"Christmas Eve at the homeless shelter looks the same as any other night: Kids running around. Volunteers serving coffee and Kool-Aid. People looking for a warm place to spend the night. Then something magical happens"--

The story of John Day Lucks has been a part of my life for many, many years. The character of John was born one magical Christmas season in a bedtime story I created for my two beautiful daughters. As usual, while tucking my girls into bed at night, they would ask to hear a story. Call it Christmas Magic. Call it love. Call it a combination of both. Suddenly in my head blossomed the idea for a story of a young boy with a heart of gold, who lived a difficult life through no fault of his own, and who deserved something better. With it being the holiday season, what better backdrop for the tale than Christmas Eve. A Homeless Christmas is a story of hope and love, abandonment and salvation. And a true Christmas Miracle.

"Of what use is one ugly little tree?" Atop a windswept hill, a crooked little tree stands alone . . . until one Christmas Eve, when an old woman labors up the hill with a box of ornaments, and tells the tree that he is special. He is to be the official Christmas tree for all of the homeless people in the city below! Year after year, colored balls and garland adorn the tree at Christmastime, but one year, the woman does not come. Will there be a Christmas for homeless? This story is based on actual events about a funny-looking mimosa tree that sits above a busy freeway in Fort Worth, Texas. A formerly homeless woman decorated the tree, year after year, so that the homeless would have a Christmas tree. When she died, neighbors took over the custom and now decorate it for Easter, Halloween, and other holidays as well. It can be seen on the north side of Interstate 30 near the Oakland exit.

Once upon a Christmas season in upstate New York, a homeless chicken found its way to an old brick house where it decided to roost for the holidays. Your children will love the interactions between the family living in the home and the unexpected visitor who made herself at home on the Christmas wreath on the front door. No one knows where she came from and no one saw her eventually leave, but she certainly made a lasting impression on all who interacted with her that year. A story to warm your heart and tickle your funny bone and a joy to read any time of year.

Daniel, a homeless orphan, finds solace from his life on the streets of Bethlehem when he witnesses Jesus' birth in the stable and when they meet again years later during his crucifixion.

An inspiring story of friendship and survival between two unlikely people--a homeless, disabled vet and a mother with two young children.

My children are grown and have their own Christmas celebrations with their families-each with their own traditions. When my wife and I have the occasion of being a part of one of these, usually in the afternoon someone will say, "Grandpa, will you tell us a Christmas story?" That describes this book. I'm going to tell you a story-maybe one you can share at your gathering. Ah, but I've enlisted the help of other storytellers, each with their own Christmas story. Some of these are actual memories from their childhood; some are original stories they have crafted to tell at Christmas gatherings. Some of the stories are Bible stories that are simply told right from Scripture, others are embellished Bible stories. Make us a part of your Christmas tradition. Gather 'round and let "Grandpa tell you a Christmas story."