The Christmas Box

“Others believe that it was skillfully carved and polished from the hard and splintered wood from whose rough surface the Lord of Christmas had demonstrated the ultimate love for mankind.”

Christianity is a recurring motif through which The Magic of Christmas is explored. This is seen in the exposition when Richard wonders whether the Christmas Box was made of the wood of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.

“We sold our home and migrated to the warmer, and more prosperous, climate of Southern California. There, with great disappointment, I came to expect a green Christmas almost as religiously as the local retailers.”

The book depicts a warmer Christmas, which is green rather than white, as less romantic and traditional than the snowy Christmas in Utah. A traditional Christmas is part of what motivates the family to move back to the Salt Lake Valley; tension builds toward the Christmas season.

“With winter coming on, our heating bill is going to go through the roof in this drafty place and I don't know where the extra money will come from. This way we might actually put some money aside.”

Keri justifies the family’s new living situation through the framework of financial well-being. Later, Keri, Richard, and Jenna will appreciate living with Mary for the human connection and love that it brings to their lives, illustrating The Journey from Materialism to Understanding Deeper Emotional and Spiritual Truths.