Most Christmas stories are sentimental.On a "sentimentality scale" of 1 to 10, I would rate this collection of 20 stories a 7; but, a magnificient seven.My introduction to this collection was by way of the Bruderhof website, that included "No Room in the Inn" by Katherine Paterson.A very well-written short story that tells the message of Christmas with a New England directness and with dry humor that bites. It remains my favorite in the compilation.
The collection includes a few old classics such as "The Christmas Rose" and "The Other Wise Man".
Four of the stories are written in a humorous style that sound better when read aloud for an audience.They include "Riders of St. Nicholas", about three cowboys left on the ranch to fill some idle time; "The Vexation of Barney Hatch", like a tale from O'Henry; "The Carpenter's Christmas", cussing and hammering as a devotional prayer; and "Willibald's Trip to Heaven", a Tyrolean tale of a creche maker who fights with St. Peter.Both young and old will enjoy these four tales and they would lift the spirits of anyone stuck in the hospital over the holidays.
Pearl Buck's "Christmas Day in the Morning" is a sentimental, yet beautiful tale that would have a special appeal for anyone who has worked on a dairy farm.
A common thread of kindness links each of these stories.An added bonus are the woodcut illustrations by David Klein that accompany each story.What an appropriate Christmas gift!I'll buy a few copies of Home for Christmas to give as gifts for next year.
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