While there are many popular Christmas works of literature, there are only a few that have survived over the long centuries, here are some classic books and poems to name.
First, is the most famous and well-known Christmas book, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. This novel was written in 1843 and is based around a re-evaluation of Christmas traditions and customs in Britain during the early Victorian era. The book’s protagonist is an old miser named Ebenezer Scrooge, who gets visited by the ghost of his former business partner, warning him that he will be visited by three other ghosts before the night ends.
According to arts.gov, “The Internet Movie Database lists more than 100 versions of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ including a video game, a 1908 short starring Tom Ricketts, and the 2015 TV-movie ‘A Christmas Carol and Zombies.’” Besides these things, there are also two ballet and four opera versions of A Christmas Carol. Looking at all the things that Dickens’ novel has influenced, and undoubtedly will influence in the future, it is easy to see that this famous book has withstood the test of time.
The next literature piece that is very popular during Christmas time is the poem, “The Night Before Christmas.”
According to parade.com, “The poem, originally titled ‘A Visit’ or ‘A Visit From St. Nicholas,’ was first published anonymously on Dec. 23, 1823, in a Troy, New York newspaper called The Sentinel… Moore is largely credited with creating the modern-day image of both Santa Claus as well as the domesticity associated with being home for the holidays, especially on Christmas Eve.”
Even though the poem was published anonymously at first, the author, Clement Clarke Moore, finally accepted credit for the writing. The reason he did not want to accept credit for his work at first was because he was a professor, and the poem was not considered a scholarly work of literary art when he first wrote it.
While these works of literature are read a lot during the winter season by many people all over the world, including students at Eagle High.
“They are very classic, and they have the nostalgic Christmas vibe,” said junior Katherine Kuehn. Sophomore Savanna Avila agrees with Kuehn on her views of this classic book and poem.
“Of course I have heard of them. They’re great, they are classics, you can never go wrong with them,” Avila said.
While both of these students had heard of and knew about these two famous works of literature, they each had their own favorite winter books that they enjoy reading during the chilly weather outside as well.
“’Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever” because it’s funny and I would totally do the things which Greg does in the book,” Avila said, talking about her favorite book. Kuehn has others classics that she enjoys readings, ones that predate “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by decades.
“’Little Women,’ ‘Anne of Green Gables,’ ‘A Wrinkle in Time,’ ‘Narnia,’ ‘Harry Potter;’ all books that give me a wintery cozy vibe,” Kuehn said about books for this season.
There are so many old classics and new winter books for students to read, so grab a new or favorite book and settle in a cozy place to read during the cold weather.
