Keeping Christmas by Henry Van Dyke
The story revolves around a young woman who returns to her childhood home for the holidays after being away for several years. She brings with her a new husband and a child, but struggles to reconcile her past and present selves. As she navigates the complexities of family relationships and societal expectations, she must also confront her own sense of identity and purpose. The narrative explores themes of nostalgia, tradition, and personal growth, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of what it means to truly keep Christmas.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1897 · Genre: Inspirational, Religious, Philosophical · 539 words
First lines
ROMANS, xiv, 6: _He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord._
It is a good thing to observe Christmas day. The mere marking of times and seasons, when men agree to stop work and make merry together, is a wise and wholesome custom. It helps one to feel the supremacy of the common life over the individual life. It reminds a man to set his own little watch, now and then, by the great clock of humanity which runs on sun time.
What this Textopian page supports
Keeping Christmas is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Inspirational, Religious, Philosophical, Essay
- Length: 539 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Keeping Christmas by Henry Van Dyke
- 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
- Inspirational — The text encourages self-reflection and promotes values such as love, selflessness, and community, aiming to inspire readers to embody these virtues.
- Religious — The work references Christian themes and scriptures, focusing on the spiritual significance of Christmas and the teachings of love and selflessness.
- Philosophical — The text explores philosophical ideas about the meaning of life, the importance of giving over receiving, and the interconnectedness of humanity.
- Essay — The work is structured as a reflective essay, presenting arguments and contemplations on the true essence of Christmas and human conduct.
Tags
Christmas story · Fiction · Short stories · Holiday fiction · American literature · 19th century literature · Philosophical themes · Spiritual themes · Moral lessons · Family values · Friendship · Love story