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Christmas: Short Stories that stir the Spirit of Christmas
Delight in the Christmas story all over again as the author takes you from the far reaches of the galaxy to the edge of the Arctic Circle and the streets of an inner city. In each unusual setting the Christmas Spirit is alive and well.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2016
About the author
Marcia Lee Laycock
36 books20 followersSquirreled away in the attic of my parents' house, I began writing short stories for my dolls. They didn't complain so I kept writing. Then I got to go to school where some wonderful teachers encouraged me.
I published my first piece of writing in grade ten under the watchful eye of a rather unorthodox nun. In my last year of high school another teacher managed to stop me from writing for a while, when she said, "If you have nothing of significance to say, don't you dare write!" I decided I had to go out and find some significant things.
That led me to travel and to experience life's ups and downs across this broad and beautiful country. I've explored almost every province in Canada, including the territories, lived in four of them. Been to Europe and Israel a couple of times, but my heart is split between the wilderness of the Yukon and the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
I am captivated by the lure of large bodies of water and mountain vistas. My heart pounds with the rhythm of a galloping horse, flies with the frenzy of a hummingbird, whirs with the mystery of a dragonfly. I write to reveal the glory of God in this world and in my life.
Tag Line - Writing with the rhythms of a galloping horse, the mystery of a dragonfly, the beauty of a hummingbird
I published my first piece of writing in grade ten under the watchful eye of a rather unorthodox nun. In my last year of high school another teacher managed to stop me from writing for a while, when she said, "If you have nothing of significance to say, don't you dare write!" I decided I had to go out and find some significant things.
That led me to travel and to experience life's ups and downs across this broad and beautiful country. I've explored almost every province in Canada, including the territories, lived in four of them. Been to Europe and Israel a couple of times, but my heart is split between the wilderness of the Yukon and the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
I am captivated by the lure of large bodies of water and mountain vistas. My heart pounds with the rhythm of a galloping horse, flies with the frenzy of a hummingbird, whirs with the mystery of a dragonfly. I write to reveal the glory of God in this world and in my life.
Tag Line - Writing with the rhythms of a galloping horse, the mystery of a dragonfly, the beauty of a hummingbird
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 30, 2017
Christmas: Short Stories that stir the Spirit of Christmas by Marcia Laycock
She moved up north to experience the true winter and holiday season. They were to fly back to the states to celebrate the holiday but Tim had not made the reservations.
No store had a tree, no turkey, no cranberry sauce, nothing. She sulks in the tub and agrees to go to his bosses house for dinner.
After they all gather around and read from the book of Luke. Like their way to celebrating the holiday up north, unique.
.
Next story
Bryan is on the river with ice fog all around and he needs a miracle to help with the delivery.
He prays to God to help. The pastor and his wife help and are able to have the prayer meeting.
.
Religious ancient archives and I enjoyed this one for the treasures they find.
A book of the future where events have changed the world as we know it.
More quotes from Luke about the nativity scenes. He only wants to find a cure for his ailing daughter.
.Next story is they may have to cancel the event as some have come down with measles and some adults are showing symptoms as well.
They may find the right answer to make the pageant go on as planned.
She moved up north to experience the true winter and holiday season. They were to fly back to the states to celebrate the holiday but Tim had not made the reservations.
No store had a tree, no turkey, no cranberry sauce, nothing. She sulks in the tub and agrees to go to his bosses house for dinner.
After they all gather around and read from the book of Luke. Like their way to celebrating the holiday up north, unique.
.
Next story
Bryan is on the river with ice fog all around and he needs a miracle to help with the delivery.
He prays to God to help. The pastor and his wife help and are able to have the prayer meeting.
.
Religious ancient archives and I enjoyed this one for the treasures they find.
A book of the future where events have changed the world as we know it.
More quotes from Luke about the nativity scenes. He only wants to find a cure for his ailing daughter.
.Next story is they may have to cancel the event as some have come down with measles and some adults are showing symptoms as well.
They may find the right answer to make the pageant go on as planned.
March 14, 2017
“Christmas” is a collection of four short stories written by Marcia Lee Laycock. “Missing Christmas,” “No Matter How Far,” “An Earthly Treasure,” and “An Unexpected Glory” are rather different from each other and each has a different take on the miracle and wonder of Christmas. Yet, all of the stories share the common theme of God as provider, whether the needs of the characters are physical, emotional, or financial.
In the first story, “Missing Christmas,” self-centeredness overwhelms the main character. Due to an unfortunate event, she and her husband are unable to attend Christmas with distant family as previous planned, leaving the unnamed narrator feeling very sorry for herself. However, towards the end of the story she is shown an unexpected kindness and says, “The sight…filled my soul with a light that made me forget about myself.” The wonder of Christmas wins over the narrator.
Next, Laycock tells the story of a man in desperate straits who almost gives in to the physical stress his body undertakes in, “No Matter How Far.” Help comes in various forms and in the end, the sequence of events, along with his background, propels him towards finding answers to certain questions.
The third story, “An Earthly Treasure,” is a little out there – literally! It is a science fiction tale which takes place in space and shows how, even when we are physically and mentally very far from where Jesus wrought miracles, God works anyway, crossing immeasurable boundaries.
The fourth story – and my favorite – is “An Unexpected Glory,” a classic tale of overcoming the desire for Christmas to be perfect. The mishaps which befall the characters are all too well known by many. When things seem to be falling apart all around, God can and does work all things for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Laycock has a talent for storytelling and shows her versatility in the variety of genres, settings, and characters within this little collection. One story seems to have a more existential feel, while another is heart-warming, and a third is science fiction. When picking up a compilation of Christmas stories, one might expect a more traditional, consistent set of tales. Instead, Laycock modernizes Christmas by setting her stories in what seem to be present – and in one case, is actually future – scenarios. Furthermore, the characters themselves are rather approachable, feeling and thinking things that a reader may very well think for him or herself. Laycock does a good job making connections between the reader and her characters.
There are a few flaws in the tales, such as in the fourth story when a baby is given medication for an unknown ailment instead of being taken to a doctor for evaluation. The medication causes the child to sleep, which is not necessarily a sign of healing. This incident leaves a disturbing feeling in the mind. Also, some of Laycock’s characters could be made a little less flat, with more information or background being given about them. These are, however, short stories, so some brevity in such areas is to be expected.
Overall, for a different take on the traditional fireside short story, “Christmas” would be a good choice. Happy reading!
In the first story, “Missing Christmas,” self-centeredness overwhelms the main character. Due to an unfortunate event, she and her husband are unable to attend Christmas with distant family as previous planned, leaving the unnamed narrator feeling very sorry for herself. However, towards the end of the story she is shown an unexpected kindness and says, “The sight…filled my soul with a light that made me forget about myself.” The wonder of Christmas wins over the narrator.
Next, Laycock tells the story of a man in desperate straits who almost gives in to the physical stress his body undertakes in, “No Matter How Far.” Help comes in various forms and in the end, the sequence of events, along with his background, propels him towards finding answers to certain questions.
The third story, “An Earthly Treasure,” is a little out there – literally! It is a science fiction tale which takes place in space and shows how, even when we are physically and mentally very far from where Jesus wrought miracles, God works anyway, crossing immeasurable boundaries.
The fourth story – and my favorite – is “An Unexpected Glory,” a classic tale of overcoming the desire for Christmas to be perfect. The mishaps which befall the characters are all too well known by many. When things seem to be falling apart all around, God can and does work all things for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Laycock has a talent for storytelling and shows her versatility in the variety of genres, settings, and characters within this little collection. One story seems to have a more existential feel, while another is heart-warming, and a third is science fiction. When picking up a compilation of Christmas stories, one might expect a more traditional, consistent set of tales. Instead, Laycock modernizes Christmas by setting her stories in what seem to be present – and in one case, is actually future – scenarios. Furthermore, the characters themselves are rather approachable, feeling and thinking things that a reader may very well think for him or herself. Laycock does a good job making connections between the reader and her characters.
There are a few flaws in the tales, such as in the fourth story when a baby is given medication for an unknown ailment instead of being taken to a doctor for evaluation. The medication causes the child to sleep, which is not necessarily a sign of healing. This incident leaves a disturbing feeling in the mind. Also, some of Laycock’s characters could be made a little less flat, with more information or background being given about them. These are, however, short stories, so some brevity in such areas is to be expected.
Overall, for a different take on the traditional fireside short story, “Christmas” would be a good choice. Happy reading!
April 7, 2018
This was a lovely read. The different stories of Christmas but to me they all ended on the same theme which was that Christ was Born. A quick read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews