“Isn’t there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?”
Linus can:
‘Sweet Hymns of Joy…’
My favorite Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sings my favorite Christmas carol:
Sweet hymns of joy in
Grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us
Praise His holy name!
Christ is the Lord,
Oh praise His name forever,
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim
His pow’r and glory
Evermore proclaim.
You can find the rest of the lyrics in English and a brief bit of historical background here.
What’s your favorite Christmas carol? Share by leaving a reply in the space provided. And Merry Christmas!
‘Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listening… or Reading?’
“Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane, snow is glistening…”
Whether you’re snowed in or working on your tan, December’s here and that means CHRISTMAS! YESSSS!!! Here are some of my favorite seasonal reads. (Chime in if you don’t see your favorites here.)
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans. I’ve read and re-read this book every year since it first came out in 1993. A modern day classic.
The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell. A delightful short story about heaven’s littlest angel who’s not quite “angelic,” but close to the heart of God.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry.
Another favorite seasonal read. Jim and Della, one dollar and eighty-seven cents and it’s Christmas Eve. Told in O. Henry’s matchless short-story style, a heart-warming tale of giving, receiving, and sacrifice.
The Homecoming by Earl Hamner. A warm, richly worded story about a Depression-era family in the Blue Ridge Mtns. of Virginia awaiting their Daddy’s arrival home on Christmas Eve. The seed that grew into TV’s “The Waltons.”
A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.
The author began writing his “little carol” in October, 1843 and finished it by the end of November in time to be published for Christmas. Feuding with his publishers, Dickens financed the publishing of the book himself, ordering lavish binding, gilt edging, and hand-colored illustrations and then setting the price at 5 shillings so that everyone could afford it. This combination resulted in disappointingly low profits despite high sales. In the first few days of its release the book sold six thousand copies and its popularity continued to grow. The first and best of his Christmas Books, A Christmas Carol has become a Christmas tradition and easily Dickens’ best known book.
“The Greatest Gift” is a 1943 short story written by Philip Van Doren Stern which became the basis for the film It’s a Wonderful Life. Need I say more?
The Little Drummer Boy, By Henry Onorati, Kristina Rodanas, Harry Simeone, Katherine Davis. A classic story of the encounter between a poor boy and the baby Jesus embodies the true spirit of Christmas.
Silent Night: A Christmas Carol is Born, by Maureen Breet Hooper. The story of how the Christmas carol “Silent Night” was created. Beautifully illustrated. A great book for read-alouds with the kids – don’t forget to break out your singing voices and some hot chocolate, too!
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without this seasonal standard.
Christmas Every Day by William Dean Howell. The title says it all. Another classic.
The Gospel According to Saint Luke. The four Gospels can be divided into various categories. These are Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which are known collectively as the Snyoptics. Of the three Synoptic gospels, only Matthew and Luke include the Nativity stories. Of these two, Doctor Luke’s account is perhaps the most beloved and best-known, with its focus on the King of Heaven being born in a humble manger.
What are your favorite seasonal reads?
***
FREE (No. Really.)
FREE Christmas Gift!
If you’re not yet in the Christmas spirit, grab a free copy of my newest ebook, Holiday Recollections & Recipes from Grandma Peggy’s Kitchen. Favorite, time-tested recipes plus easy, inexpensive craft ideas to spruce up your home for the season. Also a section on Simply Celebrate! – which pretty much says it all.
Grandma Peggy’s Kitchen is my Christmas gift to you to thank you for reading. Download your free copy here.
A Favor?
Would you do me a favor? If you enjoyed this brief book, kindly share the links and/or post a review. Thanks.
Also, my Thanksgiving-themed memoir, Isabella Torch, is still available. Yours free here. Stir up a mug of hot cocoa, add a peppermint stick, a cozy fireplace and treat yourself to a two-fer!
Stay warm and well and Merry Christmas!
What’s YOURS?
Scrooge? The Grinch? George Bailey and Old Man Potter? A Virginia family awaiting their Daddy’s Christmas Eve homecoming during the Depression? What are the holidays without stories? What’s YOURS?
Submissions for this year’s Holiday Story Showcase are open! Here are the rules:
– Each submission must be your original work. Please include at the top of your submission (email only): 1) Your name; 2) A word count; 3) “Holiday Story Showcase” in the subject line, followed by your title.
– Length: between 300 and 1,500 words.
– Any genre. Stories may be inspirational, fiction, non-fiction, or humorous. Just make sure they’re G-rated. (I reserve the right to reject any submission, for any reason.)
– I’m looking for clean, uplifting, family-friendly stories that have been thoroughly proof-read.
– First-person narratives are preferred, but not mandatory.
– Stories can be on any winter holiday.
– You may submit more than one story.
– No remuneration, but you may include links to your web site and/or blog. Winner and runners-up will be shared in my next newsletter.
Submit here. Feel free to include appropriate photos.
And keep an eye out for my holiday-themed short story, Man in the Corner. More later!
The Little Candle…
My long-time friend, fellow author and pastor Cheryl Kincaid has a new book out, The Little Candle That Was Frightened of the Dark. I’m giving Cheryl and her book some visibility here because I think you’d either enjoy it yourself or know someone who would. Maybe both. Here’s the scoop:
The Little Candle is a family Advent Devotion that is prefaced by a children’s story about a baptismal candle who sits in shadowy place by a great Advent wreath in a church sanctuary. The candle trembles in the dark until he hears the Advent story told by each of the candles around the wreath. Each of the Advent candles represent the lessons of Advent and tries to comfort the baptismal candle by re-telling these lessons in the Nativity.
The story culminates with an Advent family devotion which walks family members through the lessons of Advent. The Little Candle is written for children between the ages of three and six, but can be enjoyed by all ages.
Oh, and if you haven’t had a chance to grab a copy of my Thanksgiving-themed micro-memoir, Isabella’s Torch, download it FREE today!
Available in paperback and on Kindle.
To Thank You…
How did it get to be November already? Weren’t we ringing in the New Year just last week?
The older I get, the faster time flies. That’s one reason I decided to write Isabella’s Torch: A Thanksgiving Memoir.
We set aside a time for thanks and reflection in just a few days. In between the feasting, football and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, may I make a suggestion? Sit down with your family. Hold hands. Count your blessings. Hug your kids. Thank the One who’s the Source of every good and perfect gift.
The fourth Thursday in November is a time for thanks. To thank you, my loyal reader, I’m offering a FREE download of my latest ebook, Isabella’s Torch: A Thanksgiving Memoir. It’s brief and centers around family, hearth and home. You can read it during halftime.
Oh, and do me a favor? If you enjoy Isabella’s Torch, how ’bout taking a minute or two to post a review at Smashwords? I’d be thankful!
Just click for a free download. Happy Thanksgiving and God bless!
Dive In. Now.
“Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don’t feel I should be doing something else.” ~Gloria Steinem
I may not agree with Gloria on everything. But her take on writing is spot-on. Know what I mean? There’s something about writing that, if you’re called to it, is mysterious and mesmerizing. Fantastic and hair-raising. Startling. Compelling.
The nuts-and-bolts of writing is a solo flight. Others may offer help, advice, or corrected grammar, but no one can do your writing for you. That job is yours alone.
A Camaraderie
Writing can also be the basis for camaraderie. A bookish “Band of Brothers,” to borrow from the venerable Bard. No one appreciates the frustration or fulfillment of writing like a fellow writer.
Few realize how much work it is to haul a bunch of characters around in your head all day like another novelist. No one appreciates the expenditure of mental energy that goes into rewrites, or the incessant search for just the “right’ word or phrase. Only another writer truly understands the ouch! of that last rejection letter, or the swirling delight attached to an editorial “Yes!”
Gloria was right. Writing really is the only thing that, when I ‘m doing it, I don’t feel like I should be doing something else. If you’re a writer, you know what I mean because you, like me, are fulfilling your calling when you write.
Don’t Put It Off
So, exit this blog and get busy writing. Don’t jump to another article on writing, update your status or start tweeting. That’s not writing, it’s dilly-dallying. Knock out a new story. Outline a holiday piece. Submit that memoir that’s been sitting in your bottom drawer gathering dust. Revise a rejected manuscript. Polish a poem or publish an Ebook.
Whatever you do, don’t put it off. Take a deep breath. Close the door. Unplug the TV. Mute the phone. Whatever it takes. No more excuses. Dive in. Now.
It’s takes guts to be a writer, but you can do it. Not only because you’re doing what you were called to do, but because we need you. Your voice. Your perspective. Your willingness to learn and grow and inspire us along the way. We need your story. And you’re the only one who can tell it.
What’s your story? Share it in the comments section in 50 words or less. If you don’t have time for that, choose a one or two word genre that best describes what you’re working on, like short story, historical fiction or memoir. We’re waiting to hear from YOU!
Nearly Nine Terrific Tips for Writing Humor
It’s a wet, rainy day here on the Peninsula. Rain is slamming the house sideways. The wind is howling like a banshee. (How does a banshee howl, anyway?) It’s a perfect curl-up-with-a-good-book-by-the-fireplace kind of day.
If only we had a fireplace.
Well, even though it’s anything but dry weather around here, one thing we’re not short of is dry wit. In honor of this surfeit, I’m throwing in a shameless plug for my newly released micro Ebook. (It’s not only free, it’s also a quick by-the-fireplace read perfect for a wet, rainy day. First time in downloadable Ebook format. What a deal!) It goes like this:
Have you tried humor writing only to crash and burn? Would your best material outlast the expiration date on a milk carton? If so, do not despair. My newest micro Ebook, Nearly Nine Terrific Tips for Writing Humor, offers clear, concise and user-friendly tips that will have the crankiest curmudgeon laughing in no time!
Download your FREE copy today and do me a quick favor. Post a review or “Like” it on the Smashwords page. Then join the party at Kristine Lowder, Writer. Stop by, leave a comment and be sure to share your own links! For more, visit: Nearly Nine.
Also, for those of you who write memoirs and/or creative non-fiction, check out: Dream of Things. Lots of good stuff here. Worth a look-see.
What writing resources have you found in the last week? Who or what has helped you pursue your calling as a writer? Share in the comments section.
Holiday Story Showcase
Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol? George Bailey and It’s a Wonderful Life? The Grinch down in Whoville? What are the holidays without great stories?!
Welcome to the second annual Holiday Story Showcase for Roads Diverged! I’m opening up the blog for an informal showcase of your great holiday stories. Submissions open on October 15 and close on December 15.
You must be the author of any story you submit and hold the copyright for any submission. You retain all rights. I just ask for the right to post your story. Here are the basic rules:
– Each submission must be your original work. Please include at the top of your submission (email only): 1) Your name; 2) A word count; 3) “Holiday Story Showcase” in the subject line, followed by your title.
– Length: between 300 and 1,500 words
– Any genre. Stories may be inspirational, fiction, non-fiction, or humorous. Just make sure they’re G-rated. (I reserve the right to reject any submission, for any reason.)
– I’m looking for clean, uplifting, family-friendly stories that have been thoroughly proof-read.
– First-person narratives are preferred, but not mandatory.
– Stories can be on any winter holiday.
– You may submit more than one story.
– Posting is up to the sole discretion of the blog owner (yours truly), and there is no monetary remuneration for any submission. This is simply an opportunity to share your gifts and stories with the rest of our loyal readers!
– No anonymous submissions. Please include your name.
So, pour yourself a steaming mug of hot apple cider, plop in a cinnamon stick or two and let your creative juices go to work! Spread the word about our Holiday Story Showcase. The more stories, the merrier!
Please send submissions in the body of an email (NOT as an attachment) to: kikero@juno.com
Pages & Paws 