Your new Christmas tradition?

If you believe everything you see on social media, then the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod (or Jólabókaflóð, if you prefer) has charmed Americans.

Essentially, the idea is to exchange books as gifts on Christmas Eve and then spend the rest of the night reading and eating chocolate. The tradition seems to stem from Iceland’s publishing industry and its schedule … which ramps up for the holidays. A bookish cycle.

In truth, I think it’s an easy thing to share on your feed, but not really how most of us want to spend Christmas Eve. That’s just my opinion.

Not so merry

Last year was tough on my family. A long string of losses and disappointments. My heart wasn’t in the holidays, not at all, and I had zero energy for merry-making. (It happens.)

We didn’t do presents. Or cookies. No decorations, no tree, owing partly to our bad ol’ kitty…

…but mostly because I didn’t want to put it all up just to take it all down again.

We just didn’t celebrate, at least not with the normal trappings of the season. And yet, seldom in my life as a Christian have I felt my ongoing need for Jesus more acutely.

This little light

Michael and I met with his brother for brunch on Christmas Eve. And we did attend the candlelight Christmas Eve service at our church. In a still moment of that service, I prayed for relief from the burdens.

After we returned home, I cozied up in our room and gathered my stack of Jolabokaflod books, along with a scented candle, some orange slices, chocolates, nuts, and tea, and read from A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck. Just a little flicker of Christmas, resting with a few fluttering pages before bed.

My tired and aching heart preferred that over either too much or none at all.

Wishing you and yours Christmas blessings! On New Year’s Day, I’ll share a memory of a book “thou mayest” remember… or “thou mayest not…”

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