Sunday, December 1, 2013

November Best Book, And Another About The True Meaning Of Christmas

     Some of the good books I read in November included Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, Meet Me At The Cupcake Cafe, and Servant's Hall.  I enjoyed the ten cozy mysteries,as always.  And I started the month out telling you I was reading My Story: Elizabeth Smart and that hands down, it would be the best thing I read in November, and it was.  Right before Thanksgiving, in the middle of a snow storm I wrote about some of my favorite Christmas books.  I read some of those in November.  One I read in November and then again today, December 1st, so I could say it was the best of the bunch for December.
      Before I get to talking about that little book I need to clarify.  At the end of that post I asked about your favorite Christmas books.  My list of favorites did not include the Bible.  Not because it is not a favorite, especially Luke 2:1-20.... IT IS, but because, for me, my spiritual life is sacred and I keep it pretty close to my heart.  I don't mind other people who speak of their's, or who post "Christian" things on Facebook and the like.  It just is not how I am.  Please don't misunderstand.  No one is wrong, we are all just different in how we handle our religion.  I just like to keep mine real personal.  But then, sometimes, I feel moved to share my spiritual feelings and when I feel that feeling I do.
      Yes, I will be reading scriptures all through December, they just won't appear on my list. To me that is separate. I didn't want you to think I was ga-ga over a list of Christmas books I read every year, --- fiction --- but didn't suggest the Bible might have a good Christmas story, or that I did not read it (and it is not fiction).  Whew. Now that I took all that time to explain that I'm going back to the best book I will read in December.  The title is The Modern Magi by Carol Lynn Pearson.  And I guess I will give you a little glimpse of my religious life by saying I have heard that still small voice and I know from whom it comes.  In The Modern Magi  the main character, Annabelle, wants to give Jesus a gift.  Her story is about how she is trying to do that in her own way, and then she hears a still small voice. Again and again.  Some people may read that and not really understand.  I understand, because I have heard that voice and felt that voice and know that voice.
      I love that little book.  Little it is, only 65 pages and smaller than a 5" x 7" picture frame.  The author, Carol Lynn Pearson? I don't know her, except what I read in the 5 line bio on the book jacket. It was first published a long time ago, in the early 90's if not the 80's. She also wrote another powerful little book in the 80's, A Stranger For Christmas.   What is it about those two little books, especially The Modern Magi?  You will have to read them for yourselves.  I just know it touches me.
     A long time ago, 15 or 20 years, I taught a Spiritual Living class.  At Christmas I told the story of  The Modern Magi.  In a church singles class at Christmas I included it in a lesson I gave.  One year at church I was a speaker in December and I shared the story.  When I taught a Sunday School class for teenagers at Christmas ... you guessed it.  That is how powerful the book is to me.  How much I think that simple story can reach people.  I hope your library has them and you can enjoy them.  If you want to share two wonderful little books about the true meaning of Christmas with your friends you can pick them up from places online such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for less than $5 a piece.  $5.00 including shipping!  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ms. Pearson --- they do not know me, they did not ask that I give them a plug, I just want to share these little books with you. That still small voice? He knows me and I know Him. I feel Him when I read these stories.  Merry Christmas.
      

9 comments:

  1. This is a funny story (but not so funny) that I almost told on your last post about these books. My sister is always doing some of the craziest things. When her young daughter was having her tonsils out and was needing a lot of reassurances, my sister decided to read her a story and share it with the other young girl in the room also awaiting a tonsillectomy. She chose THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL. Once she realized the direction of the story there was no turning back. To this day my niece recollects it as one of the most terrifying moments of her entire life. We'll never know about the other little girl.

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    1. LOL! I can just see the gears in your sister's mind as she sees where this is going. I was the storytime lady for 18 years at the library. When I first started my boss told me never ever read anything to kids unless you have read it first ... and proceeded to give me examples like that of other people that read the wrong thing at the wrong time. Give your niece a hug for me.

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  2. Wow, you pack in a lot of reading.
    This post made me think about the time we spend with blogger friends and the genuine warmth we can feel towards them. In the end, though, we do have to remember that we get only a thin slice of the actual person and we should not expect to know everything about another's life. In any case, I am grateful for the fact that there are those who choose to share a bit of their lives and some of their thoughts and feelings on a regular basis.

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    1. I have been a reader for 54 years. I grew up in a small town in New Mexico that had a really good library. My mom told me I read every book in the childrens section. I don't now about that but probably. It was an escape mechanism for me. Most of my life I have read a boo a day so for me I am not back up to speed yet. I had a mental breakdown a few years ago and for at least 6 months I lost the ability to read.. scariest thing of my life. Then I suffered a concussion so I am not back to normal yet. That is why I love cozy mysteries. They are easy but usually a good story. I just love reading.

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    2. AArrgghh! Please bear with me. My laptop has decided to not respond when I type the letter K so if something doesn't make sense picture a K in there! :)

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  3. I love to read, but can't hold a candle to my baby sister. I did read Elizabeth Smart's book, My Story. Wow...what a book! What a child! Her faith was amazing. I only hope that before I die I can obtain half as much faith as she had as a young child. I would love to meet this young lady. I do read my scriptures daily, I read the Ensign cover to cover each month, I also read other religious material every month. I also believe that religion is a personal thing. I have shared things with my baby sister, but very seldom will I share with any other person. But since I am up at 3:30 this morning with no book to read I am going to have to visit my library today and see what books they might have that are on that November list. Happy Reading and Merry Christmas to all.

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    1. You better get to the library before our next winter blast arrives!

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  4. It is now 3:46 at my house and just noticed that this posted the time as one hour earlier.

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    1. My reply shows 5:37 when it is 7:37 in TX so it must post Pacific time

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