Christmas in Canada: A Celebration of Stories from Past to Present

Naomi Brun is a freelance writer and a book reviewer for The Hamilton
Spectator.

When the wind blusters around you, the snow is piling up at the front
door, and nothing would feel better than a cup of hot chocolate by the
fireside, Christmas in Canada is the book you will want to read. Its 24
tales of Christmas spirit cannot help but put a smile on the most frozen
of faces while reminding readers of the joys of our long and bleak
winters.

This collection of short stories has something for every Canadian.
Newfoundlanders will chuckle when a mummer’s play takes a most
unexpected turn; Québécois will smile as they read about “the order
of good cheer,” and residents of the Yukon will be glad to see a story
about the days of the gold rush. First Nations peoples are well
represented: traditional stories appear here, as do tales of present-day
Aboriginals who try to straddle both Native and white cultures. Even new
Canadians will find their experiences reflected, as in the story of an
African refugee who learns the harsh reality of 40-below temperatures in
Saskatoon.

Although this compilation represents Canada historically,
geographically, and culturally, it is not a religiously diverse
anthology. The stories center on Canadian winters and Canadian yuletide
celebrations, making no mention of the other holidays honoured in Canada
during this period.

Religious uniformity notwithstanding, Christmas in Canada is perhaps
the definitive Canadian Christmas collection. Its informative stories
speak to the lives of Canadians past and present, shine as examples of
good writing, and kindle a sense of well-being in the hearts of its
readers. In fact, its tales lend themselves naturally to being read
aloud, making it a perfect choice for a Christmas storytelling party.
All in all, a great winter read.