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Christmas is the most magical time of the year -- the holiday itself was originated to celebrate the most wonderous miracle the world has ever seen. Long before the advent of motion pictures and television, the magic of Christmas was shared with the world through the written word of such classics as O. Henry's Gift of the Magi and Dicken's A Christmas Carol. In the spirit of those classic Christmas tales, we proudly present this collection of original Christmas stories. We hope that these stories brighten your holiday and help you to rediscover the spirit of Christmas... when miracles happen and dreams come true.

Santa Claus, legendary bringer of gifts at Christmas. He is generally depicted as a fat, jolly man with a white beard, dressed in a red suit trimmed with white, and driving a sleigh full of toys drawn through the air by eight reindeer. Santa (also called Saint Nicholas and Saint Nick) is said to visit on Christmas Eve, entering houses through the chimney to leave presents under the Christmas tree and in the stockings of all good children. Although this familiar image of Santa Claus is a North American invention of the 19th century, it has ancient European roots and continues to influence the celebration of Christmas throughout the world.
The historical Saint Nicholas was venerated in early Christian legend for saving storm-tossed sailors, defending young children, and giving generous gifts to the poor. Although many of the stories about Saint Nicholas are of doubtful authenticity (for example, he is said to have delivered a bag of gold to a poor family by tossing it through a window), his legend spread throughout Europe, emphasizing his role as a traditional bringer of gifts. The Christian figure of Saint Nicholas replaced or incorporated various pagan gift-giving figures such as the Roman Befana and the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht. The saint was called Sankt Nikolaus in Germany and Sanct Herr Nicholaas or Sinter Klaas in Holland. In these countries Nicholas was sometimes said to ride through the sky on a horse. He was depicted wearing a bishop's robes and was said to be accompanied at times by Black Peter, an elf whose job was to whip the naughty children.

Jan Harold Brunvand, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Professor of English, University of Utah. Author of The Study of American Folklore and other books. Author of syndicated newspaper column Urban Legends.

Christmas Books