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Henry Van Dyke
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The First Christmas Tree and the Story of the Other Wise Man Kindle Edition

by Henry van Dyke (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 35 ratings
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This illustrated edition of two heartfelt holiday fables abounds in the Yuletide traditions of generosity and friendship, perfect sentiments for a gift book. "The First Christmas Tree" is a tale set during an eighth-century winter festival, where a struggle ensues between foresters worshipping pagan gods and a heroic pilgrim who has come to teach them about Christ's birth. In "The Story of the Other Wise Man," well-meaning Artaban prepares to join three fellow Magi in their journey to Judaea for the birth of a holy prince. But a needy stranger and a twist of fate will change his destiny. These timeless classics will capture the hearts of every family that loves Christmas readings.
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  1. Print length
    130 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Dover Publications
  5. Publication date
    January 16, 2013
  6. File size
    4740 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Henry van Dyke was a Presbyterian pastor in New York for twenty years, a professor of English literature at Princeton University, and a U. S. ambassador to the Netherlands. His Christmas stories have been read and savored for over 100 years.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00A62Y9ZY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications (January 16, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 16, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4740 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 130 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 35 ratings

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Henry Van Dyke

Henry Van Dyke

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
35 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

D. Warfield
5.0 out of 5 stars Put on my list of Annual Christmas Reads!
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
I'd heard of "The Fourth Wise Man" but only as a movie, never gave any thought to it being based on a book.

What a delightful read, and so well written. I knew Henry Van Dyke was a poet and you can tell from the wonderful way he uses the English language.

"The Christmas Tree" was a good story, as well, but "The Fourth Wise Man" was just beautiful to read.
3 people found this helpful
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E.M. Jalph
5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas Classics to add to your library!
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
Both of these are classic Christmas stories by Henry Van Dyke, (1852 - 1933), a Presbyterian minister, professor of English literature at Princeton and U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, who loved to write. I have read some of the eloquent things he wrote for his children that speak well of the loving father he must have been.
One person found this helpful
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S. Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars There is nothing more to be said. Except read it stupid
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2015
Verified Purchase
I haven't read the "Christmas Tree Yet. However I would invite everyone in the world to read the "Other Wise Man". Words cannot express what you will feel as you travel on this journey with Artaban. You will never have a need to travel again except through the pages of one of Henry Van Dykes books.
2 people found this helpful
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Ronald Winters
3.0 out of 5 stars From the Heights
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
A love story from an earlier time where Francis Vere woos Annaple Kitson by bringing to her gifts for the twelve days of Christmas. The most interesting thing about the book is the names of the twelve days after Christmas: Christmas Day (December 25), St. Stephen’s Day, St. John the Evangelist’s Day, Holy Innocents’ Day, St. Thomas of Canterbury’s Day, Churching Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Dancing Day, Adam’s Day, Eve’s Day, Twelfth Night, The Feast of the Three Kings (January 6).
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BNB
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2012
Verified Purchase
I was initially shopping for The Story of the Other Wise Man alone when I found this volume including The First Christmas Tree. I purchased 4 of them as gifts for some special women I know. I highly recommend this uplifting story.
One person found this helpful
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J Martin
4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable and fast read at Christmas
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2016
This book contains two short stories by Henry Van Dyke written in 1896-97: The First Christmas Tree and The Story of the Other Wise Man. It is somewhat tricky to review the short stories without giving too much away so I will cover them generally.

The titles explain exactly what each story is about. The Other Wise Man, which I read first and is the longer of the two at 68 pages, covers the story of Artaban, who, upon seeing the star, heads out to meet his fellow wise men on a journey to Bethlehem. The First Christmas Tree, much shorter at 37 pages, takes place in Europe in 722, and chronicles the story of Winfried and the first Christmas tree.

Both stories are wonderfully written and HVD describes scenes with flair. To be honest I did not know what to expect from stories written over 100 years ago, but I was not disappointed. This particular edition is also illustrated at chapter breaks in monochrome blue. I very much enjoyed the illustrations (especially for The Other Wise Man) as they had a traditional almost wood-block appearance that suited the overall mood of the book. Each story is steeped in Christmas meaning and although I like that aspect of them (I bought and expected as much), it does come across a bit thick in the First Christmas Tree. Both stories feel a bit “jumpy”, almost as if they have been edited for brevity. For me the stories start out strong but slip somewhat as they progress. Nevertheless, both are equally good and did leave a mark on me after I finished them.

Summary: The two short stories by Henry Van Dyke, though separated by over 700 years, cover similar themes of faith and firsts. Although the stories are short, they are very well written (if a bit choppy at times) and wonderfully illustrated in a traditional manner. An enjoyable and fast read at Christmas. Overall 80% = 4/5.
3 people found this helpful
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Lynn Tatar
5.0 out of 5 stars Both tales use artistic license but are great stories that take us back to the basics
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2014
Verified Purchase
Both tales use artistic license but are great stories that take us back to the basics. Start a wonderful new tradition by reading either of these stories at your Christmas gathering!
One person found this helpful
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Brenda M
5.0 out of 5 stars I love the story of the other wise man as it ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
I love the story of the other wise man as it connects Christmas with Easter in a meaningful way, and that is why I bought the book.
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Top reviews from other countries

Devika
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 18, 2014
Verified Purchase
Beautiful stories
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