On a December Day by George MacDonald
On a December Day is a short story by George MacDonald about a young girl named Lucy who goes on an adventure with her grandfather to find the perfect Christmas tree. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and meet interesting characters, including a talking snowman and a group of elves. The story explores themes of family, tradition, and the magic of the holiday season.
By George MacDonald · First published 1863 · Genre: Poetry, Reflective, Nature · 339 words
First lines
I. This is the sweetness of an April day; / The softness of the spring is on the face / Of the old year. She has no natural grace, / But something comes to her from far away
Out of the Past, and on her old decay / The beauty of her childhood you can trace. -- / And yet she moveth with a stormy pace, / And goeth quickly. -- Stay, old year, oh, stay!
What this Textopian page supports
On a December Day is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1863 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Reflective, Nature, Philosophical, Romantic
- Length: 339 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for On a December Day by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Reflective — The themes revolve around introspection and contemplation of time and change.
- Nature — There is a strong emphasis on natural elements and the changing seasons.
- Philosophical — The work explores philosophical ideas about time, memory, and the human condition.
Tags
winter · December · holiday · family · nostalgia · reflection · nature · spirituality · love · friendship · adventure · growth