Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas

by Madeleine L’Engle

This is my favorite of favorite Christmas stories. I have read it or heard it read each Christmas for as long as I can remember. There is just something special in the sweet simplicity of 7-year-old Vickie Austin telling the story of her special Christmas. Her worries about the Christmas pageant where she has been chosen to be the angel of the Lord, about the possibility of her mother being in the hospital over Christmas, and if there will be any snow, just builds you for the wonderful ending that is sure to leave you with a feeling of peace. Sometimes I read this story several times during one Christmas season.

Sleigh Bells for Windy Foot

by Frances Frost

Have you read any of the Windy Foot books? If not, you can jump right in with this one. This Christmas story, heartwarming, fun, exciting, sweet, is one I read every Christmas. We didn’t have it when I was younger, but after we got it, it’s been a part of my Christmas reading. Toby Clark is hoping it will snow while Tish and her father are visiting for Christmas. There are so many things to do with school out. Things like cutting a sleigh for Windy Foot (his pony), cutting onions for his mom, going skiing, and there are rumors of a large bear around. The Clark family is such fun, from Mr. and Mrs. Clark, to the children, Toby, Betsy and little Johnny. And don’t forget Cliff.

A Pint of Judgment

by Elizabeth Morrow

This little story, first published in 1939 is one that I love. Little Sally Tucker wants to get her mother something extra special this Christmas, but what? In reading over her mother’s Christmas list with her sister, they discover ‘a quart of judgment’ handwritten at the bottom. That is what Mother wants most. The question is, what is judgment? How would you explain it to a seven-year-old? You’ll be charmed and delighted with this simple yet touching story of love.

The Birds’ Christmas Carol

by Kate Douglas Wiggin

I love this story. Having heard or read it nearly every Christmas for as long as I can remember, it has become a part of my Christmases. Carol Bird, who was born on Christmas morning, plans and makes a special Christmas with the help of her family and Uncle Jack for the “Ruggleses in the rear” in honor of her 10th birthday. I find myself laughing as well as shedding a few tears as I reread this story year after year. I would recommend it to any age.

There are so many different covers for this book as it has been printed over and over again, that you may find the same book with a different look.

Arne and the Christmas Star

by Alta Halverson Seymour

Arne is a young boy growing up in Norway. Many delightful times are had by him and his family as the story begins in early summer. The tension builds near Christmas time when Arne’s older brother, a first mate on a ship “The Christmas Star” is still out at sea when severe winter storms are reported. Due to his anxiety for his brother, Arne is late for school one too many times.

This is a wonderful Christmas story for many ages, not only is the story interesting, but you get to learn about the Christmas traditions in Norway. I have read it every Christmas season since I discovered it.