"The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog" by Dave Barry

This was a light-hearted Christmas tale by humorist David Barry which I found on my friend's coffee table.  The story is told from the point of view of junior-high schooler Doug Barnes in the early 60's.  The story is primarily about the annual Christmas pageant at the Episcopal church, but Doug often gets off track and tells many a funny side story on the way (as junior highers can often do).  I won't give much of the plot away, but this made for good coffee-table reading.  Humorous with the right amount of sentimentality and nostalgia.