An immaculate blanket of snowfall, the blessing of an unexpected gift, the miracle of a Heavenly Child-surprises are ingrained into the very nature of the Christmas tradition. Yet, when the overwhelming spirit of the holiday season collides with the chance conflicts of everyday life, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep the true meaning of Christmas in sight.A Dog in the Manger and Other Christmas Stories is a collection of tales that capture the chaos of the yuletide while also portraying the power of Christmas to shepherd souls of all kinds-young, old, hopeful, lost, content, confused-to confront and redefine faith in the face of spiritual adversity. Sure to inspire reflection and retelling, these stories celebrate the miracles of everyday life, showing that strangers can become angels, foes can become good Samaritans, and neighborhoods can become communities of faith. Even the most chaotic incidents bring people closer to themselves, their families, their communities, and to God during the Christmas season.

Introduction1. A Dog in the Manger2. Little Brown Bats and Silly Voices3. Angels Unaware4. Little Miss Christmas Tree5. The Three Wise Guys6. Personal Care Pageant7. St. Michael8. Comfort and Joy9. Renovations10. The Gift Giver11. We Three Kings12. I'll Be Home for Christmas