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The Nativity Collection: Six Stories that Share the Smiles, the Heart, and the Hope of Christmas
Step into the wonder-filled world of Christmas with this endearing collection of original stories. Even though he has two million copies of books in print, RobertJ. Morgan writes only one short story each year―an original work to share withhis church on Christmas Eve. These Christmas stories are now available in onebeautiful volume for your own enjoyment. You’ll meet a shy, bookish boy whofinds himself center stage in the Christmas pageant, a Pennsylvania familywhose car disappears on December 24th, and a mountain man trapped in a blizzardwith his grandson on Christmas Eve. From six different settings, you’ll meetcharacters you feel you’ve known your whole life, who’ll make you laugh oneminute and cry the next. So this year, and the years to follow, gather yourfamily and experience the true spirit of love at Christmas through thistimeless gift of story.
- GenresChristmas
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2010
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33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 2, 2021
Each of these stories is completely different from one another. The one similarity (besides the authorship) is some form of Nativity in each--a fitting and endearing theme.
"Ollie" 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A beautiful story of compassion.
"Poet Boy" 🌟🌟🌟🌟 My sympathy for the main character turned to mirth as the tale waxed humorous.
"Over My Dead Body" 🌟🌟🌟 Slightly morbid but a neat redemption story.
"Five-Quarters of a Mile" 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A tearjerker!
"Nativity Seen Smiling" 🌟🌟🌟 Everything gone wrong, seemingly irreparable.
"Sugarplum and the Christmas Cradle" 🌟🌟🌟 Kind of odd but surprising.
"Ollie" 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A beautiful story of compassion.
"Poet Boy" 🌟🌟🌟🌟 My sympathy for the main character turned to mirth as the tale waxed humorous.
"Over My Dead Body" 🌟🌟🌟 Slightly morbid but a neat redemption story.
"Five-Quarters of a Mile" 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A tearjerker!
"Nativity Seen Smiling" 🌟🌟🌟 Everything gone wrong, seemingly irreparable.
"Sugarplum and the Christmas Cradle" 🌟🌟🌟 Kind of odd but surprising.
December 5, 2023
This was a nice collection of short Christmas stories.
December 31, 2025
I loved this book of six stories. Grab a box of Kleenex and prepare to laugh. I had to share these stories with my family as I read, laughed, and cried. Wonderful stories ❤
November 21, 2010
This review first appeared on my blog: http://jewelknits.blogspot.com/2010/1...
This is a wonderful book. Gorgeously bound with thick pages and lavish illustrations and photographs, it is perfect as a gift AND to buy for yourself and keep year after year. You could even make a Christmas tradition of reading one story a night together in the week leading up to Christmas (that's what I'm going to do).
As with any collection of stories, there are some that you will LOVE and some that are just pretty good, but they all share one thing: a nativity plays a part in each story, and they are all full of quiet miracles.
My ratings per story:
Ollie: 5 out of 5 stars
Poet Boy: 4 out of 5 stars
Over My Dead Body: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Five Quarters of a Mile: 4 out of 5 stars
Nativity Seen Smiling: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Sugarplum and the Christmas Cradle: 4 out of 5 stars
QUOTES:
Ollie
Well, this was turning into an exciting Christmas for me - a stolen car, an imprisoned family, a crazy old woman, and all our Christmas presents hanging in the balance. It was an adventure!
Poet Boy:
Since no one could figure out how to keep the curtain from rising for Act 2, the players got into position.
Over My Dead Body:
It was a creche only a heartbeat away from life itself, and all who saw it knew that it was Max Schroeder's masterpiece.
Five-Quarters of a Mile:
But something was wrong, and Zeek felt winter in his bones. Two days ago, he'd had a spell while shoveling snow from the path that led past the woodpile and on to the outhouse. That pathway was crucial.
Nativity Seen Smiling:
The unhappy couple had snapped at each other endlessly, taken their meals in silence, and thwarted all efforts at honeymoon bliss.
Sugarplum and the Christmas Cradle:
Finally he'd gotten to the S's, and that's when he'd found Sugarplum, and now she was Sugarplum morning, noon, and night. Truth be told, it was getting a little sickening, even to Sugarplum, who felt she was being sugar pummeled to death.
Book Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
(I received a copy of this book through the publisher to facilitate my review)
This is a wonderful book. Gorgeously bound with thick pages and lavish illustrations and photographs, it is perfect as a gift AND to buy for yourself and keep year after year. You could even make a Christmas tradition of reading one story a night together in the week leading up to Christmas (that's what I'm going to do).
As with any collection of stories, there are some that you will LOVE and some that are just pretty good, but they all share one thing: a nativity plays a part in each story, and they are all full of quiet miracles.
My ratings per story:
Ollie: 5 out of 5 stars
Poet Boy: 4 out of 5 stars
Over My Dead Body: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Five Quarters of a Mile: 4 out of 5 stars
Nativity Seen Smiling: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Sugarplum and the Christmas Cradle: 4 out of 5 stars
QUOTES:
Ollie
Well, this was turning into an exciting Christmas for me - a stolen car, an imprisoned family, a crazy old woman, and all our Christmas presents hanging in the balance. It was an adventure!
Poet Boy:
Since no one could figure out how to keep the curtain from rising for Act 2, the players got into position.
Over My Dead Body:
It was a creche only a heartbeat away from life itself, and all who saw it knew that it was Max Schroeder's masterpiece.
Five-Quarters of a Mile:
But something was wrong, and Zeek felt winter in his bones. Two days ago, he'd had a spell while shoveling snow from the path that led past the woodpile and on to the outhouse. That pathway was crucial.
Nativity Seen Smiling:
The unhappy couple had snapped at each other endlessly, taken their meals in silence, and thwarted all efforts at honeymoon bliss.
Sugarplum and the Christmas Cradle:
Finally he'd gotten to the S's, and that's when he'd found Sugarplum, and now she was Sugarplum morning, noon, and night. Truth be told, it was getting a little sickening, even to Sugarplum, who felt she was being sugar pummeled to death.
Book Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
(I received a copy of this book through the publisher to facilitate my review)
August 21, 2015
When my wife and I got married and started a family we began a number of traditions. Some turned out to be more effort than we wanted, and some we decided weren't as important as we initially thought. But one tradition we kept better than most was to buy a Christmas book each year that could be read with the kids at the holidays. And as the years have gone by we've acquired some really good ones, but it's been tougher each year to find something good and a few have been real stinkers. Our favorites have been The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, Christmas Oranges, The Tale of Three Trees, and even The Polar Express. Those stories always get read each year.
So I was kind of excited to see this one - six short Christmas stories in one nice little book (I received it from Thomas Nelson Publisher's Booksneeze program). The first story, "Ollie," is about a family who discovers after they've done all their shopping on Christmas Eve that their car (and all the food and gifts inside) has been stolen. The tone is kind of *Norman Rockwell* and the ending was nice - not quite what I expected. But it was downhill after that. The story called "Poet Boy" was strange but okay, but the ones called "Over My Dead Body" and "Nativity Seen Smiling" weren't even entertaining. And it finishes with a story that a friend of mine would call a "groaner" - such a lame ending you groan out loud. The photos that appear on most pages aren't even particularly inspiring. I should also mention that the dust jacket was too large for the book by almost half an inch, so it arrived crumpled from the shipping - not a big deal, though, as the book looks the same with it removed.
I guess coming up with a great Christmas story must be difficult. We loved Richard Paul Evans' The Christmas Box, but weren't as impressed with his second effort so maybe a writer is lucky to get one really good one. I don't expect the kids to get excited over this book so I've also decided to find Dickens's original "A Christmas Carol" (to go with the always popular Mickey's Christmas Carol). I would recommend the other books I mentioned above, but not this one unfortunately.
So I was kind of excited to see this one - six short Christmas stories in one nice little book (I received it from Thomas Nelson Publisher's Booksneeze program). The first story, "Ollie," is about a family who discovers after they've done all their shopping on Christmas Eve that their car (and all the food and gifts inside) has been stolen. The tone is kind of *Norman Rockwell* and the ending was nice - not quite what I expected. But it was downhill after that. The story called "Poet Boy" was strange but okay, but the ones called "Over My Dead Body" and "Nativity Seen Smiling" weren't even entertaining. And it finishes with a story that a friend of mine would call a "groaner" - such a lame ending you groan out loud. The photos that appear on most pages aren't even particularly inspiring. I should also mention that the dust jacket was too large for the book by almost half an inch, so it arrived crumpled from the shipping - not a big deal, though, as the book looks the same with it removed.
I guess coming up with a great Christmas story must be difficult. We loved Richard Paul Evans' The Christmas Box, but weren't as impressed with his second effort so maybe a writer is lucky to get one really good one. I don't expect the kids to get excited over this book so I've also decided to find Dickens's original "A Christmas Carol" (to go with the always popular Mickey's Christmas Carol). I would recommend the other books I mentioned above, but not this one unfortunately.
October 22, 2010
Wonderful collection of inspiring short stories, designed to put you in a thoughtful mood what ever part of the year you read it. These six stories, from six different locations all revolve around a nativity and how it impacts a family’s legacy. I felt personal connections with each of the families and was drawn into their stories, rejoicing in their faith, or return to faith.
Robert Morgan writes a new story every year and reads it to his congregation every Christmas Eve. It is the highlight of the season, and that is easy to understand.
the stories are varied and delightful. You find yourself involved in a stolen car mystery that will end up in a past time.
A little boy totally crippled by stage freight finds a way to complete his performance and become the star of the evening.
This book would make a great gift book. It is an ideal book for families to use to start a new tradition. You could start reading a story on Christmas ever, every night the week before Christmas or merge it into your Advent celebrations.
I think the book is a must read for the season, and a keeper for seasons to come.
Robert Morgan writes a new story every year and reads it to his congregation every Christmas Eve. It is the highlight of the season, and that is easy to understand.
the stories are varied and delightful. You find yourself involved in a stolen car mystery that will end up in a past time.
A little boy totally crippled by stage freight finds a way to complete his performance and become the star of the evening.
This book would make a great gift book. It is an ideal book for families to use to start a new tradition. You could start reading a story on Christmas ever, every night the week before Christmas or merge it into your Advent celebrations.
I think the book is a must read for the season, and a keeper for seasons to come.
September 23, 2010
Six wonderful Christmas stories are included in this book by Robert L. Morgan; stories that you will want to share with your family and friends during the holiday season. How can losing your car, or forgetting your lines, or impending tragedy, or a honeymoon, or a carver and a cradle bring out the true meaning of Christmas? You will need to read the book to find out! Each story points the way to the true meaning of Christmas and how to make the beauty of the season shine through words, giving, and celebration. The characters are real and the stories easy to identify with. The wonderful photography adds texture and realism to each tale.
I really enjoyed reading this book. From the first page, the stories captured my attention and I couldn’t put the book down until it was finished. This is a book I will share with my family during the holidays, and will purchase as gifts as well. These are stories that will remain with me throughout the year, not just the holidays. I want to thank the Booksneeze program for the opportunity to read and enjoy this book!
I really enjoyed reading this book. From the first page, the stories captured my attention and I couldn’t put the book down until it was finished. This is a book I will share with my family during the holidays, and will purchase as gifts as well. These are stories that will remain with me throughout the year, not just the holidays. I want to thank the Booksneeze program for the opportunity to read and enjoy this book!
October 16, 2010
The Nativity Collection is a set of six story beautifully packaged in a medium size gift book. Each story houses some gem of the true meaning of Christmas. That meaning which we seem to search for amongst the decorations, school plays, and snow every year. At first I thought the stories were going to be too Hallmark Moment as staged as the photographs that are sprinkled among the pages of this collection. But, the first one “Ollie,” about memory and compassion, brought a tear to my eye. The stories are very quick reads and you might even see the ending coming long before it get there, but they will still touch you. One of my favorites in this collection was “Nativity Seen Smiling” which has a touch of the Gift of the Magi about it. I’d recommend this book as sort of a pre-Christmas gift (there is a thoughtful inscription page at the front). The introduction said they were read by the author to his congregation, a new one every year. I think that and what it says about stories making up our lives is so true.
October 27, 2010
This is another book provided to me by Thomas Nelson publishers in exchange for the review. This Christmas book has six individual stories in it. The photographs are gorgeous throughout, making this book a great gift or coffee table book. Each story is short, yet meaningful. Even though it is only October, I found myself wanting to get in the Christmas spirit! The true meaning of Christmas is to remember Jesus coming for each and everyone of us - and all six of these stories remind you of just that! If you want to give a Christmas gift to the person who already has everything, this will do it!
September 25, 2010
Robert J. Morgan is a Nashville, Tennessee pastor. Each Christmas he writes a new fictitious Christmas story and reads them to his congregation on Christmas Eve. This beautiful gift book is a collection of six of those stories accompanied by beautiful photos.
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot....
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot....
April 2, 2011
Reviewed at : Small Kucing : The Nativity Collection By Robert Morgan
There are 6 stories all in. Each were very moving and heart warming. Brings hope that there is goodness in this world after all.
Some of the stories had brought tears to my eyes, especially the story of Ollie.
There are 6 stories all in. Each were very moving and heart warming. Brings hope that there is goodness in this world after all.
Some of the stories had brought tears to my eyes, especially the story of Ollie.
November 21, 2010
A collection of six fictional stories, written by a pastor for his congregation, of christmas stories revolving around a nativity. Really enjoyable to read, although there were a few I wish would expound on the ending a bit more. A great reading for Christmas.
September 16, 2010
It's on it's way!
June 10, 2017
It's a really good collection of stories, each somehow involving the nativity. My favorite is the last one in the book. It definitely took me by surprise.
January 3, 2015
Six quick stories, all with different styles and themes, yet all centered on Christmas. Enjoyed this book immensely.
January 5, 2016
Sweet little stories.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews