The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 062
The Chronicles of Christmas (Part 2)
Welcome to Episode 62 of The Thinklings Podcast!
In this special Christmas episode, the Thinklings continue their annual tradition of sharing book recommendations for the Christmas season. Whether you’re enjoying time off from work, traveling for the holidays, or simply looking for something worthwhile to read, this episode is packed with recommendations ranging from theology and discipleship to classic literature and children’s stories. Along the way, the conversation takes several unexpected turns into education, discipleship, virtue, and the Christian life.
📚 Christmas Reading Recommendations
Thinkling Little
Hearers and Doers — Kevin Vanhoozer
Hear My Son: Teaching and Learning in Proverbs 1–9 — Daniel Estes
Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World — Michael Horton
When People Are Big and God Is Small — Ed Welch
Thinkling Carter
A Christmas Carol — Charles Dickens
The Short Stories of O. Henry
Peace Like a River — Leif Enger
The Sign of the Beaver — Elizabeth George Speare
Thinkling Stearns
Christianity Considered — John Frame
Letters from Father Christmas — J.R.R. Tolkien
Christianity for Modern Pagans — Peter Kreeft
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe — C.S. Lewis
Special Guest: Dr. Doug Brown
The Man Christ Jesus — Bruce Ware
A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry — Michael McGarry
Hear My Son: Teaching and Learning in Proverbs 1–9 — Daniel Estes
🎄 Main Conversation
The Thinklings discuss the value of reading during the Christmas season, the importance of imagination in discipleship, the role of ordinary faithfulness in the Christian life, and the slow, often unseen work of spiritual growth. The conversation explores parenting, youth ministry, sanctification, friendship, and the challenge of cultivating wisdom over time.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Growth in the Christian life is usually not dramatic or instantaneous. More often, it comes through ordinary faithfulness, daily obedience, and steady trust in God over many years. Christmas provides a fitting opportunity to slow down, read good books, enjoy family, and reflect on God’s work in our lives.
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