'Tis the Season for Pleasant Literary Diversions!

Books.  Without them there'd be no blog, and I, for one, would be lost.  And Christmas books!  Books so special and so fun that we only get them out for that one special and fun season of the year.



The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

     "The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world" opens one of the most touching,  honest looks at Christians, the unlovables,  Christmas and what it truly means.  I started reading it to Caleb this morning, and when I stopped, he begged me not to.  It's just that kind of story.  I read it to my classes when I was teaching, and then I would take them to see the play.  This book is one of our holiday traditions.  I did take Caleb to see the play last year with a homeschool group.  He loved it.  There is a movie version, kind of dated but if you can't see the play, a decent substitute.


A Christmas Carol
   Yes, I read Charles Dickens to my 10 year old, and even when he was younger.  Don't you? <chuckle>  This little tome always stirs  up great discussion in our household about all kinds of topics presented in the novel. It is available for free from Gutenberg.  Our movie version is Muppets, as mentioned last week, although the Patrick Stewart one I would watch.  I haven't seen a play of this but I would love to.


The Crippled Lamb
     I have never read this, out loud to children, without crying which is very hard to do.  God has a plan and purpose, even for a crippled lamb.  It's always fun to imagine what the stable was like the night Jesus was born.  This story explores that.  You can watch a cartoon version of it on Youtube.

The Polar Express
     Chris Van Allsberg has some exquisitely illustrated books.  This is no exception.  The book preceded the movie, as is the natural order of things.

The Legend of the Candy Cane
   Candy canes are not just for eating and are perfect telling God's story of love and redemption.  I picked this link because it shows a picture of a Tomie de Paola Christmas book and I love Tomie de Paola.

Our Advent book is Jotham's Journey.  Somehow, we always manage to start it late but we finish on time.  This is a perfect story for boys.

For adults, I found Jan Karon's Shepherds Abiding to be delightful but then I love all the Mitford books.


Despite the temptation to post links to two articles, one by Thomas Sowell on the approaching fiscal cliff and the other by Victor Davis Hanson, I promised not to make any more political posts this year.  I will not have any new blog posts until after the new year.  The holidays are a busy time for everyone, writers and readers included.

Merry Christmas! And I'll see you in the New Year, Mayan calendar not withstanding!