Arthur Glyn's Christmas-Box by Ruth Lamb
"Arthur Glyn's Christmas-Box" by Ruth Lamb is a story centered around the Rev. Arthur Worsley Glyn, a curate in the quaint village of Little Cray. Despite the festive season, the atmosphere is dreary, and Arthur reflects on his life's struggles, including the burdens left by his irresponsible father. Arthur has been a pillar for his family, supporting his mother and sisters through hardships. His dedication to duty and self-sacrifice is evident as he foregoes personal desires to fulfill familial obligations. The narrative unfolds with Arthur receiving a letter from his sister Gertrude, who is engaged to a wealthy man, Leonard Thorold. This news brings mixed emotions, as Arthur had hoped for her company during Christmas. Meanwhile, Arthur receives an unexpected invitation from the Spencers, the local squire's family, to join them for Christmas, which lifts his spirits. On Christmas morning, Arthur receives a mysterious letter containing a substantial sum of money, labeled as a "Christmas-box." The anonymous gift is accompanied by a note encouraging him to use it to relieve his burdens. This act of kindness deeply moves Arthur, as it allows him to pay off his father's debts and lifts a significant weight from his shoulders. The story concludes with Arthur discovering that the benefactor is Roger Ulyett, a wealthy neighbor who had been misjudged by many. The narrative highlights themes of selflessness, the impact of anonymous generosity, and the fulfillment of duty, culminating in a hopeful and heartwarming resolution for Arthur and his family.
By Ruth Lamb · First published 1917 · Genre: Inspirational Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction · 5 chapters · 14,030 words
First lines
NOT a bit like Christmas.
Everybody said so to everybody else, and surely, what all agree about must be strictly true. The farmers' wives said it to each other, as they jogged to market with well-filled baskets, containing all sorts of home-fed Christmas cheer. The butcher said it to each customer in turn, as he lightly passed his keen-edged knife outside the yellow rind of his prime Christmas beef, to suggest where the actual incision should be made and the "cut" severed from the rest.
What this Textopian page supports
Arthur Glyn's Christmas-Box is listed on Textopian as a novella by Ruth Lamb, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Ruth Lamb
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Inspirational Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Sentimental Fiction, Holiday Fiction
- Length: 14,030 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 208 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Arthur Glyn's Christmas-Box by Ruth Lamb
- 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
Genres
- Inspirational Fiction — The narrative emphasizes transformation and hope set around the Christmas season, evoking a sense of personal and spiritual renewal.
- Christian Fiction — The book incorporates themes of redemption and moral values which align closely with Christian teachings and imagery.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context reflect a particular historical period, providing nuanced cultural and social details that ground the narrative in its time.
- Sentimental Fiction — The story uses emotional and evocative storytelling techniques to engage readers on a personal and heartfelt level.
Tags
Christmas · holiday · spiritual · miracle · redemption · inspiration · compassion · generosity · family · forgiveness · hope · uplifting