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Austin Family Chronicles #5.4
Miracle on 10th Street and Other Christmas Writings
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160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
96 people are currently reading
2974 people want to read
About the author
Madeleine L'Engle
170 books9,193 followersMadeleine L'Engle was an American writer of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young adult fiction, including A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels: A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time. Her works reflect both her Christian faith and her strong interest in modern science.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 7, 2021
Honestly, considering that the two Austin Family stories to be encountered in Madeleine L’Engle’s Miracle on 10th Street: And Other Christmas Writings, seeing that The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas and A Full House have both been published as picture books (and indeed, I have in fact also read and reviewed each of them separately), and that the remaining pieces of Madeleine L’Engle prose and poetry in Miracle on 10th Street: And Other Christmas Writings actually and in fact have NOTHING AT ALL to do with Victoria Austin and her family, I do find it more than a bit frustrating and even rather annoyingly misleading for Goodreads to consider Miracle on 10th Street: And Other Christmas Writings as supposedly being part of Madeleine L’Engle’s Austin Family series. Since by having Miracle on 10th Street: And Other Christmas Writings appear as somehow being part of the Austin Family series on Goodreads, a potential reader in my humble opinion would quite naturally assume (as I most definitely did) that all or at least most of the contents of Miracle on 10th Street: And Other Christmas Writings should be featuring stories and poems pertaining not only to Christmas but also and specifically to the Austins, and this is unfortunately and disappointingly not really the case.
And as such I am actually also really quite happy that I read (or rather skimmed through) Miracle on 10th Street: And Other Christmas Writings on Open Library and did not make the mistake of purchasing a copy for my personal Madeleine L’Engle collection. For aside from the fact that only two of the included pieces of writing actually have anything to do with the Austins and that I was definitely expecting more stories, more pieces of writing pertaining to the Austin Family and their Christmas traditions in Miracle on 10th Street: And Other Christmas Writings (and not just two tales I already was familiar with and actually also own as separate entities), well, the vast majority of the eighty odd inclusions equally show a much too strongly Christian and philosophical bent for my reading tastes, and with far too many of them even feeling like Madeleine L’Engle is trying to actively preach and sermonise at and to her readers (something that always makes me personally feel rather majorly uncomfortable).
And as such I am actually also really quite happy that I read (or rather skimmed through) Miracle on 10th Street: And Other Christmas Writings on Open Library and did not make the mistake of purchasing a copy for my personal Madeleine L’Engle collection. For aside from the fact that only two of the included pieces of writing actually have anything to do with the Austins and that I was definitely expecting more stories, more pieces of writing pertaining to the Austin Family and their Christmas traditions in Miracle on 10th Street: And Other Christmas Writings (and not just two tales I already was familiar with and actually also own as separate entities), well, the vast majority of the eighty odd inclusions equally show a much too strongly Christian and philosophical bent for my reading tastes, and with far too many of them even feeling like Madeleine L’Engle is trying to actively preach and sermonise at and to her readers (something that always makes me personally feel rather majorly uncomfortable).
December 24, 2020
Madeleine L'Engle's Miracle on 10th Street was a treat to read. Actually, it was a listen for me. . . the short story format worked for me in this getting ready for Christmas time. In the car, out of the car, in the car, out of the. . . I have never read any of the Austin Family books that two of the stories relate to, so I think I will hunt those down so I can put these stories in context.
Definitely revisitable as the seasons roll near and the bells are heard a-jinglin'!
Definitely revisitable as the seasons roll near and the bells are heard a-jinglin'!
January 4, 2024
I've enjoyed Madeleine L'Engle's non-fiction work and Miracle on 10th Street: And Other Christmas Writings did not disappoint. It was a nice collection of short stories, poems and thoughts on Christmas and its true meaning.
December 26, 2019
I think I had only read Madeleine L’Engle’s novels before. I loved them so much when I was growing up. This was a collection of poems, short non-fiction pieces, and short stories assembled around a Christmas theme, from a religious perspective. Given how it was put together, it was a bit of a grab bag. Some of the images and phrases were striking (though I didn’t care that much for the poetry), and regardless of one’s religious inclination, one can appreciate the prompting to ‘observe and contemplate’ at this or anytime of year.
December 19, 2018
With every new book or article I read by her, Madeleine L'Engle shows why she has always been one of my very favorite authors. This collection spans writings from a wide variety of sources on Christmas memories, devotionals, poetry and short stories. Her faith based writing is more powerful than any Christmas sermon I've ever heard, and even her journal entries bring a warm feeling of preparation for Christmas. This collection helped me to get mentally ready for Christmas as I spread it out over a few weeks. I'm sure I'll return to certain passages over this last week before Christmas and in many years to come!
January 24, 2021
This book was a fun read that got me used to reading short stories and poetry again. Something I have been trying to incorporate more into my reading choices. My favorite short story was "A Call to Jury" and poem "O Oriens". Definitely a book I will probably revisit in future Advent seasons
January 1, 2025
I might need to revisit this one every year around Advent/Christmas.
December 13, 2020
This is a very delightful book of stories, poems, es\says, and other ponderings. Very good for Advent reading.
December 13, 2021
“In the mystery of the Word made Flesh, the Maker of the stars was born.”
December 18, 2022
Absolutely loved it. It’s going in my stack of “Read this every Advent”.
December 20, 2019
I absolutely loved everything about this book. It contains Madeline L'Engle's thoughts and writings on Advent, Christmas, Christianity, the Second Coming, particle physics, and more. There are a few short stories (two Austin family stories), but most of the book is reflections, poetry, and little incidents from her life.
This book was the perfect thing to get me re-focused on the true reason for Christmas. Some of her thoughts are on par with C.S. Lewis. I'll probably purchase this to have on hand for future Christmases.
This book was the perfect thing to get me re-focused on the true reason for Christmas. Some of her thoughts are on par with C.S. Lewis. I'll probably purchase this to have on hand for future Christmases.
January 25, 2020
So this was a Christmas gift from my daughter and I have read it slowly as part of my devotional time. I love Madeleine’s writing and this is an excellent anthology of poems and prose, fiction and nonfiction. One I will most probably reread during another Christmas season.
December 30, 2022
There are some great pieces here, and I enjoyed this book overall. The author has a way of provoking thoughtfulness, and I appreciated slowing down to meditate on and ponder the incarnation of Jesus! However, some of the selections seemed pointless and meandering. I also personally wasn’t a fan of the CONSTANT references to outer space. It felt like it detracted from the message. Jesus became a man and was born on earth; I personally would rather have parked there and left the galaxies alone.
3 ⭐️
3 ⭐️
December 20, 2019
Nice Advent reading
December 13, 2022
An anthology of Christmas writings by Madeleine L'Engle. There are poems, short stories, and some that I would call meditations.
December 22, 2022
This was a sweet book of short stories and poems about advent and Christmas. I especially enjoyed the title essay and the two short stories about the Austin family.
December 27, 2020
This work has a quaint way of carrying the reader on a leisure tour of faith, childhood wonders and the fascinating meaning of Christmas. You have the sense that you are an intimate quest of the L’Engle family as they celebrated the birth of Jesus.
There is great variety in the book. Poems, short essays and a few short stories punctuate the various themes discussed. You are left with the impression that Madeleine L’Engle opened up her personal journal and gave you a glimpse into her rich life built around Christ, a loving family and a welcoming home.
There is great variety in the book. Poems, short essays and a few short stories punctuate the various themes discussed. You are left with the impression that Madeleine L’Engle opened up her personal journal and gave you a glimpse into her rich life built around Christ, a loving family and a welcoming home.
January 5, 2022
Love me some Madeleine L’Engle nonfiction, like always.
May 8, 2021
Such beautiful poems in here! This was my favorite one..
"He did not wait till the world was ready till men and nations were at peace. He came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release.
He did not wait for the perfect time He came when the need was deep and great. He dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine. He did not wait
till hearts were pure. In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt To a world like ours, of anguished shame he came, and his Light would not go out.
He came to a world which did not mesh, to heal its tangles, shield its scorn. In the mystery of the Word made Flesh the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane to raise our songs with joyful voice, for to share our grief, to touch our pain, He came with Love Rejoice! Rejoice!"
"He did not wait till the world was ready till men and nations were at peace. He came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release.
He did not wait for the perfect time He came when the need was deep and great. He dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine. He did not wait
till hearts were pure. In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt To a world like ours, of anguished shame he came, and his Light would not go out.
He came to a world which did not mesh, to heal its tangles, shield its scorn. In the mystery of the Word made Flesh the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane to raise our songs with joyful voice, for to share our grief, to touch our pain, He came with Love Rejoice! Rejoice!"
January 8, 2011
L'Engle's faith has always inspired me. It was wonderful to have so many of her writings relating to her faith in Jesus Christ all in the same place--many of which I had never read before.
December 21, 2019
This was my first Madeleine L'Engle book. It's a beauty as it consists of snippets of her various writings on the Christmas season. There's poems, short form prose, longer form stories and devotionalesque short form murmurings all centred on the Christmas season: Advent, Celebration, Incarnation, Ephiphany and beyond.
I loved it. I loved how L'Engle describes the wonder of the incarnation, its purpose, its intentionality and passion.
I especially enjoyed the poetry - mostly simple short rhyming couplets that were easy to understand and picture. But I also thoroughly enjoyed the last long form story: the Austin family Christmas told from the perspective of 7-year old Vicky, who I understand L'Engle gives her own series as a teenager. How cool. I might read those.
If you love L'Engle's work, I'm sure you'll enjoy this. In fact, you're likely to have already read bits of it. But if you're new to her work, like myself, and especially if you love Advent and Christmas for its message, then buy this. You might become a raving fan of L'Engle's work like so many readers already are.
Enjoy.
I loved it. I loved how L'Engle describes the wonder of the incarnation, its purpose, its intentionality and passion.
I especially enjoyed the poetry - mostly simple short rhyming couplets that were easy to understand and picture. But I also thoroughly enjoyed the last long form story: the Austin family Christmas told from the perspective of 7-year old Vicky, who I understand L'Engle gives her own series as a teenager. How cool. I might read those.
If you love L'Engle's work, I'm sure you'll enjoy this. In fact, you're likely to have already read bits of it. But if you're new to her work, like myself, and especially if you love Advent and Christmas for its message, then buy this. You might become a raving fan of L'Engle's work like so many readers already are.
Enjoy.
August 31, 2020
A little strange to be reading a Christmas book in August, but this was really good! A mix of thoughts, essays, poems, and short stories, this was beautifully written and made me love Jesus more.
First Coming
He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.
He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait
till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.
He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, too touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
First Coming
He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.
He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait
till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.
He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, too touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
January 16, 2022
"So we trim our trees and make them sparkle with light as a symbol that light is stronger than darkness, and even in a world as dark as ours, the light still shines, and cannot be extinguished."
A collection of poems, short stories, essays, songs, journal entries, etc. on the miracle of Christmas from one of my favourite authors. Each chapter heading is a reflection on the Christian themes of Advent, Incarnation. Epiphany, the Glorious Mystery, Redemption, and Celebration. I particularly loved the final story "The Twenty-Four Days before Christmas: An Austin Family Story". It was very moving. I just found the entire book was a bit too much. I feel like this should really be read slowly and reflected upon more deeply than I could -- as it is a library book that I must return. I may return to it again, and do just that. There is much food for the soul throughout.
A collection of poems, short stories, essays, songs, journal entries, etc. on the miracle of Christmas from one of my favourite authors. Each chapter heading is a reflection on the Christian themes of Advent, Incarnation. Epiphany, the Glorious Mystery, Redemption, and Celebration. I particularly loved the final story "The Twenty-Four Days before Christmas: An Austin Family Story". It was very moving. I just found the entire book was a bit too much. I feel like this should really be read slowly and reflected upon more deeply than I could -- as it is a library book that I must return. I may return to it again, and do just that. There is much food for the soul throughout.
January 4, 2023
Though not every poem or journal entry was a winner, there were enough revelations in this captivating little volume to be absolutely worth my time. I always forget that L'Engle was a writer of faith first and a writer of children's literature second. Her insights into Advent and Christmas were unique to me as an LDS reader, especially the apparently common idea of tying Advent to the second coming which isn't something that is emphasized in LDS practice. At first, I was annoyed that I hadn't finished reading this by Christmas, but it also has some great stuff for New Year's, so it all turned out great. I particularly will return to her essay "A Call to Jury Duty," which contemplates the problematic nature of viewing God through the lens of the legal system.
January 3, 2021
A perfect read for the Christmas season. This is an assortment of writings by Madeleine L'Engle from various points in her life. There are poems, excerpts from her journals, and short stories - including a couple with the Austen family from many of her novels. All have some basis in the Christmas season and the birth of Jesus. I started reading this at the beginning of December and because of the assortment of writings and their various lengths it really lent itself to reading a couple of pages a night so it carried me through the Christmas season. I appreciated reading something that connected me to the religious aspects of Christmas outside of the usual Bible readings.
December 29, 2022
I found this a poignant collection of writings and reflections giving readers a glimpse of how the wonder of Chrimas resonates in Madeliene L'Engle's personal life, which involves her family and faith. Miracle on 10th Street had a wonderful mix of poetry, essays, short stories to give you a sense of the journey through Advent to the celebration on December 25. This is a book I will keep handy to revist during future Advents and Christmas.
December 4, 2023
This is a collection of poetry and prose about Christmas by Madeleine L'Engle. I love her books but I wonder how much she had to do with putting this collection together, as it seems to have a lot of forgettable entries and a few that she would have selected. I got about a quarter of the way through and decided that the book was actually undermining my opinion of her work, so I didn't continue reading it.
December 13, 2019
Overall, I liked this collection and thoroughly enjoyed several poems and The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas (a sweet Austin Family Story). The book is divided into the following themed sections: Advent, Incarnation, Epiphany, Glorious Mystery, Redemption, and Celebration. I’m glad I chose to read these L’Engle writings during Advent and I will revisit them in future years. 3/5 stars.
July 20, 2021
Madeleine L'Engle is a gifted Christmas writer - incarnation, mystery, glory, ordinary earthiness, pregnancy, family, loneliness... it's all in here. Poems and prose, a few short stories, bits from her memoirs. I haven't been the biggest fan of her fiction, because something must be wrong with me, but I like her so much as a reflective writer and a Christian and artist.
July 27, 2024
A lovely, thought-provoking mix of poems and stories, and excerpts from songs and scripture and poetry down through the ages. While the focus is on Christmas and all the beauty and questions and soul-searching that should be included in the season, this is a collection that should probably be nibbled at all through the year, not just opened up during the holidays.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews