A New Book for Christmas
Unwrapping His Presence: What We Really Need for Christmas
Chris Maxwell’s latest book–Unwrapping His Presence: What We Really Need for Christmas –brings us a collection of stories and poems in time for the holidays. Including chapters by writer Mary DeMent and artwork by Brent Chitwood, Maxwell writes with creative honesty, bringing a fresh look at the ancient Christmas narrative.
J. Lee Grady, author of The Holy Spirit is Not for Sale, says, “My friend Chris Maxwell is a literary troubadour. He’s part poet, part musician and part theologian. Yet he crafts his words like a prophet—or maybe a surgeon—and penetrates hearts so he can change people inside. When writing about Christmas, he helps us see how we have trivialized the celebration, and he beckons us to embrace authenticity. He cuts away the superficial and takes us to the core of what Christ’s birth is really all about.”
Holly Miller, contributing editor to The Saturday Evening Post and author of more than a dozen books, describes Unwrapping His Presence as a “book for all seasons.” She proposes this suggestion when you open the book: “Plan to read it with pen and paper within reach. If you're like me, you'll find yourself pausing to jot down phrases, sentences, and ideas to remember, savor, and share with others. The author is a gifted writer who gently elicits every emotion—from smile to tear—from his readers.”
Unwrapping His Presence invites you over for dinner. Sit. Read. Think. Reflect. Buy extra copies as Christmas presents for your friends. While reading, you might be surprised by a story of Jesus being born in our modern culture, nod a few times and relate to a poem about taking off a mask, stare at the artwork, or cry at the story about Nathaniel. You may remember pain from years before, choose to say goodbye to resentment which clouds your joy every December, and decide to receive healing in your own heart.
Counselor and author Dennis Wells, says, “What a reflective, poetic, and intimate insight into the miracle of Christmas. Chris Maxwell, along with contributions from Mary DeMent, has done a masterful job of assisting us with embracing the wonder of this Holy time and bringing His Presence into our every day challenges. I will never approach Christmas the same after reading this gift of words.”
Maxwell’s words can help you unwrap the pain and find peace. As he writes in Unwrapping His Presence:
“Will a world hear a Word and be healed? Hear a word from an Infant and find faith? Will she? Time will tell. But tonight the sky is scattered with sound. The music of angels, of stars, of promises fulfilled. It does appear odd that God would talk this way. And after so long. Yet, if this is God, pray the planet shall listen. Shall listen, as she spins and flies through noisy skies, shall listen. Pray she shall hear that a long-awaited Word is here.”
Dr. Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr., Presiding Bishop of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, concludes, “In the diverse, often unhappy circumstances of a frenzied and frustrating Christmas, the glorious gift of God’s Presence can be unwrapped in unexpected ways at unexpected moments. You can help a friend ‘Unwrap His Presence’ if you will wrap this book up as a present this Christmas!”
Marcia Ford, author of Traditions of the Ancients: Vintage Faith Practices for the 21st Century, writes, “Unwrapping His Presence is a much-needed, thoughtful reflection on a holy season that in our culture offers little opportunity for contemplation. Chris Maxwell's elegant writing provides that opportunity, by allowing readers to take a deep breath, spend a few moments in quiet reflection, and let God's presence infuse – and refresh – their lives.”
Chris Maxwell served as a pastor in Orlando, FL, for 20 years and now works as Director of Spiritual Life at Emmanuel College. He also writes and edits for a variety of publications, hosts the blog radio show Epilepsy Advocate Radio, and travels the world speaking in disability groups, hospitals, writers’ clinics, churches, schools, spiritual formation workshops and retreat centers. To purchase Unwrapping His Presence or to contact Chris, visit his website: www.chrismaxwellweb.com
[Editor's Note: I have purchased twenty-five (25) hard back copies of these books for our IPHC military chaplains. It is imperative that I provide our chaplains with the best in resources. In fact, I received them in the mail on Thursday, October 21, 2010. Now, I will have the joy of sending a book to each of our military chaplains as a Christmas gift. The Chaplains Ministries, IPHC Board approved this expenditure for our chaplains. They are in harmony with my desire to send the best to our chaplains.]
Posted on
Fri, October 22, 2010
by Hugh Morgan