The Christmas Child

"The Christmas Child" by Hesba Stretton is a sentimental novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set against the backdrop of a small farmstead in the Welsh countryside during the time of Christmas, focusing on themes of family, love, and redemption. It tells the tale of a young girl named Joan, an orphan who becomes part of a family and experiences the joys and trials of life, highlighting the significance of kindness and forgiveness during the Christmas season. The narrative follows Joan, who is adopted by her great-aunt Miss Priscilla and befriends her cousin Rhoda. Priscilla, a strict and traditional woman, initially resists Joans's presence but eventually grows to care for her. When Rhoda, driven by her own mistakes and experiences, suddenly leaves, Joan becomes sad and lonely. As Christmas approaches, the young girl wishes to encounter the Christ child in a manger and indeed experiences a transformative moment when she finds a real baby in need of care. This moment brings the family back together, as aunt and niece reconcile to forgive each other, demonstrating the healing power of love and the importance of compassion during the festive season. Ultimately, the book encapsulates the festive spirit through the journey of loss, redemption, and joy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Hesba Stretton was the pseudonym of Sarah Smith, an evangelical English author of religious books for children. These were highly popular. By the late 19th century Jessica's First Prayer had sold a million and a half copies – ten times more than Alice in Wonderland. She concocted "Hesba Stretton" from the initials of herself and four surviving siblings, along with the name of a Shropshire village she visited, All Stretton, where her sister Anne owned a house, Caradoc Lodge.