1. For the stressed-out Christian: The One True Light
For most of us, the weeks before Christmas are at best busy, and at worst incredibly stressful. And how much more so when we don’t take time out to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! These 24 daily readings for Advent by Tim Chester are designed to help us slow down and take stock as Christmas approaches: “We’ll never enjoy Christmas properly unless we understand who it is who was born in Bethlehem that night. Indeed, we won’t enjoy life to the full until we see God in a manger.” (Read day one here).
2. For the not-yet-Christian: A Very Different Christmas
A humorous introduction to Christianity by Rico Tice and Nate Morgan Locke which invites readers to look at the presents under God’s tree. Designed to give as a gift to friends, family members and neighbours—you could wrap one up with some chocolates or homemade baking…
3. For the parents: Bake Through The Bible at Christmas
Lots of people will be taking to their kitchens to bake this Christmas—why not use it as an opportunity to teach children about the birth of Jesus? With 12 recipes and accompanying Bible stories, Bake Through The Bible At Christmas how to make Christmas baking about Christ!
4. For the teens: Light in the Darkness
This stunning graphic realisation brings Luke 1 – 2 to life in a new way, powerfully capturing the joy, pain and emotion of that first Christmas. See it for yourself here. Perfect not just for teens and young adults, but anyone who enjoys graphic novels.
5. For the tots: Beginning with God at Christmas
Helps parents explore the real Christmas story with their preschoolers. Read the story in The Beginner’s Bible, chat about it using the questions, stick in the sticker and colour the picture!
6. For the kiddos: The Christmas Promise Colouring Book
A great stocking filler—32 pages of colouring, puzzles and mazes based around the Christmas story that children will love. Can also be used alongside The Christmas Promise storybook and sticker advent calendar.
7. For older children: XTB Christmas Unpacked
Christmas Unpacked is a great resource to help children and families explore the Bible together over the Christmas holidays. There are three weeks of Bible readings 7-11 year olds find out for themselves what Christmas is really all about, with pictures and puzzles—plus three weeks of family Bible readings which tie in.
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Rachel Jones is the author of A Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, really), Is This It?, and several books in the award-winning Five Things to Pray series, and serves as Vice President (Editorial) at The Good Book Company. She helps teach kids and serves on the mission core team at her church, King's Church Chessington, in Surrey, UK.
