These are a few of my favorite Christmas books that I love to read and reread over the holidays.
Do you have favorite Christmas books? What are they?
THE MIRACLE OF THE WOODEN SHOES by Deborah Pace Rowley
(one of my very favorite Christmas stories)
Ten-year-old Walter, a German boy, has tried to be grown-up and help as
much as possible since realizing that his father is dying, but as
Scripture passages and gifts fill his shoes on St. Nicholas Day and the
days following, his family receives the help they really need.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens
On the night of Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three
Christmas spirits. The Ghost of Christmas Past confronts Scrooge with
his youth, the Ghost of Christmas Present reveals the Cratchits'
struggle amid poverty, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come harrows
Scrooge with dire visions of the future if he does not learn to treat
his fellow man with kindness, generosity and compassion.
SILENT NIGHT: THE STORY OF THE WWI CHRISTMAS TRUCE by Stanley Weintraub
In the early months of World War I, on Christmas Eve, men on both sides
of the trenches laid down their arms and joined in a spontaneous
celebration. Despite orders to continue shooting, the unofficial truce
spread across the front lines. Even the participants found what they
were doing incredible: Germans placed candlelit Christmas trees on
trench parapets, warring soldiers sang carols, and men on both sides
shared food parcels from home. They climbed from the trenches to meet in
"No Man's Land" where they buried the dead, exchanged gifts, ate and
drank together, and even played soccer.
Throughout his narrative,
Stanley Weintraub uses the stories of the men who were there, as well as
their letters and diaries, to illuminate the fragile truce and bring to
life this extraordinary moment in time.
CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE MORNING by Pearl S. Buck
Rob wants to get his
father something special for Christmas this year—something that shows
how much he really loves him. But it's Christmas Eve, and he doesn't
have much money to spend. What could he possibly get? Suddenly, Rob
thinks of the best gift of all...
THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOMMEY by Susan Wojciechowski
Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always
alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife
and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s
day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that
leads to a joyful miracle. The moving, lyrical tale, gloriously
illustrated by P.J. Lynch, has been widely hailed as a true Christmas
classic.
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! by Dr. Seuss
“Every
Who down in
Who-ville liked Christmas a lot . . . but the Grinch, who lived just north of
Who-ville,
did NOT!” Not since “’Twas the night before Christmas” has the
beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. This
heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit will grow
even the coldest and smallest of hearts. Like mistletoe, candy canes,
and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, and his story is
the perfect gift for young and old.
A CHRISTMAS DRESS FOR ELLEN by Thomas S. Monson
On Christmas Eve, 1927,
in the prairie town of Hillsspring, Alberta, Canada, a young mother,
Mary Jeppson, was getting her five small children ready for bed. Her
heart was full of sorrow, for there was nothing to fill the stockings,
and there would be only a little mush for breakfast. Mary had written to
her sisters in Idaho, asking for help with such necessities as wheat,
yeast, flour, and cornmeal. She had also asked for clothing and some
old, used quilts, for all of hers were thin and full of holes.
At the
close of the letter, she had written, "If you could just find a dress
that someone has outgrown, I could make it over to fit Ellen. She is far
too somber for such a young girl. She worries so about the family and
about our needs. She has only one dress that she wears all the time, and
it is patched and faded."
Her letter had gone unanswered, it
seemed, and their Christmas would be far from merry. But George Schow,
their mailman, had a surprise in store. Could he brave the coming storm
and bitter cold to deliver a Christmas miracle? And would there be a
special present for Ellen? Find out in this classic tale of Christmas
sacrifice and service.
SNOWMEN AT CHRISTMAS by Caralyn Buehner
Snowmen at Night
shared with us the magical, slip-sliding adventures of snowmen after
dark . . . but have you ever wondered what snowmen do for Christmas?
Well, now's your chance to find out! The snowmen are back, and this time
they're celebrating Christmas--the snowman way!This snappy and
entertaining companion to the New York Times bestseller Snowmen at Night depicts all the best parts of the holiday, replete with icy treats and a snowman Kris Kringle.
THE THREE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS by Anita Stansfield
When her father remarries, LeNay Parkins finds her home, so
impossibly changed, that she feels she can no longer stay. As she
bravely sets out in search of a new life, she is overcome with illness
the moment she steps off the bus into a strange town. Alone and
frightened, LeNay accepts a kind offer from a passer-by to recuperate at
her home. The name of this stranger is Alexandra Byrnehouse-Davies.
Alexa is a widow whose spacious home and heart has more than enough room
for LeNay.
In time, LeNay forms a unique bond with Alexa's two
grandsons. Then war comes between them. Time and again, happiness seems
to slip through LeNay's fingers as she encounters a series of losses
that cut into her soul and wear away at her faith.
THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN by Thomas S. Monson
I
n this children's
picture book, President Thomas S. Monson recounts a Christmas memory
from his childhood. As a boy, he yearned for an electric train. To his
delight, on Christmas morning he got exactly that—a train that operated
through the miracle of electricity. Then he noticed a second train that
his mother had purchased for the boy down the street whose family was
struggling.
Although it was only a wind-up train, it had a beautiful oil
tanker car, which little Tommy wanted for his own. Soon after, Tommy's
mother invited him to accompany her to the neighbor's home to deliver
the gift.
Young Mark was thrilled with his new train and, of course,
didn't notice the missing train car. However, a remorseful Tommy did.
What happened next will bring the spirit of Christmas into every heart
and home. Illustrated by renowned artist Dan Burr, The Christmas Train
is sure to be a classic Christmas story and a beautiful addition to
every Christmas library.
THE FORGOTTEN CAROLS by Michael McLean
For more than a decade,
Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols" has entertained sold-out
audiences around the country. This endearing story and beloved music
have truly become a Christmas classic. The holiday tale of Uncle John
and Connie Lou have touched the hearts of millions and taught all of us
about the true meaning of Christmas.
