Christmas Memories

by Corrie ten Boom, Joe Vanseverin (Illustrator)

The author recounts memorable Christmases in her own life

Genres: Christmas, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, History, Faith, Biography

64 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1976

About the author

Corrie ten Boom and her family were Christians who were active in social work in their home town of Haarlem, the Netherlands. During the Nazi occupation, they chose to act out their faith through peaceful resistance to the Nazis by active participation in the Dutch underground. They were hiding, feeding and transporting Jews and underground members hunted by the Gestapo out of the country. It is estimated they were able to save the lives of 800 Jews, in addition to protecting underground workers.

On Feb. 28, 1944, they were betrayed and Corrie and several relatives were arrested. The four Jews and two underground workers in the house at the time of the arrest were not located by the Nazis and were extricated by the underground 47 hours after they fled to the tiny hiding place (located in Corrie's room).

The ten Boom family members were separated and transferred to concentration camps. Corrie was allowed to stay with her precious sister, Betsy. Corrie's father (Casper), her sister (Betsy) and one grandchild (Kik) perished. Corrie was released in December of 1944.

These acts of heroism and sacrifice became the foundation for Corrie ten Boom's global writing and speaking career which began after she was released.

Ten Boom has received numerous awards for her writing and speaking. Notably, she was honored by the State of Israel for her work in aid of the Jewish people by being invited to plant a tree in the famous Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles, at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, near Jerusalem. She was also knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands in recognition of her work during the war, and a museum in the Dutch city of Haarlem is dedicated to her and her family.

Reviews

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little volume with ideas from how the Ten Booms celebrated Christmas first with all the aunts and then in Ravensbruck. Corrie’s reluctant faith and ultimate trust shine through.

[Rachel {bibliopals} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short collection of Christmas stories by Corrie, Betsy, and her Father.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her books are always inspirational and this one is as well. Am struck by how her family ministered to their community. This little book includes how she told the Christmas story, a famous Christmas legend of Martin the Shoemaker, a memory of a happy Christmas at home, a dark Christmas in a Nazi prison, and how her father told the Christmas story.

[Brooke Kinabrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect gospel-centered collection of stories and memories from Corrie ten Boom.

This small book includes how their family shared the story of Christ’s birth each Christmastide. It begins with how Corrie shares the Christmas story, next, a Christmas story of Martin the Shoemaker that she or Betsy would take turns sharing, as well her father’s Christmas message when he was but eighteen. Then, flowing into a memory of a happy Christmas at home followed by a dark Christmas in Ravensbrück, where even there, the Lord had a plan for Corrie as she shared Christ. Ending with The Christmas Story according to Luke.

There is no fluff or poetic wording but the pure truth spoken in love, givenness, and wonder. A perfect advent reading to help our hearts focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I plan to read this with the boys. ✨

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful Christmas read. Corrie’s retelling of the Christmas story gives new thought to the faith and happenings of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and wise men, and others. Corrie’s own faith is an inspiration. I’m thankful for her following God’s call to share her stories, to spread his message of forgiveness and hope and that it is for everyone.

[Patty Grubb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little Christmas story. You can’t go wrong with Corrie Ten Booms writings.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy little collection of stories and memories from Corrie ten Boom that focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2023: Delightful. Gospel-centered. Quick read.
2025

[Emma Whear]

Disappointed that this was only ~60 pages and largely not Corrie's own stories.
I wanted more Corrie ten Boom!
The bits that were from her, were gold.

[Lauren Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very, very short book contains 4 Christmas stories: the Christmas story in the Bible (both the actual text and Betsie's retelling of it), Corrie's retelling of a famous Christmas story, Father ten Boom's Christmas address at a church event (given when he was 18), and a short collection of Corrie's memories of Christmas with her family - and her Christmas alone in a concentration camp after Betsie died. Very quick read, but I loved "discovering" another of Corrie's books I hadn't known about!

[Jasmine Shadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short book with some of the most touching portions. I am a fan of anything Corrie ten Boom has written that I have read, and she has been one of my favorite people since I first learned of her. This book is a quick read. You feel as if you are sitting across from her and listening to her stories. It was a very refreshing read.

[Autumn Slaght · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really have much to comment other than...I love Corrie Ten Boom. She is such an inspiration to me. I loved reading the Christmas story through her eyes, along with reading through her memories, one of which made me cry. How sweetly this woman loved her Lord, her Messiah! How she inspires me to love Him as faithfully as she did.

[Talea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little book with stories her family shared during Christmas, including the nativity, and a memorial Christmas she spent in Ravensbruck.

[Julie Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short book (55 pages) and quick read but great stories to read with your kids of all ages.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short simple book containing the Luke account of the first Christmas, memories from Corrie ten Boom's family, and her darkest Christmas in Ravensbrook. Worth the read!

[Aimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything by Corrie Ten Boom is fantastic! Quick Christmas read that is heartwarming.

[Jennifer Buczynski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very very short but I wanted to record that I read it. Inspiring!

[Kait · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I cried no fewer than four times while reading this 64 page book. Praise the Lord for His marvelous gift, and for the testimony of His faithful servants.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting, to say the least. It is divided into several chapters, each of which has its own distinctive flavor and style. It opens with a story strongly based on the Gospels, followed by an old Christmas legend, then a sermon, then a war memoir, and finally by a Bible excerpt.

Parts of this volume are very preachy and almost off-putting. I do appreciate that this collection is from a very conservative family and parts of it are probably, to some degree, a product of the times. My least favorite part was the sermon, and this really surprised me--I have always been interested in theology, and I love Christmas. A Christmas sermon should have been right up my alley, so to speak. However, this sermon was so similar to so many that I've heard before, and it should win the prize, in my opinion, for being the only Christmas sermon I've ever encountered that isn't about Christmas. It's more about hell. Go figure.

That said, other parts of the book were delightful. The old Christmas legend was a bit of cultural history that I found fascinating, and the story was interesting in its own right, so that was a double win. Corrie's own memoir was powerful and moving, and the whole book would be worth it just for that chapter alone. It was also nice seeing her lightly fictionalized version of the Gospel story. The Bible excerpt was a beautiful close to a beautiful volume. Altogether, the book is marvelous. I borrowed this from the library, but if I ever find a copy for sale, I would buy it.


Since each chapter is a standalone, here are my separate ratings:

Part 1: The Bible story as Corrie told it (more like a story than direct quotes) 3.5 stars
Part 2: An old Christmas story 5 stars
Part 3: Sermon 2 stars
Part 4: WWII 5 stars
Part 5: Bible excerpt (I'm not rating the Bible (!) but I will say that it was a perfect close to a very special book)

[Mayda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short collection has a little bit of everything: Corrie’s retelling of Jesus’ birth, a parable, her father’s Christmas homily, Corrie’s memories of Christmas, and the account of Christ’s birth from the second chapter of Luke. Corrie’s testimony to her beliefs and her faith are quite evident as she shares her thoughts on the true meaning of Christmas.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corrie ten Boom and her family had been hiding Jews in her native Holland as the Nazis overran the country. They were turned in and sent to concentration camps. She wrote several books later, one of which was made into a movie. This little volume contains her memories of Christmas as her family celebrated before World War II.

[Lake County Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir by one of the most famous heroes of the second World War is well worth the read. Part WWII memoir, part sermon, part Christmas legend, this special volume is sure to warm your heart.

-- Elizabeth, St. John Branch

[Herb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful little book that has several stories and mini-memoirs of the author, all to do with Christian Christmases. Very enjoyable.

[writer... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Available to read online HERE EnJoy!
Homey Stories and memories shared from this Dutch heroine.

[Jessica Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this probably would've been more meaningful/enjoyable if I'd read The Hiding Place first. It was quaint and very brief.

[Mazzou B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as interesting as I expected, but a nice Christmas book.

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some lovely Christmas memories from Corrie ten Boom's life.