J.B.
Hands down -the best Christmas book ever written for anyone (especially kids) and that also incorporates -in fact is based on -the religious Christmas story -is "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"! It's HILARIOUS but also so sweet, and I dare you not to shed a tear at the end. My 2nd grade teacher read it to us, and I got my mother to buy it. We read it together and I still have that copy -32 years later! I read it every year, and this year will be the first I get to share it with my oldest!
Synopsis: About the "Horrible Herdmanns" -a low class, trashy family who attends the same church as the child narrator. Everyone at the church whispers behind their backs because of their dress and behavior and everyone is fairly certain they only show up for the free doughnuts! When the Christmas Pageant tryouts are held -the Herdmann kids ALL volunteer for every position in the play! Everyone is beside themselves, and hilarity ensues -with a very touching ending. I may have to go home and read it tonight!
***IF you're children are very small and not up to the Herdmanns yet, I suggest "Room For a Little One." It's a really sweet story of the nativity told from the animals' standpoint.