The Christmas Child
The Christmas Child is a novel by George MacDonald that tells the story of a young boy named David who is sent to live with his uncle and aunt in Scotland after his parents die. The book follows David's journey as he learns about love, faith, and forgiveness through various encounters with people in his new community. Along the way, he also discovers the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of giving to others.
By George MacDonald · First published 1864 · Genre: Fantasy, Religious Fiction, Poetry · 73 words
First lines
"Little one, who straight hast come Down the heavenly stair, Tell us all about your home, And the father there."
"He is such a one as I, Like as like can be.
Do his will, and, by and by, Home and him you'll see. "
What this Textopian page supports
The Christmas Child is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1864 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: 1864 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Religious Fiction, Poetry, Children's Literature
- Length: 73 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Christmas Child by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Christmas Child?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Christmas 1880 by George Macdonald
- Christmas Song Of The Old Children by George Macdonald
- Christmas 1884 by George Macdonald
- Christmas 1873 by George Macdonald
- Christmas Day And Every Day by George Macdonald
- The Mistletoe by George Macdonald
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves elements of the supernatural and otherworldly, such as a child descending from a heavenly realm.
- Religious Fiction — The themes and dialogue suggest a strong religious or spiritual undertone, focusing on divine figures and heavenly homes.
- Poetry — The writing style is lyrical and structured in verse, resembling poetic form.
- Children's Literature — The simple language and themes of innocence and wonder are characteristic of literature aimed at a younger audience.
Tags
Christmas · child · holiday · faith · redemption · love · family · miracle · spirituality · joy · kindness · hope