The holiday season has begun. In the bustle of shopping, cooking, and decorating, the spirit of Christmas and the wonder of it all can be forgotten. Time to take a break, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and curl up in a comfy chair to read a Christmas-inspired book.
When the busyness of Christmas makes me feel “grinchy”, I turn to a good book to help me remember what Christmas is really about. Here are five of my favorite Christmas books to bring back my holiday spirit.
1. Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon
I whip this book out early. It is the ultimate cozy, get-ready for Christmas book. Father Tim, an Episcopalian priest in the small town of Mitford finds an old, damaged nativity set and decides to re-paint it as a Christmas surprise for his wife. What starts as a small project turns into a comforting, fun experience that draws others to stop and help him prepare for Christmas. So sweet and cozy!
2. Christmas And Christmas Lore by T.G. Crippen
This 1929 book goes through everything from the origins of Christmas to The Posada (Las Posadas) to the history of Caroling, Christmas Cards, Yule-Tide in Thule, and more. It’s a fun reference book for old Christmas traditions around the world. I like to pick it up and just pick a random chapter and learn something new about Christmas. What is Hagmena, or Hogmanay? Scottish New Year’s Eve. See, you just learned something new.
3. The Best of Martha Stewart Living Holidays-Recipes, Gifts And Decorations Thanksgiving & Christmas designed by Jennifer Napier
Now that I learned about Hogmanay, (love the name), I need to make shortbread to celebrate. That’s where Martha Stewart steps in. I brush the flour off this recipe book and find my favorite cookie recipes. Martha being the overachiever that she is also includes homemade gift ideas and even decorating tips for elaborate Christmas or New Year’s Eve Parties. I just look at the pictures and daydream about living in a house that big and beautiful. Someday, I’ll throw a party where we dance in ballgowns and tuxes on New Year’s Eve instead of playing board games and falling asleep at 10.
4. Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron
It’s a little too cozy. I need a little murder to spice things up. Imagine if Jane Austen solved murder mysteries. Fantastic, I know. Stephanie Barron does the work for us in her Being A Jane Austen Mystery series. I love these books. They are fun and well-researched and I believe Jane would have enjoyed being a detective. My Christmas favorite is Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas. You can read Dickens’s, A Christmas Carol and experience an old English Christmas or read about a regency period Christmas with murder, romance, and Jane Austen.
5. Cajun Night Before Christmas by “Trosclair” and illustrated by James Rice
The Night Before Christmas is great to get you into the Christmas mood but the Cajun Night Before Christmas is my preference because it’s so funny. Especially if you do it with a horrible Cajun accent like I do. There’s also an Irish version and a Texas version. I’ll bet there’s even more. They are a hilarious take on the holiday great. Laughter is vital during the holidays. Laugh as often as possible throughout the holiday season and into the New Year.
My family also reads Luke chapters 1-2 from The Bible at Christmas as well as other Bible passages as we light the Advent wreath to prepare for Christmas. A peaceful way to remember the first Christmas.
Already in the Christmas mood? How about reading a non-Christmas story? Check out my short story Fair Trial. Or, go to Amazon for a nice hardback copy of my book Sargon The Not So Great. It would make a great gift for middle-grade girls (ages 8-12).
What is your favorite Christmas or holiday book? Comment below and let me know. Merry Christmas!