Children's Christmas Stories

- festive tales for the holiday season

Do you ever wonder whether your children (or grandchildren) don't really understand the true spirit of Christmas ?

Would you like to be able to read them some bedtime stories to help them get into the true spirit of the festive season?

These two stories from long ago are stories about children themselves:-

Santa Claus's Letter

Christmas was coming. Jamie and Ted had already begun to write long letters to Santa Claus. But one thing was rather queer: both boys asked him for the same things.

Each little letter ended with,--"Just like Brother's."

They agreed to ask for only one sled. They would rather ride together.  Now was not this very sweet and loving?

One night, after they had gone to bed, Jamie said, "Ted, if Santa Claus brings us skates, Jim can teach us how to use them."

"Oh, yes; and if we get fur mittens it will be such fun to make a fort."

"And a snow-man," Jamie answered.

Ted went oh: "I'll always ride the sled down a hill, and you can ride it up."

"I guess you won't," Jamie said, speaking loudly.

"Why not?" Ted asked.

"Because it'll be as much my sled as yours."

"Yes, of course," Ted replied; "but I chose it first."

"You are a selfish boy!" said Jamie.

"Well, then, so are you!"

"I don't care. I won't sleep with you. I'll ask mamma if I can't have the first pick; I'm the biggest," roared Jamie,
bounding out of bed.

"You're a big, cross cry baby," Ted shouted, jumping out after his brother.

Away ran Jamie to mamma, with Ted at his heels. Both were angry. Both talked at once.

Mamma was grieved. Her dear little boys had never been so unkind to each other before. She kissed their hot
faces and stroked their pretty hair. She told them how their naughty words hurt her. She showed them how
displeased God was to see two little brothers quarrel.

That night they went to sleep in each other's arms, full of love and forgiveness.

Christmas morning came at last. Very early the boys crept out of bed, just to "feel" their stockings.

Papa heard them.

Each little red stocking was full from toe to top. Boxes and paper parcels were piled around them. Such shouting!
Such a good time! It seemed as if all their letters had been answered.

Suddenly Jamie cried, "O Ted, here's a letter!"

They put their little heads together, and with papa's help spelled this out:--

"My dear Boys,--No sled this year. It quarrelled so I was     afraid to bring it. I dropped it off the load about a week
ago. Get ready for it next year. Merry Christmas! SANTA CLAUS."


SANTA CLAUS DOES NOT FORGET


Bertie was a very good boy. He was kind, obedient, truthful, and unselfish. He had, however, one great fault,--he
always forgot.

No matter how important the errand, his answer always was, "I forgot."

When he was sent with a note to the dress-maker his mother would find the note in his pocket at night. If he was
sent to the store in a great hurry, to get something for tea, he would return late, without the article, but with his
usual answer.

His father and mother talked the matter over, and decided that something must be done to make the little boy
remember.

Christmas was near, and Bertie was busy making out a list of things which Santa Claus was to bring him.

"Santa Claus may forget some of those things," said his mother.

"He cannot," replied Bertie; "for I shall write sled, and skates, and drum, and violin, and all the things on this
paper. Then when Santa Claus goes to my stocking he will find the list. He can see it and put the things in as fast
as he reads."

Christmas morning came, and Bertie was up at dawn to see what was in his stocking. His mother kept away from
him as long as she could, for she knew what Santa Claus had done.

Finally she heard him coming with slow steps to her room. Slowly he opened the door and came towards her. He
held in his hand a list very much longer than the one he had made out. He put it in his mother's hand, while tears
of disappointment fell from his eyes.

"See what Santa Claus left for me; but I think he might have given me one thing besides."

His mother opened the roll. It was a list of all the errands Bertie had been asked to do for six months. At the end of
all was written, in staring capitals, "I FORGOT."

Bertie wept for an hour. Then his mother told him they were all going to grandpa's. For the first time he would see
a Christmas-tree.  Perhaps something might be growing there for him.

It was very strange to Bertie, but on grandpa's tree he found everything he had written on his list. Was he cured
of his bad habit?
Not all at once; but when his mother saw that he was particularly heedless she would say, "Remember, Santa
Claus does not forget."
 

If you have enjoyed these, you may wish to download more Children's Christmas Stories to read aloud.

Best wishes for a wonderful festive season .