You may be one of those strange and wonderful people who by this time in the holiday season has finished all of your Christmas shopping. Maybe even wrapping.

Well, bully for you.

I’m not that person. I still have a ways to go. I have a few things yet to get on my list. Among those outstanding items are things I wish (and pray) for my clients, writer friends, and readers of this blog, such as you.

So here I go. This blessed season, I wish for you:

1. Inspired words

You may have a work-in-progress … or not. You may be under contract … or not. You may not have written anything for quite some time. Whatever your circumstance and wherever you are in your writing journey, I wish (and pray) for some sweet, inspired, “Did I really write that?” words to flow from your mind and heart.

2. A surprise acceptance

Publishing wheels turn slowly at all times, but especially at this time of year. Still, I wish (and pray) for you to receive an encouraging, even unexpected, acceptance of something you’ve submitted for publication. Haven’t submitted anything? Then I wish (and pray) for the hope and faith to do so soon.

3. Peace in your heart

Sure, “peace on earth” would be great; but it has to start somewhere, right? And what better place to start than peace in your heart? (It even rhymes.) I wish (and pray) for less stress in your life, more ability to let things go, and a serenity like that of Julian of Norwich who wrote in simple faith, “All shall be well. All shall be well. And all manner of things shall be well.”

4. Time with loved ones

The writing life is often one of seclusion … and exclusion. But this season, I wish (and pray) for you to leave the writing behind long enough and often enough to enjoy the people with whom you most want to spend time.

5. A warm, mushy feeling

I wish (and pray) for your Christmas celebration to bless someone else. Whether that’s volunteering to ring bells for The Salvation Army (as I’ll be doing this weekend), serving a holiday meal at a local soup kitchen, making an anonymous cash donation to someone in need, or something else that will not only bless others but also make you feel all gooey inside.

6. A Bethlehem experience

Finally, my wish list for you includes an inner experience of the infinite reality: that moment when the living God of Christmas overwhelms the human soul with an awareness of His presence and prompts a passionate response. It’s what poet Ann Weems meant when she suggested we go to Bethlehem and find our kneeling place.

May you find that “kneeling place,” whether in corporate worship, quiet solitude, or anywhere angels may whisper by.