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| Marianne Evans |
In
the midst of what I affectionately refer to as my own version of ‘Christmas
Cray-cray’ I stretched out in bed and read a devotional that stilled me and
left me thinking about the tradition of sharing history, circumstance, and experience
via the art of storytelling.
When I thought about it, I realized: This happens most especially at Christmas.
The
most ancient and beautiful custom we have is that of sharing our stories and
history with those we love who gather around us, sharing food, fellowship, and
love. In my home, we assemble at a table overflowing with the favorite dishes we
simply couldn’t do without each year: Grandma DeCou’s sugar cookies, Grandma
DeSantis’ artichoke hearts following a traditional Italian feast of pasta,
meatballs and salad.
Through
it all, storytelling sparks continuity. Storytelling sparks a desire in the
hearts of those who follow in our footsteps to carry on those precious traditions—not
out of obligation but out of love and joyful remembrance. Out of respect for
all the ways we stay connected even if logistical and heavenly distance keeps
us apart.
I
wonder if that isn’t how Jesus’ ministry not only built but sustained. He
shared table with his disciples, and that table his disciples followed that
tradition, moving Christianity from home to home, heart to heart, neighbor to
neighbor, nation to nation, until nothing could stand in its way. So much like
our own lives and families, right?
Nothing
can stand in our way this holiday season. Share the laughter, share the tears
and joys, share the victories and close-calls with those you love the most. My
encouragement this month, my hope and prayer, is to share the truth that, even
if you’ve heard Uncle Homer’s story a hundred times before’, maybe you can hear
it for a hundred and one times. After that, remember to share it. To keep that
flickering candle flame moving from taper to taper. Such is how legacies are
not just born, but enriched, and passed on to the next generation.
This
Christmas, light the world. Share your history, your light and never doubt its
impact to shine for decades to come.
*****
*****
Dustin Farrell is expected to
succeed. He’s gifted with the means and ability to take the world of business development
by storm…and he’s doing just that, right on plan.
As Christmas approaches, he’s called
home, to Hope Creek, Tennessee. He’s been given a slam-dunk objective from his
investors: Take a small, local art shop and expand it into the retail mainstream.
Lillianna Bennett, Dustin’s former
high school classmate, is part owner of Purple Door Art Market. Long ago, her
shy sweetness captured his imagination, but nothing came of the affectionate
flame between them.
Until a reunion at Christmas Inn. Dustin
presents his offer, realizing the wallflower of his youth has bloomed into a
confident, talented woman with the kind of free-spirited heart for which he
always longed. And he wonders: Is a life of expectation, and ‘more’ what he really
wants? Will his professional quest end up compromising Lillianna if her gifts
and business become part of a wider view?
Most of all, will love be
lovelier...the second time around?
*****
Marianne
Evans is an award-winning author of faith-affirming fiction who has won acclaim
from critics and readers. RT Book Reviews named her book Forgiveness a 4.5-Star
Top Pick and readers laude her books as ‘riveting’ and ‘true to heart.’ She’s a
life-long resident of Michigan who calls suburban Detroit home.
