If you’re ready for a few heartwarming Christmas stories just for you, you’re in the right place. Here, you’ll find some awesome Christian Christmas stories to get your holiday off to the right start. From historical to contemporary, comedy to cozy to miraculous, these Christian Christmas books will fill you with the Joy of the season, and a reminder of how awesome God is!

And if you want a little something for the kids, these Christian Christmas stories for kids are awesome!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I may make a small commission. I only recommend books and resources that I’ve enjoyed personally, or believe that you would like. You can read my full disclosure here. You will also find information on Scripture translations there.

Christian Christmas Stories: Fiction

Christian Christmas stories can be a powerful medium to draw closer to Jesus. Let these inspirational Christmas stories fill your heart anew with the Reason for the Season, some good fun, and a challenge or three!

Some of my favorite Christian Christmas stories are contemporary reimaginings of classic fairy tales, and can be found over here with some other awesome Fairy Tale adaptations.

Destination Christmas Collection

This 4 book collection was so much fun to read. Took me less than 9 hours, over the course of 2-3 days, because I was having a really hard time setting it down to do anything else!

1. Kiss me on Christmas by Sarah Monzon
   Fantastic story of a single mom I could relate to. And her son, on the spectrum, was so well written. Often kids in adult fiction are unbelievable props, there for convenience only. Liam is an integral part of the story, and totally believable. The heart-to-heart at the end, between Kaitlyn and her mom, was reality – shattering and wonderful. And Beckett! I have no words to describe this awesome character!
2. Christmas Camp by Cathe Swanson
   This was hilarious and sweet and I enjoyed every moment.
   Tom and Julia handled things well. It could have gone sideways a few times but they managed to pull through and pull together, and let go of things that needed to be.
3. Not Another Christmas by Jaycee Weaver
   Perfect wrap-up to this trilogy!! It works as a standalone if you missed the first two, but will definitely make you want to read the first two because it is that good. Dealing with grief, as a teen, with really no support, set Nick up for a rough time. And I totally get Cindy’s overwhelm with too much stuff. The drama and tension between the two, both as teens and adults is well written and relatable.
4. Hearts of New Cheltenham by Chautona Havig
   OH man! All the feels! I actually carried my kindle on my morning walk, because I couldn’t put it down… I felt for Crystal, was proud of her and Ellie, and was fascinated by the whole story. Jarrod grew a good amount during the few weeks covered, a solid growth spurt, if you will. Believable. Can’t wait for the next installment!

Once Upon a Christmas: One of the Most Heartwarming Christmas Stories Ever!!

Amanda Tru has written one of the most amazing Christian Christmas stories ever! Once upon a Christmas is a must-read! It’s just before Christmas, and Moe (long o, long e) is about to have the most unusual year. Her awkward moments in an airport lead to an amazing evening with James, a man who believes each encounter is a mission from God.

“You only get this moment once, and if you can make someone’s life a little brighter, then you should.”

James, Once Upon a Christmas by Amanda Tru

Almost immediately after, Moe loses her job, and her eyesight. But she clings to James’ message, and watching the ‘trickle-down effect’ is so cool! The roller coaster year and a half of this Christian Christmas book is powerful on so many levels, and there’s plenty of laughter to break up the tension, too.

Something Borrowed, Someone Blue

Originally part of a collection of truly inspirational Christmas stories, this one caught me off guard, probably because I bought it based on the authors’ names, and didn’t read the description. These Christian Christmas stories follow a group of very unique college friends as they pass along a special ‘something borrowed’ for their weddings. In Something Borrowed, there’s a comedy of errors, and confusion and just the right amount of humor.

Deck the Shelves

There are so many great Christian Christmas stories here, and with Deck the Shelves, I fell in love! Kendall is the second lead character this year that has me totally jealous of her home above a bookstore)

Watching Kendall and Q, both struggling to forgive past hurts and learn to trust again was emotional, and So well written!  That they rely on prayer and don’t let their fear rule them encouraged my heart no end! And the Cyrano gambit was genius!

*Note one scene has the two of them snowed in alone, during a blizzard. I love how they handle it!

The importance of family, and the interaction in both families (Kendall with her mom, and the 4 generations of Q’s household) were well written and certainly encouraging. Definitely the stuff good Christian Christmas stories are made of.

Christmas Glory Quilt

In the Christmas Glory Quilt, Penny inspires me with her dream of a full-fledged business, and not letting her fears, her limitations or her dyslexia hold her back. She’s learned how to cope and compensate-lessons I’m still working on, if for different reasons! She was very real in her selfish moments and tunnel vision, and lets her pride get in the way once or thrice.

Aunt Violet, well, I’ve always been the one to connect with those of another generation, and it seems fictional characters are no different. It’s hard to go back to where you once lived and see everything changed. But her spunk and heart see her through. And her quilting method is amazing! I can’t do that with fabric, but maybe a photo book collection. Hmm… That would probably work. I’ll have to get back to you on that!

The Ghosts of New Cheltenham

This is one of those Christian Christmas stories that stands out as different. In a Good way. A ghost story at Christmas. Yup. Told by a guy with a phobia of ghosts. To win a contest, and an inheritance. While Mitchell struggles with his phobia and social interactions, he has a running monologue telling himself to Adult already! (I have a bit of a morbid fascination with those of my generation and younger, who have no clue how to Adult. To choose responsibility, and think ahead, etc.)

He does finally grow up a bit, and the ghost he writes is actually fascinating! When you’re done with the main story, the ghost story itself is also available, and the creativity here, well, it’s pretty believable! I could see this ghost story being true! The kind of story most Christians would say makes sense.

Brenna’s courage and hard work encourages me every time I think of her. I hate that she’s alone raising her sister, but what she’s made of it, Wow! (And it’s really nice to see that continue in a few more stories – See Crossroads Collection 7 below for Ghosted at the Altar)

The Bells of New Cheltenham

Simultaneous to Ghosted at the Altar, but focusing on other characters in town, The Bells of New Cheltenham is available as a paperback, and is an excellent read!

An unlikely story, maybe, but so well written as to be believable. Justine needs money, and if that means writing a story about a Christmas Carol, when she doesn’t even understand anything about Jesus Christ, well, look out, because she’s going to listen to them all, ask a ton of questions, and get the job done.

I admired Justine’s determination throughout the story. To do the honorable thing, paying off her debt as fast as possible, in whatever honest and creative way she could. Being helpful to her landlord. To try to understand the meaning of Christmas.

Ken had his work cut out for him. Help Justine in many ways, and love her, but try to guard his heart, since she clearly wasn’t a Christian. His struggle wasn’t perfect, by any means, but he is an admirable guy, nonetheless!

I received an advance copy of this book from the author, and Celebrate Lit Publicity. I chose to review it here, all thoughts are my own.

If it were always this way, evangelism would be so much less intimidating.

2019 Christmas Lights Collection of Inspirational Christmas Stories

Book:  All Is Bright (Christmas Lights Collection 2019)

Four of my favorite contemporary romance authors join festive forces to bring you the fourth-annual Christmas Lights Collection.

These books are great! Enjoy the spirit of Christmas, and discover the real meaning of Christmas all over again with these 4 inspirational Christmas stories! 

Kari Trumbo- Merry and Dashing:

Kari Trumbo-  Merry and Dashing: Merry hates Christmas corporate greed. Jacob loves finding the perfect gift for everyone. When Scrooge and Santa volunteer at a local thrift store together, will the mix be Holly Jolly?

Hilarious, and totally convicting at the same time! I didn’t really like Merry at first, but aside from her perception of Christmas, I could be her, if I had made different choices. I was very impressed with her by the end of the story. 

Toni Shiloh- I’ll Be Home:

Toni Shiloh-  I’ll Be Home: What could be worse than being laid off right before the holidays? For Starr Lewis that would include returning home jobless, single, and, oh yeah, just in time to attend her sister’s wedding on Christmas Eve… to Starr’s ex-boyfriend. In the midst of it all, her brother’s best friend soon has her wondering if she can take another chance on love.

Heartbreaking becomes heartwarming! Letting the negative memories color over the many happy moments is far too easy to do. And being a peace ‘keeper’ instead of a peace MAKER, can leave you looking like a doormat. But Starr learns a lot, and what a romance! Definitely a favorite in this collection of Christian Christmas stories!

Cathe Swanson- Season of Change:

Cathe Swanson- Season of Change:  Charlea’s ready to sell Serenity Hill, but Drew is back in town, 15 years after their dream date ended in disaster, helping her mother and daughter turn the old commune into a commercial Christmas wonderland. Between poinsettias and sleigh rides, angst and romance collide in this Christmas second-chance romance!

Independence is not always what you thought it would be. Tragedy can position you to be a blessing to someone else. Being overprotective can make those around you feel belittled and looked down on. These lessons are tucked in a whirlwind of a story. Not necessarily the main thing but there to be learned just the same. 

Chautona Havig- The 12 Dates of Christmas:

Chautona Havig- The 12 Dates of Christmas : When Reagan runs into Alex, her high school nemesis, he is stunned to discover that’s how she saw him. It’ll take twelve dates and a lot of forgiveness on both sides to even hope for a Christmassy-ever-after.

OK, Reagan and Alex – misunderstandings and obliviousness. Their resistance to this whole thing is very believable. Even though it’s their own idea, and no one is forcing them. Watching Reagan work through her own little emotional baggage check, both with Alex and her brother, makes me want to go through mine, too. How many wounds do I carry because I was looking at everything That Person said and did with the assumption that I was a target? 

Click here to get your copy of the 2019 Christmas Lights Collection of Christian Christmas stories!

2020 Christmas Lights Collection of Heartwarming Christmas Stories

Four Christmas novellas from four of my favorite authors in one collection. Brighten your day and warm your heart with these Christian Christmas stories.

Potato Flake Christmas by Cathe Swanson

Set just outside Phoenix, we have 2 sets of matchmakers at work, on each other. The ‘couple’ in their 20s are trying to navigate real-life situations in ways that make you think about your own struggles, including purpose, value, and knowing the right thing to do. And the older ‘couple’ are having issues related to lifetime patterns and stubborn pride that in my time as a church secretary, I’ve seen a lot of. (and if I’m honest, I see it in me sometimes)

All I Want  by Toni Shiloh 

Continued from last year’s collection of Christian Christmas stories, we get to spend more time with the Lewis family. You won’t be lost if you didn’t read the first one, but it does make this one more fun. This year, Angel’s matured a lot, and her relationship with God is growing every day. Her desire for her family to recognize that is very real, raw, and relatable!!

Snow Crossed Letters: by Chautona Havig 

When the mailman mixes up a delivery, he ends up connecting quite a pair. Assumptions and fears drive this sweet story down the road to a memorable Christmas. Kindness to strangers becomes deep like, which leads to misunderstandings that only honest communication can clear up. It’s way too easy to let misunderstandings stand, instead of getting clarification, isn’t it?

This and Every Christmas  by Jaycee Weaver

Jaycee takes us to New Mexico for a family full of Christmas Traditions. I loved the way these two shared a powerful connection across the years, without really knowing each other until just the right time. The reason this single dad is single is heartbreaking and beautiful.

Grab your copy of the 2020 Christmas Lights Collection of heartwarming Christmas stories today!

Inspirational Christmas Stories in the Crossroads Collections

The Crossroads Collections are unique, standalone books with a themed thread tying each collection into one amazing inspirational message. The Valentine’s one is the reason I wrote this whole post on Christian Romance novels… but there are also a few collections set at Christmas time, and you don’t want to miss them!

Under the Christmas Star (Crossroads Collection 3)

This collection of 5 inspirational Christmas stories is tied together by a Christmas ornament maker is So Much Fun! I loved all 5 stories, but I think my favorite one was the one told in emails by an adopted boy trying to find an ornament for his mom’s Christmas present. It’s hilarious, beautiful, and a testament to the determination and faith of a biracial couple in the south, during the height of the Civil Rights movement. The other favorite is the modern retelling of Ruth. (Another favorite Ruth retelling here) It was unique and beautiful, and so well done. This set of Christian Christmas stories hits some hard topics beautifully.

When Snowflakes Never Cease (Crossroads Collection 6)

In this set of heartwarming Christmas stories, the thread that weaves the story together is a ginormous and powerful blizzard. It works well with each story, but the last one, that ties them all together, just WOW!!! I really didn’t think they could get any better than the first story, the Blizzard in the Bluegrass, with the autistic boy (a really great parenting tip tucked in here) and the Doctor who doesn’t think he can risk getting involved again. But I was wrong. Each of these inspirational Christmas stories touched on something wonderful.

Five Gold Rings (Crossroads Collection 7)

For this year’s collection of Christian Christmas stories, I delayed posting by 3 days, so I could finish it. Or maybe because I was distracted by it. Some of the reviews posted already say it’s the best collection yet, and that’s saying something, because they’ve all been pretty great!

Christmas Mercy and the Seven Year Glitch are amazing. Betrayal, manipulation, fears, and mayhem almost ruined both couple’s lives, which set the stage for some awesome hope, forgiveness, and maturity.

Laughing all the way brings up the interesting topic of Christians and alcohol, being judgmental, and examining yourself before ‘fixing’ someone else.

Ghosted at the Altar is torture, because you KNOW these two are made for each other, but fear is about to destroy them. 14 year old Lauren marches right in and investigates, organizes, and generally shoulders the load of uncomplicating the complicated mess for Brenna and Mitchell.

And to wrap it all up, Five Gold Rings is just unbelievably good. This story connects all the other Christian Christmas stories in the collection in a way that gives great depth, gets your emotions deeply involved, and makes you want to hug some people and smack others. Courage, past ‘mistakes’ and misunderstandings build this into a life lesson in the midst of pure entertainment!

Don’t forget to try Kindle Unlimited. An Ebook

Certain Threat: Suspenseful Christmas Romance

The co-owner of Protection Inc. has one thing on his mind for the week of Christmas—rest and relaxation, but when his favorite neighbor needs his help he calls in his team. Unable to turn their backs on someone Frank clearly has feelings for, the co-owners agree to help out Katrina.

When things escalate, Frank is certain of two things—he cares a lot for Katrina and he can’t let anything happen to her.

Join the team of Protection Inc. this Christmas where love is in the air even in the midst of danger.

Don’t forget to try Kindle Unlimited, an Ebook library program.

Why Read Certain Threat?

Certain Threat is a topsy-turvy mystery, and a lot of fun, especially in the exciting Christian Christmas stories category. The characters are likable and real, and while I have a hunch this isn’t the first book in the series, I never felt lost at all.

Katrina is facing a certain threat. Or maybe not. It could all be a coincidence. The very uncertainty of the danger she’s ‘clearly’ in makes this book awesome. It’s not ‘cozy’ and there’s plenty of action, but it’s not overly scary either. That is a fine balancing act, and I believe the author did an excellent job with keeping us in suspense without terrifying anyone!

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Publicity, and chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.

Solve by Christmas

When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.

“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”

Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.

I enjoyed reading Solve by Christmas. Jasper makes an entertaining Detective. He knows what to look for, flips if someone mentions Sherlock Holmes as a “real” detective, and is absolutely awkward! He is driven to succeed, on so many fronts, and feels like he isn’t enough. (So relatable!)

Denny the errand boy is well formed. His actions and character make perfect sense in his circumstances. You can still see the water young boy even as the calluses form around his heart in a protective shell.

Mr. and Mrs. Rudin make me sad, but watching Jasper fight for both of them gives me Hope! It seems like everything conspires to cement Mr. Rudin’s fatalistic outlook. Will Jasper be able to turn it around in time? Can he, in fact, Solve by Christmas?

I would definitely recommend this Christian Christmas story to anyone who likes mysteries with a minimum of violence (one mob scene with one injured, and an accident), historical fiction, and only a hint of romance.

A Manger, A Miser and A Miracle

This is one of the most amazing Christian Christmas stories I’ve ever read. A seamless weaving of the original Nativity story with “A Christmas Carol” that you’ll never forget. Between an innkeeper named Ebenezer who’s visited by some angels in the night, to his assistant with a son named Timothy, who’s not doing so well physically, but has a heart of gold, to, well, if I tell you much more, I’ll spoil the whole thing. Just read it, it’s worth every second!!!

Christmas Book Party In a Box

Chautona Havig has a lot of amazing Christian fiction to her credit. Christian Christmas stories, though, are one of her specialties.

She’s recently repackaged several of her Christian Christmas books into “box sets” on Kindle. This makes them so affordable, you can’t go wrong. I would say Box 3 (mystery/suspense) and 4 (test of time) are my favorite of these memorable Christian Christmas stories.

Here’s a lengthy look at one of the most complicated and timely inspirational Christmas stories Chautona has written.

Shattered Secrets (formerly Christmas Embers)

Shattered Secrets by Chautona Havig: One of the toughest, yet most heartwarming Christian Christmas stories out there.

It’s a truth universally unacknowledged that sin will hunt you down and advertise its presence the moment you try to hide it.

Emily Byrne sits in her daughter’s classroom listening to the deepest wishes of twenty kindergarteners as she sketches them. But when little Joey Cordell breaks down, weeping and insisting the only thing he wants to find is his father, she isn’t sure where her Christmas project will take her.

Davia Cordell came to Rockland for one purpose–find her son’s father before she dies. An ex-prostitute, she’s well aware that the news will cause waves, but what’s a mother to do?

As these women join forces to search for Joey’s father–a Rockland area pastor, no less– Emily learns compassion for a woman who just wants the best for her son and can’t quite imagine that Jesus wants anything to do with her.

Each day, Davia weakens until Emily isn’t confident she’ll find the boy’s father in time–if at all. Doubts form. Should she look? Is it right to risk destroying a family like this–an entire church? The weight of that responsibility crushes her as Davia wastes away before her eyes.

A mother’s love. A boy’s confidence. A family’s faith. A preacher’s failure. Is redemption even possible anymore?

Shattered Secrets: a story of love, failure, and redemption

My Opinion of one of the Toughest Christian Christmas Books I’ve Read:

 This book is definitely complex! It has laughter and joy, pain and betrayal, hope and truth, fun and sadness. The struggle is real, you guys!

Joey:

A sweetheart, going through some of the worst things that could happen to a kid. You can see his pain, and that natural kid-resilience shining at alternating moments.

Justification:

There is lots of justification in this book, for different types of unfaithfulness. It really made me think. They justify a variety of things, from action and inaction to affairs to bitterness and resentment; and even treatment of the ‘victims l of someone else’s sin). How often do we all find a way to justify our actions (or inaction) when we know better? (Even as “innocent a choice as reading a book instead of cleaning the bathroom?)

Emily:

Emily, now, I could identify with her. She was trying hard to figure out just what, exactly, God’s will was in her specific situation. Not popular opinion, or what is going to look best or be easier to cope with.I struggle with this often enough myself. Sometimes there are ‘contradictory’ situation scriptures. In this instance, answer A, and over here, answer B. But those are not General commands for everyone, so they aren’t contradictory, really. What does God want ME to do, in This (whatever my This is, this time)?!?!

The Church:

In many of Chautona’s books, she shows us how the church could be. Christmas Embers is no exception. Here we find flawed members, caring ministers, and a team of elders who actually Elder (it’s so much more than serving communion and making hospital visits!). These guys pray, advice, counsel, discipline. (Chautona has written one book that shows just how easily a church can go astray, and not even know it, too!)

Hope:

Christmas Embers offers hope. It highlights just how our choices, both the good ones and the bad, ripple effect so many lives. That even in the midst of the bad, a good choice can totally change the direction of the ripples, and turn the tide towards healing!

It’s Not Easy!

This is not an easy read, whether you’ve ever experienced unfaithfulness or not. I would not recommend it for the 14 and under crowd, unless they are dealing with this situation, and someone in the family pre-reads it, and or reads it together, and discusses it.That said, Chautona does an excellent job of “fading to black” well before you see anything you shouldn’t.She also handles a very delicate, controversial subject in a remarkable way. And tucks in some gems of parenting 101, to boot!

I would recommend this book, and encourage you that, yes, its fun, its fiction, but also food for thought.

Christian Christmas Books: Nonfiction

Christian Christmas stories encompass far more than just the fictional heartwarming Christmas stories. They point our hearts back to Christ on a relational level, but we also need some good, solid nonfiction Christian Christmas books to keep our focus where it should be. So here are a few I think are worth reading:

The Women of Christmas

Liz Curtis Higgs’ The Women of Christmas is a fantastic journey through the Christmas story with the women most closely involved, Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna. Liz’s storytelling abilities and Bible study knowledge make this an irresistible addition to your collection of Christian Christmas stories. With a study guide included, this can be used by a small group or solo study.

Before Christmas

Book: Before Christmas Author: Bill Crowder

Embrace the majesty of the Messiah

Bill Crowder invites you to explore the backstory of the first advent. He brings you on a journey into the very heart of God, to a greater understanding of what it means that “the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).

 Walk through Scripture to see and know Jesus in a richer way. Examine His character as God, His relationship with the Father, His appearances in the Old Testament, and more. Understand how these pre-Bethlehem truths lead into the Savior’s birth and the events of that first Christmas—and, most importantly, how it all comes together in God’s great story of redemption and rescue.

 You’ll embrace the majesty of the Messiah and celebrate Christ’s birth with renewed joy and wonder.

More from Bill

During my years as a pastor, I found Christmas and Easter to be challenging. Certainly I love those seasons (for very different reasons) but finding creative ways to retell these important stories was often difficult. But, at one such season, I realized that the story we tell at Christmas is not really the whole story. By entering the story at Nazareth or Bethlehem, we enter too late. We can’t simply start with the Baby in the manger—we need to go back. Before time began. To the eternal Christ. Unless we seek to understand Him, we’ll never fully appreciate who He was and why He came. That is the Christmas story.  – Bill Crowder

The Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas

Where are my Christmas Music Fans? The real life Christian Christmas stories behind our favorite Christmas songs are pretty awesome. A man named Ace Collins has taken the time to investigate them, and share the stories with us in a couple of great Christian Christmas books.

• The Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas
• More Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas

Plus another one, The Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, to help us grasp WHY we do the things we do at Christmas time, and how they fit into the Gospel Story.

Which Are Your Favorite Christian Christmas Stories?

Out of all the Christian Christmas Stories to choose from, which are your favorites? I can think of at least half a dozen great Christian Christmas books I didn’t take the time to dig into here, but this post is already long.

And I have several more of the latest 2020 Christian Christmas stories on my kindle, calling me to read them. So I’m sure there will be more to share about soon enough…

Until Next Time, Love God, Love Books, Shine The Light!!