The annual public radio holiday series Readings for the Season with Christine Sweet was first produced in 1987. December 2002 saw its 15th run of national broadcasts, distributed by Public Radio International.

THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS ROSE is adapted from the story by Swedish-born Selma Lagerlof, who in 1909 was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Lagerlof's version of this legend was first published in 1907. It is one of many around the world that evoke the miracle of redemption through the amazing rise of a pale-white flower [Helleborus niger] from the wintry earth.

The Robber Family, banished to the depths of the forest for Robber Father's crimes, tell the monks and abbots of a nearby cloister about a beautiful garden that blooms on Christmas Eve. The abbot, the only one among the monks willing to trust the Robbers not to trick and harm him, longs to witness this phenomenon. With a doubtful lay brother as his companion, he journeys to the Robbers' lair on Christmas Eve and vows to bring back proof that will absolve them and end their exile.

A TREE FULL OF STARS is based on the first chapter of the same-titled book by Davis Grubb, whose acknowledged masterpiece was his 1953 novel The Night of the Hunter. Since Chapter One ends happily, you may be surprised to learn that in its entirety A TREE FULL OF STARS is about a family who loved Christmas so much they were run out of town, a fable of intolerance based on real-life events.

The story is set in a small Ohio Valley town during the Great Depression of the 1930's, when Christmas comes to last forever for the Dance family. On Christmas Eve, young Toby Dance eagerly helps his father trim the tree, anticipating the treasures he will find under it the next morning. Though times are hard, the Dances consider themselves more fortunate than their neighbors, whose plain gifts and greetings they have awkwardly received throughout the day. When Christmas morning arrives and they are astonished to find not a single present under the tree, they are moved to give each other the best gift of all - their love.

Some audience reaction to Readings for the Season 2002:

-from San Diego, CA:

"How can I thank you for the memorable hour I spent listening to a broadcast of a reading of the first chapter of "A Tree Full of Stars"? I was sitting in my car, waiting to go inside to deal with the presents I'd been putting off wrapping and I was late... but the story started and I was transfixed. The whole hour. There was no way I was going to leave a story as well written, as well-presented, as this. It created a world apart from the one I inhabit. It made the 21st century suburbia setting I was sitting in fade away as if the lights were turned out.... Please pass my thanks on to whomever is responsible for making my Christmas (and, I'm sure, so many others who cannot write to you) one of the most memorable for an experience I had listening to the radio one bright, incongruous Southern California morning when Christmas came to visit."

-from Norfolk, VA:

"We heard you read this heart-warming story of the Christmas Rose this morning on our local NPR station. It brought tears to our eyes . Thank you for seeking out these beautiful tales with their eternal truths."

e-mail:

"Thank you for the exquisite reading of the Christmas Rose. It made Christmas bloom in our hearts."

-from San Francisco, CA:

"I wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed hearing your reading of The Legend of the Christmas Rose this year as well as last. When I first heard the story and particularly your production of it, I was very moved. My mother died early on Christmas Day 4 years ago (it was still Christmas Eve here in California - she lived in England) and for that reason above all others, Christmas time brings with it many memories and emotions. My mother was a great creator of gardens - not necessarily big grand ones, but lovely intimate cottage and wildflower/orchard gardens that brought beauty to wherever she lived. For that reason in particular I love the story, as I knew she would have enjoyed it very much too. Your use of music and sound in the rendition you have created makes it even more lovely to listen to; it is very soothing and uplifting as the story tells of the blossoming and blooming of that wonderful garden in the forest. Thank you so much for a priceless gift."

e-mail:

"Thank you for the beautiful story that fell like feathers on my heart." [A Tree Full of Stars]

e-mail:

"i loved that story i really dont get intrested into those kind of storys but this time i did. that story made me cry it was sad but happy at the same time" [Christmas Rose]

e-mail:

"I'd forgotten how nice it is to listen to a good story rather than watch a bunch of shallow inane crap on the tube, thanks so much." [A Tree Full of Stars]

Both THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS ROSE and A TREE FULL OF STARS are out of print. However, copies maybe found through used-book sources, including some online. You also may be able to find them in your public library or through interlibrary loan. As well, THE LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS ROSE has been included in a number of Christmas short-story anthologies.

Recordings of the radio readings are not available for purchase or distribution.