A Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas

by Jack Canfield

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Children experience Christmas through magic, anticipation, and learning about the baby Jesus. As we mature, we experience Christmas through the gifts we give, the love we share, and the magic we create for others. A Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas brings back the memories of childhood through the eyes of children on Christmas day and inspires good deeds by reminding us how the smallest gesture can truly change a life.

Go back in time through genuine stories of hope and kindness and see how people find the true meaning of the season through unexpected miracles and those they meet along the way. Peek into the life of one family as they visit a relative at a nursing home on Christmas and how a cup of ice cream and a few moments of time brighten up the day for those who live there. Read about one woman's journey through surviving the loss of her husband and how the love and warmth of her family at Christmas strengthens her. Enjoy a sweet tale of how an old doll dressed in new clothes becomes the most precious gift and cherished memory a child ever receives. And, of course, it wouldn't be Christmas without a few stories celebrating the wonderment and joy children experience throughout this very special season.

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

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1999

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

[Lilac A. Penda · Rating 4 out of 5]

DO NOT READ AFTER WATCHING SOMETHING SAPPY

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Synopsis: "The Christmas season is the time of year when families practice traditions of old and begin their own customs. Chicken Soup has been a part of these traditions for many years, and our new Christmas."

My Review: I have really enjoyed Chicken Soup books in years past, they always send you on a roller coaster of emotions. I figured this one would be a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Some of the stories were really great but I found that most of them sounded forced to me. I didn't get quite as emotional as I usually do with these collections of stories and really didn't enjoy some of the stories. It may have been the narration too, they were all narrated in a monotone voice with little inflection, so that may have taken something away from the book as well. Some readers may still enjoy it, but for me it wasn't up to par with the previous Chicken Soup books or even the feel good holiday books I am used to reading.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I pull it out every Christmas and read a few stories...(no I haven't finished it and will probably be reading it for a few more Christmases!!) With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, this book helps me to relax and realize the good that still exists in people and help me to truly enjoy the holiday season (rather than getting totally cranky about lines and spending!). I recommend it to anyone that likes heart-warming anecdotal holiday stories...just make sure you have a box of tissues close at hand!

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a great book to read every year as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. I loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter and would like to go back through and write some of them down since this is a library copy. The cartoons brought smiles and the short stories were filled with warmth and caring. I would like to purchase a copy of my own and think the book would make a lovely early Christmas gift for family and friends.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the library. Read a few of the entries within. Never got to finish it all because as I read the entry by Janet K. Brennan, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," I had an idea. Divine inspiration. I became too busy to continue reading. Even though I did not finish the book - it is one of my favorites because of how it effected me... Note to self, see notes in the "my edition" tab in Shelfari.

[Beth Cato]

My story is on page 362.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very heart rending

[Alyson Mutch · Rating 3 out of 5]

i sure do love christmas! some of these stories are so sweet.

[Carol Whitmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books so much, they are warm and comforting and feel like nostalgia and home. I love reading different mini stories from different people. The book never gets boring because it’s constantly changing. I recommend all of the chicken soup books!

[Tania Rook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Little bit too performative or thank goodness I was there to render help. Not quite what I was hoping for.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining stories with a Christmas theme. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't rave about it. Enough said.

[Taya Tummon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm and fuzzy

[Trevor Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Believe it or not, this review started out somewhat seasonal, as I started read this installment in the Chicken Soup For The Soul series back in early January. Finally, I finished the last of this collection of holiday stories and, overall, it was a fairly decent read. The writing was on par, the heart was ever present, and there were many stories that stuck with me for a while after reading. But despite that, there were some stories that weren't very memorable. Not bad, but not fantastic either.

But despite that, I feel that if you're a fan of the Chicken Soup books or are looking for a good inspirational read (especially during the holiday season), I suggest you give this a look.

Pros: The good writing, the well-captured emotion, and the memorable stories.
Cons: Forgettable stories.

[Anita Schweppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am usually not one for books of this type with short stories and haven't enjoyed some of the other chicken soup books all that much. I was given this as a gift and was very, very pleasantly surprised. I loved it. It really got me more in the mood for Christmas and none too soon as I didn't finish it until December 21st.

[Deb Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book today, I started it yesterday! I could not put it down, I cried over nearly every story in it it is such a beautiful book, the stories are so heartfelt.

[Sue J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven 't read a Chicken Soup book for a long time. I just picked it out of the many books I have waiting to be read. Tears of joy and tears of sorrow were plentiful. The many lessons learned here prove that the Christmas spirit should prevail all year round!

[Ashley]

amazing!!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these stories and have reread each year during the Christmas Season.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not exactly Christmasy in the sense that every story in it made me want to weep like a little girl.

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun easy read that reminds us of the magic of Christmas.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on an audible recording. I enjoyed the short Christmas stories.

[Matt Chlebda · Rating 5 out of 5]

(First posted November 28, 2024)

Nice tales for the holiday season! Guaranteed to warm even the hearts of Scrooge and the Grinch. A great addition to the Chicken Soup series.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all of the short Christmas stories. Perfect for reading for this time of year and to help get you in the holiday spirit.