Compiled by Barbour Staff - Family Christmas Treasury: A Collection of Classic, Read-Aloud Stories

2013 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Print ISBN 978-1-62416-230-5

eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-62416-483-5
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-62416-482-8

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All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Cover Photo: OJO Images Photography/veer.com

Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

Printed in the United States of America.

The Christmas story is one of the greatest in all human history. Throughout generations, in every nation of earth, untold millions of people have been moved by the story of Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesusand all of its implications.

Considering the power of the Nativity, it comes as no surprise that many writers have drawn upon the Christmas story for inspiration in forming their own works. This small volume includes a sampling of great stories of Christmasfrom the Bible itself, and from writers such as Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, and O. Henrythat can be read aloud and enjoyed by all.

Some of these stories expand upon the Bibles account of the first Christmas, from the perspective of various participants. Others occur in more modern times but are colored and empowered by the birth of a Baby in Bethlehem some two thousand years ago. All of the stories are a beautiful reminder of Gods love during this wondrous holiday season.

Gather the kids around for an evening (or several evenings) of great reading. We hope you enjoy the Family Christmas Treasury!

Many years before the birth of Christ, His coming was foretold in the Old Testament. The fulfilment of these prophecies is presented beautifully in the New Testament. It is because these wonderful promises came to pass that we can celebrate the Christmas season.

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

The Bible doesnt give us a lot of information about Mary, chosen to be the mother of Jesus. We may guess that she was a young teenager, since thats about the time girls ofBible times became espoused, something like our modern engagement. But from her reaction to Gabriels announcement (the annunciation), we can assume she was a spiritually sensitive, godly young woman.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgins name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

This carol, from a region of modern Spain, tells the story of Gabriels announcement to the virgin Mary, in rhyme. It was translated to English around the turn of the twentieth century.

The angel Gabriel from Heaven came,

His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;

All hail, said he, thou lowly maiden Mary,

Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

For know a blessd mother thou shalt be,

All generations laud and honor thee,

Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,

Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,

To me be as it pleaseth God, she said,

My soul shall laud and magnify His holy Name.

Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born

In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,

And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say

Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Also called the Song of Mary, this passage from the Gospel of Luke records the young virgins response to the news that she would bear the Son of God. The words were spoken to Marys relative Elisabeth, an older woman miraculously expecting her own childto be called John the Baptist