This month, I have chosen a group of people to feature rather than just one person – those who have written the familiar Christmas carols that we hear year after year.
I have been reading the book Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins and have been amazed at the perseverance and faith of may of these poets and songwriters. Some of the writers were facing religious persecution and some were trying to find joy in the midst of a depressing situation. The journey that many of these songs have traveled on their way to becoming world-famous Christmas treasures is miraculous. For example, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was originally a story created by a father for his daughter who was feeling down about not having a mother who was well enough to do the things that other girls’ mothers did. Since the family had little money due to his wife having cancer, Bob May decided to write this story for his daughter as a Christmas present. At a company Christmas party (he worked at a well-known department store), he read his finished story and the boss believed in it enough to have several copies made and sold them in the stores. The book became a best-seller and his brother-in-law eventually made the story of “Rudolph” into a song. The song was turned down to be recorded by some well-known recording artists before finally being cut by Gene Autry. Now it is one of the most known songs of all-time!
Reading the history of these songs, has been, yet, another source of inspiration. What a great reminder that we must continue to believe and pursue our dreams, since we have no idea how God will use us to affect others now and in the future!
Happy New Year! Hope everyone has a great 2012 filled with blessings!
A Dreamer's Wife 
Its surprising that new Christmas carols haven’t been written in such a long time! At least not any that have gained any popularity!
Hope you had a great Christmas and happy new year!