Where in the World Are You Reading: Holiday Reading Escape

This month's Where in the World Are You Reading theme is Holiday Reading Escape. Lisa, this month’s host, asks: "what does your Christmas Reading Escape look like? Do you enjoy Christmas themed books? Are you already sick of the Christmas spirit? Do you enjoy a nice glass of spiked eggnog with your books?

The Month of December seems to fly by so quickly and I never seem to have as much time for reading as I would like. One thing I’m trying to make time for this year is a re-read of A Christmas Carol. I don’t think I’ve read it in about 10 years. I’ve see an annual theatre performance of it every December for the past few years, but I’d love to dig back into the original book. I will definitely be enjoying a bit of eggnog or if I need a sugar rush, maybe some hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps!

I’m certainly not sick of Christmas spirit. I tend to be a big sucker for the holiday season. I can certainly get caught up in the madness, but I do love curling up with a good Christmas book or holiday movie. A few of my favorite films, just for fun: Elf, White Christmas, Love Actually and my favorite, It’s a Wonderful Life.

I also can’t remember a year when we haven’t read the passage from Luke 2 about the birth of Christ. It’s a beautiful reminder for me to stay focused on the real reason for the holiday.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Luke 2: The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Photo by moi, Where in the World from here.