I’m no theologian, but the greatest story ever written is the best selling book of all time. The Bible. As we study this book, we discover how tightly woven the story is from the beginning to the end. The details and plot points are so intricate, that no human could have orchestrated them.
During this time of advent, waiting, we can look back through the Bible and see the story of Jesus woven into the fabric of the old testament. It’s the most beautiful love story ever told. The story of salvation.
I love Christmas time. I just glanced at an old diary I have and honestly my Christmas day entries were all about the stuff I got. “I got everything I asked for.” “I got a lot of nice things.”
As Christians we already have the best gift ever.
This is why I love reading Christmas stories written by Inspirational authors. There’s always themes of redemption, forgiveness, and love that are written from the biblical worldview. There is a difference in the depths of the stories written from this perspective.
Right now I’m reading Belle Calhoune’s novel, No Ordinary Christmas.
First, what a great cover! Evokes so many emotions. Christmas. Small town. Winter fun. Snow! I haven’t finished the book yet, but it’s a great story so far. I can tell there’s deep rooted issues that will need healing. And what a wonderful time of the year for that to happen!
There are so many Christmas stories out in the world. A great feast for us readers to enjoy during this time of the year. (Or anytime, in my opinion!) But the grace and mercy of our heavenly Father fills this season with a reminder that he sent his Son to earth, to dwell among us.
The greatest gift.
The most wonderful time of the year.
Merry Christmas Inspy romance readers. We’re so thankful for you all year long. I pray your season is filled with making memories, family, and the goodness of what we’ve been given through God.
I’d love to hear a favorite Christmas memory from you. One commenter picked at random will be gifted with a copy of Belle’s book.
Again, Merry Christmas!
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
Every Christmas we would drive 650 miles to my Nana’s house. On Christmas Eve the house would be packed with relatives. My sister and I got to be elves and pass out the presents to the adults. It was so much fun. One Christmas Eve it snowed so much people were joking about which room they were going to take.
Lori—Wow—that’s a long way! But how fun to be elves. :) And snow at Christmas is always fitting and amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.
When I was twelve years old, my younger brother (who was two years old at the time) had to undergo surgery, for which my parents traveled to another city with him and stayed in a relative’s apartment. So that a Christmas would not pass where everything revolved around my younger brother without time to celebrate, they sent me to my aunt’s house. My grandmother lived next door with my uncle (who due to the age difference was more of an older brother who would get angry if you entered his room and threw cushions at you) It was a strange and crazy Christmas hahaha my parents called me on the phone and I passed it on with extended family and family by my aunt’s husband.
They did not stop bothering me with my uncle’s nephew (without blood relationship with me who was 14 years old) it was really embarrassing to talk to him! We were “cousins” but not really really just politically so it was awkward having to talk hahaha.
It didn’t help that he had cute green eyes ;D (and I had never seen him until then hahaha).
Lilly–With everything that goes on at Christmas, I can’t imagine a family dealing with someone having surgery. But what a memorable Christmas for you. A cast of family characters that sounds like you never knew what would be around the corner. Sometimes a different situation turns out ok.
Lilly–Thank you so much for sharing.
One of my most memorable Christmas’s was when I was probably 3. On Christmas Day, we’d already opened our gifts, and for some reason I opened my parents closet, and found a chatter phone. I asked Mom, and she said it was for me, but she’d forgotten to wrap it. I didn’t believe her, so she had a lot of talking to do to get me to realize it really was mine! Another one was the year I got my own set of keys to my parents car! I was the only one of the four of us girls to ever have my own set of keys to their car!
Trudy–How fun! I love when memories go back that far. I’m trying to picture a chatter phone. But how funny you found it-and then didn’t believe it was yours. And there’s nothing like the freedom of having the car keys. I hope your sisters didn’t get jealous.
And Trudy–thank you for sharing!!
I was 6 or 7 and we had just my Mom. My dad sent me and my sister dolls for Christmas. He had never done this before. My Mom decorated the tree, put my brothers train around the bottom of the tree and laid every small gift out special, especially the dolls. She had hot chocolate ready and woke up us. We were all excited! The other gifts were small, because being a single parent she couldn’t afford much. But she made it so special! I still remember our excitement and how special my Mom made that Christmas to this day. Me and Mom are best friends. She’s the best!
Andrea—I love that your mom made it so special. Like I said in my post, it’s not about the gifts. And the hot chocolate idea is fabulous. A special treat early in the morning. How special receiving something from your dad. Thank you for sharing. :)
I always loved Christmas. I always remembered how Christmas Eve always draged. I was seven or eight maybe. Now Jesus Christ is the most great gift of all.Christmas is too commercialized anymore. let Tea Jesus back into the picture of Christmas.
Shaei—How true about Christmas eve as a kid! It was like it never ended. And then being super excited going to bed. You’re right about it becoming commercial. I know families that have kept it grounded, and I love that. It’s about Jesus! Thank you for sharing.
No Otdinary Christmas is on my wish lisr
I love that. Belle is an amazing author. :)
Hey Lindi, my favorite memories were traveling to Arkansas and spending Christmas with both sets of grandparents, all the aunts and uncles, and cousins when I was little. We moved here when I was 12. But those years we lived away, I couldn’t wait to visit.
Shannon–I love big Christmases. We had them when I was little. We’d go to my grandma’s where a lot of the family would be, then we’d head to this big hall in town where the extended, extended family would gather for dinner. It’s hard moving away from family, and when you can visit, it’s so great! Thank you for sharing. :)
Hi Lindi, :) I think my favorite Christmas memories are around the Christmas Eve dinner table, gathered with all our loved ones, remembering our Savior’s birth, as well as enjoying each other’s company.
Priscila—Yes! Holiday dinners rock. We do one every year at my mom’s house on Christmas Eve. I love seeing the people I don’t get to see all the time during the year. Not sure if you guys have a traditional meal. My mom says every year she wants to do something different, but we end up with the same dinner–but I love it!!
Hi, Lindi! My memories of Christmas as a youth are of having Christmas spread over three months. My oldest sister and her family would come at Thanksgiving and do Christmas with us. Their Christmas time was celebrated with her hubby’s family. Christmas day was spent with immediate family. Then, somewhere around New Year’s Day we would get together with my huge family of cousins.
Those memories are bittersweet now. Many of the family have either passed on or moved away. But, we still celebrate with my remaining siblings and my cousins at Thanksgiving time and with local family at Christmas.
The greatest gift is indeed Jesus. I can only imagine what His birthday party will be like when we get to see Him face to face.
Merry Christmas!
Lincoln—what a fabulous celebration! Big families often warrant that. How nice. And we’re like you with people moving and passing away. And people wait until they’re older now and don’t have as many kids anymore. My grandma was the oldest of nine I think? When you gather all those folks, well, you can imagine. Thank you for sharing about your 3 month celebration. I know you treasure those memories.
My favorite Christmas memory is my grandma would give all the grandchildren and great grandchildren warm pajamas and after every one put them on when would go play with them on we would have the Christmas at a Grange cause the family is way to big for a house. she passed away almost two years ago so this will be my second Christmas without her.So this Christmas we will be thinking of her cause this was her favorite holiday.
Kendra—What a special memory. That was sweet of your grandma to do that–and much looked forward to by the sounds of it. I mentioned above that we would have to go somewhere to because of the size. Those were the days!! Thank you for sharing, and praying for the sweetness of your grandma’s memories to fill you at Christmas.
My growing up years always found my big extended family at my grandmas house for Christmas; aunts, my two uncles and cousins. I remember her making almond bark covered pretzels (white & chocolate) and having various hard candies in her fancy cut glass dishes around the house. That’s the only time we could have as much candy as we wanted, lol! I remember all the laughter & fun (even when I was little), the games that were played and just the joy of being around everyone I loved. I miss those times!
I never thought of the Christmas story as God’s greatest love story for us. I love your perspective of it Lindi, it certainly brings a fresh meaning to the birth of Christ! :-)
I had a surprise birthday right before Christmas & got my dream bed which was a futon!! Also getting pregnant with my daughter
Amy—that sounds like a great gift!
My husband and I became engaged on December 12. We have been married for 33 years. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Debra—Just saw this!! How awesome. What a extra special time of the year.
My favourite memory is always having my family together for Christmas & also finding out I was having my daughter!!
Sylvain–That’s joyous news at this time of the year. :)
Every time we go Christmas tree shopping/cutting-it’s a special time-it’s a family time ❤️
One year we’ve got lost on a Christmas tree farm while looking for a Christmas tree 😂
Merry Christmas 🎁
Natalya–What a fun place to get lost at. I bet you found a great tree that year.
I’m not sure I have a favorite Christmas memory. I know that I do look forward to putting up the Christmas decorations every year. My Mom and I do it together and its fun to pull out all the homemade ornaments and put them on the tree. Then we sit and admire it for a short while. My Dad actually started decorating the outside of our house for the first time a few years ago. It was something I’d always wanted to be done but we hadn’t ever gotten around to it. That’s a special memory.
Megan–Decorating is fun. :) We don’t decorate outside. We’d need to hire out probably. :)