Books for Christmas

Friday, Dec. 02, 2016

If you’re looking for books to give as Christmas gifts, I have two recommendations for you. The first is suitable for audiences of any age, the other is a collection of daily reflections better suited to older teens and adults. 

In Dear Pope Francis: The Pope Answers Letters from Children Around the World (hardcover, Loyola Press, 2016) the Holy Father responds to 30 queries that range from theological (“What did God do before the world was made?”) to relational (“Do you know why some parents argue with each other?”) to personal (“If you could do 1 miracle what would it be?”)

When the Holy Father read those submissions, he said, “These are tough questions!” according to Antonio Spadaro, S.J., who presented Pope Francis with the letters; a description of that meeting is included in the book.

The answers are Pope Francis at his best. His replies are couched in easy-to-understand language that nonetheless provides wonderful evocative images. “God cannot sink, you know!” he wrote in answer to a question from an 8-year-old Kenyan girl asking how Jesus could walk on water.

While the wording that Pope Francis uses to respond to the questions may be simple, the message he communicates is not. For example, after explaining why some saints have the stigmata, he warns, “But be careful – not everyone who has wounds is a saint!”

The target audience for Dear Pope Francis is children, but adults will enjoy it as well. The book, which was published in 14 languages, includes copies of the hand-written letters and illustrations, as well as information about the children who crafted them. (Pope Francis often comments on the drawings – he notices details I often missed.)

My second recommendation is Three Minutes a Day Volume 51 (paperback, The Christophers, 2016). One thing I like about this collection of daily reflections is that each is a story of sorts. These can be inspirational (I particularly like the four-part tale of Jesse Brown, an African-American Navy pilot during the Korean War), or educational – I had never before heard of the Beers List, which contains information about potentially hazardous medications for seniors. 

Then there are the thought-provoking stories: One of a Russian immigrant who said that she could take nothing with her when she left but she has no regrets, made me wonder what I would do if I had to leave everything – literally every single thing – behind. I suspect I would be bitter. The Bible tells me “If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that,” (1Tim6:8) and I know many people in today’s world don’t have even those necessities. Meanwhile both my refrigerator and my closet are full, and yet I can find plenty to complain about, so I’ve still got some work to do to live vibrantly, as the story in Three Minutes a Day describes the Russian immigrant. 

The book also includes a Bible verse and short prayer with each reflection.

The Christophers was founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller. Their media outreach includes the “Christopher News Notes,” which are brochures on a variety of topics, and the “Light One Candle” syndicated weekly column. 

 Three Minutes a Day and Dear Pope Francis (in English and in Spanish) are available locally at Immaculate Heart Religious Gifts and Books, 726 East 12200 South, Suite A, Draper; and Magdalene Religious Goods and Coffee Grotto, 836 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City.  Three Minutes a Day is also available as a daily email, free of charge. To subscribe, email mail@christophers.org.