Mansion

This classic Christmas story by Henry Van Dyke explains the true spirit of giving in a powerful, captivating way. In the story, John Weightman (a wealthy businessman with a high opinion of himself and the future mansion he deserves in heaven) does much good in the world. Despite his good deeds, Weightman is misdirected. Most of the "e;good"e; he has done, rather than being unselfish, is calculated to benefit either himself or his business. As Weightman explains, "e;Of course you have to be careful how you give, in order to secure the best results-no indiscriminate giving-no pennies in beggar's hats! Try to put your gifts where they can be identified and do good all around."e;Fortunately, Weightman receives a wake up call through a beautiful Christmas Eve dream. In his dream, Weightman previews what his heavenly mansion would really look like and learns the truth of the Scripture "e;Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where thieves do not break through nor steal."e;This wonderful story was originally published in 1911 by Henry Van Dyke, a late 19th and early 20th century American clergyman. Its emphasis on the timeless ideals of sympathy, self-sacrifice, and good-old fashioned kindness make it a must-read for every Christmas, right alongside Charles Dicken's Christmas Carol.