‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney, with presents to give and to see just who in this home did live. As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even […]

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! —Hamilton Wright Mabie I always dreamed of pulling off the surprise prank of a lifetime. You know, the kind you see on TV, or laugh about late at night with friends? Well, thanks to a little determination, some luck, and a […]

The Christmas Truce by David G. Stratman From his book We Can Change the World Inspirational Christmas Story It was December 25, 1914, only 5 months into World War I. German, British, and French soldiers, already sick and tired of the senseless killing, disobeyed their superiors and fraternized with “the enemy” along two-thirds of the […]

Father Joseph Mohr sat at the old organ. His fingers stretched over the keys, forming the notes of a chord. He took a deep breath and pressed down. Nothing. He lifted his fingers and tried again. Silence echoed through the church. Father Joseph shook his head. It was no use. The pipes were rusted, the […]

For all the fans of “It’s A Wonderful Life” and Jimmy Stewart . . . Just months after winning his 1941 Academy Award for best actor in “The Philadelphia Story,” Jimmy Stewart, one of the best-known actors of the day, left Hollywood and joined the US Army. He was the first big-name movie star to […]

I’m up a chuffin’ ladder, fixing chuffin’ fairy lights. Me ‘ands are chuffin freezin’, and I’m scared of chuffin’ heights. It’s the same each chuffin’ Christmas. It’s such a chuffin’ chore. When the chuffin’ season’s done, then they’re chuffin’ down once more. Then it’s fetch the chuffin’ turkey, and stuff the chuffin’ thing. And chuffin’ […]

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations – extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. My son, Nicholas, was in […]

A POEM: THE AMERICAN SOLDIER STANDING GUARD AT CHRISTMAS 12-24-2010 3:22 pm – An American The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a […]

At Christmastime, men and women everywhere gather in their churches to wonder anew at the greatest miracle the world has ever known. But the story I like best to recall was not a miracle—not exactly. It happened to a pastor who was very young. His church was very old. Once, long ago, it had flourished. […]

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sings to his […]