This image is the cover for the book Christmas Stories, Classics To Go

Christmas Stories, Classics To Go

Christmas Stories is a collection of short stories written by Mary Jane Holmes and published in 1878. The book contains four heartwarming tales that center around the holiday season, each with its own unique message about love, family, and the true meaning of Christmas. The first story, "The Christmas Gift," tells the tale of a wealthy young woman named Edith who is engaged to be married. When her fiancé gives her a lavish gift for Christmas, Edith realizes that she has been blinded by materialism and must reevaluate her priorities. In "The Lost Baby," a young couple must deal with the heartbreak of losing their newborn child just days before Christmas. The story explores themes of grief and healing, as the couple struggles to find hope and comfort in the midst of tragedy. The third story, "The Widow's Christmas," follows a kind-hearted widow named Mrs. Price who opens her home to a group of homeless children on Christmas Eve. Through her generosity and compassion, Mrs. Price reminds us of the importance of reaching out to those in need during the holiday season. Finally, "The Christmas Tree" is a heartwarming tale about a group of children who come together to decorate a Christmas tree in their small town. As they work together to make the tree beautiful, they learn valuable lessons about cooperation, friendship, and the power of community. Overall, "Christmas Stories" is a charming and uplifting collection of tales that captures the spirit of the holiday season. Mary Jane Holmes' warm and engaging writing style, combined with the timeless messages of the stories, makes this book a classic holiday read that is sure to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

Mary Jane Holmes

Mary Jane Holmes (1825-1907) was an American author and one of the most popular and prolific writers of the 19th century. She was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, and was the youngest of five children. Holmes began her writing career in the 1850s, when she began publishing stories and articles in magazines and newspapers. Her first novel, "Tempest and Sunshine," was published in 1854 and was an immediate success. She went on to publish dozens of novels over the course of her career, including "Lena Rivers," "The English Orphans," and "Darkness and Daylight." Holmes was known for her sentimental and melodramatic style, which was popular with readers in the 19th century. Her novels typically featured heroines who faced difficult circumstances and overcame obstacles to find happiness and love. Many of her books were set in rural or small-town America and focused on themes of family, community, and morality. Although her work was often dismissed by critics as overly sentimental and formulaic, Holmes was immensely popular with readers, and her novels sold millions of copies in the United States and abroad. She was one of the most successful authors of her time, and her work helped to pave the way for other popular writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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