Christmas in Georgia

by Celestine Sibley

In this collection of five stories, children from different parts of Georgia discover the joys of Christmas.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christmas

164 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

A renowned southern author, journalist, and syndicated columnist, reported for the Atlanta Constitution from 1941 to 1999. Over her long career, she wrote more than 10,000 columns and many news stories of astonishing range, dealing with such varied topics as politics and key lime pie. Sibley was one of the most popular and long-running columnists for the Constitution, and her well-written and poignant essays on southern culture made her an icon in the South. Regarded by her colleagues as a reporting legend, Sibley was also the accomplished author of nearly thirty books published between 1958 and 1997.

Reviews

[Breanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas in Georgia is a sweet collection of five short stories capturing the spirit of Christmas throughout different time periods in mostly rural areas of Georgia. It was a quick read, written by a Georgia author, and set in areas familiar to me. It won’t be a yearly re-read or frequent recommendation, but I am glad to have read it.

[BansheeBibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nostalgic, feel good read that takes me back to holiday time in Georgia as a child. My grandmother used to read bedtime stories from this book in the nights leading up to Christmas.

Celestine Sibley is best known as a longtime columnist for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She was a career journalist who also found success as a memoirist and writing essays about Southern culture. Sibley's warm, conversational writing style resonates not only with those raised in the deep South but anyone who loves simple, sweet and sincere storytelling.

Christmas in Georgia has five stories, each one focusing on children in different parts of the state discovering the true meaning of the holidays. The stories aren't written for children but they do focus on capturing the unbridled Christmas joy that is uniquely childlike. Some of the stories are a little more saccharine sweet than others and all of them tend a little toward the preachy side. All of the stories have some faith-based elements that may seem a bit heavy handed but they read less like sermons and more like a cozy conversation with a friend while rocking on the front porch.

Sweet, simple and short - these stories are a lovely reminder of simpler times and the deeper meaning of the spirit of the holidays. 3.5 stars

[Rebecca Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
A very simple but enjoyable set of short stories set in my home state at Christmas time. It's nice to relax and visit familiar settings with different people experiencing Christmas in unique ways.

[Natalie Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last story is my fav.

[Thirteen Orange Ivy Designs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all of these stories except for one. I found one of the stories, the mission story, hard to get into or care about. But I really enjoyed all the rest. Really sweet little stories with good wholesome messages in them.

[Lauren Sparks · Rating 3 out of 5]

#35 of 2019

[Sally Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five short stories....which I like! ....set in rural Georgia, for the most part. Each was heartwarming but I found myself wishing they'd been longer!

[Talia Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great set of 5 lovely stories to read for Christmas!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What beautiful old tales of Christmas in Georgia!

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forgettable. Not bad, just…forgettable.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe it has taken me this long to read this little book. I had read the first story in the collection at some point, but not the remainder. These are truly sweet and innocent stories that teach about the true meaning of Christmas. They were published as a collection in the early '60s, and are definitely a reflection of Georgia at the time they were written.

[Carrie]

I can't wait to read this! I think I'll do it in the fall to get me in the mood!

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a good Christmas story. This little book by Celestine Sibley did not disappoint.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five nice little stories about Christmas at different time periods in Georgia.