New Year's Resolutions

Many people make New Year's resolutions, but statistics show they usually aren't successful. Only about 8% of the resolutions made around January 1 are kept. In fact, so many people have failed to keep them that only about 45% of Americans make them anymore.

But what if your resolution centered around your faith? What if you allowed the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you needed to work on during the coming year? And what if, instead of trying to live up to that resolution on your own, you relied on God's strength and power - you allowed Him to take control? 

I think we sometimes view setbacks as failures and see failures as permanent. Jesus didn't. Look at how he dealt with the people most others considered failures - tax collectors, beggars, prostitutes, etc. He not only ate with tax collectors, like Zacchaeus, but He called one to become His disciple (Levi who became Matthew). He told of Lazarus, the beggar, who sat a the rich man's gate and of others who won favor by their humble, kind spirit. And, look how He dealt with the woman at the well. He offered her living water if she would accept who He was. When the Pharisees were about to stone a woman caught in adultery, He saved her with a simple statement and then said He didn't condemn her but to go and sin no more.

I've talked with Christians who've become discouraged with their failures. They're ready to give up trying. But if they ask forgiveness, their sins are wiped away, and they get a new start. If you'll let Him, God can even use your failures for good. If you're willing to learn, you can become a better person each time. Don't think you have to live a sinless life. Surrender to God and live by His direction and His grace in this new year!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

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End-of-the-Year Writing Review

I recently read an article about assessing your writing over the past year. However, it only talked about evaluating the business side of things. Although, this is important, too, I tend to value the writing process more, and I certainly don't think that part should be ignored. I look at things like output, genre, series or standalone, traditional publisher or indie, how few mistakes are in them when published, ways I can improve, etc.

In evaluating my own writing this year, I'm pleased with my output. In a year and a half, I've released six books. I also have two in the works, and it would be possible that I have eight books published in two years. My two years for the print versions will be up toward the end of March, and I hope to maintain this volume in the coming year. 

I did an informal survey of which of my books my readers liked better. One hundred percent of those responding said my historical ones, although some said they read and enjoyed both the historical and the contemporary. As a historian, I don't mind that, but I wonder if it's because most inspirational readers tend to prefer historicals or if I attracted those readers more. I will certainly continue to write more historicals, but I do enjoy a break from the intensive research when I write a contemporary. I plan to keep an eye on this issue. Right now, I have only published one contemporary, but I'm getting ready to release a contemporary trilogy.

I've also wrestled with whether to write more standalones or books in a series. Both have done well for me, but When Winter Is Past, my indie, standalone historical has sold the best overall. It sold well over a hundred kindle copies in December, and that's not counting the print editions or ebooks from other vendors. However, my Appalachian Roots series will always hold a special place in my heart. I also wrestle with whether to publish a book myself or go the traditional route. I've done both and can see advantages and disadvantages to each one. With Summer's Songs is another of my indies. I know many well-known authors who have gone indie. and I guess authors need to assess this for themselves, since each situation is different.

Evaluating my writing and looking for ways to improve is an ongoing process for me. I still struggle with trying to get out an error-free book, and with some adjustments to the way my editors and I handle things, we're getting close. I've been accused of being a perfectionist, but I don't think that's true. It's important to me to give my readers the best book I possibly can, and I don't plan to change that. That may be one of the reasons all my books average five star reviews on amazon.

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The Donner Party Tragedy

On December 26, 1846, some of the Donner Party resorted to cannibalism to survive. The group of emigrants lead by George Donner and James Reed had set out for California in May of that year. They experienced several delays and didn't reach the Sierra Nevada range until November, when they were trapped in an early snowfall.

Their food supply ran dangerously low, and in the middle of December, a small group set out on foot to find help. In the meantime, a rescue party from California tried to reach them, but they were unable to get there until the middle of February 1847. Of the 87 pioneers, only 48 survived to reach California. Many of the survivors had survived by eating those that died of starvation or the weather. As the story spread, many of the survivors were harassed or ostracized, and some felt guilt for years.

But the Donner Party became a warning for those traveling west not to take chances with the terrain or weather, and to make sure they made it through the mountains in plenty of time. I included mention of this twice in my next book being published traditionally. It's current title is Through the Wilderness, and it's set on the Oregon Trail. Here are the two excepts: 

            Time slipped away, and some worried they were behind schedule. Everyone remembered hearing of the Donner Party and what had happened to them when they became trapped in the heavy snows of the western mountains. Some of them had turned to cannibalism to stay alive. Jacob hoped this group of wagons could make up some of the time they’d lost in the days ahead.

and much later -

(Cover will be changed)

            As they neared Barlow Pass, another problem presented itself. The temperature dropped even more, the wind picked up, and heavy, dark clouds began to move in.

            Jacob remembered what Obadiah had said about snowstorms in this area, and he remembered the earlier Donner Party. Although this road hadn’t been opened at that time, the wagons in the Donner Party had become stranded from heavy snows which made travel impossible, they had also been caught in a mountain snowstorm. Most of them died and the survivors had resorted to cannibalism to stay alive. It was an even more frightening story, considering this group’s present circumstance. Jacob watched the skies.

            “Hit’s agoin' a snow,” Obadiah forecasted. “Hain’t no doubt about hit.”

            The questions were “when” and “how much.” A whiteout hit right before they got to the pass. The wind swirled the falling snow so that no one could see where to go. They camped on the road leaving enough room between the wagons to build fires. At least this part wasn’t so narrow, and that made the situation less threatening. If such a storm had hit on Devil’s Backbone, Jacob didn’t know how they would have survived. He felt sure they wouldn’t have. 

(As with all my books, all my profits will go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.)

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"Love Came Down at Christmas"

Most of you are probably familiar with the concept. The lines actually come from a poem by  Christina Rossetti first published without a title in 1885. All Christians are aware that Christ was born because of love for us. It was the beginning of God's plan to make a way for fallen humanity to live in Paradise with Him after they die.

However, God's plan and love encompass so much more than this. He wants to have a close, loving relationship with us right here, right now. He wants to bless our lives, guide us in what's best, and have us live lives of joy near Him. It's not just about understanding that Jesus came as a baby so we could eventually go to be with Him in Heaven, although this is wonderful enough in itself. It's also about experiencing a life with our Lord in the present.

This is why God created Adam and Eve in the first place, for special companionship. It's why He gave them the gift of free will. But they chose to sin and had to leave the Garden of Eden, bequeathing all of us a sinful nature. As sinners, we cannot be in the presence of Holy God. Therefore, to reestablish the original closeness, Jesus came and carried all our sins to the cross, so we can experience God as He meant for us to. All we have to do is accept what Christ did for us. Yes, Jesus came down at Christmas with unconditional love so great and magnificent we can hardly conceive it.

Love came down at Christmas.

Love all lovely, Love Divine,

Love was born at Christmas, 

Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,

Love incarnate, Love Divine,

Worship we our Jesus,

But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,

Love be yours and love be mine,

Love to God and all men,

Love for plea and gift and sign.

                 - Christina Rossetti -

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Writing of Christmas

Through the years, there's been many books set during the Christmas season. Perhaps one of the most famous ones is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In it, Ebeneezer Scrooge learns what having the Christmas spirit is all about, a lesson for us all. "I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time, a kind, forgiving, charitable time, the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers...." "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" (Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol).

Christmas must have been special to Dickens, because he also wrote about it in other works. Here is a quote from The Pickwick Papers: "Happy, happy Christmas, that recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!"

Plenty of other writer have addressed Christmas too. Here are just a few: 

• "Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling" (Edna Ferber).
• "Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, and genial flame of charity in the heart" (Washington Irving).
• "Somehow, not only for Christmas But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others Is the joy that comes back to you (John Greenleaf Whittier).
• "Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection" (Winston Churchill).
• "Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas" (Dale Evans).
• "Love came down at Christmas; Love all lovely, love divine; Love was born at Christmas, Stars and angels gave the sign" (Christina Rossetti).
• A good conscience is a continual Christmas" (Benjamin Franklin).
• Don't let the past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone" (Taylor Caldwell).
• "I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow).
• "Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?" (Dr. Seuss).

Have a very merry Christmas and happy reading and writing!

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A Traditional English Christmas

Part Two: Decorations

Evergreens have long been used as Christmas decorations in England, but the Christmas tree, borrowed from Germany, didn’t become widespread until the 1800’s. Holly, however, involved ancient folk customs. Medieval people believed that holly had magical powers that would drive away demons. Unmarried women would tie a sprig on their beds to keep the evil spirits from coming near, and they thought the spirits were especially active around Christmastime.   

Mistletoe involves even more superstitions. The Druids used it in sacrifices to their gods and believed it had sacred, magical powers. When they came in the vicinity of mistletoe, people were forbidden to fight. The occupants of a house displaying it were required to give shelter to those who asked, even if the person was an enemy. The Celts believed it had miraculous healing powers. In the eighteenth century, mistletoe became part of a kissing ball hung from the ceiling, and party-goers would play games under it. A kiss under the mistletoe meant lasting friendship or a deep romance.

Using candles at Christmas is such an ancient tradition that no one knows when it started. They were also used during ancient celebrations commemorating the winter solstice. We know they were used in medieval times as a symbol for the Star of Bethlehem and Jesus being the Light of the World. Candles became a part of a traditional English Christmas and in other parts of the world too. And, as you can see, all these decorations play an important part in American Christmas traditions and history as well.

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Mary and Joseph

We don't know much about the background of Mary and Joseph. We do know that they both could trace their lineage back to the house of David (see Matthew 1 & Luke 2). Actually, Matthew tells us more about Joseph's ancestry, and Luke gives more of Mary's. Because Joseph was of the house of David is why he and Mary had to go back to Bethlehem to register for taxes as Herod had proclaimed. 

Although not many details are given about the couple, Bible scholars have pieced together some probabilities based on hints and what we know of the culture at that time. Mary was likely young, perhaps in her mid-teens. Joseph may have been quite a bit older than his wife. The fact that the Bible never mentions Joseph after their visit to the temple in Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve but mentions Mary several times after that adds credence to this theory. Most biblical scholars believed Joseph had probably died.

We also know that Joseph was a carpenter by trade. At this time, that would have meant a skilled craftsman in both wood and stone. Jesus learned the trade from Joseph and practiced it until he started his ministry around age thirty. Then He had a kingdom to build for His Heavenly Father.


We can tell a lot about Mary and Joseph from how they reacted to Mary becoming pregnant while betrothed but not married. Betrothal was a very binding agreement back then, and Joseph knew it wasn't his child, so he believed the logical thing - that she had been with another man. However he didn't want Mary disgraced, or worse, stoned to death, so he decided to put her away quietly. This could have even meant that he would see to her well-being.

But notice that when Gabriel appeared to them, both Mary and Joseph believed what the angel said, even though what he said was pretty incredulous. Without a doubt, both had strong faiths and wanted to submit to God's will no matter where that took them. They were willing to face false assumptions, unfair accusations, and public ridicule to follow the path God laid before them. Perhaps this made getting out of Nazareth and going to Bethlehem for a while even more attractive. And, of course, they ended up going to Egypt after Bethlehem to escape Herod's search for the Baby in order to kill Him.

Have you ever stopped to think about what a hard situation Joseph and Mary found themselves in. Expecting a child out of wedlock was much more condemned back then, and since he didn't accuse Mary of cheating on him, everyone would have assumed Joseph to be the father. However, pleasing God was much more important to them than pleasing man. May it be so for us too!

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Christmas Reading

I just might win the prize for the most books in the to-be-read pile. I have in the neighborhood of  2,700 books in mine. About a hundred are print books, and the rest are stored on my kindle. The majority of the ones on kindle have been free, a practice that I question the wisdom of, but I still take the offers. 

I sort my books into categories, and one of the categories is Christmas books. I, like many other avid readers, like to read Christmas books beginning around Thanksgiving and continuing until the end of the year. I collected them throughout the year, and yes, I end up with enough to read for a month or more. Right now, I have nearly 50 left in that collection, although I've been reading them for almost three weeks now. There will be some left over for next year's reading.

There are special websites and facebook pages dedicated to Christmas books. My favorite is Christian Christmas Books on facebook. Since I see many authors bringing out special books set during the holiday season, I'm considering doing this myself. I have a story in mind that would work for next year. But, I will continue reading my Christmas stories in December. It helps put me in the Christmas spirit and is one more way I celebrate Christmas. Won't you join me?

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A Traditional English Christmas

Part One: Foods

Settlers from Great Britain overwhelmingly made up early colonial populations in North America, and this continued for may years. These  British settlers brought many of their Christmas traditions with them, and, like most customs, these too changed over time. However, many are still familiar to us, although some of the older ones may seem odd. Let’s take a look at a traditional English Christmas through the years beginning with the foods.

Food is always important in any culture, especially when it comes to celebrating. A traditional English Christmas dinner might include roast goose (or later turkey) with gravy, Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce (after colonization), and a rich stuffing with nuts. Sometimes it would also include the English version of pigs in a blanket, tiny sausages wrapped in bacon. Christmas pudding or Christmas cake was often served for dessert.

          

The Christmas pudding evolved from what once was called “frumently,” It’s a rich dessert filled with fruits and nuts and often doused in a flaming brandy. The Christmas cake became popular in Victorian times. This cake too has dried fruits, nuts, and a thick white icing. It’s often made about six weeks prior to Christmas.

A hostess might serve mincemeat pies a well. Despite the name, no meat is in the pie, although that may not have been true in ancient times. From the Victorian Era on, however, these pies have contained dried fruits, apples, spices, sugar, suet, and sometimes drizzled with sherry or brandy before baking.

       

Legend has it that King Henry VIII ate turkey at some meals, but turkeys didn’t become popular for Christmas dinners in England until the early 1900’s. In fact, I question the legend, since turkeys are native to the Americas. Pulling the wishbone to see who gets the longer piece and that person having good luck was a British superstition they brought to the New World, but it probably originated with the Romans and came from other fowls. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance Period, Christmas feasts were more likely to have meat pies as the main course. These pies held a variety of different meats. Later in England’s history, goose clubs became a common way for the poor to have a good Christmas meal. Like a layaway plan, the family paid a little on the goose or turkey each week, and by Christmas they would have it paid for.

Christmas crackers are likely not what we first envision. Instead of being a food, they’re a small paper tube placed beside each plate at the Christmas meal. Inside are favors, like a thin paper, party crown; a simple toy or gift; and a joke or riddle.

How many of these foods from a traditional English Christmas do you have at Christmas? What are some that are particular to your family? Sometimes it's fun to make our own traditions.

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The Common People

Abraham Lincoln once said, "God must love the common man; He made so many of them." There's a lot of truth in that statement. All through the Bible, God used the most ordinary people to fulfill His purpose. The list is too long to even begin to name them, but you can probably think of many yourself.

Mary and Joseph were two of those common, ordinary people. Joseph was a carpenter, a common laborer. And Mary was just a teenage woman engaged to be married. When God could have chosen anyone to be the earthy parents of His son, even royalty or noted scholars, he chose two insignificant, little-known people from the lowly town of Nazareth.

Then Jesus is born in the stable of a common inn in Bethlehem among the animals. And, who is the first to visit the Christ-child and spread the Good News? Shepherds, those near the bottom of the Jewish social scale.

I can see several reasons why God made these choices. First of all, common people aren't as likely to have inflated egos or to depend totally on themselves. God can often use them easier. Then, by using ordinary people, God can be glorified, because others can see His hand. Remember when the religious leaders were amazed at the teachings that came from Peter and the apostles, who were uneducated men.

So, as we approach another Christmas, be aware of God's call on your own life. Quit using excuses of why you can't answer his call and realize that you can do anything through Christ, who strengthens you. If God calls you, He will equip you. Let Him do amazing things through ordinary you.

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Books Make Great Gifts

Last Christmas was my first one as a published author, and I expected book sales to pick up during the holiday season for Christmas gifts. I couldn't have been more wrong. To my surprise, they actually declined and picked up again in February. I still don't understand, because books make wonderful gifts for the reader or anyone who has a special interest or hobby.

There are many reasons to put books on your Christmas lists. First of all, they'll fit the budget, since you can buy just one or several depending on how much you want to spend on each person. And a book can be enjoyed over and over again, it doesn't wear out easily, and it rarely becomes dated. Pretty books can even be placed around the house as decorations.

The selection of books today is almost limitless, too. You can truly find something for everyone. With just the simple gift of a book, the recipient can go anywhere, become anything, and do whatever. Books can teach, encourage, and inspire. The lonely can find new family and friends; the busy can relax and get away. Books are truly gifts that keeps on giving long after the holidays are over.

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The California Gold Rush

On December 5, 1848, President James K. Polk announced to congress rumors were true, and large amounts of gold had been found in California. Although the first gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in January, the news had been kept quiet for a while, although rumors flew. Orgeon and some of the islands had been the first outsiders to officially learn the news. Beginning late in 1848 with Eastern newspapers picking up the story, the Gold Rush was on with 300,000 people eventually flocking to the territory. Since the bulk of prospectors came in 1849, the group became known as "forty-niners."

The effects were monumental. For example, San Francisco had a population of about 200 in 1846. That had mushroomed to 36,000 by 1852. The gold rush also likely had something to do with California becoming a state in 1850 as part of the Compromise of 1850. New towns sprang up, schools were built, and roads were improved. In addition, there were other far-reaching effects, both negative and positive.

The California Gold Rush has been glorified and romanticized, but the reality of being there was much different. Prospecting turned out to be hard, dirty work in primitive conditions, and for all their toil, few people found enough to survive. If they did find something, claim jumpers, thieves, and shysters where eager to take it. It turned out to be a rough but exciting time in history.

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