Christmas Stories Day 24: Hartly Manor

There were six of them…

And these six children have an important lesson to learn when it comes to Mr. Hartly and his manor. Is he the scary man that Rees says he is? Or will the children discover something else as they get to know him?

Christmas Stories Day 23: Christmas Carol Society

How Do You Impersonate a Christmas Ghost?

The Christmas season has arrived. The members of the newly-formed Christmas Carol Society are beginning their weekly meetings. Charlie Baker finds the first meeting odd enough, but when the assignments start, he has to wonder why he allowed himself to get roped into attending. Miss Dartmoor tells her members to impersonate the Ghost of Christmas Past for their own personal Scrooge. Just how does a mere human accomplish such an absurd task? Charlie tries to figure it out, but begins to see the Lord might plan for the assignments to have a deeper impact on him than he expected. An impact that Charlie isn’t sure he wants to face. 

Christmas Stories Day 22: First Christmas in America and A Police Force for Christmas

Klara Ivanski arrives from the Old Country with her Papa, Mama and ten brothers and sisters. “All vill be vell,” Papa assures them, but Mama and several of her brothers and sisters must remain at their aunt and uncle’s because of sickness. With barely enough money for food, Klara is quick to assure her papa that they only need Mama and the other to make Christmas special. But will the family be together for their first Christmas in America?

These weren't the Christmas surprises they expected... Christmas chaos at the Melson house usually involves wrapping paper and toys, not a broken window and a bare space under the tree. After a morning of questioning officers and chattering children, Amanda resigns herself to a very un-Christmasy day. But can the heroes on the Pineville police force find a way to save the family's Christmas?

Christmas Stories Day 21: Solve by Christmas

When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.

“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”

Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.

As the incidents at the factory become life-threatening, Jasper’s attempts at dissuading Mr. Rudin prove futile. Time is ticking. Jasper must solve both cases by Christmas before Mr. Rudin and the company are dragged to perdition.

 

Christmas Stories Day 20: Finding Christmas Joy

Melonie Brown just wants to get away from all of the pain and heartache that this year has brought upon her, and Starlight Lodge seems like the perfect place to do so. With no plans beyond a Christmas escape, she drives out to the lodge. Can she bottle up the peace and joy that she finds in this special place to help her face the challenges she may have in the upcoming year?

Christmas Stories Day 19: Some Christmas Camouflage

On a snowy December evening during the Great Depression, a high-spirited college student impulsively decides to do some spying on a quiet classmate—with unexpected results. A short story both funny and touching, in which mischief brings about a small Christmas miracle.

Christmas Stories Day 18: For My Good and Distorted Glass

It is Christmas time, but nothing is like it is supposed to be. Can a chance encounter help Janet to find joy and meaning despite her pain?

A short story of Christmas, finding hope, and faith.

Sixteen-year-old Jared is sure that this Christmas season is going to be the worst ever for his family. His fifteen-year-old sister, Amber, is scaring their whole family with how little she is eating and her obsession with winning a beauty pageant.

When Jared seeks help from his pastor, he comes up with a plan to help his sister by Christmas. As the days pass and he sees no change in his sister, he wonders if he can reach his goal.

A Christmas short story about faith, family, and unconditional love.

Christmas Stories Day 17: 24 Days Before Christmas

God Rest Ye Missing Gentleman...
Leland Bell is missing. Blood on the carpet, an absent vehicle, and vanishing fingerprints point to a sinister crime in tiny Poinsettia. The Singh and Winter families are just trying to celebrate Christmas with their friends, but their normal traditions are getting mixed up with murder investigations and police interviews. A dark shadow threatens the joy of the season and the townspeople find their trust in God shaken.
Each day brings a new Christmas carol for the families to memorize and revealing new clues to what could be a double murder.
Carols and crime, memories and mystery, doubters and danger – will there be a Merry Christmas after all?

Christmas Stories Day 16: Home for Christmas and Christmas Delays and Other Short Stories

Three Christmas Stories from WWII

Christmas Delays
A doctor, called up for duty in the army, spends one more Christmas with his wife in an unexpected way after God's Christmas delays strand them in a small house with another family.

Peter's Christmas
Very mild weather might not feel like Christmas, but young, orphaned Peter and his older sister find the peace and love of the season with the Hampton family in spite of the sadness of war.

I'll be Home for Christmas
Grandpa recounts the memories of his first Christmas away from home during WWII.

Feeling that life is unfair when her father is killed in the front lines of France and she has to live with her relatives on a western farm, twelve-year-old Susanna Stanson runs away to the city. She decides that all will be well when she reaches her old home, but a severe snowstorm interrupts her trip.

Christmas Stories Day 15: Our Christmas Bear

For three years, the widow and her two daughters, Rosetta and Bianca, have lived alone in the cabin on Mr. Heaton's vast estate. But this winter they have a visitor. What would bring a man to their lonely home in the bitterness of sub-zero weather? Is he the only man who is in the forest this winter? And why does he have such a mysterious name?
Loosely based on the old tale of Snow-White & Rose-Red, this is a Christmas story the whole family can enjoy.
When good and evil come face to face in the snowy woods, which will prevail?

*Note for parents: this story is based on the original fairy tale, and there is brief reference to death in one scene.

Christmas Stories Day 14: The Father Christmas Confessions

What if Santa Claus isn’t one man? What if he is a secret organization?

Jeremy Ogden has 25 days to accomplish his mission and a list of people whose lives can be changed forever if he makes it to them in time. He just has one big problem…And her name is Virginia.

Virginia Kipyard is the last girl Jeremy wants holding his family’s ancient secret, no matter how many times his mother suggests she’s “the right girl.” But if he wants to save the life of the next man on his list, he might just need her help.

The “season of miracles” is about to take on a whole new meaning, even for Father Christmas.

Christmas Stories Day 13: The Spunky Monkeys: A Christmas Full of Surprises

The monkeys are preparing for Christmas. Johnny and their dog friend, Pugsly, will be visiting. There is a lot of preparation to be done before Christmas comes. The monkeys manage to get everything done even though they find themselves in several predicaments. Journey with the monkeys as they encounter surprise after surprise in this exciting Christmas adventure.

Christmas Stories Day 12: The 12 Cats of Christmas

"What you need is a cat."
When her beloved dog passes away just before Christmas, Gloria isn't sure about her best friend's advice. Holiday hilarity ensues when a new cat shows up on her doorstep each day. Who's leaving the cats? And why? Will Gloria's Christmas go up a poof of pet fur, or will it prove to be the most purrfect holiday ever?

This is a short story (approx. 17 minutes reading time). 

Christmas Stories Day 11: Christmas Smiles and Christmas Eve at the Backdoor

The Great Depression is in full swing, and Mrs. Kabrick hopes to make Christmas a special time for her children even though they don't have much. With the back door constantly opening and shutting, time flies bringing cold air, visitors, and a very special Christmas Eve.

This was Laina’s second Christmas without her parents, who had died in an accident, and she was sure it would bering nothing but tears, because she and her aunt couldn’t seem to get along. When a frightening experience occurs, Laina, her cousin, and her aunt and uncle find unexpected cause for smiles.