One Woman's View: Thank God for books
Contributing writer
If I made a list of all the blessings I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, books would be near the top of that list. As a small child, I thought Christmas was a huge success if Santa brought me a doll and a book. When I got a little older, all I needed was the book. Even though I don't like to see people rushing into the Christmas season before Thanksgiving is well and truly celebrated, I can't resist telling you about some of the books I've been reading which might suit somebody on your Christmas shopping list.
Last Christmas a friend gave me Guideposts for the spirit: "Christmas Stories of Faith" edited by Julie K. Hogan. It is a collection of seasonal stories that have appeared in Guideposts over the years, each one preceded by a short quotation. Since I like to find a quiet interlude sometime on Christmas Day to celebrate with some special Christmas reading, it was the ideal gift for me. These were stories which made me laugh, made me cry, blessed my spirit and enhanced my spiritual growth. What a present!
Recently I ran across a similar treasure, "Christmas Miracles" edited by James C. Miller, Laura Lewis and Jennifer Basye Sander. I haven't reached the end of this one yet, but I've already been touched by some of the true stories, such as those about a lost cat found on Christmas Eve, a survivor of the Holocaust whose life was saved by Christmas and a real-life Santa's bag of toys that kept miraculously producing gifts like the Biblical widon's cruse of oil.
If you have an early teen or pre-teen girl on your list, I would recommend "The Quiet Little Woman," a collection of holiday stories by Louisa May Alcott. Although their style and their plots are typical of an earlier era, I don't believe Alcott will ever quit appealing to young readers. Without being too "preachy" they reinforce values such as generosity, compassion and industry.
Of course, books do not have to be about Christmas to be a welcome present. Another good one for the middle school or junior high age gropup is "Friends and Enemies" by LouAnn Gaeddert. This might be of special interest to many in this community, because it deals with the issue of pacifism. A warm friendship between a Methodist minister's son and a Mennonite boy faces great difficulties in the emotionally charged atmosphere following Pearl Harbor. This book is on the William Allen White reading list, and the others on the list are also worthwhile reading, which would make good gifts for youngsters.
The whole family might enjoy "God's Photo Album," which a friend gave me on my birthday last summer. It was written by students at a Christian school in Hawaii and their families. Buses transported the group to every part of their island with cameras. They were asked to take photographs of anything in which they could see God. The result was many beautiful photographs and many different perspectives on ways God manifests Himself to His children.
Anyone who is interested either in history or in building better relationships among different races and cultures would appreciate Slaves in the Family by Edward Ball. The author was descended from a family of South Carolina rice planters who had once owned hundreds of slaves. Ball set out to trace the history of his own family and to find as many descendants of their slaves as possible. He managed to locate an amazing number of them, some of whom turned out to be his blood relatives. Although he encountered some hostility both from his white relatives and the slave descendants, he also made many heart-warming friendships.
I am inclined to think "The Road to Forgiveness" by Bill and Cindy Griffiths should be required reading for everyone on the planet. The whole subject of forgiveness is explored in a very practical way. The authors' daughter and Cindy's mother were killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver. They discuss very honestly how they learned to forgive first God and then the drunk driver. At the end of the book there is a chapter by the woman who caused the accident dealing with the struggle to forgive herself. I believe most Christians sometimes grapple with Jesus' command to forgive our enemies. At first, the Griffiths found the demand for forgiveness very difficult. However, the triumphant, healing fruits of their forgiveness make this a proclamation of victory and peace.
If none of these books pique your interest, find some that do. Buy them for Christmas gifts, buy them for yourself, or just check them out of your library to read and be thankful. May they help you find true peace and joy in this holiday season. God bless you all.
