December 3, 2018

Christmas Reads 2018


I really enjoy reading Christmas books in December. Here are a few books I've read and I am reading for this 2018 Christmas season.


Mr. Dickens and His Carol - I recently finished this one and really loved the writing style, it was very beautiful and gave that wonderful Victorian feel. I'm not sure how much of this story is real to Charles Dickens life, and how he came to write 'A Christmas Carol', but it was captivating non-the-less.

There was a hint of his infidelity to his wife and children throughout the book, which didn't sit well with me, though there wasn't anything inappropriate written. Overall it was an enjoyable read.




Christmas: A Biography - Unfortunately I didn't get to far in this one. Only a few chapters. It really didn't have anything to do with the Christmas of the Christian faith, but rather how non-believers have celebrated it through the years. It focused on a lot of feasting, particularly over indulgence, secular traditions and rituals of the royals of times gone by.

After three or four chapters of this it got mundane and meaningless. Though it had the odd interesting fact, overall I wouldn't recommend it, especially to those looking for a biography of what Christians celebrate each Christmas.



Christmas at Carnton - I am enjoying this novella! It's set during the civil war era, which is one of my favorite time periods to read about. I've enjoyed other books by Tamera Alexander and looking forward to finishing this one.



Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - I'm thoroughly enjoying this one so far! It's an 'anthology of Advent readings collected from the writings and sermons of 22 classic and contemporary theologians and Bible teachers.' (taken from the description).

Some of the writers include George Whitfield, Randy Alcorn, John Piper, J.C. Ryle, Charles Spurgeon, Joni Eareckson Tada, Francis Schaeffer and Saint Augustine. It's edited by Nancy Guthrie.

Here is a quote from the first chapter by George Whitefield (1714-1770) which sums up the true meaning of celebrating Christmas:

"...let us celebrate and keep this festival of our church with joy in our hearts; let the birth of a Redeemer, which redeemed us from sin, from wrath, from death, from hell, be always remembered; may this Savior's love never be forgotten! 

But may we sing forth all his love and glory as long as life shall last here, and through an endless eternity in the world above! May we chant forth the wonders of redeeming love and the riches of free grace, amidst angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, without intermission, forever and ever! 

And as, my brethren, the time for keeping this festival is approaching, let us consider our duty in the true observation thereof, of the right way for the glory of God, and the good of immortal souls, to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; an event which ought to be had in eternal remembrance."






20 comments:

  1. I've read Come Thou Long Expected Jesus a few times - a great resource!

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    1. I'm really enjoying it! Thanks for stopping by Barbara!

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  2. We had a similar topic in mind this week. I posted our favorite Christmas books for families this week. None of yours are on my list (or in my collection) so I'm going to be looking them up! Thank you! Visiting from #LMMLinkUp

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Julie! I will have to come check out your books. : )

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  3. Love this list! I LOVE Christmas books :)

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  4. Oh! I love Nancy Guthrie, so I'm sure I'd appreciate her Advent collection! Heading off to check it out!

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    1. It's a good one! Thanks for stopping by Michele!

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  5. I going to add Christmas ar Carnton to my list. I really enjoy shorter, light-hearted reads during the holidays! Thanks for sharing your list - both the good and not so good!

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    1. I'm almost done that one and enjoying it. Hope you do too! Thanks for stopping by Jennifer. : )

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  6. I had never heard of the book Come Thou Long Expected Jesus or the contents thereof. That sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing.

    I LOVE the beautiful picture you shared. I can just crawl into it!

    My husband and I saw the movie about how Charles Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol. It was a great movie. I don't know if it was based off of the book you shared about though.

    I enjoyed my visit here today.

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    1. I think you would enjoy Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.

      We just watched the movie 'The Man Who Invented Christmas' and it was different from the book I read. I actually liked this movie better. It was based on another book by the same name I believe.

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  7. Like your selections...thanks for sharing.

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  8. thanks for these reviews! it can be hard to find good things to read this time of year!

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  9. Thanks for sharing what you are reading at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

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  10. What a fun collection of Christmas books! Thank you so much for sharing and joining me at #MomentsofHope!
    Blessings,
    Lori

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Feel free to leave your own thoughts in the comments. I try to respond to all of them by the end of the week. : )