When I wrote this novella, I had no idea that by the time 2020 Christmas rolled around, we’d have redefined what a worst Christmas could look like. This year is going to be different. I’m not going to any Christmas gatherings. There won’t be Christmas plays to attend, or if there are plays, this year they will look a lot different.
This isn’t the first pandemic and probably won’t be the last. And this year? Soon we’ll be able to say goodbye and good riddance to a year that will go down in history books as being a year of sickness and loss. But you know what so what?
I don’t want to go into this most Holy of seasons thinking about what I’ve lost or what I don’t have.
The group Kutlass released a beautiful song “This is Christmas” several years ago, and I quote…What is Christmas, if there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger? What is Christmas If the angels never sang glory to the newborn King. What is Christmas without Christ?
So, with that in mind, what do I have? I have a God who loves me. While I’ve had to give up going out in a crowd. I have a Savior who gave up Heaven…Heaven. He left His Father. He left His throne to be born in a barn. He left glories untold to lie in a manger. He came to die for me.
Worst Christmas Ever? No. It isn’t the parades, candy, gifts that make Christmas. Christ makes Christmas.
This year remember Jesus loves you, and He is always with you. He is Christmas.
OK, I hear you. So Mal, if this is your attitude, why did you write a book called Worst Christmas Ever? I know that the holidays can be hard. My mother often was very sad at Christmas especially after Dad passed, but Christmas stories really cheered her. Reading, listening, or watching Christmas stories buoyed her spirit. They made her smile and often laugh. When I wrote this story, I wanted something to make folks smile. To have them put aside the stress of the season and look at life through the eyes of another. And having read a lot of the Pelican Book Group Christmas Extravaganza stories I would say these books do just that.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Because remember Christmas doesn’t need bows, or boxes or bags…it will arrive just the same.
God Bless You and Yours,
Merry Christmas to all and may your toilet paper never run out.
Mallary Mitchell
PS and Shameless Plug. My book A Lawman for Christmas is also available from PBG. It’s about a young deputy who is sent to guard and as necessary, rescue a young widow, but when he falls down her chimney, she has to save him.
PSS: E-books are safe from CoVid.
After being jilted the day before her Christmas wedding, Sara Jane hates the holidays. Holly and mistletoe are a painful reminder that happily-ever-after isn't for her. Now, this Christmas, her baby sister is getting married. Talk about adding insult to injury!
Forced into faux Christmas joy while she helps plan the nuptials, Sara Jane just wants to escape to Athens, Greece--away from the judgmental stares and snickers of her family and friends. God, on the other hand, may have other plans.
Maxwell Dixon has secretly loved Sara Jane since they were children. Like so many tragic childhood love stories, however, he was relegated to "friend status" long ago. But when Sara Jane needs him for moral support and to be a safe date at the wedding, Max decides it's time to show Sara Jane what love and Christmas are all about.
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Kathy Bailey
Fellow Pelican author