• Online stories can help kids get into the Christmas spirit.christmas tree image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  To help children understand the lessons inherent in the Christmas tradition there are a number of websites online that explore different types of Christmas stories. The Christmas season is often a time for sharing traditions and celebrations with the whole family and storytelling is a popular way to do that with children.
  
  

Story Nory

• The website storynory.com features a number of Christmas stories designed to provide entertainment and education to children. The website provides written versions of their stories, as well as audio recordings of the stories so that children can listen and enjoy. This online site includes classic Christmas tales like "The Elves and the Shoemaker" and "The Nutcracker." There are also stories invented by Story Nory that can help to engage a child's imagination and learning.
  
  For instance, the story "Christmas in Space" details the adventure of one family as they spend the holiday in space. The story includes details like the mention of famous astronauts, and talks about the process astronauts go through when they travel in space. This story provides a good Christmas lesson, and may peak a child's interest in studying science as well.
  
  

North Pole

• The interactive website northpole.com includes a huge variety of Christmas puzzles, games and stories for children to explore. Children can navigate the village at the North Pole, visiting the toy factory, Mrs. Claus' kitchen and, of course, Santa's workshop. In the workshop, explorers meet Bert the elf, and can select from a number of stories. Children can read the stories for themselves, or choose to hear the story read aloud so that they can follow along. Stories chronicle the adventures of Santa, his elves and the other residents of the North Pole as they explore different lessons of Christmas cheer and cooperation. Each story also includes printable pages that children can color to make their own storybook. Some stories also include a printable craft project that they can complete with some adult supervision.
  
  

Teaching Resources

• This teacher resource website apples4theteacher.com includes a number of child-friendly Christmas stories. Story selections include excerpts from famous Christmas stories, such as "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Some stories feature Christmas tales and traditions from around the world, such as "The Christmas Carol of the Birds," which talks about a holiday tradition from Norway. The website also includes a separate section for Christian-themed stories that explore the story of the birth of the baby Jesus.