The Christmas Child

by Hesba Stretton, Kate Street (Illustrator)

Hesba Stretton (1832-1911) was the nom de plume of Sarah Smith, an English author of children's literature. The name Hesba came from the initials of her siblings. She was the daughter of a bookseller from Wellington, Shropshire, but around 1867 she moved south and lived at Snaresbrook and Loughton near Epping Forest and at Ham, near Richmond, Surrey. Her moral tales and semi-religious stories, chiefly for the young, were printed in huge quantities, and were especially widespread as school and Sunday school prizes. She won wide acceptance in English homes from the publication of Jessica's First Prayer in 1867. She was a regular contributor to Household Words and All the Year Round during Charles Dickens' editorship, and wrote upwards of 40 novels.

Genres: Christmas, Classics, Fiction, Audiobook, Christian, Holiday

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1909

About the author

Hesba Stretton (1832-1911) was the nom de plume of Sarah Smith, an English author of children's literature. The name Hesba came from the initials of her siblings. She was the daughter of a bookseller from Wellington, Shropshire, but around 1867 she moved south and lived at Snaresbrook and Loughton near Epping Forest and at Ham, near Richmond, Surrey. Her moral tales and semi-religious stories, chiefly for the young, were printed in huge quantities, and were especially widespread as school and Sunday school prizes. She won wide acceptance in English homes from the publication of Jessica's First Prayer in 1867. She was a regular contributor to Household Words and All the Year Round during Charles Dickens' editorship, and wrote upwards of 40 novels.

Reviews

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short little story. Only four chapters long. It was kind of sad and depressing since it dealt with bitterness, unforgiveness, and such. But there were some sweet things in there, and not all of it was depressing.
There was talk of someone possibly having killed herself and of her ghost haunting the house, but both were proved wrong.
I probably won’t be rereading this Christmas story much.

[Shalyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short story about mistakes, regrets and forgiveness. It provides a good reminder of the devastating effects bitterness and grudges can have, but of the power of forgiveness.

[Sanja_Sanjalica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and sad, in the L. M. Montgomery and L. M. Alcott style.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast read. It's a book of redemption and forgiveness. It's a children's book, but not one I would read to a child.

[Linda Lpp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old Christmas book translated to electronic version. Many parts that break your heart, but demonstrates that those who may have less, can still come together regardless.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars & 4/10 hearts. What a sweet story! I guessed where it was heading but I loved it anyhow. I loved the theme, and I love Jean... There was a talk about a girl suiciding & her ghost haunting her home but it was proven untrue. My favourite character was Old Nathan—he has such amazing quotes!!! Overall it was just a lovely, enjoyable Christmas story with a really good message.

A Favourite Quote: “‘See! I'll carry thee upstairs. I'm a poor, rough nurse for thee, but my room's next to thine, on the other side o' the wall, and thee can cry to me i' th' night if thou 's frightened. And to-morrow I'll knock a hole through the wall, so as thou can hear me speak to thee. But there's no wall between thee and the Lord; He's close beside thee, and thou need never be affrighted.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “...as he returned sorrowfully homewards he could hear the sad moaning and sobbing of the sea following him through the stillness of the night air.”

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short story that I read in one sitting. It is a sweet Christmas story, very old fashioned and Victorian but also a timeless message of how hard-heartedness can impact the ones we should love the most, the need for forgiveness as well as to forgive.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I liked this story, even though much of it is really sad. But who doesn't like a good, sad story from time to time? I would have given it four stars, but I had one problem with it that really bothered me: the author's parallelism between the Christmas child and the Christ child was way too close for my comfort zone at the very end. While I understood the meaning behind the author's choice of words, and how it was meant to be beautiful, I believe it took away the honor due to Christ by the particular wording that she used.

As far as the story itself goes, it's not for the faint of Christian heart. It's all about forgiveness, especially forgiving those who have grieved you the most, and the book pulls no punches about how you should do that. In fact, it tells you exactly what the Bible tells you, word for word. It shows the life of one woman who is deeply grieving and feverishly angered, and it takes a near-death experience to teach her to forgive. Meanwhile, the lives of several others are being thrashed about. This story breaks your heart many times over, but I still found it a very lovely read. You'll see why, if you read it, and I do recommend this book.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touch your heart kinda story. It almost has the feel of "A Christmas Carol" only instead of a nasty, greedy old man, we have an embittered old woman. The ending is very nice; but, along the way we lose a kind and loving character. The story title refers to a child found in a manger, in the barn, on a farm where a young woman lives with her guardian, an old work hand, and a young relative whose parents have died and who the guardian does not care to raise. Since the old woman is "stuck" with the child, the only thing she does is just tolerate her presence. The young woman and the little girl form a bond. Ar Christmas the young woman tells the little girl of something she does every year, and that is to go into the barn and see if the Christ Child has come to stay in their manger. Of course, that never happened, until one year.... You'll have to read it yourself. Grab a cup of tea or hot chocolate and enjoy the story..

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

The overall theme of forgiveness is good, but I found the book very sad and rather depressing. I also found the controlling, legalistic nature of the aunt annoying as well as the portrayal of marriage in a very negative light.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the English flavor of this short touching Christmas novella.

[Petra W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Christmas story that could not be put down. It is one of those that you would read every year. 5 Stars and more....

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart-warming story of mistakes, love, and forgiveness at Christmas.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story but be warned, it is a dark tale for Christmas in my opinion.

[Karla Renee Goforth Abreu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short classic Christmas story touching on love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

[Susan Beason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good old fashioned Christmas story

Liked very much as I like old Christmas stories. Written very lovingly. Author very gentle cut real. Recommend for everyone

[Mbuye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and sentimental but heartwarming Christmas story of a Christmas gone wrong by the actions of one child in the family, and redeemed the next Christmas with the gifts of the magi, in this case, repentance and forgiveness. Love and kindheartedness are displayed by the newest addition to the family, Joan, and by Nathan the man-servant, while temper and ego are the characteristics of Aunt Priscilla, the mistress of the farm where they all live together, and re-enact Christmas each year with a visit to the manger, doomed every time to disappointment. Until one magical year, when the Christmas angel fills the manger with a surprise…

The book is reproduced by Gutenberg with the charming original illustrations by K. Street.

[Phil Syphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad Christmas story but I would’ve preferred more dialogue exchanges and less rambling third-person narrative.

Quite a few times we’re “told” what characters say via reported speech when dialogue would’ve “shown” us what was going on. We also get scenes described rather than dramatized, which makes for a passive narrative.

I liked little Joan and sympathised with her during her lonely times.

[Juergen John Roscher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting from the story's title, nor a typical feel good Christmas story. It is a tale of disapproved love, betrayal and abandonment, and grief and unrepentant hatred, but eventual forgiveness and acceptance, but no happy ever after conclusion.

[Marc Chénier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tale about forgiveness and it's effects when not given. Not a bad little story. Does have a few creepy elements to it but very slight. A happy ending....? You be the judge.

Next Christmas story: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (1843).

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quiet little Christmas story about forgiveness and the acid that bitterness can spread.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a good point but was depressing and I felt like there should have been more.

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, based on a weird premise. I liked the theme of forgiveness. It’s a good reminder.

[Teresa Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quaint

An old-fashioned tale of child-like wonder, faith, love, sin, and redemption, set in Wales in olden times. A quick read.

[Donna Peake · Rating 4 out of 5]

You must forgive always or your heart will turn to stone. I liked this story better the second time around.

[Dennis Yebba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful quick read with the message of forgiveness

Good story , fitting to remind us of the importance of family and forgiveness . Harden not your hearts !

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and sweet story. The power of forgiveness to soften the heart, and reminder how much God forgives in us.