The Lighting of the Christmas Tree by Josephine Ludlow Palmer

Set in a snowbound Swedish manor house, this one-act Christmas drama blends intimate family conflict with a deeply moral holiday vision. Olga guards the warmth and order of her home, while Liljekrona's return with winter branches, music, and old memories stirs both beauty and unease. When Ruster, a shabby, drunken former companion and flute-player, arrives seeking shelter and work, the household is forced to choose between protecting its comfort and practicing true hospitality. Olga first resists him, fearing he will upset the children and spoil Christmas, but his departure leaves the house colder and sadder than before. As the children bake and learn compassion for the poor, the family's celebrations reveal how fragile joy can be when mercy is withheld. Liljekrona's bitterness and haunting music expose the cost of exclusion, until Ruster's return, frostbitten and unwanted, opens the way to redemption. Through punch, kindness, and the children's innocent trust, Olga comes to see Ruster not as a burden but as a soul still worthy of dignity and purpose. In the end, Christmas becomes a test of mercy, humility, and sacrifice, and the family gathers in forgiveness and hope around the glowing tree. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.