Chapter I: Preface

Christmas is one of the great days of obligation and observance
in the Church of which I am a Priest; but it is much more than
that, it is one of the great days of obligation and observance in
the world. Furthermore it is one of the evidences of the power of
Him Whose birth we commemorate that its observation is not
limited by conditions of race and creed. Those who fail to see in
Him what we see nevertheless see something and even by imperfect
visions are moved to joy. The world transmutes that joy into
blessing, not merely by giving of its substance but of its soul
because men perceive that it is for the soul’s good and because
they hope to receive its benefits although they well know that
giving is far better than receiving, in the very words of Him Who
gave us the greatest of all gifts—Himself.

As a Priest of the Church, as a Missionary in the Far West, as
the Rector of large and important parishes I have been brought in
touch with varied life. Christmas in all its phases is familiar
to me. The author of many books and stories as well as the
preacher of many sermons, it is natural that Christmas should
have engaged a large part of my attention. Out of the abundance
of material which I have accumulated in the course of a long
ministry and a longer life I have gathered here a sheaf of things
I have written about Christmas; personal adventures, stories
suggested by the old yet ever-new theme; meditations, words of
advice which I am old enough to be entitled to give; and last but
not least good wishes and good will. I might even call this
little volume _A Book of Good Will toward Men_. And so fit it not
only for Christmas but for all other seasons as well.

If it shall add to your joy in Christmas, dear reader, and better
still, if it shall move you to add to the joy of some one else at
Christmas-tide or in any other season, I shall be well repaid for
my efforts and incidentally you will also be repaid for your
purchase.

Cyrus Townsend Brady.

The Hemlocks, Park Hill, Yonkers, N.Y. 1917

NOTE OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author is in debt to his long-time and greatly beloved friend
the Rev. Alsop Leffingwell for the beautiful musical setting of
the little carol which this book contains.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.—A CHRISTMAS GREETING “_Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men_”

II.—FROM A FAR COUNTRY A story for grown-ups _Being a new variation of an ancient theme_

III.—ON CHRISTMAS GIVING _Being a word of much needed advice_

IV.—IT WAS THE SAME CHRISTMAS MORNING A story for girls _In which it is shown how different the same thing may be_

V.—A CHRISTMAS CAROL _To be sung to the music accompanying it_

VI.—THE LONE SCOUT’S CHRISTMAS A story for boys _Wherein is set forth the courage of youth_

VII.—LOOKING INTO THE MANGER _A Christmas meditation_

VIII.—CHRISTMAS IN THE SNOWS _Being some personal adventures in the Far West_