24 Days of Christmas Merging Children’s Literature with the Bible

December 1 & 2

Book: The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen

Lesson: There are people who suffer while we celebrate.

Symbol: Light/Candle

Scripture: Luke 16:19-25

1 John 3:17

Discussion: How are people suffering this Christmas? What can we do to

help?

Activity: Choose a charitable act to do together as a family this Advent.

Additional Reads:

• Coal Country Christmas by Elizabeth Ferguson Brown

• December by Eve Bunting
• Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo
• Merry Christmas, Davy! by Brigitte Weninger

December 3 & 4

Book: The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett

Lesson: The best way to lead is to help, not yelp.

Symbol: Reindeer

Scripture: Matthew 20:25-28

Proverbs 15:1

Discussion: Why do we yell and shout at each other? Why does yelling not
work? What does work? Why?

Activity: Watch Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer.

Additional Reads:

• The Worst Person’s Christmas by James Stevenson

December 5 & 6

Book: Santa’s Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki

Lesson: Christmas is about Jesus. . . the greatest gift.

Symbol: Santa Claus

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

John 3:16

Discussion: What is your favorite Christmas tradition or object? How does it

relate to Jesus?

Activity: St. Nicholas’ Day & Write letters to Santa.

Additional Reads:

• Arthur’s Favorite Christmas by Marc Brown

• The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg VandenBosch
• One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham
• Queen of Christmas by Mary Engelbreit
• We Believe in Christmas by Karen Kingsbury

December 7 & 8

Book: The Christmas Troll by Eugene Peterson

Lesson: “Gifts are for giving and receiving, not getting and grabbing.”

Symbol: Gifts

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

1 Timothy 6:18-19

Discussion: What kind of gifts can you give and receive that don’t cost
money?

Activity: Christmas shopping and/or wrapping.

Additional Reads:

• Arthur’s Christmas by Marc Brown

• Becky’s Christmas by Tasha Tudor
• Ben’s Christmas Carol by Toby Forward
• Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck
 • Franklin’s Christmas Gift by Paulette Bourgeois

December 9 & 10

Book: The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

Lesson: God can use us in spite of and because of our weaknesses.

Symbol: Lamb

Scripture: Matthew 14:28-32 & 16:16-19; John 18:15-18, 25-27 & 21:15-17

Psalm 103:14

Discussion: What are your weaknesses? How can God use you just as you
are?

Activity: Set up a nativity scene or crèche.

Additional Reads:

• Country Angel Christmas by Tomie de Paola

• The Littlest Christmas Tree by R. A. Herman
• The Littlest Christmas Tree by Janie Jasin
• The Little Drummer Mouse by Mercer Mayer

December 11 & 12

Book: The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown

Lesson: We can bring Christmas to others.

Symbol: Christmas tree

Scripture: Luke 2:8-18

Proverbs 17:22

Discussion: Who can we take Christmas to? How? When?

Activity: Buy and set up a Christmas tree & take Christmas to someone.

Additional Reads:

• Angelina’s Christmas by Katharine Holabird

• The Berenstain Bears Christmas Tree by Stan Berenstain
• Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray
• The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
• Christmas Tree Farm by Sandra Jordan
• Christmas Tree Farm by Ann Purmell
 • Christmas without a Tree by Elizabeth B. Rodger

December 13 & 14

Book: The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans

Lesson: “As you have done to the least of these. . . you have done to Me.”

Symbol: Candle/Light

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Proverbs 19:17

Discussion: What have you done to hurt Jesus today? What have you done
to help Him?

Activity: St. Lucia’s Day & put lights on the Christmas tree

Additional Reads:

• Erik and the Christmas Horse by Hans Peterson

• The Light of Christmas by Richard Paul Evans
• Room for a Little One by Martin Wadell

December 15 & 16

Book: Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett

Lesson: Christmas comes when we are generous with each other.

Symbol: Christmas ornaments

Scripture: Luke 7:37-46

Matthew 5:40-42

Discussion: How can we be more generous and giving with each other?
With those outside our home? Even without money?

Activity: Christmas ornament scavenger hunt & Decorate the tree.

Additional Reads:

• The Beautiful Christmas Tree by Charlotte Zolotow

• The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
• The Parable of the Christmas Tree by Liz Curtis Higgs
December 17 & 18

Book: The Christmas Star by Marcus Pfister

Lesson: “Every knee shall bow.”

Symbol: Star

Scripture: Psalm 148

Philippians 2:9-11

Discussion: What of God’s creation do you love the most? Where do you
see God in creation?

Activity: Go for a winter nature walk together.

Additional Reads:

• The After-Christmas Tree by Linda Wagner Tyler

• Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble
• The Christmas Sky by Franklin M. Branley
• The Night the Stars Danced for Joy by Bob Hartman
• Plants of Christmas by Hal Borland

December 19 & 20

Book: The Little Angel by Geraldine McCaughrean

Lesson: “Perfect love casts out fear.”

Symbol: Angel or Shepherd’s Crook

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 or Psalm 23

1 John 4:18

Discussion: What are you afraid of? How can God help?

Activity: Angel or shepherd’s crook craft.

Additional Reads:

• Three French Hens by Margie Palatini

December 21 & 22

Book: The Last Straw by Fredrick H. Thury

Lesson: Our strength comes from God, not ourselves.

Symbol: Camel

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Psalm 62:7

Discussion: What are some things you sometimes want to quit? How can
God help?

Activity: Pre-Christmas deep-clean of the house.

Additional Reads:

• The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie de Paola

• Merry Christmas Mom and Dad by Mercer Mayer
• The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston

December 23 & 24

Book: Marta and the Manger Straw by Virginia Kroll

Lesson: You don’t have to have money or things to be rich.

Symbol: Straw

Scripture: Luke 12:22-34

1 Timothy 6:18

Discussion: What makes you truly rich? What real riches do you have that
you are thankful for?

Activity: Make straw ornaments & watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Additional Reads:

• The All I’ll Ever Want Christmas Doll by Patricia C. McKissack

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
• The Night after Christmas by James Stevenson