In Russia, the first stories on a Christmas theme appeared in the 19th century. "Christmas stories" by the English writer Charles Dickens, translated into Russian and won enormous success among readers, became the basis for imitation. In Russian literature, thanks to many outstanding masters of the artistic word, its own Christmas prose filled with deep meaning has developed.
Russian Yuletide literature is returning to people after decades of undeserved oblivion. With the resumption of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ in Russia, this layer of national culture again pleases readers with its simplicity, touching sentimentality and kindness.
Waiting for a miracle
It so happened that on Christmas, people hope for a miracle to happen. The heroes of the Christmas tales are eagerly awaiting something new, unknown or inaccessible to them. And it comes! Not necessarily this miracle will be something incredible, just waiting will turn into ordinary human happiness, bring unexpected salvation.
Instructive kindness
In the 19th century, wide sections of the reading public loved Christmas stories for their instructiveness and good nature. Christmas stories were published in special literary collections, on the pages of newspapers and magazines and were addressed, first of all, to children of different ages.
This literary genre has tremendous opportunities for the education of morality, contributes to the formation of a person's personality, since it is based on a huge meaning.
Masters of the genre
In the history of Russian literature, the merit of the revival of Christmastime prose belongs to N. S. Leskov. The writer, who considered the ideals of the Christian faith to be eternal, defined the genre of Christmastide stories. According to the classic of Russian literature, these stories must necessarily contain morality, be fantastic, end happily and cheerfully. All events that take place should take place on Christmas Eve from Christmas to Epiphany.
N. S. Leskov created some Christmastide stories directly for children ("Ghost in the Engineering Castle", "Unchangeable Ruble", "Scarecrow"). The storytellers in them are children, all events are evaluated through the consciousness of the child. Leskov has mischievous and curious Christmas stories filled with deep wisdom ("Pearl Necklace", "Darning", "Robbery").
Some stories by A. Chekhov, I. Bunin, L. Andreev, F. Sologub and others belong to the genre of Christmas prose. Each of these Russian writers in their own way tried to show the main holiday, reminding people of the meaning of their existence on earth.
Recognized master of Christmas storytelling, Charles Dickens, considered Christmas to be days of "mercy, kindness and forgiveness." It is on these days that people open their hearts to each other and see in each person their own kind. Hearts "softened" by the great holiday are capable of mercy and warmth, they are ready to repent.
Themes and images of stories
The main Christmas state, joyful affection, is conveyed by the image of Christ the Child, therefore, images of children are usually central in Christmastide stories. Often a child is the hero of a Christmas-tree story, suffering innocently, deprived of life, deeply unhappy.
The theme of the family also occupies an important place in Christmastide stories. Recurring in them are the motives of family comfort, home, unity of loved ones.
Christmas stories serve soulful reading at any time of the year, not just during the Christmas holidays. They strengthen a person's striving for moral improvement or rebirth, teach mercy and compassion, and urge to do good.
