The Gift

by Lila Ellexson Senter

Overview

In The Gift, Lila Ellexson Senter reflects on Christmases past and takes us along for the journey. Throughout time, she and her friends and family have discovered the joy of “word gifts’’—collections of quotations, original poetry, and stories that have amplified the meaning of Christmas for both the gift giver and the recipient. This book represents some of the most meaningful word gifts they have exchanged over the years. The words, so carefully chosen, reflect a strong faith, and the beautiful artwork that accompanies each word gift amplifies the message.

Reading The Gift is truly a gift to yourself. Throughout the year, pick up this book and let it remind you of the importance of love, family, amd faith. And during the holidays, consider wrapping it up for a friend along with a word gift of your own—so they, too can reconnect with the true meaning of Christmas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781947765481
Publisher:	ReadersMagnet LLC
Publication date:	11/09/2017
Pages:	94
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.38(d)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lila Ellexson Senter is a retired social worker living in Abilene, Texas. She and her husband, Bill, with whom she raised three children, enjoy traveling, reading, and volunteering in their community. The Gift was written as a wayto promote and support the work of Abilene Hope Haven, a local shelter in the Senters’ hometown.

From the Publisher

Senter pairs her Christmas poems, as well as various religious and inspirational quotes, with artwork done by friends. Originally written by Senter as "word gifts" for the holiday season, the poems include Christian messages and wishes in a sentimental but sincere voice. Senter writes about God and the birth of Jesus Christ and includes biblical messages about how his arrival changed the world. Some of the common yuletide themes are love, hope, joy, and peace. Although structured visually as poems, the verses are free-form for the most part, suitable for inclusion in Christmas cards (they were originally included by the author in cards to her friends). Their structure is only slightly more complex than many seasonal greeting cards; the collection makes no pretense to be an academic or literary collection. A few poems exhibit real originality in either content or form, but they're unusual in this assemblage of otherwise fairly similarly toned messages. Senter, a supporter of the Abilene, Texas, Hope Haven, a center for homeless individuals and their families, originally collected these poems and artwork into this debut volume to benefit the center, and this festive and hopeful slim book seems destined for stockings or packages tucked beneath grandparents' Christmas trees. The black and white artwork portrays a wide variety of media including computer graphics, photography, needlepoint, mixed-media collages, oils, acrylics, pen and ink and stencil. The images turn what would otherwise be a somewhat repetitious assemblage of Christmas greetings and quotes into a genuinely easy-to-flip-through compilation bursting with the joy that accompanies a sincere and strong faith. Unfortunately, the bulk of the artwork appears on the right-hand page with the text facing, which makes for awkward handling while reading and a visually static design. For Christmas greetings, the sentiments ring sincere.

Kirkus Reviews