Every Day is Christmas
Sandra Fischer
The greatest Christmas story of all time is the true one about the birth of Jesus Christ. Ever since that fateful night in Bethlehem, thousands of authors have written stories—some true, some imagined—about that world-changing event. You will find both types of Christmas tales in this heartwarming book of stories, devotionals, and poetry. Beautifully illustrated in full color, this family-friendly collection of short reads is perfect for sharing around the fire, gifting to a loved one, or reading with children to invite them to experience the most special holiday of all.

Price:  $3.99

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book excerpt

Introduction E ver since the first Christmas, people have been sharing stories about what happened in a dusty stable in Bethlehem. That most marvelous event—the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the World—has stirred the hearts of poets, artists, and musicians. All have struggled to express the magnitude of God’s love demonstrated by His coming to earth in human form to save us, reconcile us, and redeem us. As a writer, I have also been drawn to share stories about Christmas, many of them true stories from my own past. The earliest Christmas memory I can recall was celebrating with a small Christmas tree set on a platform in front of our living room window. Around it lay an oval Lionel train track and village scene my father had built. What fun we had watching the little engine puffing “smoke” and whistling as it pulled the cars around the tree! On Christmas day we would exchange gifts and enjoy a delicious meal of turkey and all the accompaniments. Growing up, my family’s celebrations were mainly cultural, and it wasn’t until I began attending church at age twelve that I learned that there was more to Christmas than those sweet, simple traditions. Oh, I had heard that Christmas was about Jesus’ birth, but I did not know Him personally or understand why He had been born. Meeting the Christ of Christmas changed my life. While I still enjoy and practice traditions embedded in the cultures of all the places I have lived, more than anything I want to honor the Christ of Christmas in the stories I write, the relationships I have, and the intimate spiritual journey of my soul. I want His story to be prime and to shine through all the trappings so that others will also want to meet Him and accept the indescribable gift God gave us when He gave us Jesus. Christmas story books abound, so I wondered how mine might have significance in the ocean of ink spilled in stories already published. I prayed about getting an illustrator to bring my words to life. I knew the internet was replete with talented people who could illustrate the stories competently, but I wanted someone who knew Jesus and would render the art to warm hearts and souls. Becky Guinn came to mind. She was a talented Christian artist I knew through her sister-in-law, Katherine Bilbee. Katherine served as manager of Glad Tidings Books ‘N Gifts, the store I owned before I retired. Through her, I knew Becky’s life story and had heard what an amazing artist she was. I contacted Becky about illustrating my book; the email had barely rested in my outbox when Becky replied that she had been praying about what God would have her do next. He answered her prayer and mine! The beauty of Becky’s art speaks for itself, but what makes her illustrations even more remarkable is that her hands were amputated a few years ago. She creates all of her art with prosthetic “hands.” Her life and work are a testament to God’s mercy and miraculous power, just like Christmas itself. Please read more of her story at the end of this book. As you go through this collection of stories—some real, some imagined—may they help you reconnect with the memories you hold in your heart’s treasury. May you experience the deep range of emotions Christmas brings—love, happiness, sadness, regret, hope. Most of all, may you perceive the joy the Christ of Christmas brings to us each and every day and know that “Every Day is Christmas.”