Christmas | Lecturia

O. Henry: The Gift of the Magi

The Gift of the Magi is a short story by O. Henry, first published in The New York Sunday World on 10 December 1905. The narrative revolves around Delia and Jim, a young couple residing in a modest apartment. On Christmas Eve, with only a meagre sum of barely a dollar and eighty-seven cents to her name, Delia finds herself in a desperate situation, striving to procure a suitable gift for her husband. Driven by a profound sense of affection, she makes a decision that entails significant personal deprivation. The poignant and straightforward account illuminates the value of altruistic love and the sacrifices one is willing to make for those they hold most dear.

Arthur C. Clarke: The Star

“The Star” is a powerful science fiction short story written by Arthur C. Clarke, published in November 1955 in Infinity Science Fiction. The story follows a Jesuit priest and astrophysicist who, on a space mission, discovers the remains of a civilization wiped out by a cosmic catastrophe. This discovery profoundly challenges his faith, leading him to question the beliefs he had always taken for granted. Through this narrative, Clarke explores the tension between science and religion, raising questions about the role of God in the cosmos and human existence. A short but deeply thoughtful story.

Truman Capote: A Christmas Memory

“A Christmas Memory” is a touching short story by Truman Capote, published in Mademoiselle in December 1956. In a nostalgic autumn in the southern United States, a seven-year-old boy and his quirky and loving cousin prepare to carry out their annual tradition of making fruit pies to give away at Christmas. Bound by a close friendship, they roam the countryside gathering fruit and visiting unique corners of the village to gather the necessary ingredients. For them, Christmas is not just another social event, but an intimate ritual that celebrates tenderness, imagination, and the bonds of the heart.

Ray Bradbury: The Gift

“The Gift” is a short story by Ray Bradbury, first published in Esquire in December 1952. A family sets out on its first space journey on Christmas Eve. The boy is thrilled by the adventure, but his parents worry about how to celebrate the holiday in the emptiness of space—especially after customs has confiscated the present they had prepared. Now the father must find a creative way to keep the magic of Christmas alive for his son, proving that the Christmas spirit can shine anywhere, even among the stars.

Isaac Asimov: Christmas on Ganymede

“Christmas on Ganymede” is a science fiction story by Isaac Asimov published in Startling Stories in January 1942. The story takes us to a mining base on Ganymede, one of Jupiter’s moons, where the humans face a peculiar labour crisis: the natives refuse to work unless they receive a visit from Santa Claus. It all begins when Olaf Johnson, in a naïve Christmas spirit, introduces the Earth tradition to the curious aliens. From there, Commander Pelham and his team are forced to comply with this demand, improvising a Father Christmas, a flying sleigh, and an alien ‘reindeer’ in a story full of satire and humor.