Where Love Is, There God is Also

My grandfather, who was very much alive during the last few decades of Tolstoy's life, started the wonderful tradition of reading "Where Love is, There God Is Also" every Christmas. This story is what Christmas is all about. It espouses the core principles of Christianity and the true meaning and worship of God. As your children grow beyond "A Night Before Christmas" this story is the perfect complement and/or replacement for the newer more commercial stories that aren't about the true meaning of Christmas. Of course, adults will love this story too. Warning- when you're reading it to children & young adults, you may want to change the character's names a bit. The Russian names can be difficult to pronounce and it will make the story more relatable to non-Russians!

Anyone finding themselves intemidated by the works of Tolstoy should start off with reading this book. These three short stories, "Where Love Is, There God Is Also", "The Three Hermits", and "What Men Live By", are some of the most powerful words I have seen put to paper. Those troubled by today's problems owes it to themselves to read this book and absorb the relevance that in fact is timeless. Even those finding a lack of belief in God will be moved and questioned their beliefs. Any of Tolstoy's works are a must read in everyone's lifetime, but these stories remain special to this reader.