Beautifully Written Contemporary Christmas Stories: Colors of Christmas, Olivia Newport

Christmas in GOLD and Christmas in BLUE

Colors of Christmas, Olivia Newport Two stories of Christmas holiday stress, loss, and redeeming comfort in two different seasons of life for two different women. These two beautifully written faith based stories of hope resonate with our contemporary lives. Colors in Gold features Astrid, a woman in her 80’s who is trying to adjust to the loss of her lifestyle. Astrid recently fell down the stairs in her home and broke a couple of bones. Alex and Bridget, her adult children have arranged for Astrid to move into an assisted living community. She has had to watch the contents of her home of more than 40 years be divided up for the few things she will have room enough to keep in the tiny apartment at Sycamore Hills Community Living. When she meets her physical therapist Carly, Astrid realizes the young woman is very troubled. We also will learn more about the trauma of Astrid’s childhood during the aftermath of WWII in Germany. She had a precious box of ornaments left from her grandmother, which has gone missing in her move. As I read this story, I shed a few tears because just a few years ago on a December morning I took my mother and a few of her favorite possessions and set her up in assisted living due to her health. My mom left a lifetime of collections and love for a 40-acre farm home and had to start a totally new life. Even though it can be very necessary, it is still a very grievous loss for an independent woman in her 80’s. Her apartment number was 321. I thought so much of the parallels for Astrid and my sweet Mother and both of their lives of faith to give them strength to start over in a new season of life. Colors in Blue features Angela who is grieving the loss of her best friend Carol, who died six months earlier. She is not in a mood for Christmas and all the responsibilities of the season. She is caring for Carol’s dog, Blitzen. Angela finds out she has been nominated to plan the programs and organize the decorations for “A Christmas to Remember” which is a community holiday event. Carol loved Christmas and always arranged the programs and decorations for the church event. As Angela is forced to pick up the pieces of Carols former holiday extravaganza, everything seems to go wrong. It will take all the faith Angela can summon to do her best for the community on this very special night. She will push beyond her feeling of loss and grief to find a new spirit of hope and love.