came and what it means for their own lives.
How can I keep Christ at the center of Christmas for my family?
Read the nativity story together on Christmas Eve as a family tradition. Use an Advent calendar or Jesse Tree to build anticipation through Bible readings. Give children a children's nativity set to play with. Let them act out the Christmas story with family members. These habits create meaningful traditions that stick through childhood and beyond.
What are good Christmas Bible story activities for kids?
Act out the nativity story with costumes or stuffed animals. Draw or color a nativity scene together. Read one Bible verse or short Christmas story each night in December. Visit a church Christmas program. Bake birthday cake for Jesus. These activities help children experience the Christmas story rather than just hear it.
Jesus Is Born is one of the ten stories inside the Bible story book we print ourselves, and the child’s own name is written into the line that closes it.
Where to go next.
Easter Bible Stories
Pair nativity reading with gentle resurrection stories for Holy Week and Easter.
Explore →Preschool Bible Stories
Simple Bible storybooks for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers.
Explore →Bible Coloring Pages
Nativity and Bible-themed coloring pages for quiet family activities.
Explore →Make Christmas meaningful for your family.
Reading the Christmas story together can help your children understand the true meaning of Christmas and create lasting family traditions.