Into the Fire

Christmas gifts. Not an easy subject to discuss—at least not in October. However, the wonder of Christmas doesn’t depend on shopping and buying, glitz or gaud, snowflakes or sunshine. It depends on Jesus. Totally on Jesus: “The Reason for the Season”. I don’t know where you’re at as far as celebrating the beauty of the birth of our Savior with giving gifts, but, for me, giving a gift at Christmastime is a grand way to say “I love you, and so does Jesus.” The needless gifts have been whittled down or out—you know the ones you have to give. No. Those gifts shouldn’t be a part of this celebration.

So with those thoughts in mind, thinking about the possibility of giving a book for Christmas means you might find the opportunity for the novel to speak of the One who made this celebration real. Those who don’t believe in the reality of Jesus Christ but who are not militant in their anti-God status might be moved to read a specially selected story which gives them a hint of what God is like and who Jesus really is often through a peripheral character as in some of the novels I listed for you yesterday. Non-invasive, yet the truth is there if they want to address it or pursue it. Or not. The stories from yesterday really can be given to unbelievers if those folks don’t qualify as militant atheists.

Moving right along then . . .

You know as a general rule I can’t recommend historical novels because I rarely read them, but I will say the two novels in the Allie Fortune Series by Sara Mills (Miss Fortune and Miss Match) capture the flavor and noir of the late 40s PI novels with the intriguing twist of making a female private investigator as the protagonist. And it works. Very well. These are quick reads, mysteries with imaginative storylines and a hint of romance, much of it unrequited.

In keeping with the historical theme, The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner, ECPA Novel of the Year, combines the history of the Salem witch trials with a contemporary story and presents a finely crafted book with an unobtrusive spiritual undercurrent and layered themes—which is Susan’s specialty. This is a gender neutral novel but favors women.

How about those readers who like real suspense in a good murder mystery but aren’t quite into the hardcore stuff? Brandilyn Collins wrote two recently released novels which take unexpected twists and turns and ratchet up the level of suspense all along the way. Dark Pursuit and Exposure will keep the readers guessing while realistically infusing faith elements into the story.

More again tomorrow . . .

Father, please bless your writers. Supply them with stories and go before them to make their paths straight. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.