Top Ten Christmas Reads

Christmas for me just isn't complete without a good Christmas story. Better yet, I love a whole season filled with good Christmas stories. My mom has always had a box of Christmas books that came out with all the decorations. They sit out proudly all season and I always loved grabbing one of the books and having a good read. The collection has grown larger and larger over the years as we have found new and delightful gems to add to the collection. How could anything be better than snuggling up in a warm fleece blanket with a cup of hot cocoa (and a fire in the fireplace if you have one) and reading a good story? Not much beats that for me except maybe the same setting with my kids snuggled in to listen to the story! So, here is my 2008 top ten Christmas reads in no particular order (I can't really pick a favorite anyway!): This wonderfully fantastic tale just melts my heart. I love it!! You must love a book that opens like this:
"The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker's old broken-down toolhouse."
Who doesn't know a family just like the Herdmans? And if you do, this little gem will make you stop and think...and realize that beneath most hard and rough surfaces a little bit of angel can be found!

This is a cute little Christmas tale and one that not only reinforces the beauty of Christ's birth but also the far reaching effects of his life and death. This is a great read to reinforce Jesus' divine mission, especially for children.

I love this tale of loss and finding love to fill the loss. It is tender and touching. (The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey)

Okay, so the writing may not be a masterpiece but the story is fun, interesting and thought provoking. One year my mom read this book to the family, playing the music at all the right places, and the experience was memorable. You have to love old John and Constance. A whole range of values and Christmas morals are reinforced in this tale.

For those of you who have ever spent time at Primary Children's Medical Center, this book is sure to touch you. While the story is poignant and well told, the feeling of the book is even stronger. For those who haven't spent time at the hospital, the story is still sure to pull at your heart strings and remind you that God loves all his children. (The Angel of 11th Avenue by Roy Bates)

This little story is the first of Richard Paul Evans books. While his stories are many, I love the simplicity and touching sentiment of this, his first tale. This story touches the reader and helps me in analyzing relationships and holding them dear.

The Littlest Angel has been one of my favorite Christmas stories since I was a very very small child. My mom gave me this book one year and I have enjoyed it every year since. Children and adults will enjoy this book. The Littlest Angel finds that the gift the Christ child loves the most is the gift given with love. Follow him on his journey as a reminder of what giving is about!

The tale is so well known that most people know it well. We have seen Mickey Mouse, George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart, Kermit the Frog, George Jetson, Fred Flintstone, Kelsey Grammar and Jason Alexander, and many others act it out. However, if you haven't read the book you are missing a truly enjoyable reading. I try to make time to read it every year and was pleased that Abby picked it up and read it this year!!

This is actually a short story by O Henry but can be found in volumes and books as well. This is one of my all time favorite stories and leaves me happy and reminded that giving gifts with love, no matter how large or small, leaves us wiser and happier.

The immortal classic tale, now commemorated by Tom Hanks in a delightful movie has been a family favorite in my house since I was a child. I love this story and its simple reminder to believe...believe in the magic and spirit of Christmas! The bell still rings for me, does it for you???:)

There it is...do you have any great Christmas stories you like to read? I'd love to hear what they are!!