| Author |
Van Dyke, Henry, 1852-1933 |
| Title |
The Lost Word: A Christmas Legend of Long Ago
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 81.4 (6th grade). Easy to read.
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| Credits |
Produced by Charles Aldarondo. HTML version by Al Haines.
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| Summary |
"The Lost Word: A Christmas Legend of Long Ago" by Henry Van Dyke is a Christmas tale written in the late 19th century. This narrative reflects themes of faith, sacrifice, and the quest for spiritual fulfillment, set against the backdrop of early Christianity in Antioch. The book delves into the experiences of Hermas, a young man who grapples with disillusionment after relinquishing his wealth and status to embrace a life of faith. The story follows Hermas, who feels a deep sense of loss and emptiness as he attempts to commit to his new life as a Christian, especially during the celebration of Christmas. Despite his apparent dedication and efforts, he struggles with a profound dissatisfaction stemming from his sacrifice. He meets a mysterious old man who offers him worldly pleasures in exchange for his faith, enticing him to forget the name of God. As Hermas gives in to temptation, he ultimately loses what gives his life meaning. The climax occurs when he must confront the reality of his choice when his son falls gravely ill, leading him to recover his lost faith and call upon God in desperation. This poignant tale concludes with Hermas rediscovering the power of faith and the importance of that sacred name which had profound implications for love, hope, and redemption. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
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| Subject |
Christmas stories
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
4384 |
| Release Date |
Aug 1, 2003 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Dec 27, 2020 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
120 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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