I've always been a book person. Someone who loves to read and talk about books. I find them both informative and a simple way to escape the mundaneness of daily existence. With a book I can immediately be transported to a different time and place. I can become engaged in the conversations of the high and low of humanity instantaneously. Christmas books, I think, offer a plethora of pleasures that can't be matched with the fare on film, be it television or the movies.
My first favorite is The Golden Christmas Book, circa 1947. The book has a picture of Santa with laughing, angelic children on his lap,and a paper Christmas tree on the inside cover that crinkled when I opened the book. It was filled with stories of elves, angels, and good boys and girls preparing for Christmas by trying to make things right.
Reading Christmas stories to my own children was also something I relished every year. Their favorites were A Velveteen Rabbit ; by Marjorie Williams; which is the story of how a stuffed animal becomes real because of the gift of love and The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg which is the story of how a trip to the North Pole strengthens a young boy's belief in the reality of Santa Claus.
However, of all Christmas books (besides those of Matthew and Luke) my most favorite Christmas book, the one I re-read every year is by Max Lucado, a Christian author. It was originally titled, Cosmic Christmas in 1997, but later renamed An Angel's Story in 2002.
It begins in heaven and presents a picture of the war Lucifer wages against the eternal, steadfast and all encompassing love of the Father.
Lucado focuses on the angels and their part in the war. It pits God's army of angels, including Gabriel, Michael and some new ones named Paragon, Aegus and Sophio against Lucifer and his followers who try to thwart God's plan for a savior. Yes, Lucado admits that part is fictionalized, but for me it presents a strong picture of the battlefront where we all live, especially at Christmastime when everything and everybody wants to draw us away from the simple joys of the season.
So, if you're looking for an escape from the today's Christmas "battles" against goodies, gadgets and gobs of glee, pick up a copy of Lucado's story. It's a quick read and I can assure you that the warfare will subside and you will delight in the season's simplicity of God's greatest gift: His Son!
"For the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
What are your favorite Christmas books?
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