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The Christmas Porringer
Relates how an earthenware porringer, bought by Karen, a little Flemish girl of Bruges, as a gift for the Christ-child and stolen by Robber Hans, becomes the instrument of his transformation, and finally brings much happiness to Karen and her grandmother, the lace-maker.
104 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 1914
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64 people want to read
About the author
Evaleen Stein
78 books7 followersEvaleen Stein was an American poet and writer who is especially well known for her children's writings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 30, 2024
My copy of this book has this cover, but it is a paper book and not kindle. I wanted it to be a book-book so that I could read it to my grandchildren. Little did I know that the print would be so tiny I would need a magnifying glass to read it! The story is marvelous, and I highly recommend it for its old-world charm, but if you decide to buy it for your Christmas story collection, do NOT buy this version.
That said, the cover is charming as is the story! Eight-year-old Karen lives together with her grandmother (as her parents are deceased) in the old Flemish city of Bruges. Bruges is known for its fine lacemaking and that is how the two women earn their daily bread as do many of the poor folks. Karen is not yet skilled in the finer stitches as is her grandmother, but the little girl is beginning to learn, and she helps out in other ways. It is Christmas Eve, and she dreams of giving the Christ-Child a gift in return for the gifts which He brings the good Flemish children Christmas Eve night. An unexpected silver coin which a generous customer gives her allows Karen to purchase the porringer (a bowl for porridge) which she leaves with some cakes for Him on the front doorstep.
Their disappearance the next day is taken by Karen as His acceptance of her gift. But what actually happens to the Christmas Porringer and how it ties Karen's life with that of another unfortunate in the city of Bruges is the stuff of the story, the 'magic' if you will of any gift given to the Christ-Child.
As it is a quiet rather slow descriptive story, it lends itself to older children able and willing to listen. Some of the unusual items, such as the porringer, might require explanation to the children of today, but it is a story well-worth reading. Karen's thoughtfulness and politeness are charming and a good example. Also, that they lived on the Little Street of the Holy Ghost, had such respect for the church, Jesus and Mary and how simple and plain were their lives, their meals and their expectations.
That said, the cover is charming as is the story! Eight-year-old Karen lives together with her grandmother (as her parents are deceased) in the old Flemish city of Bruges. Bruges is known for its fine lacemaking and that is how the two women earn their daily bread as do many of the poor folks. Karen is not yet skilled in the finer stitches as is her grandmother, but the little girl is beginning to learn, and she helps out in other ways. It is Christmas Eve, and she dreams of giving the Christ-Child a gift in return for the gifts which He brings the good Flemish children Christmas Eve night. An unexpected silver coin which a generous customer gives her allows Karen to purchase the porringer (a bowl for porridge) which she leaves with some cakes for Him on the front doorstep.
Their disappearance the next day is taken by Karen as His acceptance of her gift. But what actually happens to the Christmas Porringer and how it ties Karen's life with that of another unfortunate in the city of Bruges is the stuff of the story, the 'magic' if you will of any gift given to the Christ-Child.
As it is a quiet rather slow descriptive story, it lends itself to older children able and willing to listen. Some of the unusual items, such as the porringer, might require explanation to the children of today, but it is a story well-worth reading. Karen's thoughtfulness and politeness are charming and a good example. Also, that they lived on the Little Street of the Holy Ghost, had such respect for the church, Jesus and Mary and how simple and plain were their lives, their meals and their expectations.
December 28, 2020
A gift for the Christmas season, I read this book with my 7-year-old son and we both really enjoyed it. The writing was a little stilted and the plot was sentimental, but it moved along with the right level of twists and turns and an appropriately heart-warming message of faith and divine intervention. We both really enjoyed it and will probably make it an annual tradition.
December 27, 2025
5 🌟
A terribly sweet Christmas tale ! Here is a redemption tale full of hope and goodness with an adorable and saintly child, a bitter hero learning the pleasure of doing good and the shame of committing crimes, a wise and industrious grandmother and the Christ-Child, of course !
A terribly sweet Christmas tale ! Here is a redemption tale full of hope and goodness with an adorable and saintly child, a bitter hero learning the pleasure of doing good and the shame of committing crimes, a wise and industrious grandmother and the Christ-Child, of course !
December 26, 2023
A story of the huge ripple effect faith can have to change lives. Simple, sound, and satisfying. A beautiful Christmas tale.
November 9, 2021
I've read this book twice now, once with each of my kids. We all love this book, how it's written, the Christmas spirit it brings, and the wonderful lessons it teaches.
January 13, 2025
This book was especially endearing because my daughter lives in Bruges and I have visited this beautiful city and the book was full of many wonderful remembrances: the swans, the quay, the shrines to Mary on many of the houses, the canals, the little stone bridges and the market places. A story of true redemption, how God can use the sinfulness of man to bring someone to himself and, in so doing, spread redemption and blessing to others. Little Karen buys a charmingly decorated porringer, the best gift she can afford with her pennies to give to the Christ Child on Christmas. But Robber Hans steals it from her doorstep and is never the same since. The porringer brings up memories of a beloved sister, and motivates him to change his ways, find a respectable job and become a different person. As he seeks to make restitution, he befriends Karen and her grandmother and blesses their lives as an outflow of the blessings in his life.
December 21, 2018
This is the description and review my 11 year old son just wrote: The Christmas Porringer by Evaleen Stein is a story about Karen, her Grandmother, and Hans. Karen and her Grandmother were lace makers, and were poor. Karen bought a porringer that she would give to the Christ Child then Hans stole the porringer. Later Grandmother and Karen were going through some hard times and had to sell some of their most prized possessions. Hans became a sailor and saw that they were going through some hard times so he returned the porringer on Christmas Eve with their prized possessions and money.
My thoughts about this book is that it has vivid detail and it teaches us to be kind; that is also why I suggest this book.
My thoughts about this book is that it has vivid detail and it teaches us to be kind; that is also why I suggest this book.
November 15, 2025
A charming little book about a poor little girl, Karen, who lived with her grandmother in the Flemish city of Bruges. One day, she delivered some lace her grandmother had made for a wealthy client. This lady gives her a tip for delivering it. Karen uses the money to buy a small green jug for her grandmother and a small porringer (bowl) to give to the Christ Child for his birthday. She left the porringer on her doorstep for the Child to get but instead it is stolen by Hans the robber. This begins a great adventure that will change all of their lives forever.
November 17, 2021
A lovely Christmas book written in the 1800s that I had never heard of before! The story takes place in the Netherlands. Wonderful characters, beautiful story weaving, and a tender change of heart. And I now know what a porringer is! I highly recommend this to add to your Christmas story collection!
November 17, 2020
Beautiful heartwarming book read with my 5th grader. After reading two Evaleen Stein books together, I want to dig up more of her precious classic stories. Both were filled with virtue and character and ideals of goodness and growth.
March 29, 2021
Eye opening
I enjoyed how this book gave me a glance into the culture of the old Netherlands. I didn't even know there was such a thing as a porringer. The change of heart of the thief fits well to the spirit of Christmas.
I enjoyed how this book gave me a glance into the culture of the old Netherlands. I didn't even know there was such a thing as a porringer. The change of heart of the thief fits well to the spirit of Christmas.
December 11, 2017
What a sweet, precious story of one little girl's love of Christ and how it brings redemption to a man. Read it with my 10 year old son as part of our homeschool curriculum, and he enjoyed it.
December 6, 2019
Such a lovely, heart warming read!
February 11, 2020
What a vivid and sweet story of redemption. A reminder to always be the low lights of the harbor, helping to guide ships into the harbor to the greater light of the lighthouse.
April 7, 2020
Read this book with my 10 year old for home school. Greet historical fiction.
April 11, 2020
Beautiful little story about a Dutch girl who tries to give a gift—a simple porringer—to the Christ-child at Christmas and ends up changing the life of a thief.
September 23, 2020
Sweet book of hardships, faith, and reward.
December 5, 2020
A short and sweet, heartwarming book.
What a lovely book with a sweet lesson. It is a quick and heartwarming Christmas story worth reading. I will read this to my son next.
What a lovely book with a sweet lesson. It is a quick and heartwarming Christmas story worth reading. I will read this to my son next.
December 15, 2020
What a novel story. Fresh and inviting.
December 16, 2020
This is a sweet and beautiful story that I read with Molly for school. A lovely Christmas book.
May 23, 2021
Heartwarming book I read with my 10 year old son. He loved it.
August 31, 2021
This was a read aloud for my 5th grader that we read together. She did not enjoy it as much as I did, ha. But it was highly quality literature with rich language and meaning.
January 1, 2022
Iffy iffy
December 30, 2022
Very sweet, heartwarming story for Christmastime, or anytime really. My kids also really enjoyed it.
December 7, 2020
Sweet story about change. Loved the old wording. Made
Me think and appreciate how we all can change.
Me think and appreciate how we all can change.
February 21, 2017
it is a really good book. if you have a chance to read this book you should. what i learned is one kind word can change someones entire day be the story is very good i loved the every body in the book so good great story line worth reading really inspiering loved it so munch
September 23, 2021
I read this a few years ago with Lizzie and enjoyed it then. Rereading it on my own was deeply satisfying on a different level. It is a simple story that warms the heart with its profound message of hope in Christ, and I find myself pulled to read more from Evaleen Stein. I remember looking up a YouTube videos of Belgian lacemakers deftly maneuvering their bobbins to create ornate pieces of lace, and those images sprang again to mind as I read about Grandmother working, and Karen learning the art and skill. Robber Hans is a character readers will want to boo and hiss at the beginning. Then, as the story progresses, Ms. Stein adroitly manages to compel her readers into feelings of endearment for the man, and we want to cheer him on as he changes.
Though I categorized this on my Christmas shelf, it isn't so focused on the holiday that it feels out of place to read other times. It is less about the celebration of Jesus birth as it is about what one's relationship to Jesus can do for their hearts.
By Lizzie:
I love the book; it really is descriptive, colorful,and beautiful. In the book the christmas porringer changes everyones life. One thing I learned from this book is that a simple act of kindness can go a long way.
I recommend this to all readers young and old. It has a great meaning and it has a happy ending, too.
Though I categorized this on my Christmas shelf, it isn't so focused on the holiday that it feels out of place to read other times. It is less about the celebration of Jesus birth as it is about what one's relationship to Jesus can do for their hearts.
By Lizzie:
I love the book; it really is descriptive, colorful,and beautiful. In the book the christmas porringer changes everyones life. One thing I learned from this book is that a simple act of kindness can go a long way.
I recommend this to all readers young and old. It has a great meaning and it has a happy ending, too.
December 3, 2025
A beautiful, heart warming Christmas story about love and redemption that I’ve read to my kids twice now. I love little Karen’s honest question: “Why do we not give gifts to the Christ-child at Christmas? Is it not His birthday we are celebrating?”
December 7, 2016
I read this to the girls, it is nice Christmas story.
January 1, 2025
Sweet story! Loved the beautiful descriptions and illustrations, and how it turns full circle for Hans, Karen, and her grandmother.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews