The Christmas Child, written in 1909 by Hesba Stretton (Sarah Smith) is the selection for today. Stretton is was one of the 19th century's most popular writers of moral tales and semi-religious stories in England. She was an associate of Charles Dickens who is often linked in our minds with Christmas.
The child, in this instance, is not the Christ Child. It is the tale of a spinster, Priscilla, who has run a farm with the help of the family's loyal servant Nathan. She is anti-marriage and has found happiness in her work and raising the niece she adopted. Rhoda, the niece, is pretty so Priscilla has worked to keep her away from the men of the community. Priscilla hopes to provide for Rhoda so that she need not seek marriage as a livelihood.
When Priscilla's grand-niece is orphaned she comes to join the family at the farm. Joan is young and an emotional burden upon Priscilla although Rhoda enjoys the companionship and someone to care for. The family celebrates Christmas not long after Joan arrives. At mid-night the girls go out into the dark stable to see if the Christ Child will be asleep in their manger. They agree to come each year, sing a carol and hope that the Christ Child will come to bless them.
When Rhoda disappears the family falls apart. Priscilla refuses to leave her room and Joan is neglected. Nathan, a religious man, tries to help Joan and Priscilla but is not effective.
Again Christmas arrives. Joan, who still holds a child's faith goes once more to the stable and sings her carol. At the manger she finds a baby. What happens next is happy, sad, and heartwarming.
Paper copies of this book are available but it is also readily available to read online or download to your computer or ereader. For online reading I suggest Gutenberg or Free Fiction Books. Downloads are available from Gutenberg, and Amazon. Several choices and all for free. There is also a 2003 movie of this moving old tale.
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