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.