Cozy Christmas Books by Grace Livingston Hill

If you are ready for some cozy Christmas reading, here are seven books by Grace Livingston Hill that might meet your need. These are vintage books written by a prolific Christian author who sought to point people to Christ in everything she did.

These stories either take place entirely at Christmas or the Christmas season is a prominent part of the story. As I was preparing this list, I found it interesting that almost all of Grace’s Christmas-themed stories were written either during or just after The Great Depression. Many of her stories focus on choosing to trust God in the midst of a difficult situation and that is certainly true of this little group.

The books are presented in alphabetical order, but four of these are among my very favorites of all her books (April Gold, The Christmas Bride, The Prodigal Girl, and The Substitute Guest).

April Gold (1936)

A mother, son, and daughter must make drastic changes when tragedy strikes. This book takes place over several months with a prominent Christmas section that includes baking, singing, gift-giving, and decorating. April Gold is a cozy story about making difficult decisions, overcoming adversity, being a light in darkness, and pulling together as a family.

Astra (1941)

Astra ends up meeting a need that leads to meeting more needs. There’s lots of Christmas in Astra including buying roses for neighbors, dressing for the holidays, and making a homemade nativity scene for children.

Brentwood (1937)

Brentwood is one of a few books in which Grace wrote about adoption, albeit in an usual way in this case. There is lots of Christmas shopping, reconciliation, church, gifts, and a turkey dinner.

The Christmas Bride (1934)

An unexpected rescue turns a man’s life upside down – or is it right side up in this case? This book has a Vermont farmhouse, snow, coming to faith in Christ, and elderly grandparents who are put through the refining process. And, of course, a high probability of a Christmas wedding since this is The Christmas Bride.

Partners (1940)

When a baby is abandoned in the snow, things start happening for a young woman and young man who work to save it. Partners has a cozy apartment, Christmas decorating, baby things, and Christmas dinner. And finding love.

The Prodigal Girl (1929)

The more things change, the more they stay the same. A father discovers how badly his children are being led astray at their godless public schools (!) and makes some radical decisions. The Prodigal Girl is primarily a Christmastime story that features Vermont, snow storms, a New England farmhouse, winter sports, home education, good cooking, and repentance.

The Substitute Guest (1936)

This story starts on Christmas Eve morning and goes through the beginning of the new year. A lost stranger needs help on an important errand and ends up at just the right place. A blizzard, Christmas decorating, making good food, growing faith, and finding love when you least expect it feature largely in The Substitute Guest.

There you go! Seven wholesome stories about faith and Christmas to enjoy this month (and again in July when you are ready for some Christmas in the summer!).