Some of the most influential Christmas gifts I ever received were books.
Christmas has always been the perfect time to receive a new book. What better way to spend the quiet hours of Christmas after the presents have been opened and dinner eaten than to be engrossed in a fictional story that both entertains and challenges you?
As I think back over nearly thirty years of reading, I smile as I think of how books have influenced me. Some books stand out in my mind–books that challenged me to love the Lord and follow Him with my whole heart.
This weekend, I read such a book. Right before boarding my flight home to Missouri to visit my family for Thanksgiving, I frantically scanned through books on my Kindle app to find something to read during my flights. I came across The Road Winds On by Francena H. Arnold, author of the classic Christian fiction Not My Will. I downloaded The Road Winds On and began reading the fictional story of a missionary son who was finishing up medical training and heading back to Africa to be a missionary himself. But then he faces two crises that make him question if serving God in Africa is worth it.
I will not spoil the book for you. You will have to read it yourself to see how God works in Dr. Andy’s life. But I will tell you that the book both challenged me and refreshed my spirit. It is fascinating how a fiction book can do that.
A Few of My Favorite Things–Er, Books
As I ponder the power that fiction books have, I thought it would be appropriate to share a few Christian fiction books that have been spiritually helpful to me. Some are middle grade or young adult fiction. Others are for an adult audience. Perhaps one of them will be a good Christmas present idea for a child or teenager in your life. Perhaps some of them would be a help to you.
- The Seven Sleepers series by Gilbert Morris: This series of books targeting 10–14-year-olds has allegorical elements. Seven teenagers are put to sleep for fifty years, waking up to a world changed by nuclear war. They go on missions for Goel, who represents Jesus. This adventure series is easy to read and shows flawed characters who have to learn, grow, and be willing to apologize when wrong. This series is a popular choice for my junior high students’ book reports.
- The Prince Warriors series by Priscilla Shirer: I read this series targeting 9–12-year-olds when I was in my late twenties. (As a teacher, I am always looking for books to add to my classroom library!) The first book is a little slow, but the following books in this allegorical series contain deep spiritual truths. To this day, I sometimes need to remind myself that “you have everything you need,” which is a significant theme in the books.
- Viking Quest series by Lois Walfrid Johnson: This series for 9–16-year-olds features an Irish girl who is captured by Vikings. While enduring slavery, Bree realizes she has true freedom in Christ and must maintain a heart of courage. I read this series last year, and I love how the author teaches spiritual truths through these adventure books.
- Not My Will and The Light in My Window by Francena H. Arnold: My mom’s favorite book when she was a teenager was Not My Will. She was able to give me a copy of this book as a Christmas present when I was in eighth grade. It was not like other books I had read—the story was quite tragic. But it was a powerful story of a woman’s struggle to surrender to God’s will. I connected more with the sequel The Light in My Window, perhaps because I can sometimes have a deeply emotional, negative outlook on life, much like the protagonist Hope. Arnold shows how God’s love and our service to others can transform our thinking, even when our minds have been locked in negative ruminations for far too long.
- That Printer of Udell’s by Harold Bell Wright: This book, written in 1902, reminds me of In His Steps. A man from a rough background accepts Christ and transforms into a person of influence and service. Throughout the book, many in the community must decide if they are going to serve “the least of these” in a variety of situations. This book made an impression on President Ronald Reagan when he was eleven years old. He found a role model in the protagonist Dick Falkner, and Reagan then decided to make a public decision for Christ.[1]
This Christmas season, as we ponder the greatest story ever told—the story of Christ—let us appreciate those who continue to find new ways to tell the Gospel story to the world. What books have influenced your spiritual walk? Tell me in the comments! (After all, I need new books this Christmas too.)
[1] Since this book was written in the early 1900s, some terms and language used to describe people in the book are not acceptable today.
Copyright © 2025 by Carmen Dillon. All rights reserved.
If you or a loved one prefers real-life stories, straightforward biblical teaching, and practical ideas for daily living, check out my book Opening the Hope Chest: A Single Girl’s Guide to Homemaking.
The gift of books – always a keeper !