A Christmas Reminder for Writers

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

You’re reading this blog post in early August, which means some of us are still wondering, “Where did July go?” 

I wrote this blog post in July, during all the “Christmas in July” falalalala people celebrate. Store sales. Car sales. Book giveaways. (Maybe you participated in one.)

Christmas in July made me realize a mid-year Christmas reminder is a good thing.

So here’s my reminder to you, writer friends.

Right now, as you’re reading this, Christmas is four months away. This is said for perspective, not to cause panic.

Heaven proclaimed that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. We celebrate Christmas in December—deck the halls, sing the songs, bake the family recipes, give the gifts but the reason for the season is here with us all year long. Every single day, week, and month of the year.

Some of you may be thinking, “Yes, Beth, I know that.”

But do we live like it? Do we celebrate the truth of Christmas all year long? Do we allow the eternal truth to change us? And believe me, as I type these words, I’m challenging myself with these questions. Do my actions, my words, both spoken and written, reflect the miraculous truth that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us?

Here’s an action point to consider: Go get one Christmas ornament or a small nativity scene from among your collection. Yes, you’ll have to get into your Christmas boxes a few months early. Put the ornament or scene somewhere where you will see it for the next few months. Let it remind you of Emmanuel, God with us, as you go about your day, as you reflect Him to the world through your actions and words, both spoken and written. 

NOTE: I first learned this action point from a pastor, who suggested keeping out a nativity scene all year round as a reminder of the truth of Christmas. I amended it for the purpose of this column. 

No matter what you do today, may the Truth of Christmas refill your heart with hope and infuse your writing with purpose. 

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A Christmas Reminder for Writers from author @BethVogt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 15 novels and novellas, both contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a  RITA® finalist. Her newest contemporary romance novel, Dedicated to the One I Love, released June 20, 2023. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2019 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.

Featured Image: Photo by Joshua Mayo on Unsplash