FOREWORD

WE are all children, young and old, at Christmas time. We love to talk and think about Santa Claus and the gifts which he will bring to us, and we like to plan how we may play Santa Claus and make some one else happy. Santa Claus embodies this spirit of self-sacrifice and service and so we will enjoy going in our dreams on “A Visit to Santa Claus Land.” And what fun we will have when we join with the fairies and dear Mrs. Santa Claus and trim “A Christmas Tree for Santa Claus.” And then this story of “Squeaky and the Scarebox”—you know such a thing might really truly happen on your own tree, so look out when you open your “Jack-in-the-box.” “The Legend of Saint Nicholas” and his long silken purses will help you to understand our custom of hanging up our stockings to receive gifts. And this good Bishop doing his deeds of love in the night certainly must have been like our Santa Claus. The last story tells of the true Christmas spirit and “The Gift of Love” which God gave to the world when Christ was born.

And so may this book of “Christmas Stories,” coming right into your home, bring to you a message of Christmas Cheer, with a Merry Christmas to all,

From your Story Lady, Georgene Faulkner.

PAGE

A Visit to Santa Claus Land17

Squeaky and the Scare Box37

A Christmas Tree for Santa Claus55

The Legend of Saint Nicholas71

The Gift of Love83

FACING PAGE

Frontispiece—“Oh, Ho, Ho, Ho!” he laughed merrily, “How did you two Children come here?”

Squeaky fell Heels over Head into a Funny Square Box35

“It is your very own Christmas Tree, Father Santa Claus”53

Saint Nicholas threw the Purse right into the Room69

The Boy lifted the Baby Lamb and held it closely to his Bosom81

The illustrations are from original paintings by Frederic Richardson