Today I offer up another old favorite, The Little Match Girl, by Hans Christian Andersen. I remember this story from childhood but did not really appreciate how sad it was until I had children and tried to read it to them with a cracking voice. Now that I have grandchildren I wouldn't even attempt it out loud. This story is well worth the tears.
This classic tale is about a little girl who is sent out in the freezing weather each day to sell small bundles of matches on the street corners. On the last night of the year she seeks shelter from the cold and strikes a match to warm herself. In the light she sees visions including her grandmother. She strikes one match after another to maintain the vision of the only person who ever loved her.
Although not truly a Christmas story, The Little Match Girl is found in several anthologies such 10 Best Loved Christmas Classic Stories for All Ages and Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales: A Selection (Oxford World's Classics) both free on Kindle. You can also read it free in one file from Daily Lit. There have been a couple of movies based on this winter classic.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Day 6 Christmas Story
I first read The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry van Dyke last Christmas. Just one reading made it my favorite annual "must read". Written in 1896 this story is still meaningful and engaging.
This tale is about Artaban a Zoroastrian scholar. Knowing that the stars will show the coming of the King he watches and waits. When he sees the sign in the sky he sets out to meet with other magi, or wise men, to follow the star together. During his journey he repeatedly comes across people who need his assistance. Although his deepest desire is to attend to the King his moral convictions make him choose otherwise. Throughout his life he helps others always believing that he he has failed his Lord.
The traditional religious message is supplemented with Bible passages throughout many parts of van Dyke's tale. The story spans thirty-three years and ends with the crucifixion.
There are a lot of options for this story. It is available as hardcover and paperback, it is free on Kindle and can be read free on Google Books. You can also read it free here. The Story of the Other Wise Man can also be listened to for free from Librivox.
This tale is about Artaban a Zoroastrian scholar. Knowing that the stars will show the coming of the King he watches and waits. When he sees the sign in the sky he sets out to meet with other magi, or wise men, to follow the star together. During his journey he repeatedly comes across people who need his assistance. Although his deepest desire is to attend to the King his moral convictions make him choose otherwise. Throughout his life he helps others always believing that he he has failed his Lord.
The traditional religious message is supplemented with Bible passages throughout many parts of van Dyke's tale. The story spans thirty-three years and ends with the crucifixion.
There are a lot of options for this story. It is available as hardcover and paperback, it is free on Kindle and can be read free on Google Books. You can also read it free here. The Story of the Other Wise Man can also be listened to for free from Librivox.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Day 5 Christmas Story
The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen is today's Christmas story. Another classic this story, origionally published in 1884, has stood the test of time.
Like many of us, the small fir tree dreams of growing up and becoming something grand. He fails to see the beauty and comfort all around him. As he continues to grow, he continues to dream of a better fate until one day he is chopped down and taken away to become a Christmas tree is a grand home. His dreams have come to pass--or have they.
This "be careful what you wish for" tale can be found in stores and at a variety of online sources. You can read it online at the Literature Network, free on Kindle as Fairy Tales of Hans C. Andersen, for Nook as part of a paid collection, libraries and book stores. There are several versions on the market, some in picture book format.
Like many of us, the small fir tree dreams of growing up and becoming something grand. He fails to see the beauty and comfort all around him. As he continues to grow, he continues to dream of a better fate until one day he is chopped down and taken away to become a Christmas tree is a grand home. His dreams have come to pass--or have they.
This "be careful what you wish for" tale can be found in stores and at a variety of online sources. You can read it online at the Literature Network, free on Kindle as Fairy Tales of Hans C. Andersen, for Nook as part of a paid collection, libraries and book stores. There are several versions on the market, some in picture book format.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Day 4 Christmas Story
Today's Christmas story, set in California, is unique and inspiring. Richard Taylor offers up a wonderful tale of a family, their Grandfather and the real meaning of life in Evergreen A Christmas Tale.
The story is told by the eight year old grandson. As an aging adult he tells how his family was healed during a difficult time in their family when Grandfather visits for Christmas. Although Grandfather is dying he has much more to offer his family than a mere story about how the first Christmas tree came to be. As he spins his tale the impact of this remarkable story heals then goes on to survive not only the teller but other family members and future generations as well. I found it heart warming that sometimes those who seem to have the least are capable of giving the most.
The tale is about nomadic people who travel south as the ice and snow move down creating a diverse cultural element that adds a great deal to the story. A beautiful glittering evergreen tree is central to the survival of the main characters.
This book is short, readable and widely available Try Nook, Kindle, Smashwords, Google Books or iTunes books for your copy. If you prefer to read on your computer or have a generic reader it can also be downloaded as a PDF or EPub file. Most are free.
The story is told by the eight year old grandson. As an aging adult he tells how his family was healed during a difficult time in their family when Grandfather visits for Christmas. Although Grandfather is dying he has much more to offer his family than a mere story about how the first Christmas tree came to be. As he spins his tale the impact of this remarkable story heals then goes on to survive not only the teller but other family members and future generations as well. I found it heart warming that sometimes those who seem to have the least are capable of giving the most.
The tale is about nomadic people who travel south as the ice and snow move down creating a diverse cultural element that adds a great deal to the story. A beautiful glittering evergreen tree is central to the survival of the main characters.
This book is short, readable and widely available Try Nook, Kindle, Smashwords, Google Books or iTunes books for your copy. If you prefer to read on your computer or have a generic reader it can also be downloaded as a PDF or EPub file. Most are free.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Day 3 Christmas Story
Today's story is a true Christmas classic. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry was published in 1906 but never grows old. O. Henry was the pen name of William Sydney Porter (1862-1910). He wrote many classic short stories including The Ransom of Red Chief which many of us read in school.
If you haven't read this story you are in for a treat. Della and her husband Jim are newlyweds with little money but a strong sense of love and sacrifice. As Christmas approaches they choose the perfect gifts for each other, giving their gifts is an ironic twist. I have read this story every Christmas for years now and still feel the jolt of truth at the end of the tale. My daughter remarked that if I included only one Christmas story this month it should be The Gift of the Magi. It will have that impact on you as well.
The Gift of the Magi is available in book format, as part of many different Christmas collections, free on Kindle or through Daily Lit. If you haven't tried Daily Lit I highly recommend it. After a free sign-up you can have stories emailed in one or more daily portions. A $.99 Kindle collection 10 Best Loved Christmas Classic Stories for All Ages includes today's selection as well as many other well known classics.
If you haven't read this story you are in for a treat. Della and her husband Jim are newlyweds with little money but a strong sense of love and sacrifice. As Christmas approaches they choose the perfect gifts for each other, giving their gifts is an ironic twist. I have read this story every Christmas for years now and still feel the jolt of truth at the end of the tale. My daughter remarked that if I included only one Christmas story this month it should be The Gift of the Magi. It will have that impact on you as well.
The Gift of the Magi is available in book format, as part of many different Christmas collections, free on Kindle or through Daily Lit. If you haven't tried Daily Lit I highly recommend it. After a free sign-up you can have stories emailed in one or more daily portions. A $.99 Kindle collection 10 Best Loved Christmas Classic Stories for All Ages includes today's selection as well as many other well known classics.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Day 2 Christmas Story
Today is December second. If I am lucky this means I have advanced the various calendars in my home to the correct month. Then the panic often begins to seep in.
Are you already wondering how you will ever be ready for Christmas? Do your friends and family think you are involved in too much and spread yourself too thin, especially at this time of the year? I know just how you feel.
My suggestion is to kick back for the weekend and read a book--not just any book but Unwrapping Christmas by Lori Copeland. This book will not be on the New York Times book lists or win a Pulitzer Prize. At this time of the year it could be much more valuable to you than any weighty award winner.
Lori Copeland may help you to see yourself in the main character, Rose. She has a problem saying "no" and believes it is her mission in life to create the perfect holiday for everyone else. Does this sound familiar? It did to me. Rose suffers through pain and personal suffering on her way to learning how to set priorities. There is enough humor in this book to keep you from crawling under the covers and refusing to leave the house, but it will make you think. It is easy to get caught up in a process and lose the goal.
I read this book for the first time last Christmas and I think about its message every time I consider taking on one more worthwhile cause, especially in December. It is so tempting to try and create a perfect Christmas for everyone around you.
This book runs about 160 pages so it is will fit into your Friday night or weekend schedule this early in the month. Look for Unwrapping Christmas for Kindle, as a hardback through bookstores or at Google Books. I think it could be a big hit as a made-for-TV movie.
Tomorrow's book is a short and readily available classic that you just must read this holiday season.
Are you already wondering how you will ever be ready for Christmas? Do your friends and family think you are involved in too much and spread yourself too thin, especially at this time of the year? I know just how you feel.
My suggestion is to kick back for the weekend and read a book--not just any book but Unwrapping Christmas by Lori Copeland. This book will not be on the New York Times book lists or win a Pulitzer Prize. At this time of the year it could be much more valuable to you than any weighty award winner.
Lori Copeland may help you to see yourself in the main character, Rose. She has a problem saying "no" and believes it is her mission in life to create the perfect holiday for everyone else. Does this sound familiar? It did to me. Rose suffers through pain and personal suffering on her way to learning how to set priorities. There is enough humor in this book to keep you from crawling under the covers and refusing to leave the house, but it will make you think. It is easy to get caught up in a process and lose the goal.
I read this book for the first time last Christmas and I think about its message every time I consider taking on one more worthwhile cause, especially in December. It is so tempting to try and create a perfect Christmas for everyone around you.
This book runs about 160 pages so it is will fit into your Friday night or weekend schedule this early in the month. Look for Unwrapping Christmas for Kindle, as a hardback through bookstores or at Google Books. I think it could be a big hit as a made-for-TV movie.
Tomorrow's book is a short and readily available classic that you just must read this holiday season.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Day 1 Christmas Story
Today is the first day that I will willingly listen to Christmas music. I just feel like December 1st is soon enough and I want to enjoy the music, not dread it. In celebration of Christmas music today I offer up a collection of stories behind some of the Christmas songs we all know and love. The book is Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins. Although published by Zondervan it contains secular as well as religious tunes. It is available as a hardback or for Kindle.
A total of 31 songs are featured, enough to read one a day for the whole month of December if you choose. You could also use the story along with a song that you sing together as a family or teach to your children. I appreciated the text of the songs included in this book, while I still remember the melody the words have dimmed through the years.
One example from the book is the story of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, a well known song in the late 40's and early 50's. It is not quite as popular today as it was when it was featured in the movie Meet Me in St. Louis at the end of World War II. Judy Garland, who sang the song in the film, pushed the writers to make a more positive statement in the song because of her experiences singing to G. I.'s. They did the re-write and the song became famous.
Other songs include: Angels We Have Heard On High, Jingle Bells, O Holy Night, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and one of my personal favorites Silver Bells.
A total of 31 songs are featured, enough to read one a day for the whole month of December if you choose. You could also use the story along with a song that you sing together as a family or teach to your children. I appreciated the text of the songs included in this book, while I still remember the melody the words have dimmed through the years.
One example from the book is the story of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, a well known song in the late 40's and early 50's. It is not quite as popular today as it was when it was featured in the movie Meet Me in St. Louis at the end of World War II. Judy Garland, who sang the song in the film, pushed the writers to make a more positive statement in the song because of her experiences singing to G. I.'s. They did the re-write and the song became famous.
Other songs include: Angels We Have Heard On High, Jingle Bells, O Holy Night, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and one of my personal favorites Silver Bells.
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