The Spirit of Christmas

[S]urely that need not and ought not to be the whole of Christmas-only a single day or generosity, ransomed from the dull servitude of a selfish year,-only a single night of merry-making, celebrated in the slave-quarters of a selfish race! If every gift is the token of a personal thought, a friendly feeling, an unselfish interest in the joy of others, then the thought, the feeling, the interest, may remain after the gift is made.-from "Christmas-Giving and Christmas-Living"A popular pastor and poet at the turn of the 20th century, Henry Van Dyke sings the praises of acts of kindness and generosity, of good will and good cheer, and of the spirit of Christmas. First published in 1905 this charming volume includes:Øa dream-story: The Christmas AngelØa little essay: Christmas-Giving and Christmas-LivingØa short Christmas sermon: Keeping ChristmasØtwo Christmas prayers: For the Home and For Lonely FolksAlso available from Cosimo Classics: Van Dyke's The Spirit of AmericaOF INTEREST TO: lovers of ChristmasAmerican author and clergyman HENRY VAN DYKE (1852-1933) was pastor of Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City from 1883 to 1899 and professor of English literature at Princeton University from 1899 to 1923. He wrote numerous books of poetry and devotion, including Little Rivers (1895), The Other Wise Man (1896), and Fisherman's Luck (1899).