It’s Christmas and I hope yours is one that brings some measure of joy. Maybe an extra large measure. But even if just a little, that will be ok. It happens less than you think - for Christmas to land on Sunday. Since I’m a preacher, that brings some extra pressure and introduces some chaos into the family Christmas celebration time. But there’s no such thing as an unchaotic Christmas anyway. Look at the first one.
I just came along to Substack this year and I’m so glad that my daughter introduced me to this medium. And I’m thankful that some people actually read my posts. I feel that it is a gift when someone spends a few minutes with something you’ve written.
And I feel it is a gift when I get to read something special. So I’m sharing some special posts about Christmas. If your day has settled down and things have gotten quiet, I promise these posts are going to warm your heart and give you some fresh perspective. They did for me, anyway. Thanks again for stopping by. As always, I’d love for you to leave a comment.
Garrison Keillor almost always makes me smile. The other times he makes me cry. A Miraculous Evening on Sixth Avenue provides both. “I’ve been reading Christmas letters this week and — I don’t know how to say this politely — back where I come from, Minnesota, it is considered shameful to be shameless and write a promotional brochure about your over-achieving children…”
Kyle Holton asks if we are Ready For Christmas. Then he gives a practical and doable solution for the intrusion of social media into our family gatherings. “…doing something as simple as turning off your phone or not looking at Instagram may help you reclaim some of the simple joy that comes on Christmas.”
E.L Sherene Joseph reaches beyond the chaos of the Christmas season to find a way to settle on the faith this season brings. “I knew what I wanted out of this season. I had spent decades rushing through the business of Christmas, and I no longer wanted that. I craved the depth, the season's richness, and the longing for a Saviour in our broken world.”
Aaron Hann wrote a reflective poem for this season (and all seasons). I’m not going to post the name of it because you might not read it! But you can find it HERE. And when you go there, don’t let the title scare you away. (How many people are going there now just to see the title?)
Don’t miss Laura Kelly Fanucci’s masterpiece, Never Enough Time. “Christmas will pick us up and whirl us around as it ever does; next week will stretch into that strange timelessness between holidays; by early January we’ll be sugared-out and ready for routine again. But today, tonight, tomorrow will hold all time and transform time.”
Holly Rabalais also wrote a masterpiece called There Will Be Miracles. And as a bonus, some beautiful Christmas pictures are shared! “This year as I placed it on the tree, the puzzle piece clicked into place. 2022 has indeed been a year of miracles, and I’ll never unwrap this ornament again without remembering that miracles do still happen. Sometimes they just don’t look how we expected.”
John Biggs searches the memories of Christmas in the past and finds that it gives meaning to today in Crisp and Clear. “Everything in my memory is recast in silver. Everything has meaning to me, now, especially since I have my own kids. I walk through my grandmother’s house in my dreams and I can still smell it, still feel it, still shiver against the cold and sweat in the summer heat. But I can’t be there. I can only try to remember.”
Shaun Usher shares a Letter of Note from the front lines, Christmas 1914. It’s a well known story but it hits the heart to read the letter from Captain ‘Jack’ Armes about how the British and the Germans laid down their arms for a Christmas celebration. So powerful. I have just been through one of the most extraordinary scenes imaginable - indeed.
I wrote a set of three brief Advent devotionals that I have shared in this substack. In case you missed it, here is the third one: Birth. “In our most desperate moments, we hear that peace comes from our glorious God. It begins with the birth of a child.”
I don’t know if you’ll have a peaceful hour on Christmas day to peruse some meaningful links, but I hope you do. And if you read them, be sure to ‘like’ them. Share the ones you liked the best. Help these great authors find more readers. That would be a great gift to them and to those who discover them.
My Maggy and I wish you a Merry Christmas.
So much good stuff to read on here and not enough time to read it! Thanks for sharing this. Some of those definitely piqued my interest and I look forward to settling down after the tornado that is Christmas morning, and reading some of these recommendations. Have a merry Christmas!