A Holiday Called Holiday

I'm late in posting this, but I just came across this article by Christian author Terri Blackstock, and it was too good not to share.





A Holiday Called Holiday, by Terri Blackstock

It’s Christmas Eve 2009, and as I work in the kitchen, I’ve had the TV on. I can’t help being amused and a little irritated at the efforts by the media to keep from saying the word “Christmas.” A few days ago I heard a morning talk show host talking about “the spirit of the Holiday,” and I thought, what holiday? Columbus Day? Labor Day? I’m sometimes a little dense, but I need her to be more specific. I didn’t know a season of days could actually have a spirit.

Then today, as I’m watching HGTV, I see a man decorating a house for “The Holiday.” He puts up the tree, decorates the tables, and hangs things on the wall, very carefully avoiding the word Christmas. And he shows us how he painted big letters to hang on the wall, spelling out the word “H-o-l-i-d-a-y.” Really? Are we really celebrating a holiday called Holiday?

It makes me wonder what people who are allergic to the word Christmas say to each other on that day. Do they show up at their families’ homes with their arms loaded with Holiday gifts (wrapped in Holiday paper), and say, “Merry Holiday”? Do they stand around their Holiday tree and sing Holiday carols and eat a Holiday meal? Does no one ever say, “But what holiday?”

We’re not afraid to utter the name of any other holiday. We’re very brazen about saying Happy New Year, Happy Halloween, Happy Labor Day, Happy Columbus Day, Happy July 4th. But to say--gasp!--Merry Christmas is just the height of rudeness? Millions of people around the world are celebrating it with traditions that go back 2000 years, yet we Americans are not allowed to say the word?

You just have to laugh. Those poor people are working so hard to remove the obvious from their … ahem … holiday, that they miss the joy of celebrating Christmas. Yes, I said it. Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! I love Christmas, and I love the spirit of Christmas, and I love the joy of Christmas. And most of all I love that it all centers around the Christ child “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:6) I guess that’s what they’re really trying to avoid.

I hope you all celebrate Christmas boldly and passionately, and never be afraid to say the name of Christ. We’re not celebrating a holiday called Holiday.

Christmas Reading . . .

I love Christmas-themed books, from Christian fiction to murder mysteries. These are my favorite 2009 reads so far.

These thoughts by Randy Vader (PraiseGathering Music Group) beautifully express the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

A Thanksgiving Prayer
- Randy Vader

For love that knows no limit,
for grace we couldn’t earn,
for patience beyond measure,
for lessons yet to learn;

For joy in spite of sorrow,
for victory in loss,
for the plan that bought our pardon,
for the manger…for the cross;

For granting us life eternal,
for the promise of Your word,
for gifts of priceless treasure,
for the still small voice we’ve heard;

For family, friends and neighbors,
for loved ones one and all,
for the beauty of creation,
displaying the kaleidoscope of fall;

We bring You our Thanksgiving,
we offer You our praise,
we yield our aspirations,
to seek Your holy ways.

Thank you Heavenly Father
for all that You have done,
for the comfort of Your Spirit,
for the Savior, Christ, Your Son.

As we count our many blessings,
as we remember loved ones past,
we thank You for assurance
for Your peace that will surpass
the things we cannot fathom,
and will never understand,
we still choose to follow you Lord,
as You lead us by Your hand.

Title: Some Welcome Home

Author: Sharon Wildwind

Series: Elizabeth Pepperhawk/Avivah Rosen , #1

Genre: Traditional Mystery

Year Published: 2005

Rating: 5 Stars

Description (From Booklist):
Wildwind's amazing debut brings the Vietnam era to life--and in a remarkably captivating manner. An army nurse who served in Vietnam, Wildwind brings palpable authenticity to the setting and the characters. Captain Elizabeth "Pepper" Pepperhawk has returned from her tour in Vietnam to serve as head nurse at an army hospital in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Before she can report for duty, though, the dead body of a soldier appears in her hotel bed. Through the investigation, Pepper meets Avivah Rosen, a military police captain. Wildwind shifts point of view between the two women, adding another layer of interest to the story. Avivah and Pepper befriend Benny Kirkpatrick, a Green Beret with a heart of gold who readers get to know less deeply than the two women but who undoubtedly will figure in future stories. Wildwind evokes atmosphere beautifully--readers will feel the North Carolina heat and starched uniform collars--and she handles emotional nuance with equal aplomb. An original, heart-wrenching, brilliantly told story that will leave readers aching for the next installment.

My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved this book! The setting is Ft. Bragg, NC, during the Vietnam years - and rural NC also. There's so much depth to the characters and plot. Highly recommended.

Title: Hallie's Heart
Author: Shelly Beach
Series: Lake Michigan, #1
Genre: Christian Fiction
Year Published: 2007
Source: Library
Rating (1-10): 9


2008 Winner of Christy Award


Description:

As a single woman struggling to establish an antique shop in the sleepy town of Stewartville, Mona VandeMolen’s life is complicated enough. When she discovers her fifteen-year-old niece Hallie hiding in her abandoned beach house, consumed with guilt over her sister’s drowning death, Mona’s true battle begins.

My Thoughts:
I read lots of relationship-style dramas in the Christian fiction category, and thought Hallie's Heart would be another typical book in this genre. But Shelly Beach is an excellent writer and I quickly got caught up in this story that has depth and characters I care about. There's a tender romance also, although it's not the main focal point. I look forward to reading the sequel soon - Morningsong.

My first trip to Germany

My daughter, Beth, has lived in Tubingen, Germany for almost a year now, leading a newly-formed campus ministry. I was recently blessed with the incredible opportunity to spend two weeks with her. I haven't had time to download my pictures yet, so I'm going to post some Internet pictures of places we visited.

These pictures are of the Neckar River and the Old Town, which has been preserved since the 600's and survived World War II. There were crooked cobblestone lanes, hilly terrain, streets lined with canals, traditional half-timbered buildings, and market day. Incredibly beautiful!

Prelude and Cadence

Title: Prelude, Cadence
Author: B. J. Hoff
Series: American Anthem, #s 1 & 2
Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical
Year Published: 2003
Source: My Kindle
Rating (1-10): 10

Prelude:

B.J. Hoff, one of CBA's premier writers brings this riveting historical fiction series that meticulously depicts nineteenth century America. Prelude transports you to nineteenth-century New York and invites you to step into another time--a time that shaped a nation and defined her faith. This lively story carries you from immigrant ships to opulent estates, from skating-rink evangelistic crusades to star-studded concert halls, and introducing you to men and women you'll grow to love: a brooding blind musician, his suspicious but sympathetic sister-in-law, an unlikely pair of medical partners, and a struggling immigrant family. Pulsing with romance and intrigue, shining with artistry and faith, Prelude sounds the opening notes of a tale with a voice as big as America.

Cadence:

Cadence reunites us with Andrew Carmichael, an inner city physician, and his partner in practice, Bethany Cole, one of the first female physicians in America, who share a desire to serve the poor with their healing skills and with love. As the story continues, they discover that they share more than a professional passion--they share a love for each other. Set in late nineteenth century New York City and the surrounding Hudson River Valley, and incorporating the beginnings of American gospel music, Cadence continues the saga of the courageous immigrants who helped build our nation, the struggles they endured, and the music they created, lived and loved by.

My Comments:

This is a delightful historical with strong themes of romance, but so much more. A blind musical conductor, Hudson River Valley setting, Irish immigrants, Dwight L. Moody crusades, hymn writer Fanny Crosby, tender romance - all these elements and more combine to make a very enjoyable and moving read for me. As a pianist, I am obviously drawn to the prominent musical themes, which are portrayed in an excellent mannor. I look forward to the conclusion of this series, Jubilee.