I love its message of sacrifice and family, while keeping the nativity at the center.

Lovely story about giving of oneself ( )

A boy surprises his father on Christmas morning by getting up early and milking the cows on their farm.

Lying in bed one Christmas Eve night, a middle-aged man thinks back to the Christmas when he was fifteen, and the special gift he gave to his father. The child of caring but undemonstrative farmers, Rob only discover just how loved he is when he overhears his father and mother discussing him. Realizing in that moment how deeply he loves his father, Rob wishes to give him a meaningful gift, eventually hitting on the idea of getting up extra early on Christmas morning to milk the cows, so that his father won't have to. This action allows the father to witness his children's Christmas morning joy for the first time in his life, as his chores had previously kept him out of the house when they first came downstairs. It also leads to a greater closeness and understanding between father and son...

Originally published in 1955 - I'm not sure whether it was published in a magazine, in book form, or in a collection of stories - Christmas Day in the Morning was republished in picture-book form in 2002, with artwork by illustrator Mark Beuhner. In his brief illustrator's note, Buehner describes how his own two children, inspired by Buck's story, which they heard in church, gave him and wife a similar Christmas gift, by cleaning the house one Christmas Eve night. Clearly this is a story with great significance for his family, and it's not difficult to see why. Simply told but deeply felt, it explores the strong bonds of love between father and son, and the way in which such love makes hard work a pleasure, rather than a penance. It offers insight, not only into the ways in which love calls out love, but into the true meaning of Christmas, when divine love was born into the physical world, in human form. I found myself moved by this tale, and finished the book with tears in my eyes. Recommended to anyone seeking beautiful, poignant, and thought-provoking stories for Christmas. ( )

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck is a 2020 Shadow Mountain publication.

Somehow, over the years, I lost track of this short Christmas classic. If my Overdrive library had not advertised this adaptation, I might never have thought of it again. What a wonderful treasure and just the kind of story I needed this year.

The era the book is written in might make one feel wistful for the simpler times it harkens back to. But, of course, the main theme of the story is how as a teenager, Rob comes to realize how much his father loves him.

This moment of clarity prompts Rob to show his father how much he loves him in return by giving him one of the most thoughtful Christmas gifts ever.

Now, as an older man, Rob reflects on that special time in his life and once again sets out to give the gift of love- this time to his wife.

This story certainly puts things into perspective for me. I loved the tenderness and thoughtfulness Rob express through his actions- which as the title suggests, serves as an awakening to the true joy of Christmas!!

Sadly, as I read this story and the details of it came back to me, it occurs to me how far off course we’ve veered. The true meaning of Christmas is drowned out by all cacophony of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and more often than not the holidays inspires more dread than cheer.

Rob's character also had me thinking a few other things about other things about our society today, but most of all this story reminded me that the true joy of Christmas doesn't come from a store, and the ways we express our love and gratitude to our family and friends will create those treasured memories that are worth more than anything money can buy.

Overall, a warm and lovely story recommended to everyone!

*This adaptation has a place for the reader to write their own letter of thankfulness- and is intended to be passed along to the next reader of the book. This added bonus is a great exercise to help all of us remember the positive things in our lives, even in our darkest moments- and this past year has certainly had its fair share of those!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

🎄❄💖❄🎄💖 ( )