If you're anything like me, the Christmas holidays are currently invading your inbox. It's been a long day, so forgive me if I'm not as coherent as I should be, but I wanted to share a bit of encouragement that I've been thinking over lately.

I told someone yesterday that I'm just trying to "make it to the holidays," and it's so true. I'm worn ragged over school, work, and other things, and I can't wait for those blessed few days of freedom and peace. You really do need hope to live your day-to-day life. After the years of deep depression I suffered through, I know how true it is. And as much as I struggle with hope in the day-to-day, I'm extremely grateful that overall, I really do have a foundational hope—"the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ... forever and ever King of kings, and Lord of lords," as the Hallelujah Chorus reminds us.

But there's hope in the everyday too, and one of the reminders of that hope came from me blasting my Christmas music, and writing stories for a Christmas Advent Story Calendar (more on that in a minute). It's brought me to ponder what Christmas really is about. I mean, we all know "the reason for the season," but it does me good to stop a second and think hard about that reason.

There's a French Christmas carol I love, addressed to the shepherds. And one line in particular goes:

Shepherds, could you understand

The love of God Almighty,

Who, for you, deigns to descend

To be but a feeble child—

A child that suffering

Shall seize from the cradle,

Who shall walk without defence

Towards the cross and the tomb?

I've never been a fan of the crèches you seen during Christmas, because I always saw them as minimizing Jesus—presenting him as a helpless child instead of as the Almighty. (People here call him l'enfant Jésus (the child Jesus) and really don't have any concept of his power.) But lately, when I think at that baby in a crèche, it suddenly hits me that he was literally born to die... for me. That sweet little baby grew up and walked straight to Calvary. Because he loved me. The whole point of Christmas is Easter.

He gave me the gift of life abundant.

What am I giving him?

I explore this topic more in depth in two short stories which are releasing on Substack Friday and Saturday. You can find them here. One of them is Louisa May Alcott‒inspired story of friendship; one of them is a Lucy Maud Montgomery‒inspired story of reconciliation; and both made me work out the reason why I celebrate Christmas: to remember and rededicate.

Merry Christmas, friends, and Happy New Year. May 2026 be the year you get closer yet to your God.

With love,

Katja

|| News ||

// Looking for some new cozy books to welcome in the holidays? The Cornerstone Series is back for one last burst of holiday cheer, and I’m so excited to join my fellow authors in giving you an early Christmas gift. Grab a blanket and a chair by the fire as you discover your new favourite reads with the ’tis the season giveaway!

Get swept away by retellings of old favourites, and find some new little-known fairytales! Fight alongside exiled princes, against assassins, and for sweet maidens. Dive into the backstories and what-came-afters in the series short story collection.

The giveaway ends on December 15, 2025. On that day, or the next one, Lucy will announce the winner on her blog, so keep an eye on luluslibrary.com!

Ten Books. Sixteen Fairytales. Enter here!

If you'd like to read my thoughts on the books in the giveaway, you can check out my master post about the series!

// I finally posted my October & November Wrap-Up! I won't be sending out a new newsletter until January, but on my blog, I'm preparing to share my usual bookish yearly wrap-ups, reflections on the new year, and contemplations on the past year. If that interests you, keep an eye on LBFJ.

|| A Thought ||

These are two of my favourite Christmas albums! They're by the same artists, Lois & India Rasquinha, and just they're so Christmassy. Enjoy :)

Believe | Christmas Time