The Lost Word; A Christmas Legend Of Long Ago' is one of Henry van Dyke's short stories, the well-known American author who was very popular in the early decades of the 20th century. A lovely read, this book is highly recommended for inclusion on the bookshelf of every home. Henry van Dyke (1852-1933) was an American Presbyterian clergyman, educator, and author. He graduated from Princeton in 1873, and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1874.