The Christmas Spirit: Memories of Family, Friends, and Faith
This very slim volume is the ideal stocking stuffer for admirers of Osteen, bestselling author and senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston. In it, he recalls family memories of growing up in Texas with his parents, siblings, and grandparents, and fondly remembers unique holiday rituals.Whenever the Osteen clan gathers during the holidays, they often talk about family history, something that Osteen encourages his readers to do as well. Putting a positive spin on even dark memories, he mentions his late father’s modest upbringing, picking cotton as a youngster on his own father’s farm until it was lost during the Depression. Despite the hard times, his father, Osteen emphasizes, had a happy childhood. The lessons conveyed here are nothing earth shattering—to do good on this earth, help families in need, offer the gift of service to others—but his humble stories are wrapped with Christmas warmth and goodwill. A fine addition for holiday shelves. --June Sawyers