Washington Irving 
Old Christmas 

In this classic nineteenth-century Christmas story, the author of Rip Van Winkle returns to England and experiences a traditional holiday with friends.First published in Washington Irving’s The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., these personal essays offer reflections on the meaning of Christmas and recount the author’s time spending the holiday at the home of an old schoolmate. Irving vividly describes the charm of his friend’s English country estate, Bracebridge Hall, and the warm welcome he experiences from the entire family. Through these heartwarming experiences, many old Christmas traditions come to life, from a sumptuous English holiday dinner to the virtues of charity, togetherness, and merriment.