Christmas in My Soul, Volume I

Christmas in My Soul is the fifth in editor Joe Wheeler's popular series of heartwarming Christmas stories (previous volumes are titled Christmas in My Heart). This anthology begins with an introduction describing the transformation of the real St. Nicholas into the world-famous character of Santa Claus, emphasizing the spiritual significance of Santa's generosity. Wheeler's introduction sets the stage for six short, old-fashioned holiday stories, illustrated with beautiful woodcuts, about the everyday miracles that can happen on this hallowed Christian holiday. The stories' settings range from New York City to small towns such as "Hollis Hollow, USA." The characters in each story are struggling to live well, and they are taught to succeed by accidents of grace. There is always a moral to these stories, and each lesson warms even the coldest winter nights. --Paul Power