“
She’s like…waking up on Christmas morning when you’re three years old and you finally understand what it’s all about. She’s the moment the rain stops and the sun comes out, lighting up the sky with color, and everything smells new and fresh. She’s the first skate on a frozen lake, surrounded by snowy mountains and pine trees and the freshest breath of air. She’s rolling over in the middle of the night, pulling that warm body into yours and curling around it, and everything’s just right.
”
”
Becka Mack (Consider Me (Playing For Keeps, #1))
“
On the Eve of Christmas
By Don Iannone
Snowy, snowy Christmas Eve,
For just this night we believe,
Stardust spread far and wide,
Angelic songs in hearts abide.
”
”
Donald T Iannone, D.Div.
“
Christmas ribbons decked every crystal ball knocker on every sparkling door as far as the eye could see. Through the snowy streets of the Veiled Village, Echoes and Sounds rushed to and fro, their shimmering clothes looking like pouring rain or ice or waves. Before them multi-colored parcels fluttered like strange birds carried on small see-through wings, and every once in a while two parcels would collide and rain down gifts.
”
”
Tal Boldo
“
There is a myth to Christmas mornings. Snowy lawns and garland-wrapped banisters. Trees and presents and the sound of feet running down staircases, little voices crying out, “He came! He came!
”
”
Ally Carter (The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year)
“
Fine old Christmas, with the snowy hair and ruddy face, had done his duty that year in the noblest fashion, and had set off his rich gifts of warmth and colour with all the heightening contrast of frost and snow.
”
”
George Eliot (The Mill on the Floss)
“
He felt her hand creep from her muff into his pocket as they walked the snowy streets to buy their Christmas tree; dusted the pollen off her nose after he had brought her the first king-cups. By the gay and gilded fountains of Peterhof they bandied preposterous names for their unborn child. At night, in their big wooden bed, he watched her spoon cherry jam into her tea and told her that her habits were disgusting, that he loved her more than life itself.
”
”
Eva Ibbotson (A Glove Shop in Vienna and Other Stories)
“
She’s like … waking up on Christmas morning when you’re three years old and you finally understand what it’s all about. She’s the moment the rain stops and the sun comes out, lighting up the sky with color, and everything smells new and fresh. She’s the first skate on a frozen lake, surrounded by snowy mountains and pine trees and the freshest breath of air. She’s rolling over in the middle of the night, pulling that warm body into yours and curling around it, and everything’s just right.
”
”
Becka Mack (Consider Me (Playing For Keeps, #1))
“
But if there was a pleasure in all this while snugly cuddling in the chimney-corner of a chamber that was all of a ruddy glow from the crackling wood-fire, and where, of course, no spectre dared to show its face, it was dearly purchased by the terrors of his subsequent walk homewards. What fearful shapes and shadows beset his path amidst the dim and ghastly glare of a snowy night! With what wistful look did be eye every trembling ray of light streaming across the waste fields from some distant window!
”
”
Geoffrey Crayon (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow + Rip Van Winkle + Old Christmas + 31 Other Unabridged & Annotated Stories (The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.))
“
into it in the end, but she’d gotten the feeling he’d only relented to placate her, to ease some of the tension that’d crept into their marriage. And by then it was too late. A month later she was attending his funeral. Oddly, she didn’t feel the gut-wrenching loss that normally accompanied any thought of her late husband. Did that mean she was learning to live without him? Or was it the hope of having a child that buoyed her spirits? If she was pregnant, it would be more than a little ironic that it had happened with Maxim… “Get this over with,” she said aloud.
”
”
Brenda Novak (On a Snowy Christmas)
“
They stepped out of the trees, which opened onto a large meadow that appeared to be in the middle of a mountain range, large boulders scattered around like a giant had dropped them like seeds. Bernie dashed between them, kicking up snow and leaving a twisty trail of tracks. The nearest boulder stood right next to them, taller than Jack. Most of the sides were straight, but the one facing the mountains had a seat carved out of it. Astra imagined some ancestor had created it as a convenient place to rest. On the horizon, the sun glowed orange in the space between the low-hanging clouds and the mountaintops, covered in snow-topped pines. Astra was stunned into silence. There was no explanation for this. The faintest breeze kissed her cheek, the air scented with pine and newly fallen snow. Jack set his hands on her shoulders behind her, and she melted into him, sharing this moment. A sight he had surely seen a thousand times, but could it ever get old?
"This is the most beautiful..." She couldn't find the words.
"I know."
They stood in silence until the sun completely disappeared and the night sky turned from orange and red to purple to a deep black only broken by more stars than Astra had ever seen.
”
”
Amy E. Reichert (Once Upon a December)
“
The eyes from Burma, from Tonkin, watch these women at their hundred perseverances—stare out of blued orbits, through headaches no Alasils can ease. Italian P/Ws curse underneath the mail sacks that are puffing, echo-clanking in now each hour, in seasonal swell, clogging the snowy trainloads like mushrooms, as if the trains have been all night underground, passing through the country of the dead. If these Eyeties sing now and then you can bet it’s not “Giovinezza” but something probably from Rigoletto or La Bohème—indeed the Post Office is considering issuing a list of Nonacceptable Songs, with ukulele chords as an aid to ready identification. Their cheer and songfulness, this lot, is genuine up to a point—but as the days pile up, as this orgy of Christmas greeting grows daily beyond healthy limits, with no containment in sight before Boxing Day, they settle, themselves, for being more professionally Italian, rolling the odd eye at the lady evacuees, finding techniques of balancing the sack with one hand whilst the other goes playing “dead”—cioé, conditionally alive—where the crowds thicken most feminine, directionless . . . well, most promising. Life has to go on. Both kinds of prisoner recognize that, but there’s no mano morto for the Englishmen back from CBI, no leap from dead to living at mere permission from a likely haunch or thigh—no play, for God’s sake, about life-and-death! They want no more adventures: only the old dutch fussing over the old stove or warming the old bed, cricketers in the wintertime, they want the semi-detached Sunday dead-leaf somnolence of a dried garden.
”
”
Thomas Pynchon (Gravity's Rainbow)
“
You know I wouldn’t want to meddle with your book,” he said. “You’ll know what’s best to put in it. But there's one last thing I want to say to the people of the world. If you would, put it at the very back of your book, so people will remember it most.”
“I’ll be happy to do whatever you ask,” I said.
“I know that, Alden, I know that,” Santa said. “You’re one of the fine people of the earth.” He didn't see my blush at his compliment; he was looking out at the snowy horizon.
“Here’s what I want to say. At Christmastime, people suddenly turn loving and unselfish. They start to share with others, and they notice how happy it makes them. They give and give and don’t really expect anything in return.
“Even nations get the Christmas spirit. More than once I’ve taken off on Christmas Eve a little worried about the guns and missiles I was sure to encounter—only to find that the warring countries had declared a Christmas truce.”
He paused again, and we stopped walking. Santa grasped my arm and spoke more earnestly. “Tell the people that Christmas is the best time of the year—oh, they know that. But why can’t we make the whole year like that? Why can’t we be loving and sharing all year ‘round—even when others aren’t loving and sharing back?
“Alden, you know me. I’m not a preachy guy. I’ve said my piece. But tell the people that, please. Please?” He stared at me for a moment, his eyes not wavering, and then he gave me a great big bear hug. “And tell all my kids they’re the greatest thing on Earth,” he whispered in my ear.
”
”
Alden Perkes (The Santa Claus Book)
“
Bella's Christmas Bake Off' always started in early December and for years had prepared me and the rest of the country for the culinary season ahead. Bella basted beautiful, golden turkeys, cooked crispy roast potatoes, baked magnificent cakes and biscuits, causing power surges throughout the country as people turned on their ovens and baked. She would sprinkle lashings of glitter, special olive oils, the latest liqueurs and all in a sea of Christmas champagne bottles.
Bella's style was calm, seductive, and gorgeous. Her very presence on screen made you feel everything was going to be okay and Christmas was on its way. She didn't just stop at delicious food either- her tables were pure art and her Christmas decorations always the prettiest, sparkliest, most beautiful. Bella Bradley had an enviable lifestyle and she kept viewers transfixed all year round, but her Christmases were always special. Her planning and eye for detail was meticulous, from color-matched baubles to snowy landscapes of Christmas cupcakes and mince pies- and soggy bottoms were never on her menu.
”
”
Sue Watson (Bella's Christmas Bake Off)
“
Your house always resembled a pet hotel.
”
”
Josie Riviera (A Snowy White Christmas)
“
Fernando glanced at the parrot. “And I see some things never change, Margaret. Your house always resembled a pet hotel.
”
”
Josie Riviera (A Snowy White Christmas)
“
She’s like…waking up on Christmas morning when you’re three years old and you finally understand what it’s all about. She’s the moment the rain stops and the sun comes out, lighting up the sky with color, and everything smells new and fresh. She’s the first skate on a frozen lake, surrounded by snowy mountains and pine trees and the freshest breath of air. She’s rolling over in the middle of the night, pulling that warm body into yours and curling around it, and everything’s just right. “She’s just…she’s just…
”
”
Becka Mack (Consider Me (Playing For Keeps, #1))
“
And now I'm here, in Avonlea, where the trees gleam like pearls and the fields are full of snowy dimples.
”
”
Kallie George (Merry Christmas, Anne (Anne of Green Gables))
“
I looked down at the fingers squeezing mine and something about the noise or his smile filled me with a kind of sick understanding of what our hand-holding had done. Of what she was trying to tell me before I got into his car. I tried to focus on the lights of the dying Christmas tee and the shrieking faces of guests I didn't know. But in those final seconds my mind wandered to my dad, who was probably sitting alone in the kitchen, drunk and watching the ball drop on TV; my brother, shooting spells from the depths of his bedroom, his small face green with the glow of his computer; and my mother, crunching down the street with a flashlight and my cocker spaniel, moving through the snowy darkness as the clock hit zero.
”
”
Marina Keegan (The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories)
“
We all make mistakes when trying to care for the people we love, especially after we’ve been hurt ourselves.
”
”
Fiona Baker (The Christmas Lodge (Snowy Pine Ridge, #1))
“
See,” she cried, “the river-bank— the
dark rushing stream. Ah, we are all alone,
side by side, far away from every one.
Fool! if you could read my heart, would
you walk so near to the giddy brink ? Do
you think the memory of the old love will
stay my hand when the chance comes?
Old love is dead: you beat it, cursed it to
death. How fast does the stream run ?
Can a strong man swim against it ? Oh,
if I could be sure — sure that one push
would end it all and give me freedom!
Once I longed for love — your love. Now
I long for death — your death. Oh, brave
swift tide, are you strong enough to free
me forever ? Hark ! I can hear the roar of
the rapids in the distance. There is a deep
fall from the river cliff; there are rocks.
Fool ! you stand at the very edge, and look
down. The moment is come. Ah !
”
”
Hugh Conway (Victorian Christmas Stories: 13 Scary Ghost Stories to Read on A Dark, Snowy Night)
“
There are no words. She’s like… waking up on Christmas morning when you’re three years old and you finally understand what it’s all about. She’s the moment the rain stops and the sun comes out, lighting up the sky with color, and everything smells new and fresh. She’s the first skate on a frozen lake, surrounded by snowy mountains and pine trees and the freshest breath of air. She’s rolling over in the middle of the night, pulling that warm body into yours and curling around it, and everything’s just right.
”
”
Becka Mack (Consider Me (Playing for Keeps #1))
Sue Bentley (Snowy Wishes (Magic Puppy))
“
The end of the snowy day found them together on the couch, Ian leaning back against the arm, stretched out, holding Marcie between his long legs, enjoying her closeness and their conversation. Her head rested against his chest and he stroked her soft hair, catching it between his fingers. “I
”
”
Robyn Carr (A Virgin River Christmas (Virgin River #4))
“
scruff of the sheep’s neck, the dog by his heels. “Need a hand?” He stretched a hand out which Claire grabbed gratefully. She clambered up the ditch alongside him, until they were all standing, man, woman, dog, and sheep, at the edge of a snowy field without a house or building in sight. “Thank you,” he said, his voice gruff. “I couldn’t have got her out on my own.” He nodded towards her boots. “You’re soaked.
”
”
Kate Hewitt (A Yorkshire Christmas (Christmas Around the World Series, #2))
“
agency, where she’d filled seemingly endless paperwork despite all the forms she’d already filled out online, and was now in proud possession of the keys to a Honda Civic. It was nine o’clock in the morning, and the sky outside was as gray as pewter, with mean little flakes of snow, not the fluffy, festive kind, drifting down on a muted grey landscape of concrete and leafless trees. Claire dumped her bag in the trunk—or the boot, she supposed, someone in England would call it. Claire had always loved her godmother Ruth’s English accent, and when she was a kid she’d quizzed Ruth on all the different British words. Pavement for sidewalk. Jumper for sweater. Rubber for eraser. The last one, of course, had caused eleven-year-old Claire to burst into muffled giggles of embarrassment and mirth. Ruth had just smiled, her eyes twinkling, sharing the admittedly immature joke. Slowly, very conscious she was driving on the other side of the road, Claire pulled onto the road, and then followed signs for the M62 and York. An hour and a half later, those mean little flakes of snow had turned thick and fluffy and white. They were beautiful, but her little car was not handling the snowy roads all that
”
”
Kate Hewitt (A Yorkshire Christmas (Christmas Around the World Series, #2))
“
As many days old as is the moon on the first snow, there will be that many snowfalls by crop planting time. If ant hills are high in July, winter will be snowy. If the first week in August is unusually warm, the coming winter will be snowy and long. For every fog in August, there will be a snowfall the following winter. Squirrels gathering nuts in a flurry will cause snow to gather in a hurry. As high as the weeds grow, so will the bank of snow. A green Christmas = a white Easter. If the first snowfall lands on unfrozen ground, winter will be mild. If there is thunder in winter, it will snow seven days later.
”
”
Peter Geiger (2015 Farmers' Almanac)
“
It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he said. “I’m glad we got the chance to see it.” “It reminds me of the country. Of home.” He heard the wistful note in her voice. “Gwen misses it, too. She wishes you could all be home for Christmas at Easton Manner.” He turned toward her, leaning against the window frame. She’d never really noticed it before, but his shoulders were quite nicely broad. “Is that what you’d like for Christmas too, Amelia? To be home with your family?” She thought for a moment, then decided to tell the truth. “No, I would like not to have to marry Lord Broadmore.” The sudden intensity in Nigel’s gaze set her already pounding heart tripping over itself. “Then why should you?” he asked in a low voice. She returned her gaze to the snowy square, avoiding his eye. “I suspect you already know the answer—my unfortunate reputation. Besides, my parents approve of Broadmore and are eager to see us married. In their eyes, he will make the perfect husband.” His hand came to her arm and gently turned her to face him. “Amelia, no true friend would think less of you for ending your previous engagements. They were simply mistakes you learned from.” “I’ve been called a heartless jilt by more than one person, you know,” she said, trying to make a joke of a label that had wounded her deeply. “They were wrong,” he said, looking stern. “But tell me why your parents are so eager for you to marry Broadmore. We both know he’s an unrepentant ass.” His blunt speech surprised a laugh out of her. “True, but an ass with a title and several magnificent estates. Papa is determined that I marry as well as possible.” She grimaced. “He says a girl of my looks and fortune deserves the very best.” Nigel smiled. “Your father is correct, but not for those reasons. You do have a very pretty face and your fortune is enviable, but those are not the best part of you.” She had to force the words from her tight throat. “What is?” He took her hand, intertwining their fingers. The breath whooshed out of her lungs and she clutched his hand in a convulsive grip. “It’s your heart, Amelia. Your lovely, kind heart,” he said with a smile that melted her from the inside out. “And now that you’ve told me what you don’t want for Christmas, tell me what you do want.” When Amelia thought of all the obstacles facing them, her courage almost failed. But it was Christmas, the time for wishes and dreams to come true. “I want to marry a kind, loving man who will be a good husband and father. A man who will see me as I truly am, and not as a decorative knick-knack and a means for plumping up his bank account.” Nigel gently cupped her chin with his free hand. “My sweet girl that is only what you deserve.” She stared at him, mesmerized. “And what do you want for Christmas, Mr. Dash?” she finally whispered. His lips parted in a devastatingly tender smile. “A kiss, Amelia. One kiss for Christmas.” She felt her mouth curl up in a silly grin. “Only one?” He let out a husky laugh. “To start.” Then he bent and gently, carefully—as if he didn’t want to frighten her—brushed a kiss across her lips.
”
”
Anna Campbell (A Grosvenor Square Christmas)
“
Change happens no matter what.” The butler cleared his throat. “And by the time she tried to kiss you, the change had already occurred. At least for Miss Westforth.” Philbert looked wistful for a moment. Then… “If I may impart some hard-earned wisdom, sir?” Sebastian nodded, but kept his eyes out into the darkness of Lady Winterson’s snowy garden. “There is a kind of love that does not happen all at once. It happens in increments. In inches. It takes a lifetime to grow. And invariably, for the people falling, it is difficult to recognize, because they are so close to each other. They cannot see the changes as they occur.” But then Sebastian had gone away. For three years. And coming home, all the changes that had taken place without him smacked him in the face, leaving him bereft. “Also invariably, one person will discover their true feelings before the other,” the butler continued. “And that person has a choice to make. Either they can alter the rules and start playing a different game… or they can be tortured. Wait for years and years on mere hope.” He paused, as if the words stuck in his throat. “I admire your Miss Westforth for choosing the former. It is the path others have been too cowardly to take.” Those words hung in the air, falling lightly to the ground like the snow. Settling into truth. “I… no,” Sebastian found himself saying. “Susannah may have had a… a crush on me, and I am deeply fond of her. But she’s not in love with me. And… I’m not in love with her,” Sebastian denied, shaking his head. “I can’t be. It’s… it’s Susannah. My little Susie.” Philbert shrugged. “That very well may be. But then perhaps it is worthwhile asking, why does her dancing and laughing with other gentlemen upset you so much?” “Because…” Sebastian tried, defensive. “Because she’s Susannah.” My Susannah . The words flashed through his mind, unbidden. And it was true. She had always been his Susannah. His friend. When he was young, he should have been more keen to rabble around with the young men in the village, or go shooting with his father, or any other more masculine pursuit… but no. He had always wanted to seek out Susie. To go for a ride with her. To spend the day playing cards with her by the fire. And the way she looked at him had made him feel… golden. But it had been more than that. He’d liked to hear her laugh. To know what she found amusing. To be himself with her. But now… now other men were making her laugh. Discovering her smiles. She could become someone else’s Susannah. He may not know if he was in love. But he knew for certain he did not want that to happen. A flash of conviction raced through him. And it wouldn’t, if he had anything to say about the matter. “If
”
”
Anna Campbell (A Grosvenor Square Christmas)
“
In the Christmas season of 1822, Clement Clarke Moore, a prosperous New York scholar and landowner, wrote a series of verses in a lively anapestic rhythm for the amusement of his daughters.13 Legend has it that they were inspired by the portly figure of his fur-clad sleigh driver as he returned home from a shopping trip through the snowy streets. The poem appeared anonymously in the Troy Sentinel a year later under the title “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas”:
”
”
Gerry Bowler (Christmas in the Crosshairs: Two Thousand Years of Denouncing and Defending the World's Most Celebrated Holiday)
“
He was irresistible. And dangerous. As much as I wanted him to be a cozy fire on a snowy winter day, he could just as easily be an out of control blaze, and burn my heart to a crisp.
”
”
Claire Kingsley (How the Grump Saved Christmas)
“
Emily, I am confident, would not be able to resist telling her own tale on a snowy Christmas Eve, regardless of Colin’s feelings on the subject. She would, however, wait until the boys were just a bit older before sharing it with them. Heaven knows what it might inspire Henry to do.
”
”
Tasha Alexander (That Silent Night (Lady Emily, #10.5))
“
cream cheese muffins, a crowd favorite and one that always sold well. She would have
”
”
Fiona Baker (Sweet Christmas Wish (Snowy Pine Ridge, #2))
“
Oh, that." She shrugged her shoulder callously. "I only said that that heathen princess has been caught and locked away. I'm just waiting to hear when she and that conspirator she ran off with, will receive their sentences for betraying the King." The woman threw her head back and cackled an evil sound.
”
”
Tayler Marie Brooks (Sugar Plum Princess (Forbidden Dancers, #1))
“
at all the empty seats, imagining them filled with people. I’d sing, dance, recite passages from books that
”
”
Fiona Baker (A Cozy Christmas Escape (Snowy Pine Ridge, #5))
“
By Christmas 1975 the divorce fairy was hovering. My marriage was breaking up, and no wonder. Lyn was a lovely woman and a good mother and she certainly deserved better. Not surprisingly, my faithlessness was rewarded by hers and she left me and my two-year-old son in London to spend Christmas in France. I did learn that infidelity is not a good basis for a marriage. Best to disappoint one woman at a time. Sad, but with my lovely blond son for company, I got an unexpected boost. On a snowy Christmas Eve, two men delivered an enormous thing wrapped in brown paper from a lorry. We ripped the paper off to find a fully stacked jukebox filled with all George’s favorite records. A note said, Every home should have one, Happy Christmas, love George and Olivia
”
”
Eric Idle (Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography)
Fiona Baker (A Cozy Christmas Escape (Snowy Pine Ridge, #5))
“
My kingdom doesn't want me. They'd rather have that tyrant than me. I couldn't find the Sugar Plum Princess. I'm beginning to think she doesn't exist. My father was sure she did. That's why I have been searching still but I think it's time I admit defeat.
”
”
Tayler Marie Brooks (Sugar Plum Princess (Forbidden Dancers, #1))
“
She’s like…waking up on Christmas morning when you’re three years old and you finally understand what it’s all about. She’s the moment the rain stops and the sun comes out, lighting up the sky with color, and everything smells new and fresh. She’s the first skate on a frozen lake, surrounded by snowy mountains and pine trees and the freshest breath of air. She’s rolling over in the middle of the night, pulling that warm body into yours and curling around it, and everything’s just right. “She’s just…she’s just…” “Perfection,” Hank finishes quietly.
”
”
Becka Mack (Consider Me (Playing For Keeps, #1))
“
They found a line that stretched out from a snowy village in the middle of the mall, its own brand of Christmas music, more digital, higher-pitched, emanating from the area. “What’s this?
”
”
Kevin Wilson (The Family Fang)
Fern Michaels (A Snowy Little Christmas)
“
OH, NIETZSCHE
The last Christmas Eve of the nineteenth century was very cold
Piercing winds and snow stuffed themselves into the cracks of every door and window
As professors of philosophy gathered in the Golden Hall
Their nonsense and hollow academic jargon were winning applause
Feeling a chill, professors furrowed their brows
And refined ladies unconsciously pulled their collars closed
No one paid attention to the chill, no one even responded
But the howling wind outside the window
Swept across Europe’s wide sky
Outside, Nietzsche was wandering around in the wilderness
His thoughts were accompanied by the snowy winds and howls of wolves
In this frozen world his thoughts shed their skin again and again
Like a bloody struggle to be free of incorporeal chains
He relentlessly pursued the truth
No one could understand his eccentric and arrogant disposition
No one could answer his disdain for this world
For only a blizzard of manuscripts accompanied him
Weathered by a tormenting disease
Nietzsche bitterly suffered from his solitary meditation
His discontent with thoughts surged like gales blowing the heavy snow
Sweeping the sky and earth with a wild fervor
What a pure yet brutal world
At that moment the bells of a new century were ringing
The generation of heroes Nietzsche called “supermen”
From “Martin Eden” penned by Jack London
To the old man who went fishing with Hemingway
Have already shocked the whole world
Through so many sleepless nights he endured the torture of disease
Yet nurtured the poetic longing of solitude and indifference
An infant thought undergoes the trauma of birth
To finally cry out in an earth-shattering voice
Nietzsche, before the sunrise changed the world
The entire sky shimmered with your incandescent thoughts
The nearly extinguished candle was burning your final passion
Nietzsche, oh Nietzsche, let us walk on together
”
”
Shi Zhi (Winter Sun: Poems (Volume 1) (Chinese Literature Today Book Series))
“
There in the barn stood the sleigh: shiny, beautiful, and with new, soft, bright velvet seats. The children all hopped in and imagined how the sleigh would travel across the snowy fields or perhaps amongst the starry skies on Christmas Eve.
”
”
Christine Kotowycz (The True Story of Santa's Sleigh)
“
So back over the sledding hill, across the iced-up pond, past the snowman with the funny hat, under the giant shimmering icicles and up the snowy back lane back to you; yes YOU,are you missing out on anything right NOW while thinking about tomorrow?
”
”
Sarah Lawrence (Christmas Eve, Eve!: How Katie found the best present of all, The Present Moment (Motivational Stories for Children Collection Book 2))
“
The Spirit of Christmas
The Boys finished their cider and handed the vendor the cups, smacking their lips and wiping their mouths on their sleeves. The towering Vendor smiled down on them. “And a Very Merry Christmas to you two young Gents.”
Jonas scowled up at him, “Christmas is a bunch of bunk, just meant for the rich. Come on Jamey.”
Little James Nicholas tipped his hat to the Vendor and his eyes shined angelically when he replied, “And a Merry Christmas to you too Sir!”
Jonas led the way as they raced the snowy sidewalks of New York. In his heart Jonas knew that they were late but the cider warmed him inside and he didn’t mind the risk.
Mr. Angel watched them run, knowing his work was cut out for him. “Christmas a bunk, hm-mmm! I’ve some work to do with these lads and not much time to do it in.” He glanced up at the heavens calculating the time before Christmas. He then tipped his hat to the vendor as he munched the delicious cheese.
The Cheese Vendor watched the kindly man depart, knowing there was indeed goodness abound in the world tonight. “Thank ye kind Sir!”
The tall Toymaker waved back at him over his shoulder, while keeping the two young dashing lads in sight. “And may the Spirit of Christmas haunt your home with joy.”
The Cheese Vendor chuckled to himself. “A joyful haunting? Be there such a thing?”
Mr. Angel followed along after the boys.
He passed a poor couple and thrust the bag of cheese into their hands.
The Poor Man’s face shined with pleasure, “Thank you and bless you sir.”
He nodded back at them with a smile. Ahead of him, Jonas and James rushed towards the corner. They raced past a fruit vendor and each of them snatched a piece of fruit from the boxes on display. The Fruit Vendor screamed after them, “Hey, you! Stop thieves!”
A New York Policeman witnessing the theft and blew his whistle. Then he shouted after them. “Stop thieves!” He immediately took up the chase, through the down pouring snow.
Mr. Angel could be seen in the background keeping pace behind the policeman.
The two young boys raced along the sidewalk, twisting their way between passers-by, their eyes frantically glancing behind them at the large pursuing policeman.
Suddenly Mr. Thorn, a large, burley man dressed in black blocked their way and took them both by the collars. “So there you are!”
He snatched the apple quickly from James’ hand.
“What have we here?” He was about to take a bite of it, when he saw the officer racing towards them. “It’s all right officer. I have the young scoundrels and I’ll make full restitutions for their thievery.” He quickly fished coins from his pocket and with a conning smile, put them in the hand of the frowning Policeman. “And a little extra for your trouble, my good man. It’s such a small crime and the criminals so . . . minor.”
The burly policeman rocked back and forth considering and then grunted, after all it was Christmas. “Very well sir. I’ll give these to the Vendor but I catch either of you snatching again, it’s behind bars with you and a good strong workhouse. You got me!”
Jonas glanced down at his worn out boots, his face red with shame. “Oh yes sir.”
James followed suit and then glanced up into the gruff face of the law. “Sorry, we were just hungry!
”
”
John Edgerton (The Spirit of Christmas)
“
On the walls were large color photographs — three feet by four — landscapes — corn stubble, a snowy field, a creekbed with three big cottonwood trees rising from it, an abandoned farm site, another abandoned farm site, and then a full frontal view of a naked woman of advanced years, in black-and-white. He didn't want to look at it but it was hard not to. "That's a self-portrait," she said. He had guessed as much. "It took me forty years to get up the courage to do that," she said. He thought it might've been better if she hadn't waited so long but he didn't say anything.
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Garrison Keillor (A Christmas Blizzard)
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I stare out into the darkness, the moonlight glinting off the snowy streets, a little anxiety running through me when I see the snow has started already. I have lived in Colorado for my entire life, so I’m used to driving in the snow, but when I glance out my window, the snowstorm raged on, coming down hard, hours earlier than it was supposed to.
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Rhianna Burwell (White Christmas)
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What does ‘Alivening’ mean? Is it like the waking up you told me about?” “That’s it,” said the Christmas Pig, still looking down into the dark snowy street. “And it happens when human feelings rub off on Things?” “It’s not really rubbing off,” said the Christmas Pig. “The feelings come inside us. Alivening is
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J.K. Rowling (The Christmas Pig)
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The Evergreen Christmas Party"
Once upon a time, in a snowy forest, there was a cozy log cabin. Mr. and Mrs. Evergreen lived there, and they loved Christmas. Every year, they had a big Christmas party for all the children in the village.
One day, the first snowflakes of winter began to fall. The children were so excited! They put on their warm hats, scarves, and mittens and grabbed their sleds. They raced down a snowy hill, laughing and having fun.
Inside the cabin, Mrs. Evergreen was baking cookies and making hot cocoa. The smell was delicious! She decorated a big Christmas tree with shiny lights and colorful ornaments. Mr. Evergreen was busy getting a special chair ready for a surprise guest.
As the sun went down, the children came to the cabin. They were greeted by the warm glow of the lights and the yummy smell of cookies. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Mr. Evergreen opened it, and there stood Santa Claus! The children were amazed.
Santa came inside and listened to the children’s Christmas wishes. He gave them gifts and told them stories about the North Pole. Everyone sang Christmas songs and danced. It was the best party ever!
When it was time to go, Santa waved goodbye and promised to come back next year. The children watched as Santa’s sleigh flew into the night sky, feeling happy and full of Christmas magic.
From that day on, the Evergreen Christmas party was the best part of the year. Everyone in the village looked forward to it, knowing it would be filled with love, joy, and a little bit of magic.
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James Hilton-Cowboy
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First, it would sound ridiculous. No one would take us seriously as this was probably an old fairytale. And second, word would surely get back to the Mouse King. The last thing we needed was for him to know we were trying to take the thrown back.
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Tayler Marie Brooks (Sugar Plum Princess (Forbidden Dancers, #1))
Fiona Baker (A Cozy Christmas Escape (Snowy Pine Ridge, #5))