A Christmas Sermon, By Robert Louis Stevenson, Classic Xmas Story

A Christmas Sermon by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in New York in 1900, reflects on the moral and spiritual aspects of life and encourages readers to adopt a thoughtful and charitable perspective during the holiday season. In this reflective essay, Stevenson explores themes of kindness, mortality, and the essence of a good life. He emphasizes the importance of living virtuously, practicing forgiveness, and showing compassion to others.

 Stevenson invites readers to consider their mortality, urging them to make peace with life's brevity by cultivating gratitude and humility. He critiques superficial religiosity and instead advocates for genuine morality, suggesting that true faith is demonstrated through one's actions and love for others.

Through warm and contemplative prose, Stevenson aims to inspire a deeper appreciation for the holiday season's values, urging readers to embrace charity, hope, and joy. The essay ultimately serves as a gentle reminder of the human duty to seek goodness in daily living and in their interactions with others.