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Every Valley

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"Every Valley" by Sam Silander, 9 yrs.

It’s a strange thing to be making cookies and wrapping presents,
When wars are raging,
When families are crumbling,
When parents are burying their children.

The news is hard to watch this week.
Tears come easily, yet so does relief…
Which brings with it a twinge of guilt.

How do we reconcile the great cosmic chasm -
Our world has more than its share of darkness, pain, and evil,
Yet we move in and breathe the reality of Starbucks, Amazon, and Buddy the Elf.

Perhaps it’s more of a dual reality to be acknowledged than a chasm to be crossed.

This year during Advent, we’ve been working our way through listening to Handel’s Messiah (schedule found here). Each day, we’ve been listening to a few of the songs after reading the corresponding passages of scripture.

We’ve read, then listened, then listened again. I’ve heard the music of the Messiah throughout much of my life, yet this year, it’s as if I’ve really heard it for the first time. As we’ve listened intently to each song, a divine magic has transpired. Handel’s music, echoing its ancient truths and promises, has become our own. To enjoy, to discuss, to savor, to absorb.

The children composed poems in response to several of the songs.  I’ve woven a few of them together as a memorial stone for this Advent season. This is Handel’s Messiah, as seen through the eyes, heard through the ears, and experienced in the hearts of my young ones:

Heaven kissed earth
He came as a whisper, a snowfall, a spark

 He was born in a manger
Dingy
Dirty
Dusty

 Heaven crawled through the dust
He played in the garden
He healed the sick,
Yet his work was not done

 He was beaten and whipped
Crushing
Cruel
Cold

He wore a crown of thorns on his head
Stinging
Sharp
Steel

He let himself be hung on the cross
Piercing
Painful
Perfect sacrifice

He rose from the dead
Amazing
Awesome
Awestruck

He will come again victorious
Blinding darkness with light,
Death will gasp its final breath
Evil forever defeated,
Then all the wrongs through history
Will finally be made right

 Ribbon will wind through
The hot dry desert
Rainbow to straighten curves

 Every mountain will become low
Every valley high
Every mansion will become small
Every cottage will grow

 The hungry shall have banquets laid out before them,
The imprisoned shall have their chains dashed to the ground

The large rocks will shrink
Pebbles will grow to boulders
All will be even

The valley will rise
Mountains will disintegrate
All will be even

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 

We spent days contemplating the implications of twelve words uttered by the prophet Isaiah, “Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low.”

Every valley.

Do we really believe it? Down deep where our core beliefs compose the background music that sets the tone for our everyday lives?  Even when wars rage and children are murdered? When evil rears its head and seems to be winning? When our lives, our plans, our dreams are crumbling?

Every valley.

That’s what He came to do, after all.

To heal the blind.

To bind up the brokenhearted.

To make all the wrongs right.

For in this, we can place our hope.

So bake your cookies,
and wrap your presents,
and sing the carols for the world to hear.

Through each small hopeful act,
You’re shining a light into darkness,
Taking part in raising valleys and lowering mountains,
Preparing a way in the desert
For the One who was,
And is,

And is to come.

 

 

* Artwork by Sam Silander, 9 yrs.

 

 


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From Our Home to Yours – Christmas Favorites

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As much as I love Christmas Day, I’ve come to love the weeks leading up to it even more. Through the years, the discovering, enjoying, and sharing treasured music and books has become an integral part of our celebration. As you prepare for this season of Advent, I’d like to share some of our favorites.

Music

Behold The Lamb of God by Andrew Peterson. If you have a chance to see the live show, don’t miss it. We play this cd all year long.

 

Christmas Songs by Fernando Ortega. His music is as grounding as it is beautiful. Balm for the soul.

 

Christmas Stories: Repeat the Sounding Joy by Jason Gray. Jason’s newest CD has quickly become a Christmas favorite around here. Take a minute to read these good words by my friend Jen. What she said.

 

Christmas by Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn. Christmas is deeply profound (I Will Find a Way) while simultaneously clever and fun-hearted (Baby It’s Cold Out There). A delightful blend of hymns, seasonal favorites, and original music.

 

Songs of Joy & Peace by Yo-Yo Ma. As if Yo-Yo Ma weren’t enough. He’s joined by friends like James Taylor, Alison Krauss, and Dave Brubeck.

 

Silver & Gold by Sufjan Stevens. Because you get to sing along to Christmas Unicorn.

 

Christmastime by David Benoit. The most amazing Carol of the Bells to be found.

 

Advent Volume 2 by The Brilliance. This band is my favorite musical find of the year. Advent Volume 2 was released this week. Spread the word.

 

Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration A twist on a classic.

 

A Slugs & Bugs Christmas Super fun music for the entire family.

Books

For a list of our favorite Christmas books that will be read and re-read through the years, you can visit The Twelve Books of Christmas. Here are a few books we’ll be reading this year:

 

Preparing for Jesus by Walter Wangerin Jr. Wangerin has quickly become a favorite author. I savored his Lenten devotional and am looking forward to reading Preparing for Jesus on my own this Advent season. Wangerin communicates truth in a way that often catches my head and my heart by surprise.

 

Behold the Lamb of God by Russ Ramsey. A very personal narrative through the story of God’s provision for us all. Last year, I read this on my own. This year, I’m looking forward to reading with the family. Listen to Ramsey reading It Was Not a Silent Night and you’ll know why. Buy several to give a way. It’s a treasure.

 

Watch for The Light – Readings for Advent and Christmas. Selections from C.S. Lewis, Phillip Yancey, Henri Nouwen, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and others.

 

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. We read the JSBB throughout the year, and it has become my husband’s Bible of choice to read Christmas Eve. I was grateful to find this Advent reading plan that maps out one story everyday during December until Christmas. I can’t imagine a better way to prepare our hearts for Christmas Day.

 

I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge. This will be a new book for us this year, but anything by Goudge is well worth reading.

Crafts

Truth in the Tinsel – an ebook including short devotionals and patterns for beautiful handmade ornaments. We decided last year that in order to relieve the pressure of creating an ornament everyday, we’d do what we could and fill in the gaps this year. If your kids are older and don’t require as much help, consider having each of them make a set that they can keep and enjoy with their own families. My friend, Heather, has some beautiful pictures of her children’s creations from Truth in Tinsel.

 

Jesse Tree – Ornaments and daily devotional by A Holy Experience. This will be our first year receiving the daily devotional and corresponding ornament via email. This set will be equally enjoyed by young or old, single folks or a family.

Wishing you an Advent season full of peace, joy, and great expectation!  

For the benefit of others, please share some of your Christmas favorites. (I’m having some technical trouble with the comments section. If you leave one, it may not show up right away, but we’re working on getting that fixed!)


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The Tricky Wicket of Gift Giving

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Birthdays are significant in our home.  We’re not big on decorations or even presents, but the hope is that the birthday person feels celebrated and enjoyed.  When possible, we spend the day together enjoying some combination of favorite homemade meals, restaurants, and activities.  It’s a veritable crime for the one being celebrated to do any work.  King or queen for the day is the goal. 

This past summer, I was enjoying a relatively low-key birthday day.  My husband had made plans for the evening.  My children, who had been well-trained in the way of Silander birthday custom, greeted me in the morning with shiny, anticipating faces.  They sincerely wanted me to enjoy my day.  They wanted me to feel loved.  Their motives were pure.

Shortly after breakfast, my cherubs were quick to relieve me from manual labor, and they started cleaning the kitchen.  But somehow, in an instant, the mood shifted.  Child A began arguing with Child B about who was to do what chore.  Exasperated Child C interrupted and proceeded to boss give direction to the less-than-righteous siblings.  After giving up hope that the situation would resolve itself, I finally stepped in to mediate. My efforts were temporarily successful, but within the hour, a modified version of the same situation transpired.  My frustration was growing.  It was my birthday.  ”All I really want for my birthday is for you all to love each other well and for us to enjoy the day together,”  I stated, as if this would be the obvious end of the matter.  And it was.  For awhile.  

My frustration dissolved into sadness as I realized a hard truth.  My children love me.  From the deepest, sweetest, brightest places in their hearts, they wanted me to be blessed on my birthday.  But, an insidious cloud had gathered and was overshadowing their good desires.  They wanted to honor me… but on their terms.  The cost of laying aside their own agendas was too high.

When for a fleeting moment, I attempt to look honestly at my own heart, I’m saddened to acknowledge that I give to others in much the same way.  We had nine under our roof this Christmas, and it didn’t take long for my feeble, misguided attempts at caring for others to buckle under the strain.  Too often, I give out of my natural inclinations and tendencies – which does not necessarily result in a gift that is meaningful to the recipient.  Even if my motives are pure.  

Imagine that my talent and interest was in knitting, and that I knitted the same red wool scarf for everyone on my Christmas list.  For some, the scarf would be a treasure.  The time taken to create, the warmth the scarf provides, and the much-desired fashion accent would leave the receiver feeling loved well.  Those are the easy-to-love people in my life.  My natural inclinations fit well with their needs.

But others may be allergic to wool, look terrible in red, or are hot-natured with no need for a scarf.  If I want another to feel loved, I have to pause and consider what would be best for them.  And all too often, the time and energy required to stretch beyond my natural inclinations, comfort, and agenda…  well, the order is just too tall.  So I knit my red scarf and convince myself that it will be enough.  Or I cook a meal rather than spend time with a sick friend.  Or I clean up the house rather than offer kind words to my husband. Eventually, we both feel missed and hurt.

I’ve never been one to make new year’s resolutions, but I do have some hopes as we launch into 2012.  I want to pause and consider those folks in my life who are difficult to love with new eyes.  Rather than taking offense that my “red scarf” doesn’t succeed in making another feel loved, I long to lay down my pride, comfort, agenda, and expectations in order to grow in grace.   I want to be willing and teachable to love in new ways – for the benefit of another. 

I also plan  to be more intentional in my reading, consistent in healthy cooking, and possibly train for a race. And by the way… I’m actually taking my first knitting class with my daughter this month. Perhaps I’ll make a red scarf for myself.

Happy New Year to you and yours!


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Micah 6:8

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“May I bring a new friend over with me when I come for coffee?”


A simple question that changed a family.  My family.  Forever.

~~~~~~~~~~

We live in South Charlotte.  Some have referred to our dear city as an “Atlanta wannabe.”  I’m not offended by that description.  It’s actually not too far from accurate.  We like to think that we have the best of both worlds – small town feel while still having access to great art galleries, Broadway shows, professional sports, and the ripples from Wall Street’s economic power generators radiating throughout uptown.  Yes, for those of you unfamiliar with Charlotte, it is uptown, not downtown.  I’ve enjoyed the benefits of this energetic town, including a fulfilling career housed in its tallest building.  We’ve birthed three and raised five children here.  We have a church we love and amazing friends. It is home.

Yet with all that Charlotte has to offer, its strength is also one of its great weaknesses.  I’ve worried about my children’s perspective on life while growing up among such affluence. Given this soccer-mom, banking-hub, Bible-on-every-corner culture, how could we possible raise children who see beyond their comfortable bubble?  Children who are other-centered, compassionate, and have a healthy humility and curiosity with which they approach other cultures – and other people.  Particularly while their parents struggle with the same issues.

Then one hot summer morning seven years ago, a dear friend called.  She and I had planned on catching up at my house over coffee while the children played.  A few hours prior to her coming, she gave me a quick call to ask if she could bring a little boy along with her. “Of course”, I responded.  The more the merrier.  She arrived later that afternoon with her new friend – our new friend – Yusuf, who just happened to be from Somalia.  Yusuf was 6 years old, and had arrived in America just weeks prior to our meeting.  Three little bodies darted around the backyard, two with blond hair and blue eyes, and one as dark as coal.  The boys ran and played in the water from our  hose while my friend recounted their unfathomable story.  They had fled Somalia through the dark of night, lived in a Cambodian refugee camp, and had finally been transported, compliments of the UN, to Charlotte.  More on their remarkable journey another time…


Later that afternoon, we embarked on our weekly pilgrimage to the library.  Like a good homeschool-mom-to-be, I searched out as many age-appropriate books on Africa as I could find.  When I showed them to the boys, I instructed, “This is the country where Yusuf used to live.  The people there speak the same languages as he does.”  Will, my inquisitive, observant, detail-oriented 5 year old who had just spent several hours playing with his new buddy responded, “Do you mean that Yusuf doesn’t speak English?”  


My earnest hope had been that my children would engage with someone who was different than their friends.  That they would develop compassion for other cultures, and that they would choose to build bridges over differences.  But to my surprise, they taught me a greater lesson.   The commonalities of little boys playing in the water instantly bridged the 10,000 mile divide between them.  They enjoyed what they had in common, rather than trying to overcome the ways in which they were different.  They hadn’t met a refugee whose family had fled the dangers of Somalia.  They had met a new friend.


Seven years ago on a humid July morning, the seed of love for our refugee friends was planted in the heart of our family.  The great Gardener has continued to provide fertile soil of opportunity, drench us in the water of the Word, and supply power through the Son.  As a result of His tender care and pruning, that small seed has grown.  We’ve come to love the refugee community in Charlotte, and opportunities to serve them continues to be a significant gift to our family.


I’m consistently humbled by my shallow attempts to give, arrogantly believing that I have something to offer.  Yet each time we show up, our family becomes richer for the time spent with these beautiful people.  People who have fled great danger and had the courage to build new lives from scratch.  People who have farmed for generations, yet now consider fresh fruit and vegetables an occasional delicacy. People who are now strangers in a strange land.


As we were pulling out of the apartment complex last week, I was surprised to note that a small yet significant shift had taken place in my heart.  Walking down the sidewalk was a young man from Nepal.  I had been introduced to him the prior week while he was shopping at the “Clothing Closet.” Shortly after our meeting,  he had labored to help me understand what he was trying to say.  The scene resembled a somewhat comical game of charades, and I wasn’t doing very well interpreting his animated gestures.  Eventually, we finally deciphered that he was asking for a baby swing for his little one.  When I saw him weeks later this second time, my perspective had changed.  He was no longer one of the many faces who visited the Clothing Closet each month.  He has a name.  He has a baby.  His story has become a part of my story.


In the chronic business of life, I wonder how many remarkable stories I pass and dismiss – from the checkout clerk at the grocery store to the neighbor walking her dog.  Everyday, we’re given opportunities to discover a bit more about the Creator through those he has created, and we’re given the great honor of sneaking a glimpse of another human soul. Too often, we miss out on the miracle and settle for the mundane.


  People who laugh like we do, who cry like we do, who pray for their children’s safety… just like we do.  And along the way, I’ve gotten a taste of what it means to be fully human.

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously – no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.”    C.S. Lewis

~~~~~~~~~~



For the past few years, a highlight, perhaps the highlight, of the Christmas season for us has been spending a Saturday celebrating Christmas with the folks from Project 658 (check them out here - you can join us!) and our refugee friends.  The objections raised by my selfish nature (we don’t have time… too much to do… we’re already tired) quickly dissipate when we drive into the apartment complex across town.  I love the beautiful faces representing the farthest corners of the map.  The content children who are generous with their smiles and hugs.  The adults who delight at the rare opportunity for their children to be photographed with Santa.  And I was lucky enough to catch him under the mistletoe.


That is one cute elf
Project 658.  Yes, they are rock stars.


Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

 


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Twin Towers and a Manger

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Out of the wreckage…


















Where were you?

I was sitting on the floor of my bedroom holding my beautiful  one-week-old son.  We had only been home from the hospital for a few days, and I was fully intoxicated with the sweet smells of newly-bathed baby, the feel of his slow, steady breathing on my neck, and the slight, warm pressure of eight pounds of perfection curled up and sleeping on my chest.  My two year old was playing contentedly in the corner with his plastic pet shop, a left-over rediscovered toy, compliments of his big sister.  Having been up most of the night, I had traded in my feeble attempt at reading a book for watching Regis and Kelly on the TV.  The air drifting through my cracked window carried with it the hint of the last days of summer.   Life was sweet.  Simple.  Full.

Then it happened.  Within moments, life as we had known it would be changed forever.  It was September 11, 2001, and my dependable, soothing slice of broadcasted Americana was suddenly interrupted with footage of the first plane hitting the tower.  I couldn’t believe what I had seen, and I certainly had no idea the lasting impact that the events of that balmy September morning would have on our nation.  On our family.  On the lives of generations to come.  Literally out of the blue, we had all been affected at the most visceral level.

According to a ten-year anniversary article “How 9/11 Changed our Culture” (US News),  our lives were changed in a number of ways including:

~How we speak
~What we fear
~How we keep safe
~What entertains us
~What we read
~Who we admire

We would never look at the world in the same way, and the choices we made going forward would reflect our shift in perspective.

Over 2,000 years ago, the Roman Empire was enjoying a relatively peaceful political climate compliments of the Pax Romana.  The Empire protected and governed its provinces, and the Jewish religion was generally tolerated.  Although there were divisions within the Jewish schools of thought, most had learned to live peacefully under Roman control.  Life was manageable.  They knew what to expect.

Then, one very normal night, the course of history changed forever.  There had been no word from God in over 400 years.  But suddenly, that changed.  At a given point in time, in an unimpressive town, to two ordinary people, the Creator of the world transcended space and time to pierce through the veil between heaven and earth and become one of us.  Literally out of the dark, we would all be affected at the most visceral level.

For those who were present that night and witnessed the divine becoming human, for those who would follow the carpenter’s son and listen to his teaching, and for those who would choose to exchange control of their lives in order to serve the unlikely king, the world as they had known it would forever be different.

They would never look at the world the same way, and the choices they would make going forward would reflect their shift in perspective.

A few months ago, we commemorated the tenth anniversary of 9/11.  Footage of the planes was dusted off and replayed across the airwaves, memorial services were held, and we all paused to remember.  As I was recounting that pivotal day’s events to my sweet baby boy, now 10 years old, I found that a curious phenomenon had transpired.  On the spectrum that ranges from intense experience all the way to detached, my emotion had shifted a few notches.  I’m sure that if I’d lost a loved one during the tragedy, my reaction would have been different.  But for me, the events that had once singed my soul had been quenched through the last ten years, and they were incrementally closer to becoming memorable dates in an American history book.

Time had lessened the emotional impact.  I had become more detached.  The full impact of 9/11 had been diminished.

Unfortunately, the same can often be said of Christmas.

We mark the calendar, attend the performances, religiously decorate our homes, and pause to remember. 

But I long for more.

~I want to feel deeply… not just remember
~I want to look at the world from His perspective… not my limited viewpoint
~I want to believe that the God of the universe is present, relevant, revolutionary in every aspect of my life

Ten years ago, darkness penetrated and impacted the soul of our country.

Two thousand years ago, Light penetrated our dark world and changed it forever.

Yes, we remind one another that he came as a baby in the manger.  The shepherds followed the star.  The wise men came later, bearing gifts.  

But this Christmas, let us not be satisfied to “just remember.”  Rather than settling for an annual observation filled with the good things of sentiment, warm tidings, advent readings and tradition, let them serve to magnify the ultimate things.  Perhaps it would help to remember…

Where were you?  

When the story became real.  When you first believed.  When the Maker of the moon and the Author of the faith penetrated your independent, self-reliant heart and changed it forever.  I was on a stone bench overlooking a small lake.  It was late at night, but I could strain my eyes just enough to see white swans gliding through the water – beacons of light in the midst of the dark.  Because of the baby born so long ago, my life was forever changed. And I never want to forget.

~~~~~~~~~~

I first heard Jill Phillips sing this three years ago on The Behold the Lamb of God tour, and I still get chills every time I hear it.  Take a few minutes to listen…








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The Twelve Books of Christmas

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A highlight of our advent season is the unpacking of our box of beautiful Christmas books.  They, like our favorite ornaments, embody the ghosts of Christmases past.  Each holds a dear memory – curling up by the fire with hot chocolate in hand, the twinkle of Christmas tree lights dappling the ceiling, babes in footed fleece pjs cuddling on mommy, or the “remember whens” represented by many of the vacation-purchased ornaments.  Out of that box of books, we unpack love, anticipation, excitement and tradition, and every year, we look forward to carefully choosing and adding a new addition or two.

A few years ago, we began a new Christmas tradition.  The kiddos open their sleepy eyes Christmas morning to find a small stack of books sitting at the foot of their beds.  The day starts peacefully, as they enjoy exploring the newest additions to their libraries.  Mom and Dad also happen to benefit from a little more sleep before the present-opening festivities begin.  We do love our books!

Here are a few of our favorite Christmas books, and two new ones we’ll be adding to the family:

12.  We’re looking forward to receiving a copy of Russ Ramsey’s new book Behold the Lamb of God.  For those of you who are familiar with Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God Christmas concerts, this is written with the same heartbeat.

“When Andrew Peterson sings ‘Behold the Lamb,’ three worlds collide:  ours, Abraham’s and Jesus’.  Russ Ramsey’s book opens the doors between those worlds and helps us bring them together.”  Michael Card

Behold the Lamb of God can be used either for personal reflection or as a family devotional during advent.  The jury is out regarding the book’s inaugural use in our home (I may selfishly monopolize this first year),  but I look forward to incorporating it into our annual Christmas reading list.

If you would like to order Behold the Lamb of God or place an order, you can visit here.  There is also an option to bundle the book along with the CD, which makes a great Christmas present for those who are unfamiliar with Andrew Peterson’s music.  You really can’t go wrong with an amazing songwriter (Peterson) and a fellow-appreciator of Rembrandt (Ramsey).

11. If you have young ones in your life, you won’t want to miss Sally Lloyd-Jones’ new picture book Song of the Stars.  Our copy is in the mail, so I can’t yet testify as to its beauty and warmth; however, I have the fullest confidence that I will soon be able to do so.

“The Psalms tell us that the created order now declares the glory of God (Psalm 19 and 65) and then when Jesus returns even the trees will sing for Joy (Psalm 96).  How fitting, then, to imagine the animals and stars sensing and rejoicing in the coming of Christ for the first time.  This is a lovely book!”  Tim Keller

Perfect for young ones, or those who are young at heart.  You can purchase Song of the Stars here.

10.  A few years ago, a dear friend loaned a copy of Jotham’s Journey to us for use during advent, and I was not prepared for the significant impact that reading it would have on our family.  Jotham’s Journey is the first of a trilogy in which Arnold Yuletide weaves together the story of a young boy, his friends and their adventures leading up to the birth of Christ.  In reading these books, we’re able to pull away from the hectic pace and distraction of our society in order to stop and consider the world into which Jesus was born.  A world ruled by the Roman Empire, a world of oppression, a world of political domination, a world of slavery… a world in need of a Savior.  Far from the typical peaceful manger scenes found in many children’s books, Jotham’s Journey  is rich in suspense, danger, anticipation, and confusion around the events that take place.

Each of the three books ( Jotham’s Journey, Tabitha’s Travels and Bartholomew’s Passage) represents the viewpoint of one of the three friends, and the books don’t necessarily need to be read in a particular order.  We read one each year, and I’m amazed by the corroborating details that the children remember from prior years.  Each chapter is to be read on a given day during advent and has a short devotional at its end.  Given the intense nature of the political and social climate, I wouldn’t recommend that they be read to children younger than elementary age.  There is enough substance and depth that these books would easily be enjoyed and appreciated by those without children in the home.

You can order Jotham’s Journey or its sibling books here.

9. The Birds’ Christmas Carol is a heart-warming story about a little girl, who although sick and bedridden, embodies gratefulness and unselfishness as she plans a Christmas celebration for a needy neighboring family.  Written and published in 1887, this book whisks the reader back to the Victorian era, yet the love, compassion, and humorous family dynamics shared are timeless.

*You can download The Birds’ Christmas Carol for free at gutenberg.org

8.  The Christmas Stories of George MacDonald.  How can you go wrong…

7.  We recently discovered This Way to Christmas by Ruth Sawyer.  In this delightful folktale, a young boy is sent away to live on a lonely mountain during the war.  As he gradually befriends his neighbors, he hears their tales of Christmas celebrations from other cultures.  I’d recommend that this book be read aloud, as there are a few sections which deal with prejudice, and some of the terminology merits discussing (or avoiding if you’re reading with young children).  As one would expect, all ends well as the diverse, superstitious, isolated neighbors discover and enjoy community.

6.Plum Pudding for Christmas by Virginia Kahl is pure fun.  True to her other books, it is written in rhyme, and is delightfully witty.  The king is away, and all chaos breaks loose when one of his many daughters eats the last plum in the kingdom.  How will a fitting Christmas celebration be possible?  Although out of print, it’s fairly easy to find on Amazon, ebay, or addall.com.

 

 

5.  Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl Buck is probably the least-known yet has become one of my most-loved books among the list.  This simple picture book depicts an unspoken, yet deeply felt love between a father and a son. The young boy makes a selfless choice in order to show his father the depth of his appreciation, and they are both blessed deeply as a result.  Life is found when one lays down his own comfort on behalf of another.  I cry every time I read it out loud.

 

 

4.  A Tale of Three Trees reminds us that God’s plan often differs from our own expectations and dreams – yet it is always best.  A beautifully-illustrated book that can (and should) be read during both the Christmas and Easter seasons.

 

 

3.  The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean is ideal for children of elementary age through adults, and can be used as a family or personal devotional during advent.  As an old man whittles away at creating a Jesse Tree for his church, each symbol carved introduces a story from the lineage of Jesus.  We are reminded that all of history, beginning in the Garden of Eden, was in preparation for the One who would come to save us.

 

 

2.A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It just gets better through the years.

 

*You can download A Christmas Carol for free at gutenberg.org

 

1.  The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston will forever be one of our “staple” Christmas books.  It’s simple, sweet story about an Appalachian family which is preparing for Christmas while at the same time longing for the father, who has yet to return from the war.  It’s a story of hope, family, faith, perseverance, and Christmas miracles.

 

Wow.  That was harder than I thought it would be.  I feel compelled to console the books that didn’t make the list by assuring them they’ll be included next year.  Hmmm.
If you’re a lover of books, I hope that you’ve found something new to add to your collection.  If you’re not, I’d invite you to discover a new treasure to add to your Christmas memories.
You can find some of our favorite music and other Advent and Christmas resources here.
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During a season that is marked by food prepared to delight the palate, decorations hung to please the eye, and music played to bring joy the ear, it seems fitting that we carefully choose and read books which will nurture the soul.

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