Christmas in Legend and Story: A Book for Boys and Girls — Text and Context

The Compilers’ Explicit Framework

The preface, signed by Elva S. Smith and Alice I. Hazeltine, is unusually direct about editorial principles. They note the difficulty of finding Christmas stories that are both reverent and suitable for children, and they emphasize that most selections are "of the legendary type." The compilers also clarify that they have not adapted the legends for storytelling, though many can be used that way. This transparency helps a reader understand the anthology as a curated collection rather than a single authored work. The acknowledgments list permissions from authors and publishers, including Margaret Deland and Selma Lagerlöf, indicating a careful selection process. A first-time reader can use this preface to gauge the compilers’ priorities: literary quality, reverence, and child appropriateness.

The Norse Opening as a Thematic Gateway

The first full selection, a poem about Earl Sigurd and Swanwhite, plunges the reader into a world of Norse gods, war, and plunder. Lines such as "the war is great Odin's delight" and "the Thunderer proud, how he laughs in his cloud" establish a pagan ethos. Yet the poem pivots dramatically: "Odin, Thor, and Frey are dead, / And white Christ, the strong and gentle, standeth peace-crowned in their stead." This conversion narrative, set at Yule-tide, directly connects the old Germanic festival to Christmas. The poem thus serves as a historical and thematic gateway, showing how Christian legend absorbed and transformed earlier traditions. A reader encountering this early in the anthology can expect subsequent pieces to similarly blend folklore with Christian morality.

Recurring Patterns in the Excerpted Selections

Although the full text is not available, the excerpts reveal several recurring patterns. The preface mentions that stories are arranged in "the natural order of the events," likely following the Christmas narrative from Advent to Epiphany. The inclusion of poems alongside prose suggests a mix of genres. The acknowledgments list titles such as "The Christmas Silence" and "The Legend of the Christmas Rose," which hint at quiet, miraculous themes. The excerpt from the Norse poem also introduces a pattern of contrasting old and new beliefs—a motif that may recur in other legends. Additionally, the compilers’ note that most selections are "of the legendary type" indicates that readers should expect supernatural or folkloric elements rather than strictly historical accounts.

Reading with the Compilers’ Intentions in Mind

The preface states that the book is intended for boys and girls, but also for parents, teachers, and librarians. This dual audience suggests that the selections are meant to be read aloud or used in educational settings. The compilers’ emphasis on "reverent spirit" implies that the anthology is not merely entertaining but also morally instructive. A first-time reader might approach the book as a resource for seasonal storytelling, paying attention to how each piece balances legend with Christian teaching. The Norse poem, for instance, could prompt discussion about cultural change and the meaning of Christmas. The compilers’ hope that the book "may bring real joy" underscores a celebratory tone, even when dealing with violent or somber source material.

Readers new to this anthology should note that the compilers have deliberately chosen legends that illustrate traditional beliefs and customs, not historical facts. The book rewards those who read the preface and acknowledgments carefully, as these paratexts reveal the editors’ criteria and sources. The shift from pagan to Christian in the opening poem sets a pattern that likely continues throughout the collection. For a full understanding, consider how each selection contributes to the overarching theme of Christmas as a time of transformation and grace.

That rainy afternoon, Christmas in Legend and Story felt like sitting inside a church’s hush—old tales of pagans turning toward candlelight. When the last page slipped shut, my hand reached for something on the shelf without thinking. It found Wigwam stories told by North American Indians — Key Ideas to Explore, and I heard that same quiet reverence, only spoken by a different fire.