So,” said Papa, “it comes down to this: either we have a few small gifts or we can have a turkey for Christmas. We can’t have both. Now, which do you choose?”
Papa looks first to Bess for her opinion because he knows she will mind the most, and it’s through her eyes the story is told. Bess is thirteen and has three younger brothers. She also has an older sister, Martha, who is in the hospital, and they aren’t yet positive she will fully recover and be able to come home. She almost certainly won’t be home in time for Christmas. There are hospital expenses on top of the expense of the family’s recent move from Michigan to Philadelphia for the sake of Father’s job.
It seems to Bess that Martha, the oldest child, always does things well and with a good attitude while Bess herself struggles to control her impatience and keep her mind on chores. And with Mama trying to care for her household of seven, including a toddler, and also visit the hospital every day, there is plenty for Bess to do.
De Angeli’s illustrations are not only beautiful, but they add depth to the story by showing what she doesn’t explicitly say. We aren’t told exactly what year this story takes place, but we can see that when Bess has to wash the dishes, the job isn’t what we might be imagining.
This is a short little book, only 46 pages, and it would be easy to assume it’s going to be just another sugary Christmas story where everything comes out perfectly, and just in time, because that’s how the Christmas season works. Of course it ends happily. It’s a Christmas story for children. But without being preachy, de Angeli walks us through one scene in one act of a young girl learning what truly matters. As this is one of de Angeli’s stories based on her own life, that young girl is probably Marguerite.
Of course, Bess knows Christmas isn’t really only about presents, but it isn’t easy to let go of the way Christmases have always been and be grateful for what she has today. They have not lost Martha, so the family is still whole. Though they may not have presents, there is enough food to share with poorer church members, and they can offer Christmas hospitality to a lonely woman who works with Father. There is the love of her family and the “WONDERfull”-ness of the story of the baby in the manger.