One of the joys of the holiday is settling down
after all the energetic activities
to read inspired holiday fiction.
You are no doubt familiar with some of the well-known holiday books and short stories…
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol… The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson…
Eugene Field’s The First Christmas Tree… O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi…
A Visit from St. Nicholas (‘Twas the night before Christmas) by Clement Clarke Moore…
And, of course, the sacred Bible accounts of the first Christmas.
Well, here are some gems that I’ve recently discovered.
They are not as well known, perhaps, but are some of the most beautiful holiday stories I’ve read!
“Christmas Day in the Morning” by Pearl S. Buck
A farm boy works so hard, only to see disappointment in his father’s eyes, until one Christmas he overhears his parents’ conversation and learns what Dad really thinks of him.
My Christmas Miracle by Taylor Caldwell
A true story of the lowest point of her life
“A Christmas Inspiration” by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Fun-loving young women living together in a boarding house take notice of one of their quirky, quiet neighbors.
“A Gift from the Heart” by Norman Vincent Peale
The true story of a young Swiss girl employed by a wealthy American family and her Christmas surprise.
The Father Christmas Letters by J.R.R. Tolkien (1976)
A collection of letters the author wrote from 1920 to 1943 to his children “from Father Christmas”.
and, my VERY favorite,
The Man at the Gate of the World by W.E. Cule
The Magi Caspar’s quest to find the Saviour of the World, and his obedience to the call to stand at the Gate of the World—in the city of Damascus—and wash the feet of weary travelers.
Most of these I found during the past few weeks of reading these two books:
A Classic Christmas, and The Fireside Book of Christmas Stories.
For more selections…
Here is American Literature’s beautiful collection of Christmas Stories, and
(I can’t resist!) Linus’s version of the first Christmas.
Wishing you many peaceful, happy hours of reading, and
A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!
Happily Writing 
hiii can you support my blog too?
Hi floatinme, is there a way to follow your blog? I didn’t see a way to follow it. And if you are still looking for more free books online, I have a few links on my post https://happilywriting.com/2019/09/30/imagine-the-best-quality-books-for-free/ . Happy blogging! Ramona