In the history of English literature Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol which has been continuously in print since it was first published in the winter of 1843 stands out as the quintessential Christmas story. 

"I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book  to raise the Ghost of an Idea which shall not put my  readers out of humour with themselves with each other  with the season or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly and no one wish to lay it."

Their faithful Friend and Servant 

C. D. 
December 1843.