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A Christmas Longing
Christmas whispers of wistful longings and warm family celebrations—the Savior has come. But the story isn’t finished. "Peace on earth and goodwill toward men" will only be a wish and a vision until the Prince of Peace finally rules our world. The lights, the singing, the gift giving, and the joy foreshadow an eternal morning together in His presence. Through her artwork, her creative retelling of the Nativity, and her tender reflections of the Christmas season, Joni Eareckson Tada invites the reader to consider anew the Son of God, who is the wellspring of every joy, the fulfillment of every longing.
Take time this Christmas season to step outside the clamor and excitement. Visit the stable and ask God to speak to you in the quiet and serenity and stillness... Never stop believing that He will fulfill His promise to live among us in unveiled majesty and splendor.
Take time this Christmas season to step outside the clamor and excitement. Visit the stable and ask God to speak to you in the quiet and serenity and stillness... Never stop believing that He will fulfill His promise to live among us in unveiled majesty and splendor.
94 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
11 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Joni Eareckson Tada
323 books551 followersJoni Eareckson Tada is an American evangelical Christian author, radio host, artist, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community".
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 20, 2014
About the Christmas Story but told in such a way it is so very interesting. Will make you understand "Christmas" as never before. Excellent read!
December 28, 2022
A lovely Christmas devotional book with beautiful artwork by Joni! I really enjoyed her reflections throughout the Advent season.
December 18, 2023
A COLLECTION OF SEASONAL THOUGHTS, ACCOMPANIED BY SOME OF HER PAINTINGS
Author Joni Eareckson Tada wrote in the introductory section of this 1990 book, “Sitting on my dad’s knee, watching him swirl oils on his canvas… those are my earliest memories of painting… From crayons I graduated to watercolors, from watercolors to oils. Through my growing-up years I meandered with my talent… Art was something I played at, never a career hope. My diving injury in 1967 changed that… Now paralyzed from the shoulders down… Whatever I would do, writing, typing, or drawing, would have to be done with mouthstick clenched between my teeth… little by little, I experienced the mystery of God’s power showing up in my weakness. Now, more than twenty years later, I consider the limitations an asset rather than a liability… [I] feel [God’s] pleasure when I sit before my easel. I pray that you will experience that pleasure as you enjoy this… first collection of some of my favorite Christmas paintings.”
She states in the Introduction, “On this side of eternity, Christmas is still a promise. Yes, the Savior has come, and with Him peace on earth, but the story is not finished. Yes, there is peace in our hearts, but we long for peace in our world. Every Christmas is still a ‘turning of the page’ until Jesus returns. Every December 25 marks another year that draws us close to the fulfillment of the ages, that draws us closer to… Home… Each Christmas gift is a foreshadowing of our gifts of golden crowns to be cast at the feet of the King of Kings… There’s a name for that kind of nostalgia… It’s a Christmas longing.”
In the ‘A Christmas Look’ chapter, she states, “Christmas is a time for looking around… Look around at the needs of the people God brings your way. Christmas is the time to be the hands of God, touching the hungry, the homeless, those who are lonely, and all those who need your love, His love. But Christmas is also a time for looking AHEAD…”
In the ‘In from the Cold’ chapter, she says, “But why… do so many of us INSIST on staying outside in the cold? You hear stories of how lonely the Christmas season is for many people. You may even count yourself as one of them. You long to be a part of the fellowship, the friendship, but you find yourself waiting… waiting for someone to call you inside… invite you in…. I don’t mean to sound cruel, but it’s almost as though you WANT to stay on the outside of the Christmas cheer…you stubbornly think to yourself, ‘Well, that’s me, just one of the holiday statistics of lonely people.’ … You know what? You don’t have to wait for someone to call you inside to get warm. YOU be the one who calls. YOU be that someone to reach out to another… This is what Jesus would do and this is what He wants for each one of us. There’s simply no reason to stay outside in the lonely wind, stubbornly waiting for someone else to ‘make our Christmas special.’ The Lord Jesus wants you to invite another in. That’s the best way to beat the loneliness. It’s the best way to come in out of the cold.”
In ‘Christmas Decorations,’ she notes, “I hope when you take way all the temporary glitter, you will find real love in your heart and in your home… love for God, love for family, love for others… love that ensures. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?”
This book will be of great interest to fans of Joni’s art and books.
Author Joni Eareckson Tada wrote in the introductory section of this 1990 book, “Sitting on my dad’s knee, watching him swirl oils on his canvas… those are my earliest memories of painting… From crayons I graduated to watercolors, from watercolors to oils. Through my growing-up years I meandered with my talent… Art was something I played at, never a career hope. My diving injury in 1967 changed that… Now paralyzed from the shoulders down… Whatever I would do, writing, typing, or drawing, would have to be done with mouthstick clenched between my teeth… little by little, I experienced the mystery of God’s power showing up in my weakness. Now, more than twenty years later, I consider the limitations an asset rather than a liability… [I] feel [God’s] pleasure when I sit before my easel. I pray that you will experience that pleasure as you enjoy this… first collection of some of my favorite Christmas paintings.”
She states in the Introduction, “On this side of eternity, Christmas is still a promise. Yes, the Savior has come, and with Him peace on earth, but the story is not finished. Yes, there is peace in our hearts, but we long for peace in our world. Every Christmas is still a ‘turning of the page’ until Jesus returns. Every December 25 marks another year that draws us close to the fulfillment of the ages, that draws us closer to… Home… Each Christmas gift is a foreshadowing of our gifts of golden crowns to be cast at the feet of the King of Kings… There’s a name for that kind of nostalgia… It’s a Christmas longing.”
In the ‘A Christmas Look’ chapter, she states, “Christmas is a time for looking around… Look around at the needs of the people God brings your way. Christmas is the time to be the hands of God, touching the hungry, the homeless, those who are lonely, and all those who need your love, His love. But Christmas is also a time for looking AHEAD…”
In the ‘In from the Cold’ chapter, she says, “But why… do so many of us INSIST on staying outside in the cold? You hear stories of how lonely the Christmas season is for many people. You may even count yourself as one of them. You long to be a part of the fellowship, the friendship, but you find yourself waiting… waiting for someone to call you inside… invite you in…. I don’t mean to sound cruel, but it’s almost as though you WANT to stay on the outside of the Christmas cheer…you stubbornly think to yourself, ‘Well, that’s me, just one of the holiday statistics of lonely people.’ … You know what? You don’t have to wait for someone to call you inside to get warm. YOU be the one who calls. YOU be that someone to reach out to another… This is what Jesus would do and this is what He wants for each one of us. There’s simply no reason to stay outside in the lonely wind, stubbornly waiting for someone else to ‘make our Christmas special.’ The Lord Jesus wants you to invite another in. That’s the best way to beat the loneliness. It’s the best way to come in out of the cold.”
In ‘Christmas Decorations,’ she notes, “I hope when you take way all the temporary glitter, you will find real love in your heart and in your home… love for God, love for family, love for others… love that ensures. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?”
This book will be of great interest to fans of Joni’s art and books.
December 8, 2021
p. 24, Our most unpleasant circumstances often have a way of becoming a beautiful portion of God's magnificent design."
p. 65, Luke Chapter 6 says, "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven." Get excited about the good news! Jesus is what the joy is all about.
p. 71-72 "On a clear Christmas Eve night, Martin Luther was walking home through the forest. Beyond the crisp, fragrant branches of the evergreens, he could see the twinkle of a thousand starts. It was an experience of God's splendor that he wanted to share with his family. He cut a small fir tree and carried it back to his home, placing lighted candles on the trees branches. Perhaps this was the first Christmas tree and Christians carried on the tradition. The evergreen tree (in Latin, the tree of life) represents wonderful truths from Scripture. I Chronicles 16:33 says 'Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD'.
p. 89 "Christmas has to be something you share. Welcoming in friends and family after decorating and baking is the one moment that best highlights Christmas joy. Joy must be welcomed from the outside in. That's the beauty of Christmas. Joy came through a door when Jesus crossed the threshold of this world to bring laughter and music into what was otherwise an empty, lonely place. He filled the world with peace and joy. Jesus wants to come in, to be born in you. Don't miss out on the best part of Christmas. Open up and welcome Him in."
p. 65, Luke Chapter 6 says, "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven." Get excited about the good news! Jesus is what the joy is all about.
p. 71-72 "On a clear Christmas Eve night, Martin Luther was walking home through the forest. Beyond the crisp, fragrant branches of the evergreens, he could see the twinkle of a thousand starts. It was an experience of God's splendor that he wanted to share with his family. He cut a small fir tree and carried it back to his home, placing lighted candles on the trees branches. Perhaps this was the first Christmas tree and Christians carried on the tradition. The evergreen tree (in Latin, the tree of life) represents wonderful truths from Scripture. I Chronicles 16:33 says 'Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD'.
p. 89 "Christmas has to be something you share. Welcoming in friends and family after decorating and baking is the one moment that best highlights Christmas joy. Joy must be welcomed from the outside in. That's the beauty of Christmas. Joy came through a door when Jesus crossed the threshold of this world to bring laughter and music into what was otherwise an empty, lonely place. He filled the world with peace and joy. Jesus wants to come in, to be born in you. Don't miss out on the best part of Christmas. Open up and welcome Him in."
January 8, 2021
A Christmas Longing by Joni Eareckson Tada is a gorgeous book filled with her art work, drawn by mouth due to her paralysis. It would make a lovely coffee table book .
But beyond it's physical beauty, it's full of meaty truth. It’s made up of 31 readings for each day in December, centered on the theme of joy and the Christmas season.
But beyond it's physical beauty, it's full of meaty truth. It’s made up of 31 readings for each day in December, centered on the theme of joy and the Christmas season.
February 6, 2022
Beautifully illustrated and well written.
March 2, 2022
This is another book full of lovely paintings by Joni Tada, accompanied by 31 inspirational messages to take you through December.
April 20, 2024
Quite Thought-provoking!
I really enjoyed the short thoughtful stories. Easy to read and charming and they lead to simple clear actions! Highly recommended
I really enjoyed the short thoughtful stories. Easy to read and charming and they lead to simple clear actions! Highly recommended
January 4, 2016
I ordered this one through the library, and thought I'd made a mistake when I took it off the holds shelf. It looked like a children's book. But it's not, though many of the themes are simple enough for children to understand. It's one of the best Christmastime books I've read. Thirty short devotional-style entries speak of the real meaning of Christmas. Joni shares from her own experiences and God's Word, beautifully speaking of the true meaning of Christmas. It's one that should become one of my Christmas traditions.
February 8, 2015
This is a wonderful book to read during the Christmas season. Joni Eareckson Tada writes about the joy and anticipation of Christmas, and she reminds the reader that the God who came will come again! Joni’s words and beautiful artwork will draw you in, help you to see the wonder of Christmas, and encourage you look with anticipation to the future return of Jesus Christ. A friend and I read this book together this Christmas season, and it was a blessing to both of us. We will be reading this book again next December!
January 1, 2026
Thought I was familiar with the devotionals and autobiographical works by Joni. Yet I had never heard of this one. Found it on Thiftbooks. It's still Christmas season so it's perfect!
I first read it in one sitting first but I am gonna reread and use as a devotional too until The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord on February 2nd.
Insightful! Meditative and lovely!!
One of her best books! What a gem!!
I first read it in one sitting first but I am gonna reread and use as a devotional too until The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord on February 2nd.
Insightful! Meditative and lovely!!
One of her best books! What a gem!!
January 1, 2024
I originally read this beautiful Christmas devotional book back in the 90s when it first came out. I just finished reading it for the second time and I loved it just as much as the first time. I highly recommend it as it will surely lead you to personal worship as the Christmas season unfolds.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews