Rating: 
Summary: A little too shallow for me
Review: Although the stories are cute and sentimental, I found the plots a little too predictable (if I can see the outcome, why can't the characters?), and the details inconsistent -- e.g. in the first story the main character takes a video out of a bag and later returns to the same bag to remove the same video. I don't like having to page back in a story when details don't match and comb through trying to see if I missed some transition.
Rating: 
Summary: If you love Christmas--the good AND the bad--read this book!
Review: As soon as I read the first few lines of the author's introduction--"I love Christmas. All of it--decorating the tree and singing in the choir and baking cookies and wrapping presents. I even like the parts most people hate--shopping in crowded malls and reading Christmas newsletters and seeing relatives and standing in baggage check-in lines at the airport."--I knew this book was for me! Like Willis, I'm crazy about Christmas; there's virtually no aspect of the holidays which I dislike. I also enjoy science fiction, and so I was eager to discover what Willis had in store for her readers.The stories in this book aren't exactly classical science fiction; there are no beings from other planets, giant creatures, robotics, or anything of that sort. Rather, the tales contain elements that are more supernatural in nature and involve the appearance of various ghosts and other strange phenomena. Although certainly not the traditional sappy Christmas fare, all of the stories have happy endings. Furthermore, Willis's love of Christmas shines through her writing, and thus each story embodies the magic of the Christmas season. The best way to determine if you'll like this book is to answer the question posed by the title story: which Christmas movie is better, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE or MIRACLE ON 34th STREET? If you chose the latter, read this book!
Rating:
Summary: If you love Christmas--the good AND the bad--read this book!
Review: As soon as I read the first few lines of the author's introduction--"I love Christmas. All of it--decorating the tree and singing in the choir and baking cookies and wrapping presents. I even like the parts most people hate--shopping in crowded malls and reading Christmas newsletters and seeing relatives and standing in baggage check-in lines at the airport."--I knew this book was for me! Like Willis, I'm crazy about Christmas; there's virtually no aspect of the holidays which I dislike. I also enjoy science fiction, and so I was eager to discover what Willis had in store for her readers. The stories in this book aren't exactly classical science fiction; there are no beings from other planets, giant creatures, robotics, or anything of that sort. Rather, the tales contain elements that are more supernatural in nature and involve the appearance of various ghosts and other strange phenomena. Although certainly not the traditional sappy Christmas fare, all of the stories have happy endings. Furthermore, Willis's love of Christmas shines through her writing, and thus each story embodies the magic of the Christmas season. The best way to determine if you'll like this book is to answer the question posed by the title story: which Christmas movie is better, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE or MIRACLE ON 34th STREET? If you chose the latter, read this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Sloppy, sentimental tripe
Review: Come on you other reviewers, get a grip! Connie Willis has written some great books, but this was definitely not one of them. Unless you're a hopeless romantic (and I do mean hopeless!), you'd do well to steer clear of this sentimental drivel. I bought it and binned it within 24 hours.
Rating:
Summary: Buy one for yourself and everyone you know!
Review: Connie Willis is, without a doubt, one of the finest writers of sci fi short stories out there right now. Almost every short story by her is really a delight to read, and this collection doesn't fail to meet that standard. What kind of stories can you expect here? A take off on the movie Miracle on 34th Street, a view of Revelation coming as a carnival, and many more. The only story in this collection that was not a perfect 10 from my point of view was Cat's Paw. I just could not get fully into the story and it was a little long for this collection. Willis speaks in the introduction of her love of the Christmas season and this really shines through in all of these stories. My favorite story in the collection is the final story about Revelation. It was one of the most insightful touching stories I have read this year. In addition, if you normally read sci fi and would like to expose friends and family to sci fi, this is an excellent and gentle introductory collection and makes a convenient Christmas gift. No really bizarre aliens, no "hard" sci fi edge, just enjoyable reading. Great for sci fi aficionados and those new to sci fi as well!
Rating:
Summary: Engaging holiday collection
Review: Connie Willis offers readers an early holiday gift with this wonderful short story collection. I admit that I found this book in the sci-fi section, but I honestly think it transcends that. Yes, it's got some stories that deal with themes common to science-fiction and have sci-fi elements, but it's more than that. There is a holiday themed mystery, an examination of the original Christmas story and even a story that sets out to prove why Willis thinks "Miracle on 34th Street" is a superior holiday film to "It's A Wonderful Life." But what sets the collection apart from being just a collection of sci-fi stories with a Christmas theme is that Willis offers stories that must take place at Christmas. As she states in her introduction, it's hard to re-invent the wheel when it comes to holiday stories and she doesn't attempt to do so. Instead, she takes the convential stories and gives them her own unique twist making them entertaining and magical at the same time. I sat down to read this collection not feeling very much in the spirit of the season. But in reading these engaging and intelligent stories, I soon found myself feeling a bit more Christmas-y. If you're feeling a bit burned out by the holiday season, pick up this collection and give any of the stories a try. I guarantee they'll have you whistling a Christmas tune in no time.
Rating: 
Summary: Heart Warming Christmas Stories
Review: I am not a big short story fan, but who can resist stories about Christmas by one of the foremost science fiction authors? I must admit, I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoy novels, although the stories were well written. Some of them had a good edge, like In Coppelius's Toyshop and I especially liked Newsletter and Epiphany. All-in-all, it was worth the money and I'm sure around Christmas time, I will be pulling this little book out again.
Rating:
Summary: Connie Willis and Christmas - a Sure Thing!
Review: I first read a Connie Willis story in the late-70's SF magazine Galileo. Now, some twenty years later, when asked to name my favorite author I answer Connie Willis. The Christmas stories in "Miracle.." give me eight more examples to support this answer. These stories are entertaining (fun!) and thought-provoking. Connie has it right! I know that if the "second coming" were to occur at my church, the congregation down the street would cry either foul or fraud. The only problem I have after finishing a Connie Willis book is deciding what to read next. After finishing "Miracle..." I took Connie's advice and started re-reading some of the Broadway stories of Damon Runyon. Thanks for the present, Connie.
Rating:
Summary: Connie Willis and Christmas - a Sure Thing!
Review: I first read a Connie Willis story in the late-70's SF magazine Galileo. Now, some twenty years later, when asked to name my favorite author I answer Connie Willis. The Christmas stories in "Miracle.." give me eight more examples to support this answer. These stories are entertaining (fun!) and thought-provoking. Connie has it right! I know that if the "second coming" were to occur at my church, the congregation down the street would cry either foul or fraud. The only problem I have after finishing a Connie Willis book is deciding what to read next. After finishing "Miracle..." I took Connie's advice and started re-reading some of the Broadway stories of Damon Runyon. Thanks for the present, Connie.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding read!
Review: I had the pleasure of sitting in on a reading of Epiphany about a year ago. Unfortunately had a kiddo with me, so couldn't pay 100% attention. But the parts that I caught enthralled me enough to keep looking for it to be out. I've enjoyed 'To Say Nothing of the Dog' and when they finally said 'Miracle and other Christmas stories' was out, I was thrilled! This is an excellent collection of short stories for those that enjoy fantasy, for those that enjoy Christmas, for those that have enjoyed Willis' work in the past. Get it!
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