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In every family, there’s one story that feels like it holds the entire spirit of Christmas. In Tony Hoffmann’s Just So Christmas Stories, that story is “The Magic Clock.”
Set in a snow-dusted New England cottage, “The Magic Clock” begins with a young boy named Wesley—curious, restless, and wide-eyed with holiday wonder. On Christmas Eve, he sneaks into his grandfather’s attic and finds an old clock, beautifully carved from olive wood and pearl, its face marked with seven symbols of Christmas. Legend says that if wound at 2:22 a.m. on December 25th, the clock grants the winder a wish not of wealth or fame, but of time.
When Wesley turns the key, he’s transported into his grandfather’s childhood, stepping into a Christmas long past. There, he witnesses laughter, family, and a love that transcends generations. The boy doesn’t gain more hours in his own life; he gains understanding: that the true miracle of time is sharing it.
The Deeper Message
Hoffmann’s story is a meditation on what we value most. Time cannot be stored or stretched; it can only be given. Wesley’s magical night becomes a lesson every reader can feel—especially in a season often overwhelmed by busyness and noise.
“The Magic Clock” invites us to slow down, listen longer, and hold closer the people who make time sacred. Hoffmann reminds us that Christmas isn’t measured by minutes or days, but by moments of connection, when we are fully present, truly listening, and deeply loving.
Why It Belongs in Every Family Library
This story is perfect for family read-aloud nights. Its rhythm carries the hush of snowfall, and its message lingers long after the fire fades. Parents can read it to children who still believe in magic and to remind themselves that magic never really leaves; it simply changes form.
This Christmas, wind your own “magic clock.” Give someone your time—completely, joyfully, without hurry. That’s the gift that lasts.
Grab your copy of Tony Hoffman’s Just So Christmas Stories and become a part of the season’s magic.
