In the spirit of celebrating a simple, holy Christmas season,
these are a few of my favorite books.
The image above comes from Forever Christmas by Harry Davis
The Twelve Teas of Christmas by Emilie Barnes
The Religious Potential of the the Child by Sophia Cavalletti
And several of my favorites have gone out of print, but are too wonderful
not to mention here. I'm so glad that these books are still readily available at public libraries and from many used book sellers:
Take Joy! by Tasha Tudor
This charming collection of "songs, stories, poems, and things to do for a family Christmas" is an abundant store of beautiful traditions, but Tasha's whimsical nostalgic illustrations are what make this book a treasure.
The Home Has A Heart by Thyra Ferre Bjorn
Comprised of twelve chapters (one for each month of the year) the last chapter is an antidote for all the modern angst and whining about "Christmas survival". Thyra writes with a heart full of gratitude-- a rare quality-- which draws me to her book. It's also full of recipes and references to her Swedish heritage, things that I find irresistible.
here is an excerpt:
"At times we complain that the card list gets longer and longer each year. But if I think of the people the cards go to, I stop sputtering. What a small price, I think, to pay for friendship. After all, isn't friendship one of the rarest things in the world?"
and this
"...it is the joy and gladness and blessing that come with understanding the real meaning of Christmas. It is love and charity and giving. It is thoughtfulness of others...What can be compared to it? I thank God for Christmas every year as it becomes dearer and dearer to my soul."
Christmas In The Air by Holly Ebel
The subtitle says it best:
"a new fashioned book for an old fashioned Christmas".
This book also contains directions for making Swedish hearts.
I'll post a tutorial when (and if! LOL!) I figure out how to make them.
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