By Ashlie Miller
Christmas in July is something I have shared previously. It served to boost my family’s morale in the midst of a very rough year. Turns out, it is not a newer tradition – a recent issue of the magazine Our State shared a piece of the possible origins at Keystone Camp in Brevard, NC, during the 1930s.
Yes, thoughts of cooler seasons in the midst of too many days in the 90-degree weather is a welcome embrace. Enjoying treats, Christmas movies (or even an entire channel dedicated to the genre), and summer-equivalent tradeoffs for Christmas bucket-list activities brings a smile to many faces. Pass the red and green watermelon, a snow cone, and maybe some lemon-iced sugar cookies.
But why stop there?
Each year, I am blessed to receive emails, books, pamphlets, and more with advent reading plans, devotions dedicated to the season, and suggestions for acts of kindness to perform with the family. Just last week, in a Little Free Library at the local park, I picked up a book titled “How Far to Bethlehem” by Norah Lofts, who wrote many historical fiction titles. Sadly, there is not enough time in December to relish these thoughtful liturgies.
Our church is in the midst of a daily Bible-reading plan this year. We transition this weekend from the Old Testament and its prophecies to the arrival of Christ in human flesh in the New Testament. What timing! It really can be a Christmas in July celebration in our spirit. How refreshing!
I plan to read through some of the gift books we have received over the years for Christmas while on the porch, perhaps sipping some ice-cold sweet tea. These longer nights with the twinkle of lightning bugs and the hanging strand of lights in the backyard are the perfect backdrop for a birth that was likely not in a bleak midwinter we like to imagine. Instead of carols, wind chimes, birds chirping, crickets, cicada, and toads are the soundtrack.
Yes, the lazy, dog-days of summer may be just what my mind and spirit need before life cranks back up with school, schedule changes, and too many plans stacking up at the end of the year like a multi-car pileup.
Reminders of the first advent resonate with our heart’s longing for a second advent of Christ – and the December calendar does not have to have the market on stirring our hearts towards that story.
Do you have a favorite Christmas book or devotional? I’d love for you to share it with me.
Ashlie Miller lives in Concord, NC. You can email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com
