A Christmas Sermon

by Stevenson, Robert Louis, 1850-1894

"A Christmas Sermon" by Robert Louis Stevenson is an essay written in the late 19th century. This reflective work serves as a thoughtful meditation on the themes of life, morality, and the spirit of Christmas. Stevenson's writing is imbued with philosophical musings that encourage readers to consider their own lives and the broader human experience during the festive season. In this sermon, Stevenson explores the nature of existence and the intrinsic value of kindness and honesty. He discusses the idea that true morality lies not in simply avoiding wrongdoing, but in actively pursuing goodness and happiness for oneself and others. Through a series of contemplative reflections, he contrasts the virtues of gentleness and cheerfulness with the harsh judgments often passed by self-righteous moralists. Stevenson also contemplates the passage of time and the inevitability of death, suggesting that a life lived with sincerity and goodwill—despite its inherent failures—is worthy of acknowledgment. Ultimately, he imparts the message that the essence of Christmas is found in joy, connection, and the recognition of our shared humanity. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Language

English

Format

EPUB

Publisher

Not specified

Publication year

Not specified

License

Project Gutenberg License; edition rights require review

Automated conservative edition review 2026-10-20T06:33:37.922Z (historical-original-en-v2), Philippines scope. English historical author Stevenson, Robert Louis, died 1894; original-language author allowlist, matching sole EPUB/catalog creator, no credited contributors, no extra artwork, no flagged editorial/translation/copyright cues in isolated text. US public-domain source label and retained Gutenberg license; EPUB CRC passed. This is rule-based screening, not a worldwide rights opinion or a claim of manual review. Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14535; Philippine term reference https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/copyright/. EPUB SHA256 4f2dcf1d66b883c6ec16047c42c3d4fddee9c5bbb2ab448eee4445cb90ab8249; RDF SHA256 cecc7bc2d4203e5eb26b33eb5aff280f88decad6a3156bfe0716370617b78365.