Tag: Christmas

Christmas in July: Celebrating the Spirit of Christmas During Summer

“Christmas in July” is more than just a humorous reference to early holiday merchandise. According to Hallmark, it’s a genuine mid-year Christmas celebration. The event mirrors the festive spirit of Christmas, but with a summery twist. This includes enjoying outdoor fires, family time, and joyous gatherings. The passage from Isaiah 9:6 is often associated with the birth of Christ, and Handel’s Messiah further popularizes this connection.

Updated June 20, 2025.

I thought “Christmas in July” made a joking reference to the Christmas merchandise appearing in stores during the summer. But according to the folks at Hallmark, who ought to know, it is a holiday in its own right.

On the Hallmark website, they tell us

Christmas in July is your once-a-year chance to celebrate all the things you love about Christmas: the fun, the family, the parties, the cozy fireplaces.

Now, think about all the things you love about summer: the fun, the family, the parties, the cozy firepits.

Replace the inside fires with outside fires and you have Christmas in July, a “Half Christmas” celebration that just makes July jolly.

There is even a rather old movie about Christmas in July available to buy on DVD

And a new Christmas In July movie available to stream on Amazon Prime.

The Christmas Story in July

When I originally wrote this piece, I was listening to the Daily Audio Bible (DAB) Chronologic version and this was the reading for July 13.

For to us a child is born,to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6, ESV
© 2001 – 2018 CROSSWAY

from the English Standard Bible 

Although Isaiah is in the Old Testament, many Christians believe this passage refers to the birth of Christ, which we celebrate at Christmas, so it is common to hear this verse quoted in sermons and readings.

Lightstock.com, stock photo site ( affiliate link)

George Frideric Handel and Messiah

The best-known use of this scripture for Christmas is in Handel’s Messiah.

George Frideric Handel used this scripture from Isaiah in his famous work, Messiah, first performed in 1742, performed or heard by millions of people since then. Although it’s usually performed at Christmas, Handel wrote it for Easter.

“Messiah is a fixture of the Christmas season. Woe to the concert hall in the United States or Britain that fails to schedule the piece around the holiday.

For many amateur choirs, the work is the heart of their repertoire and the high point of the year.”

HANDEL'S MESSIAH COMPLETE ALBUM ART
HANDEL’S MESSIAH COMPLETE LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (affiliate link)

Handel’s father was a barber-surgeon. Barber-surgeons were physicians in medieval Europe, who as the name suggests performed surgery, often treating wounds from war injuries. Eventually, surgery and barbery became separate occupations.

Exploring the HEART of health

Do you plan for Christmas year-round, wait til the week before, or somewhere between? What does Christmas mean to you and your family?

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Please follow the links below to learn more about Daily Audio Bible and George Handel.

Dr.Aletha 

Another way to listen to the Bible

Finding Holiday Joy Amid Grief

The holiday season can evoke sadness for those grieving loved ones, making joy elusive. Grief can linger from recent or past losses, affecting celebrations. Acknowledging feelings is crucial, as is reaching out to grieving friends. Comfort is essential during this difficult time, reminding us that support and connection matter.

updated December 12, 2025

Although this season brings fun and festivities, many of us find it hard to feel joyful when our hearts are heavy with grief.

group of lanterns

Whether from a recent loss, or one many years ago, grieving for the loved ones who won’t be here to celebrate with us can dampen our holiday spirit and lead to depression. 

  • I think of my friend who has lost both a sister and a son this year.
  • I remember my friends who tragically lost their teenage daughter in a car wreck just a few days before Christmas many years ago.
  • I consider my medical colleague who is battling cancer.
  • My heart aches for my friends who lost a young aunt to an undiagnosed medical condition that suddenly proved fatal.
  • I’m sad for my friends and their children who will spend their first Christmas after a divorce.
  • And my husband and I  still grieve the loss of our parents and siblings at Christmas even after many years.

As one friend wrote-

“This is my second Christmas without my husband.  It has been tough, but also a reminder that God is the god of all comfort. That works for me. And… it is a reminder to pray comfort to anyone who has faced a loss of a loved one including precious pets. Loss from any source needs a comforting friend.”

If you know someone who needs a “comforting friend”,  please take the time to reach out to them so they know someone cares and they are not alone.

 

What to say to grieving people. 

“Honestly, the most painful thing is when you’ve had a loss and someone around you—because of the awkwardness — never acknowledges it. That’s what hurts the most.”

Nancy Guthrie

 

xmas house
photo by Dr. Aletha

 

Coping with grief and loss during the holidays

 “Grief is not a tidy, orderly process, and there is no right way to grieve. Every person—and every family—does it differently. This can cause emotions to collide and overlap, especially during the holiday season when the emphasis is on rebirth and renewal.”

Harvard Health

 

 

man and woman in front of the Alamo at Christmas
My husband and I at the Alamo in San Antonio Texas at Christmas

 

My family and I wish you all health and wholeness in body, mind, and spirit.

Dr. Aletha

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Expert Advice to Conquer Holiday Stress

Magazine articles, television programs, and music playlists tell us that this is “the most wonderful time of the year.”  That is until the extra work of shopping, cooking, decorating, wrapping, planning, and entertaining makes it the least wonderful time. While most of us welcome the chance to celebrate with family and friends, sometimes those encounters…

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Simple Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating

Holiday traditions often involve special foods and beverages, posing challenges for individuals managing medical conditions like diabetes, food allergies, and obesity. Emphasizing mindfulness in eating and understanding personal dietary restrictions can alleviate holiday stress and enhance enjoyment.

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