Christmas Stories – LIGHT to Share

Here comes Christmas! A perfect time to wrap all our Light in the best Read-Aloud stories of this season of Light.

My blogs of late have been about the magic of Reading Aloud to our children of all ages, and our Inner Light. Here it is, December and Christmas coming up soon! Some of the most wonderful stories ever are from the Christmas archives, and they are waiting to share with your family – especially the children. What a gift!

Remember your Light and shine on, with classic Read-Aloud stories for you and the whole family.

Take a look at some of these classic Christmas stories. The best part is that you can read them right here – online. All are free and available now.

Tea & Ink

The first selection is from an online site called Tea & Ink Society, by Elsie. She gives a short, annotated synopsis of each Christmas story, plus a link to read or listen to the audio recording.

On this list you will find surprising choices of famous authors who also wrote Christmas Tales, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes), Frank Baum (The Wizard of Oz), Louisa May Alcott (Little Women), Beatrix Potter (Peter Rabbit), and Leo Tolstoy (War & Peace).

As Elsie writes: “The right books can capture your heart and allow you to live life with a sense of wonder.” – Elsie ~ Tea & Ink Society

Here is her list and the link to each annotated title:

20 Christmas Stories:

Old Fashioned, Free, and Classic

Group I

1. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

2. “A Christmas Dream, and How It Came to Be True” by Louisa May Alcott

3. “The Elves and the Shoemaker” by The Brothers Grimm

4. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas

5. “Christmas at Red Butte” by L. M. Montgomery

6. “A Christmas Tree” by Charles Dickens

7. “Kidnapped Santa Claus” by L. Frank Baum

8. “The Other Wise Man” by Henry van Dyke

9. “Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

10. “Burglar’s Christmas” by Willa Cather

Group II

11. “Tailor of Gloucester” by Beatrix Potter

12. “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen

13. “Nutcracker and Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffmann

14. “Christmas at Thompson Hall” by Anthony Trollope

15. “A Letter from Santa Claus” by Mark Twain

16. “Old Christmas” by Washington Irving

17. “The Dead” by James Joyce

18. “Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote

19. “A Country Christmas” by Louisa May Alcott

20. “Where Love Is, There God Is Also” by Leo Tolstoy

10 Great Christmas Stories

iMom is an online site for Christmas, Family and Holiday Activities, beginning with reading Christmas stories together.

Some of these tales are short and some are longer, so every reader can have a chance to be the narrator for the night.

American Literature: Children’s Stories for Christmas

This American Literature online site is chock-full of more than forty stories

A:

The Elves and the Shoemaker by The Brothers Grimm – A poor shoemaker and his wife are down to their last piece of leather when their fortunes change thanks to help from talented elves.
Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore – This poem began many of the traditions of Christmas Eve. A must-read on that special night!
Fir-Tree by Hans Christian Andersen – A tree can’t wait to grow up and achieve great things, rather than appreciate the present.
The Last Dream of Old Oak by Hans Christian Andersen – An unlikely conversation between and old oak and a mayfly.
Christmas Greetings from a Fairy to a Child by Lewis Carroll – A festive holiday poem (forgetting fairy tricks and elfish play for a moment) from the beloved author of Alice in Wonderland
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams – “When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.“
The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter – Similar to The Elves and the Shoemaker, these lovely mice take over sewing for an aged tailor at Christmas time, but have to ‘paws’ for his cat!
A Letter from Santa Claus by Mark Twain – Twain treats us to his playful, dry wit, in his Santa’s response to children’s letters.
The Night After Christmas by Anonymous – A play off the “Twas the Night Before” verses, there’s lots of recovering after the year’s biggest holiday.
A Sprig of Holly by Frank Stockton – A dwarf demands a year of the children’s lives in exchange for the last piece of holly. Will they agree?

B:

Christmas Every Day by William Dean Howells – After reading, young children might rethink their wish to have Christmas all the time.
True Meaning of Christmas (recited by Linus) from The Bible, King James Version, Luke – In this unforgettable scene, Linus recites scripture to explain what Christmas is all about in A Charlie Brown Christmas.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum – The whole story: youth in the Burzee forest, manhood when he starts his journey with the reindeer, and old age to the mantle of immortality.
Jimmy Scarecrow’s Christmas by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman – This scarecrow gets recruited by Santa to scare away polar explorers and spread joy at Christmas time.
Christmas; or, The Good Fairy by Harriet Beecher Stowe – A precious story about the joy of thoughtful gift-making and giving to appreciative recipients.
The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin – “A real Christmas baby was not to be lightly named, the whole family agreed on that.”
Cousin Tribulation’s Story by Louisa May Alcott – A heartwarming story about an oatmeal parade and “angel-children” who help a family in need.
The Brownie’s Xmas by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman – The children give a brownie Christmas for the first time in one thousand years!
A Snow Man by Anonymous – Nothing more fun than making a big snow man!
Little Jack Horner by Mother Goose – We couldn’t leave out this classic nursery rhyme featuring Christmas pie!

C:

The Christmas Masquerade by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman – What will the parents do when their children get “stuck” in Christmas holiday costumes and become the characters they were only pretending to be?
Papa Panov’s Special Christmas by Leo Tolstoy – An old man welcomes strangers into his home, a story of compassion and kindness.
The Christmas Ball by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman – A toe-tapping story about children and fairies dancing under the shade of the Christmas tree.
Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride by Katharine Lee Bates – Mrs. Claus is the narrator of this poem by the author best known for America the Beautiful
The Snowflake Tree by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman – A beautiful winter poem describing a snow-kissed tree.
A Christmas Dream, and How It Came to be True by Louisa May Alcott – A children’s take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Alcott shares a delightful story from a young girl’s point of view.
Little Thief in the Pantry by Anonymous – During this season where pantries are full of goodies, here’s a charming story about a little girl’s compassion for a mouse who learns the difference between stealing and giving.
The Pony Engine and the Pacific Express by William Dean Howells – Who doesn’t love a story about trains at Christmas time?
Turkeys Turning the Tables by William Dean Howells – A word of caution: after reading, your children might want to set free, rather than eat, turkeys this holiday!
The Pumpkin-Glory by William Dean Howells – This story is in season anytime between Thanksgiving and the New Year

D:

Christmas in Seventeen Seventy Six by Anne Hollingsworth Wharton – Set during the Revolutionary War, a family anxiously awaits their captain-father’s return after the surprise Christmas Day attack crossing the Delaware River.
A Kidnapped Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum – Santa is simply ruining their business, and something must be done at once!
Little Bun Rabbit by L. Frank Baum – Dorothy and a bunny have a discussion about Santa.
The Legend of Babouscka by Anonymous – A Russian tale of an old lady who got lost on her way to visit the Christ Child. Legend has it, she’s still looking, and delivering presents on her way.
A Christmas Hamper by Anonymous – Clever poems fit for the season.
How Christmas Came to the Santa Maria Flats by Elia W. Peattie – How will Santa deliver their presents? The lease says no peddlers or agents can enter the apartment building– how will be most famous toy peddler get in?
Round the Yule-Log: Christmas in Norway by Peter Christen Asbjornsen – This Norwegian folk tale is about mischievous trolls who invade the farm every Christmas Eve.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas – Even young children can reminisce about simpler days of Christmases past.
Christmas at Fezziwig’s Warehouse by Charles Dickens – A raucous Christmas Eve ball featuring characters from A Christmas Carol.
Uncle Richard’s New Year Dinner by Lucy Maud Montgomery – Nothing melts an old family feud like a home cooked dinner from the heart to start the year off right. By the author of Anne of Green Gables.
William’s New Year’s Day by Richmal Crompton – Imagine if you were eleven years old and got to manage a candy store on New Year’s Day!

Some of My Favorite Christmas Stories

to take out of the library or purchase for your collection and
Read as a Family on Christmas Eve

The Christmas Magic, Lauren Thompson – a gentle, beautifully illustrated story filled with the magic, wonder, love… and tingles… of Christmas.
Two Christmas Mice, Corinne Demas – the sound of music from afar puts worries to rest as these sweet mice delight in the true meaning of the day.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas, Karma Wilson – Bear stays up—by discovering that giving is one of the best Christmas presents of all!
The Spirit of Christmas, Nancy Tillman – the best gift of all – the most magical gift of the season – is when we spend Christmas with those we love.
Bob & 6 More Christmas Stories, Sandra Boynton – perfectly silly selections are just right for snuggling all December long.
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, (various authors/illustrators) – Rudolph comes to the rescue with his wonderful shiny red nose.
The Greatest Gift, Phillip Van Doren Stern – the heartwarming story that became the Christmas classic movie: It’s a Wonderful Life
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Seuss – Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot . . . but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT!
The Polar Express, Chris Van Alsburg – A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole . . . this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved Christmas classic.

A Favorite Author:

The holidays stretch out even after Christmas. If you are looking for more stories to read aloud with your family, one of my favorite authors is Lucy Maude Montgomery, who wrote the classic, Anne of Green Gables. She also wrote many an intriguing short story. Herein, you will find a story for the holidays: Christmas at Red Butte, as well as a list of her own favorites for all year long. L.M. Montgomery Free Stories online

Fill your days and evenings with the joy of this beautiful holiday, sharing the gift of Christmas in stories to Read-Aloud…with your…

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