Do Writers Experience Christmas Differently?

Do you think writers experience Christmas differently? If you think that may be true, why would that be? As a psychologist and novelist/author, I both agree and disagree. Does that sound a little non-committal? Let me explain. 

For many of us, large celebrations, like the Christmas Holidays, began in our experience when we were very young – before we had language. We just breathed in the essence of Love, Expectation and Joy. As the years went along, we continued to attach those great feelings with Christmas, and added the aroma of pine and Christmas cookies, the sounds of carolers in song, the silky touch of satin ribbons wound around boxes covered in festive paper, and the taste of cocoa overflowing with whipped cream and marshmallows. While our experiences are similar, writers ascribe words to our feelings and share them with readers. 

In all your busy Christmas shopping, parties, and family, I have another fun activity for you. Go to a thesaurus, either online or in book form, and find three words that best expresses your “feelings” of Christmas. Next year, add three more words to your list of Christmas experiences, expressed in words. 

As you find a little time for reading during the holidays, watch for the words that other authors use that express your deep, non-verbal feelings. What fun! - finding a voice for your experiences!  

The collection of short Christmas stories, titled, Christmases Past, gives you the opportunity to “hear” and experience Christmas through the different, but similar, words of eight separate authors. You will find many more books as well as your browse through the bookstore, library and online. Hey, I know you’re busy, but if you don’t take time for the “words” of Christmas, you will miss out on the fullest expression of the Celebration of Joy, when Love, Song and acceptance came into the world. 

Finding our Christmas voice is why Christmas carols are so precious – someone has found the “words” to help you express your “feelings” of Christmas. Two of the most important words are, “Merry Christmas,” and those are the words I have saved for you, Dear Reader. Merry Christmas! 

Doris

Doris Gaines Rapp

Copyright 2014 by Doris Gaines Rapp 

Collection:

Christmas Feather, one of eight short stories in a wonderful collection titled, Christmases Past 

Non-Fiction:

Waiting for Jesus in a Can’t Wait World – Advent 2014

Prayer Therapy of Jesus

Promote Yourself 

Novelette:

News at Eleven (Glo Magazine Jan, Feb, March, and April 2015)
Novels:

Length of Days – The Age of Silence

Escape from the Belfry

Smoke from Distant Fires

Hiawassee – Child of the Meadow

Length of Days – Beyond the Valley of the Keepers (January 2015)

News at Eleven – A Novel (April 2015)
Children’s:

Lincoln’s Christmas Mouse