The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt is a children’s book about three trees excited to be made into useful items. Each tree dreams of what they will become and the kind of journeys they will take. Each want is cut down and made into different items. 

I place this one first on this mass list because I have loved this story ever since I was little. If you are not religious, it may not sink in the same way. However, it teaches about what our dreams bring to us. Everyone has a different dream; maybe some don’t have dreams, but at Christmas time we all have different desires and wants. 

For a little child it might be the want for a toy. For others who may be alone and single it might be that want for a significant other. Or, for a parent, a want for their children to be happy or to succeed. Whatever the case may be, our dreams lead us places. We all want something. 

The Tale of Three Trees is an inspiring story about patience, desire, and the result of dreaming. 

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs is a Christmas story created solely in pictures. It is a work of art which tells the story of a little boy who becomes friends with a snowman and they play and travel around in the snow. The artwork is beautiful, and the best part about it is that children and adults have the opportunity to interpret the story as they feel without being told what is going on. 

It is a classic story which was later adapted to film, also without words. Below is a video of the book animated and put to music. 

The Snowman is simple, fun, and unique. Children who struggle with verbal communication enjoy this story. If you are looking for a nice addition to this story, you can find an adorable stuffed snowman online that looks just like the book. 

I personally would love to give this book along with a snowman to all of the children in my life. I love how unique this book is. Most books are very standard looking. It is always nice to add those unique and one-of-a-kind books and stories to your collection. 

The Elves and the Shoemaker by Brothers Grimm is about a poor shoemaker and his wife who are helped by little elves overnight. While primarily for children, this story has a fun magical feel that even adults can enjoy. This story teaches a good lesson about giving back. 

My favorite part of the story is when the shoemaker and his wife discover who is making shoes in the night. When they see the sorry state of the elves, they decide because they have been given so much without the elves making it known, they wish to give back as well. 

A Light in the Storm by Chris Heimerdinger is a religious Christmas story about an ambitious man named Ben Wylie who gets lost in a winter storm in December. While in the dark and cold wilderness, Ben has a journey of self-discovery and reflection as he fights for his life. 

It is a story about warmth and family and the importance of change through reflection and humility. It is a pretty short novel and causes the reader to self reflect as well. Heimerdinger does a good job pulling you in and making you think about what is truly important in life. 

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado is about a crippled lamb named Joshua. Joshua looks different from the other lambs, and he is crippled, so he sits alone and doesn’t get to play with the other lambs. Because of this, he makes an old cow named Abigail as a friend. 

Sometimes we feel as though we don’t matter, but this story teaches that everyone has a place and a purpose in life. Everyone matters and nothing in our lives happens without a reason.

We may feel alone and a little out of place, but there is always a place for us, we just have to recognize the gifts and talents that make us capable. Everyone’s lives take different paths and those paths don’t always lead to where we want. 

Max Lucado is a fabulous author and well known for his inspirational and moving storytelling. His books always have beautiful artwork. He has also written a book which is one of my favorites called You are Special. While it’s not a Christmas book, it is a wonderful compliment to the message conveyed in The Crippled Lamb.