Hi Spiritblogger and Spiritblogger for Kids fans! This month I’d like to feature a favorite author and illustrator named Nancy Tillman of children’s books which I highly recommend. Not only is she a bes
t-selling author, but often touches on the spirit of things in her books, in a unique and entertaining way for kids and adults alike. Click Here to visit her website and learn more about her treasured books. Some of my favorites of hers include: The Crown on Your Head, Wherever You Are, and On The Night You Were Born which highlight love, promote security, and help build self-confidence. Here is one book I recommend buying to read to your children this year: The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman. The story and illustrations are simply beautiful.
The Spirit of Christmas
“I had just nodded off, at a quarter past four,
when the Spirit of Christmas
stepped in through my door.
With a great show of sparkles,
he decked all my halls
in tinsel and twinkles
and bright, shining balls.
I was really quite fond of
the trimmings he’d brought.
‘But there’s just something
missing this Christmas,’ I thought.
‘Bells!’ he said. ‘Jingle bells!
Bells right away! Bells on
a one-horse galloping sleigh!’
‘A toy soldier band dressed in matching red sashes!’
‘Candy cane tongues and marshmallow mustaches!
Everyone caroling songs of goodwill.’
‘So merry that even the trees can’t be still!’
I shook my head.
‘You are really so kind.
But it’s just not exactly
what I had in mind.’
He spoke to me then
in a whisper of wings.
‘There are gentle things
the season brings.’
‘Snow that lies silent.
As quiet as a mouse.’
‘And roads that all lead to your grandmother’s house.’
‘Ten lords a-leaping as seven swans swim.’
‘And of course, Santa Clause,
I’m just getting to him!’
I lifted my chin and stared up at the ceiling
I still wasn’t getting that warm Christmas feeling.
That’s when the Spirit of Christmas smiled.
‘Remember, this all began with a child.
Because it took nothing but love to begin it,
it’s not really Christmas if love isn’t in it.’
Your tree may be large as the room will allow
with a big yellow star on the uppermost bough,
but of one thing I’m certain
I’m sure of one thing.
It is love that makes the angels sing.
And that’s when I got it.
That’s when I knew!
The thing that was missing from Christmas was you!
And so then, my darling, wherever you roam,
may you always be safe…may you always come home.
For as long as the world still spins and still hums,
wherever you are, and no matter what comes,
The best part of Christmas will always be…
you beneath my Christmas tree.
You are loved.”
by author Nancy Tillman
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