The Book of Christmas Virtues

by Jack Canfield

Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas Virtues [Paperback] [Jan 01, 2005] Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Carol …

Genres: Christmas, Inspirational, Nonfiction, Christian, Short Stories, Holiday

Paperback

First published August 16, 2005

About the author

Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.

Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.

Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.

Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.

Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.

Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.

Reviews

[jb Byrkit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good stories with a heartwarming theme.

[Jordyn Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories are repetitive in a way like I know they are going to be about Christmas but I want some different stories in the book I did like the one about the lady divorcing the guy and then she moved to Canada with her kids but she didn't have enough money to go and buy them presents so then she and her kids wished for Santa and he came to their door and the saddest part about that one was how she had to lie to her and say that Santa didn't know their new address so it was heartwarming

[Ella Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a good book, just not for me. one of the stories is that the mom loved saving money, and would do anything to save. she would reuse the tin foil for food, and once she even tried to save their Christmas tree after Christmas by chucking it into the fireplace.

[Kelley Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slightly different set up than the other Chicken Soup for The Soul Christmas Treasuries. This one includes ideas to help make your holiday festive as well as ideas for cozier holiday memories. I always love the short essays. It makes it easy to pick up and put down during this busy time of year.

[Oceana Reads Co. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet stories here.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good stories. Your typical Chicken Soup for the Soul book but I did enjoy the end of each chapter they had ideas to make your Christmas more virtuous.

[Karen1313 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great Christmas 🎄 book ☺️

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

The layout of this book was different than other books; I didn't like it but I get why the author chose to lay it out that way

[Elizabeth Mavrdis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it's filled with so many stories about Christmas, family, joy, happiness and it just gives off a good vibe in general I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christmas.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories that remind you of blessings around Christmas. Feel good book that is easy to read in short spurs or for a longer seating.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet stories, by turns heart-warming and heart-wrenching, perfect for a quick read at the holiday time.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, especially when read at Christmas time, warms your heart, encourages compassion, makes your day better, and, if taken to heart, can make you a better person. Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Book of Christmas Virtues is truly a book filled with feel-good stories. With so much tension, despair and bad news all around us*, this book will fill your soul. There are stories in here of absolute despair no food, no job, small children to take care of, but someone steps in to help. This is not a "Jesus take the wheel" type of scenario. If your life is going fine and you see someone in need, why can't you be that someone to help??? I hope everyone who reads this comes away with a better perspective. Enjoy the holidays, enjoy your family(either home grown or one that you put together yourself), enjoy your life.
Review Apr. 6, 2025
Wow!!! I stand by everything I wrote 6 years ago. But let me just say this: Reading this book in April, which, if my math is correct, is 8 months before Christmas-so far removed from the holiday season, and madness & tension, gives you (me) a much better way of looking at people, the world, situations & circumstances. At Christmas time, and if you, actually me/I really, really like Christmas, you get all caught up in the spirit of the season; you can't but help getting swept away in the prevailing feel good atmosphere. But in April, when flowers are blooming, that hint of Spring is all around, Christmas is stored away for a good long time. If you want to experience some really heart warming stories, read this book. I especially love the story of young cousins putting on a Christmas play for family. The scene is a hospital waiting room where Joseph is not so patiently pacing the floor, trying not to jump out of his skin. After a time, the youngest of the thespian cousins comes out to put Joseph's mind at rest. After her stage fright is abated, she's prompted to tell Joseph about his new baby. She announces for all to hear " It's a girl." Watching Christmas movies or reading a book about Christmas in the Spring can only enhance the good feelings that come with Christmas-helping others, greeting people, getting in touch with family or friends that you haven't spoken to in a while(read-a long time). Why not watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas or It's a Wonderful Life or one of the new favorites: Klaus or Christmas Chronicles to enjoy the warm fuzzy feelings that shouldn't be relegated only to Christmas time?
*If I thought it was bad back in 2019, whoa boy, it's much worse right now in 2025. Time to pop on a Christmas movie. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Technically, I read this version, which doesn't seem to exist here. The version I read was a miniaturized version of the book that I'm reviewing. It has six of the short stories from the full version. It's also a tiny little book intended as a stocking stuffer. I don't even remember where we got it, but I'm really glad that I chose to read it. It definitely put me in the mood for Christmas. It also made me want to read, not only the full-length version of the book, but other books in the series.

Each of the stories are short enough to read in one sitting. In a long sitting, you can even read more of them. I read the whole little book (64 tiny pages) in an hour. The last three were so poignant that I had tears in my eyes as I read them.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was feeling a little out of the Christmas spirit in December last year and pulled out this book to read, which I have had on my shelve for years. It helped me feel much better and also look at what was and is really important during the holidays. It lifted my spirits and put a smile on my face each night before bed. Good read and greatly needed. I ended up finishing it a little after Christmas but that's ok.

[Lain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I'm a sucker for a good sob story that pulls at the heartstrings. Unfortunately, this didn't do it. I own many of the Chicken Soup books and this one in particular had the potential for hitting the zenith of Chicken-Soup-ish-ness. But the stories seemed fake, not particularly heartwarming, and contrived.

[Theresa Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very good

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the messages about simplifying and using our senses to enjoy the season. A timely reminder.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute collection of stories to get you in the Christmas spirit!

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Christmas stories. What's not to love?

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simply lovely, feel good, kind of book.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Amy Oechsner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly did not get any enjoyment out of reading this book.

[Chrissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was nice, but nothing extraordinary...