Some Christmas Reading

One of the ways to "Keep Christ In Christmas", as I blogged about, is to read some good Christmas books. Although I have many Christmas books, there are some I read more often than others. Here are some of my favorites. Some are classified as "children's books", but that doesn't stop me from enjoying them. :-)

1) Merry Christmas, With Love: Sandi Patty. I think this book has been out of print for a while, but is a great story, and has the most beautiful illustrations. It is at the top of my list. It is based on the song by the same name, recorded by Sandi Patty. A family brings Christmas to an embittered widow. Anyone who can get a hold of a copy, should. Though I found some of my Christmas books, this is one that is buried in my storage unit. It can still be purchased, used, on Amazon.

2) The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Tommey: "The serious woodcarver, Jonathan Toomey, is the best woodworker in the valley. He is always alone and never smiles. He keeps mementos of his lost wife and child in an unopened drawer. Then, early one winter's day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request, which leads to a joyful miracle." For movie viewers, there is also a DVD available of the story.

3) King Of The Stable: Melody Carlson. Yet another "kids' book". This tells the story of Jesus' birth from the viewpoint of a stable boy.

4) Skipping Christmas: John Grisham. This isn't a religious Christmas book, but is a great story, and if you need a laugh, it will do it. A couple decides to "skip" Christmas since their daughter won't be home, and go on a cruise. They make everyone they know angry and "ruin" people's plans that intertwine with theirs, and then the daughter calls and is bringing home her boyfriend to see how they celebrate Christmas.

5) The Christmas Child: Max Lucado. "A lonely Chicago journalist returns to his small-town Texas birthplace on Christmas Eve. There his life is changed forever when he encounters an unusual manger scene . . . and a mysterious old man. Lucado's storytelling mastery weaves a touching holiday tale of love, faith, and forgiveness. Formerly titled The Christmas Cross" This is one of his "adult" books, and was recently made into a movie.

6) The Crippled Lamb: Max Lucado. "Joshua the Lamb is crippled, so the other animals leave him behind in the stable. His tears of loneliness turn to joy, however, when he realizes that because of his difference, he gets to be right there when Jesus is born! From the classic art to the surprise ending, this tender story will help all children see that God has a very special plan for their lives."

7) The Christmas Shoes: Donna Vanliere. Based on the tear-jerker of a song by the same title, this is a great Christmas story, though a sad one. There are 3 books following, but this is the best.

8) Christmas By The Hearth: A great Christmas collection. Contains stories by Bodie Thoene, O Henry, Gilbert Morris, and many more. I think it is out of print, but can be found on Amazon.

9) Treasury of Christmas Miracles: Karen Kingsbury. "A pilot whose plane is guided by a mysterious radio voice; a boy led out of the Oregon wilderness by two unusual strangers---miracles do happen, especially during the holidays when God's hand lovingly touches the world. Savor these and other real-life stories and let Kingsbury help you rediscover the spirit of the season!"

10) Christmas Stories For The Heart: Apparently out of print, but for sale on Amazon as cheap as one cent. Another great collection of Christmas stories, and perhaps my most-read Christmas book.