Christmas in literature

Over the centuries, Christmas has drawn the attention of a number of authors, both famous and obscure. Renowned authors such as Charles Dickens, Washington Irving, Louisa May Alcott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Anton Chekov, and O Henry have each taken a turn integrating the Christmas tradition into their works.

Here are three of the best-known examples of Christmas reading.

“A Christmas Carol”

Probably the most famous of Christmas-themed literary works is “A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens’ novel about a mean miser who discovers the true meaning of Christmas after encountering ghosts who show him the error of his ways. But it’s much more than just a Christmas story of revelation and redemption. Dickens takes the opportunity to also explore larger societal themes of wealth and poverty, ignorance and education, and England’s rigid class system of the 1800s.

Despite being relatively short compared to the length of Dickens’ other books, it’s arguably his best-known work, and his most enduring legacy. Written in October of 1843, Dickens had planned to release the book to coincide with the Christmas season, but began squabbling with the original publisher over a number of issues.  He took matters into his own hands and financed the book himself, sparing no expense. Early editions had decorative bindings, gold-colored edging, and colored illustrations throughout. The book sold well, but because of the lavish budget, failed to turn much of a profit.

The last name of the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, has become synonymous for anyone who hates Christmas. He is arrogant, mean and self-centered, and treats everyone around him with contempt.  The characters include his loyal clerk, Bob Cratchit, and Cratchit’s family, with his crippled son Tiny Tim.

On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley, who tells Scrooge to expect a series of encounters with ghosts who will confront him with past, present and future visions of Christmas. Scrooge is truly haunted by the experience, and finds a new spirit of benevolence and kindness at Christmas and beyond.

Over the years, the story has been presented numerous times on stage and screen, featuring actors ranging from Alec Guinness and George C. Scott, to Bill Murray and Jim Carrey. Even Bugs Bunny, Mr. Magoo, Fred Flintstone, and the Muppets have taken turns with their interpretations of the classic.

“A Visit from St. Nicholas”

The contemporary vision of Santa Claus is largely the result of a poem written in 1822 by American author Clement Clarke Moore. For most readers, the title doesn’t ring a bell until the first five words:  “Twas the night before Christmas.” It’s a simple story of a jolly, fat man in a red suit, with a bag of toys slung over his back, who is accidentally discovered while delivering presents to a family.

But it actually provides a vivid description that has served as the model for the modern-day look of Santa. Also, it introduces several new concepts, including a flying sleigh pulled by eight reindeer with names like Dasher, Dancer, Donner and Blitzen; as well as the practice of Santa landing on the rooftop and coming down the chimney.

Legend has it that he wrote the poem during a sleigh ride in New York on Christmas Eve, read the poem to his family after dinner, and largely forgot about it after that. But a friend thought enough of the poem to submit it to a newspaper for publication. It’s an early example of the nature of “viral” creative work: published locally, it quickly spread to other newspapers throughout New York, the United States, and finally the world.

Moore was actually an accomplished author who wrote about a wide range of political and religious themes, and was said to be disappointed that his Christmas poem was better known than any of his scholarly works.

“Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus”

Is there a Santa Claus? It’s a question that children have been asking for years, and it always requires a tricky response from parents who don’t want to ruin the magic of Christmas for children before they finally realize that it’s highly unlikely that reindeer can fly.

Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon took a different route in 1897, asking the question in a letter to the editor of the New York Sun. The answer – published as an editorial under the headline “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” – is an artfully worded piece by editor Francis Pharcellus Church that would be difficult for the average pre-teen to grasp (not to mention many adults). But parents have simplifying Church’s basic themes of magic, faith and wonder to answer the question for more than 100 years.

Virginia O’Hanlon really did exist, and there really was a letter to the editor. A copy was authenticated in 1998 and appraised at between $20,000 and $30,000 by an expert from Christie’s auction house.

As for Virginia, she died in 1971, hopefully not before realizing that you can’t believe everything you read in the newspapers.