Again the Ghost sped on, above the black and heaving sea…

“…on, on–until, being far away, as he told Scrooge, from any shore, they lighted on a ship. They stood beside the helmsman at the wheel, the look-out in the bow, the officers who had the watch; dark, ghostly figures in their several stations; but every man among them hummed a Christmas tune, or had a Christmas thought, or spoke below his breath to his companion of some bygone Christmas Day, with homeward hopes belonging to it. And every man on board, waking or sleeping, good or bad, had had a kinder word for another on that day than on any day in the year; and had shared to some extent in its festivities; and had remembered those he cared for at a distance, and had known that they delighted to remember him.”

–Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Merry Christmas everyone.

Classic Christmas Tales

In these last few days before Christmas, I thought I’d get you in the holiday mood by sharing what are (in my opinion) the top ten Christmas stories of all time!

10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, by Robert May
Originally a poem written in 1939 by Robert May for retailer Montgomery Ward. It was later adapted into its iconic song version by May’s brother-in-law Johnny Marks.

9. The Little Match Girl, by Hans Christian Anderson
Written in 1845 by Danish poet superstar Hans Christian Anderson, this iconic but incredibly sad tale has inspired many a film adaption. You can read the full story here: http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheLittleMatchGirl_e.html

8. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause, by Francis Pharcellus Church
The sweetest response to a Dear Editor letter ever! Originally printed in the New York Sun newspaper, the full text can be read here: http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/

7. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis
The most popular of C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia children’s series, this Christian allegory presents us not just with Christmas (and presents from Santa Claus!), but also the Resurrection.

6. The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry
This 1904 O. Henry classic teaches us the true spirit of Christmas is giving up what you treasure for those you love. http://www.online-literature.com/donne/1014/

5.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Suess
Ok, who hasn’t heard of this brilliant Suess story? It makes me believe that even the crankiest green man can be transformed by the power of a Who song!

4. Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
A more contemporary holiday classic (it was written in 1985), this fantastic story about childhood wonderment has quickly become a Christmas staple.

3. A Visit from Saint Nicholas (aka ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas), by Clement Clarke Moore
The quintessential Christmas poem. Although the author of this holiday treasure is still under debate (most believe it was written by Moore in 1822), this poem single handedly transformed Santa into the 20th century version we know and love today. http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/blstnicholas.htm

2. A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
No Christmas list would be complete with this masterpiece. Although my favorite adaption is the Muppet Christmas Carol, I think the originial is pretty swell too. Luckily, it’s a public domain book and can be read in its entirity here: http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/blstnicholas.htm

1. The Nativity, Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)
Like Linus says, this story is “what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A1-20&version=NIV

Merry Christmas!