I'M DREAMING OF A WRITE CHRISTMAS

 

Has your blog lost readers? Are your books sales slipping?

Has Christmas lost meaning for most people in your world?

What does that last question have to do with the first two?

It stems from the question both Christmas pilgrims and readers have in common:

What's in it for me?
 

 

Fairy lights, tinsel and extravagant presents’ have made both authors and Christmas shoppers forget about the true relevance of the season and

of the reasons why people read.

 

The "fairy lights and tinsel" of our dreams of succeeding in writing blind us to what makes readers pick up a book in the first place.

 

They are asking: "What's in this book or blog for me?"

 

It is a seductive trap to write blogs and books to get people to look at you, to achieve YOUR dream.

 

We succeed as writers when we look past OUR wants to the wants of the readers. 

Blog visitors are looking for something to help them with THEIR dreams and THEIR hurts.

 

Book readers are looking for an experience that will wisk them away from their lacks to their dreams:
 

of being loved, of being the hero, of not being the patsy, of finally belonging.

 

Christmas started out as a celebration among the poor: the social ostracized of society at that time:
 

the unclean shepherds, the sneered at country bumpkins, and the hopeless.

 

The cry from the sparkling night stars:

 

 

"YOU MATTER TO ME - GOD"

 

 

was heard and believed by those unseen and uncared for by those with wealth, position, and power.

 

Today the streets and cities teems again

with those who shiver in cardboard shelters, pushing old newspapers in shoes with holes in their sides and soles. 

 

In fact, there are holes in the SOULS of those who wander hollow-eyed amidst the hurrying shoppers. 

Not all with thread-bare souls live on the streets.

 

Many live in tiny apartments, elder homes smelling of urine and neglect, or in three bedroom houses empty due to death and grown children.

 

I sat in a dark movie theater today and watched repeated commercials for Target,

hawking presents with price tags beyond the grasp of millions in our country. 

Me included.  I went without the outrageously priced concessions.

 

Some people look at the store windows blaring XMAS SALES!  They mourn that Christ has been X-ed out of their most holy holiday.

 

We need to search for the true meaning of the world around us if we are to survive emotionally in this world that lunges for the brass ring.

 

The word Xmas actually stands for the original Greek and Latin spelling of the word Chirst which is spelled Xristos
For those of us who cling to the true treasure of the Christmas season, there is still that little bit of feeling:

 

the change dropped in the Salvation Army bucket, the plates of homemade cookies taken to the neighbors, the stories read and the carols sung.

 

And for us the Yule Season still has the hope seen in the lights and the evergreens,

 

the peace seen in the candles and angels,

 

the joy felt in making the lives of others just that much better even if only for one day.

 

And that will always be there for those who stop running long enough to open their hearts. 

Has Christmas lost its meaning?

 

No.

But it is getting harder to find. Because the best things of Christmas are not found in a box, they are found in the heart.

 

In like manner,

the best novels contain not surface glitz but the inner wealth lurking in the heart and soul of those still brave enough to believe in both.