In the Dark Streets Shineth, by David McCullough

Today would have been my dad's 57th birthday. I think he's probably having a good time where he's at right now, but we still miss him here. It's been a year and a half since he died but in many ways it feels like just yesterday. Still, so much life has been lived during these past many months and it's hard to imagine that he isn't aware of all our life changes and new family additions. Little things remind me of him and I notice things about myself that he either liked or found amusing.

One of the things I inherited from my dad was an interest in World War II history. This love for it grew upon me so gradually that I'm not even sure when I acknowledged my interest in this era, but this was a subject matter that my dad would read a lot of books about and enjoyed thinking and talking about.

As any of you long time readers are aware, I have most definitely developed a love for Winston Churchill and was ecstatic to see this new title, In the Dark Streets Shineth: A 1941 Christmas Eve Story, being promoted at the Book Expo this past May. I definitely had it on my radar and was touched, blessed and gifted with a copy of this book by a dear friend of mine from here in town. She saw it and nabbed it, hoping I wasn't already in possession of a copy. I have to say that I'm glad I wasn't - because now I can own this book with the added joy of knowing it came as a result of a friend's effort to bless me! (Thank you, friend!)

In the Dark Streets Shineth is an extremely short gift book, of sorts, by David McCullough. McCullough was invited to present an "inspiring historical Christmas tale" alongside the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. McCullough chose to present the story of Christmas Eve, 1941, when Winston Churchill made a top secret voyage across the ocean to come to America. He stood beside Franklin D. Roosevelt and addressed our nation during the official White House Christmas Eve Celebration. The book itself contains both the president's and the prime minister's addresses to this great country. It is filled with photographs from World War II, depicting our brave soldiers as they celebrated Christmas away from home and their families. There are pictures of the nation's capitol, decorated for the holidays. But mostly the indomitable spirit of Churchill shines through. (At least, that's what I took away from this quick read!)

Included with the book is a DVD which has McCullough's narration with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I think this DVD is a wonderful addition to the book and I'm glad I was able to view this for myself. Very powerful and moving presentation, to be sure!

I love this little book for all that it is, and for all that it isn't. It is a "simple" presentation of what Christmas was like in December 1941 when our nation was at war. It is a reminder of all that we have to be grateful for this Christmas season.

To our troops who are serving abroad, (and their families who are missing them!), I offer my thanks to you.

To both of my parents who taught me to love and appreciate history and see it as being applicable and meaningful for today, I thank you also.

To the Lord who does all things well and Whose plans are much better than my own, I am (learning to be) grateful. I know that God is good all of the time. I can't share this book with my dad this Christmas, but I can remember him and I'm doing that today.