The Christmas Guest

Presented by “Grandpa Jones”
written by Helen Steiner Rice

Story Notes and Extras

In the spirit of the holidays, take the time
and opportunity to share this story with your family, friends, and children of all ages.

Talk and Discover

What are some of the ways that you can make someone feel welcome?
What are some of the ways that you can make someone feel loved?
What is something that people like on a cold day?
What is something that makes you feel better?
What is something you can share with someone that’s hungry?
What is something good that you wish for someone?

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of something that you can make as a gift.
Draw a picture of something that you would cook for a guest in your home.
Draw a picture of someone that you hope will visit you.

Helping To Make The Holidays Happy For Everyone

Visit someone in a hospital, or that is sick at home.
Write a note to someone that you haven’t seen for a while.
Let everyone see you smile.

Other Stories To Enjoy

The Polar Express
The Grinch That Stole Christmas
The Night Before Christmas

Having More Fun

Draw a picture of “Grandpa Jones.” (be sure to put a mustache on Grandpa)
Draw a picture of “Grandpa Jones” or “Santa” playing the banjo.
Draw a picture of “Grandpa Jones” going “hee-haw!”

Grandpa Jones
Member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, famed banjo and “old time” country and gospel music singer, the affable Louis Marshall “Grandpa” Jones (1913-1998) was born in the farming community of Niagara in Henderson Country, Kentucky. Grandpa spent his teenage years in Akron, Ohio, where he began singing country music on a local radio show. In 1935 Grandpa moved to Boston, Massachusetts, working at radio station WBZ (AM) where musician/songwriter Bradley Kincaid gave him the nickname "Grandpa" because of his early morning off-stage grumpiness. Grandpa liked the name and decided to create a stage persona based around it.
Known for his spry wit and humor, and vaudevillian style, Grandpa entertained audiences of all ages, was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and a longtime favorite on the one of TV’s most popular shows, Hee Haw.
In 1978 Grandpa Jones was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and more of his life can be read in his autobiography, “Everybody’s Grandpa: Fifty Years Behind The Mike.”

“The Christmas Guest” was written by
Helen Steiner Rice

Helen Steiner Rice (1900 - 1981) was born in Lorain, Ohio and is a widely recognized writer of religious and inspirational poetry.
Mrs. Rice became a successful businesswoman and lecturer after her husband died in 1932, and found great joy in writing verse for a prominent greeting card company. Helen’s poems received wide exposure in the 1960’s and she became known as “America’s inspirational poet laureate.”
Helen Steiner Rice’s books of inspirational poetry have now sold nearly seven million copies, and the Helen Steiner Rice Foundation continues her charitable work.
www.helensteinerrice.com