Henry Van Dyke 
The Mansion 

This classic Christmas story by Henry Van Dyke explains the true spirit of giving in a powerful, captivating way. In the story, John Weightman (a wealthy businessman with a high opinion of himself and the future mansion he deserves in heaven) does much good in the world. Despite his good deeds, Weightman is misdirected. Most of the ‘good’ he has done, rather than being unselfish, is calculated to benefit either himself or his business. As Weightman explains, ‘Of course you have to be careful how you give, in order to secure the best results-no indiscriminate giving-no pennies in beggar’s hats! Try to put your gifts where they can be identified and do good all around.’

Fortunately, Weightman receives a wake up call through a beautiful Christmas Eve dream. In his dream, Weightman previews what his heavenly mansion would really look like and learns the truth of the Scripture ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where thieves do not break through nor steal.’

This wonderful story was originally published in 1911 by Henry Van Dyke, a late 19th and early 20th century American clergyman. Its emphasis on the timeless ideals of sympathy, self-sacrifice, and good-old fashioned kindness make it a must-read for every Christmas, right alongside Charles Dicken’s Christmas Carol.