My Christmas books have slowly appeared on the coffee tables and sit on the occasional chair. There is even a children’s section on a low bookcase in the hall. I’m hoping a youngster, or two, finds them to read. I adore children’s literature. Over the years, I have acquired a nice sampling of books of the season; both through my own purchase and as treasured gifts from family and friends.
A few gifts have been purchased, but, I am running behind. I have started gathering ingredients needed to begin my holiday baking. For me, it IS holiday baking. Not everyone I share the gifts of my kitchen with celebrate Christmas. What we do all celebrate is a collective godliness and goodwill during our holy days, and I find great joy in the gift of giving food whenever I can.
Joy.
A theme of this season and one that has been visiting me often lately. “A Woman’s Christmas; Returning to the Gentle Joys of the Season” was the first of my Christmas literary treasures to find its way back into my hands. It was in this little volume where I found the quote in my previous post. This is a lovely little keepsake book, full of joyful quotes, photos, a few recipes and short essays. It found me last year in one of my favorite antique haunts, Jackson Square Mall. I gravitate to books Victoria Magazine published, especially those of the late 1990’s. There is a gentleness of spirit and sensibility to them that calls to the old fashioned girl in me.
Joy.
It showed up again in Sunday’s sermon. Our pastor is a gifted speaker and his message sang out to me as he spoke of the difference between happiness and joy. He seemed to expand on the words in the aforementioned quote – a coincidence I soaked thirstily up. His words and those of scripture spoke to me, making a “joyful noise” inside my soul.
Joy.
Later, as I pushed my shopping cart through T. J. Maxx, looking for the perfect gifts while gravitating to decorations I did not need, I thought of my happiness at learning that our family will all be together on Christmas this year, then, the pure joy of anticipating a full house overcame me.
My Tasha Tudor Christmas books will eventually make an appearance, especially her book, “Take Joy”. I have written of it before, here on the Cutoff, and will try to share it again sometime soon. In-the-meantime, dear reader, I wish you joy.
” . . . No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven! No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instance. Take peace! The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take joy! Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty . . . that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage then to claim it, that is all! . . . And so I greet you, with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away.”
“Letter to a Friend” by Fra Giovanni, 1513
Thank you for wishing me Joy. My books are creeping out also.I love your choices. My favorite, The Fireside book of Christmas Stories, a compilation that includes The Christmas Carol, The Night before Christmas, The Third Wise Man, Christmas at March House, Carol Byrd’s Christmas, and many, many more. Some of my kid’s books are out already. I have some Jan Brett books, and I love The Best/Worst Christmas Pageant Ever.
I have barely started my shopping and I keep accepting teaching jobs. I have no sense at this time of year. My decorations are not up, I keep going to Christmas things instead of taking care of things at home. It will get done, it always does.
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You are most welcome, Janet. On top of the kids’ pile (really two piles as there are so many books, is the I Spy Christmas book you sent our way. Ezra, in particular, has been “into” the I Spy books lately. I think he will be happy to see it out. I love the Jan Brett books.You book of Christmas stories sounds wonderful. Don’t you love dipping into those stories?
Our decorations just started coming out late last week, Janet. There seem to be more events to go to this year, don’t there, and you have so many grands nearby. 🙂 Fun. I like to open Christmas slowly anyways, especially since we keep our tree up until at least January 6. As you say, it will get done. Have a good day.
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Penny, I can feel your joy singing out of every line. The Women’s Christmas book sounds just the sort of book I would en-joy! On Friday I’ll be off to the beach for my summer holiday, and completely offline, so in case I don’t catch you before I leave, let me wish you a Christmas full of love, surprises and of course joy! It’s so special to have you in my life.
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Oh, Juliet, thank you, thank you. This women’s book is lovely, especially easy to pick up during this time of year.
We have had rather unseasonably warm weather up here. It has been in the ’60’s F and odd for this time of year. The temps will be dropping again, more of the winter weather we are used to up here in December. I will be thinking of you, the warmth and the abundance of greenery as you enjoy your time at the bach. Thank you, Juliet. I feel the same for you and am so grateful for our blogging connection. Here is to love, surprises and joy on both ends of our earth. 🙂
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Our treasured Christmas books feel just like old friends! When they appear on our coffee tables, they remind us to slow down, enjoy a cup of tea, and breathe. Holiday books are truly one of the gentle joys! It’s wonderful news that your entire family will be together this Christmas, Penny! That will be the best gift of all! ♡
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They are like old friends, Dawn. 🙂
It is often difficult to just slow down, especially during the holidays, and for many it is a sad time or a difficult time – says she who speaks from life experience. I do try to find joy – and yes, having us all together is the best gift. Thank you Dawn.
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Sending extra warm hugs, dear Penny! ♡
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Just like Juliet I would also enjoy the woman’s Christmas book. My Christmas this year will be subdued since it is the first anniversary of my mom’s passing.
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If you ever see it sitting in a consignment/used book/or antique shop, snap it up, Gerlinde. It is a little treasure, for certain.
You mom passed right at Christmastime, which makes the holiday poignant in so many ways and that longing can be so strong. I hope your memories will help you through, especially as joy is hard to find. Wishing you well.
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Bringing out the books is one of the best things about Christmas, especially the pop-ups! And I am certain Santa will be making a special visit to your home with some little ones there! Now all you need is a White Christmas. Joy has been on my mind this week and your blog has added to my thoughts.
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Oh! You’ve reminded me of a few pop-ups I need to bring out that weren’t with the other books. Thank you, Marilyn. You always trigger something in my wandering mind. 🙂 I hope we will have a White Christmas, but, right now, it doesn’t look like it. We’ve have 60+ degree temperatures. It is Chicago and the weather can change on a dime, so, we’ll see.
Joy. It can be hard to see at times. I’m working at it . . .
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Joy has been in short supply in my neck of the woods. I know I needed to read this post after my three-day internet absence! Thanks for this reminder.
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Joy can be hard to see, L. Marie. I know you are having your fill of challenges right now – and having no internet for three days only compounds it. Take care, my blogging friend. I’m so glad Andra introduced us. 🙂
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I have a few of those Victoria books from the 1990’s too! I used to flip through that magazine when I lived in a tiny, ugly apartment in Brooklyn when my children napped and I had time to drink tea and dream 🙂 Thanks for reminding me of those small pleasures. Of course I love Tasha!!
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Aren’t they wonderful, Adrienne? I snap the books up whenever they cross my path. They seem to bring out the best in me. 🙂 I enjoy Victoria in its current incarnation, but, I truly enjoyed it in those earlier years. It must have felt like a visit from a friend in those years of raising your children and brought beauty to that apartment. It is the small pleasures that give us comfort.
Tasha. A treasure. I had the pleasure of meeting her once.
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YOU DID???!!! What was she like?
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I had a bursting collection of Christmas books before I met MTM. As one can imagine, they included instructions for crafting things decidedly NOT modernist-minimalist. 🙂 I compromised and sold them as a set when we married.
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Sounds like a good compromise to me, Andra. 🙂 I have so many. Too many. The grandkids should have fun with the children’s section, though. There is even a treasured, vintage set that belonged to Tom’s great aunt and great uncle. Those are way up high. 🙂
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Yesterday I read a Golden Book to my granddaughter which had been given to me when I was just a year older than she is now. So special to me.
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Oh, Nan, that is such a touching image and testament to a family’s love of book. Thanks for sharing this.
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Thank you for sharing your meditations on joy. So happy to learn you will have your whole family together. Your grands are the perfect Christmas age!
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Welcome back, Sallie, and you are very welcome. It will be a gift for certain to all be together. Thank you and yes, they are at the perfect age. 🙂
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Ah, but there is no such thing as a coincidence! I’m glad you are getting so many messages of joy Penny! Merry Christmas!
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So am I, Janet. I am grateful for these moments (not coincidence 🙂 )
Merry Christmas to you as well, Janet. Enjoy having the kids home.
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What an absolutely wonderful quote at the end of your post, Penny. I must take that and keep it close at hand, reflecting on it properly and often! I’m really delighted to learn you had your family together this Christmas. I know that makes your joy complete. I hope little hands enjoyed some of those beautiful Christmas books. I do think I had many joyful moments and I experienced a beautiful Christmas. I think in some instances I was just a little busier than I would choose to do again. Not sure what that will even mean, really, but I didn’t once sit down and enjoy my Christmas books, and I feel a little bit was lost by possibly trying to cover too much ground. I have a full year now to think about what I might choose differently. But I do choose joy…and I love the way you point to that so perfectly, my friend.
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Debra, it is a quote I return to often. I hope you can as well.
It has been such great fun having family together this year, though I have found myself tiring more easily and last night fell asleep before the grandkids. 🙂 I understand about the busyness we engage in and, yes, sometimes we need to re-evalutate what we are doing, especially at this time of year.
Thank you, Debra. I appreciate your kind words.
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