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No One Was in Physical Danger
12 New Christmas Stories is a heartwarming and nostalgic collection of short stories, each offering a different perspective on the holiday season. What was the collaboration process like with all the different authors, how did you choose what stories to include?
Smooth as cream, mostly. Any rough patches were of my own rasping. You see, my collaborators are all more civilized than I. The fact that our interactions were conducted exclusively via the ether, no one was ever in physical danger. C’mon, we’re geezers. People our age don’t come to blows, we just sigh expressively—even when one is barely housebroken. And I’m not talking about the Big Dawg, either. Sorry, an inside joke.
I’m not sure how my book-mates chose their stories, but when Terry Broxson asked me to contribute, I knew he wanted me to include Jesus and Donkey. When he asked for two more stories, I decided on Million Dollar Christmas, and Jo-Jo’s Turkey. All three stories are built around young boys experiencing the Christmas Spirit in an adult way. Read together, it’s a boyish Christmas trilogy.
What were some goals you set for yourself with this anthology?
A Pulitzer, a phone call from Stephen Spielberg, and a nice letter from my 7th grade English teacher, Miss Eliza McCarthy. Sadly, Miss McCarthy has passed. But that doesn’t take you off the hook, Spielberg!
Are you working on any other collections for different holidays?
I haven’t broached the idea to my book-mates yet, but I’ve always felt Saint Swithin’s Day has gotten short shrift. Failing that, opening day of the Major League Baseball season offers lots of possibilities. No, I ain’t kidding. I’m thinking nine original stories—one per inning. While the game seesaws in the background, each inning, we feature a story about something happening in the stands, or the dugout, or the broadcast booth, or the concession stands, or the Men’s room, for that matter. Just one caveat: I won’t take part unless the setting is Fenway Park. And that’s final.
Christmas is a time for family and traditions—the foods we eat, the songs we sing, and the stories we share.
Within the covers of this book reside real and fictional families, both familiar and unfamiliar. What they all have in common is the Christmas Spirit—in spades. These are the kind of people you’d gleefully invite to share your dining room table on the most celebrated day of the Christian calendar.
We, the authors of these stories, know the world spins faster and faster every day, and the holidays can be particularly hectic. That’s why we chose these lovely stories that can be read in ten minutes or less. Hey, even a teenager can be coaxed from his or her phone for ten inspiring minutes, right?
12 New Christmas Stories
12 New Christmas Stories is a heartwarming and nostalgic collection of short stories, each offering a different perspective on the holiday season. Ranging from touching tales of family traditions to humorous fictional adventures, it’s a book that seeks to capture the essence of Christmas. Each author presents their own style, making it a delightful read for those who enjoy variety. You’ll find yourself drifting from the high deserts of New Mexico to cozy family living rooms, all while reflecting on the themes of love, kindness, and the magic of the season.
What I loved most was how relatable many of these stories were. Diane Kenel-Truelove’s “The Magic of Santa’s Christmas Box” really pulled at my heartstrings. She took me back to my own childhood, reminding me of those magical moments when Christmas seemed larger than life and was filled with mystery and wonder. The story about receiving a box of books from Santa transported me back to the days when even the smallest gestures during the holidays felt magical. The emotions it stirred were incredibly powerful. There’s something so simple and beautiful about remembering how special Christmas felt as a child.
Terry Broxson’s “The Christmas Tree,” stands out for its blend of whimsical fantasy and heartwarming tradition. The story is narrated through a conversation between the protagonist and his talking cat, Holly, who recounts a fascinating tale about the origin of their Christmas tree tradition in the Arapaho tribe. Broxson weaves humor into the narrative, especially in the playful dynamic between the cat and its owner, but the story also carries deeper themes of peace, unity, and the blending of cultures. The historical backdrop of Kit Carson and Native American customs, combined with the quirky cat’s storytelling, gives this Christmas tale a unique charm that feels both magical and thoughtful.
On the other hand, Lee Allen Hill’s “Jesús and Donkey” was lighthearted and fun but also had a deeper emotional core. This story about a boy in New Mexico trying to buy a turkey for his Christmas dinner was charming and felt like a love letter to simpler times. Hill’s writing paints vivid scenes and made me feel like I was alongside Jesús and his quirky dog, Donkey. The playful humor between the characters and the unexpected turn with the mountain lion added a nice twist. It reminded me of those feel-good holiday movies that leave you smiling at the end.
Jay Squires’ essay “Bring Back the Carolers” hit me right in the nostalgia. The way he reminisces about the simple joy of carolers and homemade hot cocoa made me yearn for a time when the holidays felt more communal. His writing was almost poetic, bringing the past alive with such vivid detail. His words felt like a gentle nudge toward rekindling old-fashioned holiday spirit.
Pages: 95 | ASIN : B0DBVCLX3S
LITERARY TITAN 