Here’s a beautiful little Nativity book for your little ones. It is a collection of sacred art accompanied with simple, repetitive verses that go with each painting. Together, these retell the Christmas story in the simplest of words. Contemplating sacred art is a beautiful way for children to pray.

Here are some sample pages:

The Nativity in Art for Children is available on Amazon.

This book was originally created as a set of art cards I made for my son a few years ago. At that point his speech was just emerging, so I created repetitive verses to go with each painting that he could learn to repeat. This year, I turned these cards into a book; it’ll be my Christmas gift to the little ones in our Down Syndrome co-op (Shh! don’t tell!).

Here are some ways to use this books with your child:

• Point out the people in each of the cards. Name them. What are they doing? Are they happy or sad? How do you think Joseph feels? How Mary feels?
• Is the background dark or light? Is it day or night?
• Find all the angels in each picture.
• Identify all the animals in the pictures.
• Find all the halos in each picture. Explain what the halos represent.
• Ask your child to find and show how Mary holds her hands when she is praying.
• Read aloud one verse at a time. Encourage your child to repeat the verse. (Or, if necessary, help your child repeat two words at a time.)
• Elaborate on what is happening in each picture.
• Put the book in your purse and bring it to Mass
• Allow the sacred art to draw you and your child into prayer.

Download the art cards here for free.

Or purchase the book for Advent or Christmas.

May you have a very blessed Advent season!