Two Christmas books by American author, educator, and clergyman Henry Van Dyke, including a short story, two essays, and two prayers for the season. 1. The Spirit of Christmas by Henry van Dyke is a beautiful story of the angel that foretells the birth of Christ to the other angels. Also, a short Christmas sermon of how to keep Christmas in your heart all the year. Two prayers at the end. Charming, beautifully written and recommended to all. This book is full oft thoughtful collection of sermons, reflections, prayers, dreams. 2. The First Christmas Tree In this volume of Christmas stories and prayers, we read of courage, generosity, and the triumph of light over darkness from The First Christmas Tree, a magical tale of the Thunder Oak and the false god Thor, to the lyrical story of The Christmas Angel in the Country Beyond the Stars. Destined to become a Christmas classic for the whole family, The First Christmas Tree will inspire us all, in the words of Henry Van Dyke, "to live Christmas not just Christmas day."