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Suggested Reading and Children's Stories |
Suggested Reading List of Christmas Stories
"Dulci Donum" from The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Graham (Christmas spirit on the river bank from one of the best animal books for children ever written.)
"The Crib of Bo'Bossu," from The Long Christmas, by Ruth Sawyer. Viking Press, New York, 1941
A French tale of a hunchback whose heart is set on carving a beautiful crib for Our Lady' Child. Good to read with the children around the crib.
"The Little Caterpillar That Came to Church" - by: Hooker/Brindle/Lademan
Note: This is not specifically a Christmas story. But since it teaches of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament - God With Us- it is appropriate for the season of Advent if this is explained to the children.
"The Gold of Bernardino" from The Long Christmas
An ancient legend telling how the first crib scene came to be placed in a Spanish church. Charming in its simplicity - and perfect for reading aloud the night the Christmas crib is set up, for it explains the significance of offering ourselves to the Christ Child.
"The Voyages of Wee Red Cap," From The Long Christmas
An Irish fairy tale to be read on the Eve of St. Stephen, when the "wee folk" show an Irish "Scrooge" how to shake loose from his gold.
"The Shepherds," from The Long Christmas
Across the skies on that holy night rings the sound of combat as Archangel Michael defeats Satan, and a little Spanish boy leads the shepherds to Bethlehem.
"Legend of the Christmas Rose", by Selma Lagerlof, from the World's Greatest Christmas Stories, ed. Eric Posselt. Prentice-Hall,New York, 1950
The well-known Swedish legend about the forest that is transformed at the miraculous hour of Christ's birth.
"Which of the Nine?" by Maurus Jokai, from The World's Greatest Christmas Stories.
How can a poor shoemaker decide to give away one of his children? Why, even the songs they sing are more precious than all the gold in the world. Could be read to set the mood for an evening of singing together.
"The Oak of Geismar", by Henry van Dyke, from Christmastide. Stephen Day Press, New York, 1948
How the Gospel and the green fir tree were brought to the heathens of Germany in the eighth century by a band of English pilgrims.
"The Noel Candle", by Clement C. Moore, from Christmastide.
The custom of lighting a candle in the window on Christmas Eve may have originated in this way.
"The Holy Night" by Selma Lagerlof, from Christmastide.
Like the shepherd, we too could see the angels that fly down from heaven on Christmas Eve if we only had the right kind of eye.
"The Ox and the Ass at the Manger", by Jules Supervielle, from The Greatest Bible Stories. Stephen Daye Press, New York, 1951
"The Nativity of Our Lord", from The Golden Legend, by Jacobus de Voragine. Longmans, Green and Co., New York, 1948
An example of the freshness and simplicity of medieval devotion.
"Where Love Is, There God Is Also", by Leo Tolstoy, from What Men Live By. Pantheon Books, New York, 1944.
The story of a poor shoemaker who wondered what he would do if the Lord came to be his guest.
"Christmas on the Village Square," By Henri Gheon.
A Christmas presentation by a band of gypsies. Delightful for informal reading.
Christmas Stories for Children
The Gift of Christmas By: Rev. Jude Winkler
The Legend of Little White Hood By: Battistella
A Special Place for Santa - By: Jeanne Piepper
The Littlest Angel / the Original Christmas Classic By: Charles Tazewell
The Little Match Girl - By: Hans Christian Andersen
The Little Fir Tree - By Hans Christian Andersen
With Bells On/ A Christmas Story By: Katherine Milhous
The Christmas Coin By: Nora Burglon (found in "Take Joy" by Tasha
Tudor)
The Caravan by: Ruth Sawyer (found in "Take Joy")
The Holy Night by: Selma Lagerlof (found in "Take Joy")
Good King Wenceslaus (taken from "The Classic Christmas Treasury for
Children")
The Story of the First Christmas (taken from "The Classic Treasury for
Children")
The "Faith and Freedom Readers"
The Christmas Stories of George MacDonald
LEGENDS OF CHRISTMAS (all taken from "Take Joy")
- The Legend of the Raven
- The Ox's Cake
- The Rosemary Legend
- The Bird Tree
- The Legend of the Lucia Queen
- The Legend of the Holy Thorn
- The Blossoming Tree
