Author: Mollie T. Cox

Christmas

Christmas Thoughts

December 6th, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

I love the truths that we sing in our traditional Christmas hymns.

Our family sings every evening of Advent.

The quotes below are good reminders of the same truths.

Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet he belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet he belongs to all countries.

George W. Truett

Christmas: the Son of God expressing the love of God to save us from the wrath of God so we could enjoy the presence of God.

John Piper

The world can’t save itself. That’s the message of Christmas.

Tim Keller

Christmas is built on a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.

G.K. Chesterton

It’s Christmas every time you let God love others through you.

Mother Teresa

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.

John Wesley
Christmas, Parenting

What Is A Normal Christmas?

November 29th, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

One Advent evening, while my family sat in our living room singing Christmas Carols, we were interrupted by a knock on the door. A teenager in the neighborhood, whom we only knew by sight, was collecting donations for a club. We invited him to join our singing. He chose a song from the book we handed him and stayed a bit.

I was surprised. I still debate whether I was more surprised by the quickness of his response or by the lack of self-consciousness on the part of my sons and him. After he left, I decided that our sons saw our activity as normal while I suspected that a family singing Christmas carols in early December was rare.

Part of our collection

What about our visitor? Did he think a singing family was normal? It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I remember the seamlessness of that evening because our Christmas tradition was well established. We were the makers of “normal” for our Christmas season.

What else is normal for us? A long breakfast followed by Scriptures and singing before opening presents. No travel. No Santa. Fun gifts. Jelly Bellies anyone?

What is your “normal?”

Book Recommendations, Christmas

A Reminder: Advent Calendar of Books *

November 27th, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

What do I wish I had known and experienced when my sons lived at home?  An Advent Calendar of Books.

Rather than candy or trinkets, this Advent Calendar involves books to be unwrapped one by one during Advent. New books don’t have to be purchased yearly. Opening Christmas favorites can be satisfying.

Ideas abounded on the internet, but my favorites were beginning with a book per week of Advent and using library books until you decide which books you want—and can afford—in your permanent Christmas collection.

After years of collecting, I might have enough for each day of Advent. I recommended new favorites last year. (See here.) Other recent additions include

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

The Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco

The Christmas Owl by Ellen Kalish and Gideon Sterer

and Have Fun, Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke (Also titled Merry Christmas, Anna Hibiscus).

More favorites from my son’s childhoods include



Peter Spier’s Christmas by Peter Spier

Cranberry Christmas by Wende and Harry Devin

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

and Good King Wenceslas by Pauline Baynes.

Happy reading.

* Updated version of November 23, 2024 blog

Book Recommendations, Friendship, Relationships

Community Over Competition

November 22nd, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

When I watch Olympic events, I’m always struck by the camaraderie among the women swimmers and gymnasts. After finishing their event, competing athletes congratulate—even hug—the women who took their podium position. USA gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles even bowed to Brazilian Rebeca Andrade during the 2024 Olympics award ceremony after Andrade outperformed them to take the gold medal in Floor Exercise.

Interviews reveal admiration rather than trash talk. It looks genuine. Is it?

Olympic champion Katie Ledecky confirms that it is.

Women are amazing at lifting each other up, at giving a kind word when someone has a great race, providing feedback on a particular technique, or commiserating  … The truth is women athletes have way bigger fish to fry than each other.

Katie Ledecky, Just Add Water

Unlike team sports, gymnasts, swimmers, and runners train with athletes from different countries. Being in the trenches together builds bridges and solidifies friendships.

This Thanksgiving, I give thanks for the women in my life whom I have “trained with” and have chosen community over competition. I give thanks for our hard seasons together where solid friendships have been built.

Who is lifting you up? Whom are you lifting up?

Relationships

Safe Relationships

November 15th, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

I asked myself, ‘Who is safe? and I thought of you.’

A Friend Dealing with Abuse and Trauma

Over the years, there are attributes I’ve wanted to have, and I’ve occasionally been told I have them. However, I never thought about safe until my friend labeled me.

Who are safe people?

Lindsay Lohan said people who will not take her family’s photo without permission are safe. Another woman said people who are pushy are not safe. My friend defined “safe” as someone who would not doubt her story, not judge her actions, and carefully handle her secrets.

How did my friend decide I was safe? I’m not sure. We were only causal friends the day I was contacted. However, she was the best friend of a dear relative who had passed. Did that trust carry over to me? Perhaps, I’ll ask her one day.

Ultimately, all safety depends on God.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8 (ESV)

May we all be safe as we gather for the holidays.