Season's Greetings: Christmas Letters from Those Who Were There

by Ruth Boling

Imagine opening your mailbox to find a bundle of Christmas letters addressed to you from long-ago Bible characters who were there for the birth of Jesus. Mary. Joseph. The innkeeper. A shepherd. The midwife. King Herod. The Magi. How do each of these writers remember the unfolding story? What did they know? When did they know it? How did it change them?

In Season's Greetings, twelve vividly imagined letters from "those who were there" speak to the many meanings of Christmas. Awe. Wonder. Disruption. Scandal. Hope. Collected together, the letters invite you—the reader—to add your voice to the conversation, to put Christmas into your own words.

Scripture texts, companion prayers, reflection questions and journaling prompts accompanying each letter lend themselves to individual or group study.

Whether you love Christmas or dread it, whether you are a believer or a skeptic, the letters in Season's Greetings will speak to you. This Advent devotional delivers straight talk with honesty, intellectual rigor and a touch of humor, allowing you to hear with new ears the old, old story that changed—and is changing—the world.

Season's Greetings also includes an Afterword for Clergy and Church Leaders offering creative ideas for using the book in various ministry contexts, as well as a Small Group Leader's Guide.

Genres: Christmas

144 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2024

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise, but I could not agree with all that I read.

[James B. McAuley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is written with each chapter as a letter to the modern reader explaining how the letter writer experienced the first Christmas, as someone who was there - Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, the Inn Keeper, etc. The language is both scholarly and approachable, keeping to what is known from Biblical texts, while adding appropriate presumed details about what the writers likely were thinking. It is designed to be used as an advent devotional for either an individual or group. The questions and suggested exercises were surprisingly challenging and thoughtful. Church attenders who think they have studied Christmas so many times that there is nothing new to learn will be pleasantly surprised. I have to admit that I found the writing and stories so compelling that I read it straight through. But I will definitely take the time to go back and use it more as it was intended, as a devotional. The manner in which the material is presented, with humility, humor, and wisdom, makes it ideal for people who are actually familiar with the cultural experience of Christmas, but have never given much thought to the theological significance of the Christmas events. I bought lots of copies for my church going family and friends as well as my non-church going family and friends.

[Nancy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My church Bible study group chose this book for a six week study in Advent. It is a small, but very powerful read. The author creatively crafted fictional letters from people likely present at or shortly before/after Christ’s birth, each sharing what Christmas means to them. Her present day vernacular And deeply personal narrative, makes the book very easy to read and very relatable. The readers are invited to read these letters, which include meanings of what Christmas means, think about what is important to them and then craft their own letter. Reading this book as I traveled through, Advent added a new meaning to the season and greatly deepened my understanding of the significance of the birth of Jesus. You’ll get a lot from reading this, but the process of having weekly conversations with others was even more powerful. I highly recommend this book.

[Nancy Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I was amazed at the creativity shown in this book as I read these letters from the perspective of so many who are part of the traditional Christmas story. They were both insightful and thought-provoking. There were a couple of reasons that I didn't give the book 5 stars: the first is that there were some "facts" alluded to in Joseph's letter that are contrary to the accepted historical context; the second was the letter from Isaiah which focused on the dangers of climate change - I felt that didn't belong in this book, partly because Isaiah was not alive at the time of Jesus' birth (which the author makes clear), but also because the content matter seemed to have nothing to do with the Christmas story. I'm sure I will reread this book in the future, but I'm likely to skip the letter from Isaiah, at least at Christmas.

[Emily Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will say this, the concept of this book is quite captivating. All of the characters involved in the nativity story write a letter to the reader answering the question: “what does Christmas mean to me?” Now obviously, these letters are written by the author of the book, so we can’t be 100% sure that what’s written in each character’s letter is how they would answer in real life. I’m also not sure exactly how biblically accurate everything is, but again, the concept is interesting. It’s a fun idea to come up with written words that gives us a different perspective of Christmas from each character in the nativity. From King Herod, to Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Joseph, Mary, to Jesus Himself. You’re promised to take away something new that you probably never thought of.

[Magnolia Birth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking forward a short, easy read on the meaning of Christmas. I felt the idea of this book was intriguing. I knew the author would need to fabricate/be creative with some things to fill the pages but I was not expecting the prophet Isaiah to warn us of global warming or the completely fictional midwife to Mary to take a stance on females being left out of priesthood. John the Baptist even said a cuss word (bleeped out). I’m on chapter 8 & so turned off now that I don’t know if I’ll finish the book. Which is a shame because there were some interesting points made. But completely overshadowed by these unsavory details.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the reasons I love this advent devotional is the giver--one of my dearest and most generous friends who, in her hallmark generosity, was no doubt blessing the book's author, a friend of hers. The more enduring reason I love this book is its poignant perspective that brings the Christmas story to life. Exploring the unfathomable mystery of Jesus' birth from the "first hand accounts" of those present at the first Christmas is a rich practice that I intend to revisit every advent. Ruth Boling has brought us a reusable Christmas gift of her theological insight wrapped in creative prose. I highly recommend this as an annual Christmas gift to yourself🎄❣️

[Tonya Pember · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boling's letters to modern day Christians from the famous and not so famous characters of the Biblical Christmas story is a delightful read. She imagines their feelings and correspondence from historical and Biblical perception for the most part. The fourth star was lost due to her polictical slant in two of the chapters. (Climate change was unknown in Biblical times and I doubt Isaiah addressed i t.) Some of her content from Jesus' letter could be skewed as less than Biblical. Mature believers will have no problem enjoying the writing and overlooking controversial subject matter.

[Lynne Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a lot of creativity that went into this series of essays. Unfortunately, the injection of pop culture references as well as allusions to swearing were jarring to the overall message. Good idea, poor execution.

[Greg Rapier · Rating 5 out of 5]

The movie “Rashomon” but for the Christmas story. By stretching the story to its shadows and angles, you get a richer, fuller, more nuanced version of events. I love the textures of this thing and the way it breathes.

[Merry Cole Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book in a small group. I worked so well as the author cleverly writes in first person of each of the people involved that original day of Christ’s birth. We really enjoyed the different perspectives she wrote from each of the characters. Really well done!

[Roxi]

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[Heather Laskos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a really good Advent devotional. I enjoyed hearing the Christmas story from different points of view and it prompted me to think about what the traditional narrative has been.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kind of a fun read however a bit different in thinking than mine.

[Jann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book - was hoping for inspirational messages. Instead the messages were trying to merge pop culture with biblical times. It didn’t work for me at all.