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But first, the disclaimer: Caldwell says that this book
isn’t meant to be all hints-and-tips. It won’t help you get
organized, simplify, or create the “Best Christmas Ever in
five easy steps.” Caldwell says that’s not his job, and
it’s not God’s; instead, you’ll find a few complications
here, as well as some hope for “a little holy breathing
space” – beginning with the first of Advent.
Christmas, as you undoubtedly noticed, didn’t start after
Thanksgiving: retailers have had their holiday decorations
up for months. They couldn’t wait for the season, but it may
seem as though wait is all you do lately. There is a
virtue in waiting, says Caldwell, and Advent is when to find
it. Pause; “be prepared for little bursts of delight.”
It takes wide-open eyes to do that, though, and time, which
is at a premium these days. Caldwell says that lack of time
is exactly when you want to “add a holy something to your
to-do list.” Volunteer, make a donation to a charity, visit
someone who needs you, be kind to someone.
And on that last one – if you “get stuck, look in the
mirror.”
Go to church; now’s when you need people around you. Let
your kids believe in Santa, because he teaches them about
“dwelling in mystery.” Sing with someone, even if you “can’t
carry a tune in a bucket.” Keep in mind that, like anybody,
God would surely rather that his birthday party is “full of
fun.”
And yet, if you’re having a bad Christmas, remember that
that’s why we have Christmas in the first place. Christmas
was “born in defiance of all that stalks the world and tries
to snuff its light.”
“If the only spirit you can get into is low,” says Caldwell,
“you’re just who God is looking for.”
Two words: De. Lightful. There’s just no other way to
describe “All I Really Want.”
And here’s the thing: I didn’t expect to like this book. I
figured it was just more guilt-inducing platitudes, more
blah-blah-blah-Christmas, but nothing could be further from
the truth: it’s joyous! Author Quinn Caldwell uses humor and
a bit of irreverence in prodding his readers into slowing
down, noticing, seeing God’s gifts in addition to those
under the tree. He makes us think about Mary and Joseph. He
makes us laugh about God’s “epic party.”
Sprinkled with Bible verses, meditations, and tiny prayers
that can be recited day and night, I think this is a perfect
book for anyone who’s had enough ho-ho-ho and wants to
replace it with more ho-ho-holy. If that’s you, then All
I Really Want is a book to check out. |
