✨As Christmas Eve approaches, let’s pause a moment, sense the hovering magic, and rest in the beauty of the world. This episode is, essentially, me sending you a Christmas wish. I hope you love it, and I wish you whatever kind of Christmas you want and need this year.

Episode 7 includes:

* ✨The most famous Christmas poem ever written

* ✨A glimpse of the ocean from a wild corner of Cornwall

* ✨Talk of snowflakes and dreams of snow

* ✨Ice fires and memories of years gone by

* ✨Christmas Eve traditions from listeners all over the world

With inspiration from Clement Clarke Moore, Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn, Moya Cannon, Professor Brian Cox, Suzie Dent, Nancy Campbell, Richard Skrein, Dot May Dunn, Sketchbook of Washington Irving and St Nicholas himself.

Don’t forget, if you feel like seeking solace in words this winter, don’t miss my Winter Writing Sanctuary which begins on Saturday December 28 and runs until January 5. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can register for FREE here.

Sending Christmas blessings your way,Beth Xx

08PS You can also listen on Apple or Spotify. And in case you missed it, you might enjoy my wintery essay ‘For the Love of Tiny Things: A short note about small joys, and a little festive puzzle for you.’

Winter Writing Sanctuary sign up

- Register here for free (runs Dec 28-Jan 5 online)

Inspiration sale!

- Up to 50% off ALL my classes in my annual gratitude sale, on now here. Ending very soon!

Links

* A Visit from St Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore

* Let it Snow by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn made famous again in the nineties by Boyz II Men featuring Brian McKnight

* What can snowflakes tell us about our universe? with Prof Brian Cox on the BBC

* Free Calm Christmas Planner (by me!)

Referenced books + recommendations

* Snow Day by Moya Cannon in Keats Lives by Moya Cannon (Carcanet Press)

* Roots of Happiness by Suzie Dent (Puffin) p.12

* Fifty Words for Snow by Nancy Campbell (Elliot & Thompson) p.207

* Fifty Things to do in Snow by Richard Skrein (Pavilion) p.126

* Christmas Around the Village Green by Dot May Dunn (Orion) p.1

* Old Christmas, from the Sketchbook of Washington Irving p.72

* Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year by Beth Kempton (Piatkus)

Images: Holly Bobbins / Unsplash

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit calmchristmas.substack.com