Christmas means many things to many people. Some people look forward to parties and social events. Some people enjoy the lights and holiday displays in stores and homes. Some people love all the holiday entertainment you can enjoy, such as Hallmark movies and music specials.

And of course, everybody loves gifts, especially kids!

But for people of faith, Christmas is the time of year when we remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Even though we may enjoy all the festivities, gifts, and celebration, nothing is more meaningful than remembering the hope we have in Jesus.

It’s fascinating to read the accounts of Jesus’ birth from the Gospels. Those passages have been immortalized not only in church, but in pop culture as well. We all remember how Linus quoted from Luke chapter 2 in the popular TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

But have you ever stopped to consider exactly how these passages were written? We think of the Bible as a sacred text, which it is, but it was also written by regular people who chose to be obedient to the Spirit’s leading in researching and writing down these accounts of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.

In Matthew chapter 1, just before the main action of the Christmas story kicks off, there is a short phrase in verse 18. We tend to ignore it as a passing phrase that links the previous section to the next one, but it’s absolutely vital to appreciating the writers of the Gospels. Matthew writes, “This is how the birth of Jesus came about …”

In other words, Matthew is saying, “Listen up, I’m about to set down a definitive account of something really important.” But what if he had not been obedient to his calling? What if he had not taken the time or the trouble to sit down and record this account of Jesus’ birth? Would someone else have done it?

Perhaps. Even though we have three other Gospels, they are all different. If Matthew had not done it, we would have never had his specific account of Jesus’ life.

Somebody had to make the effort. Somebody had to take the time. Somebody had to write it down.

So today, on this Christmas Day, as we relax and celebrate, let’s take a moment to appreciate Matthew and Luke as writers who took the time and effort to record their versions of the Christmas story.

And let’s also reflect on this: if God can use the writing talents of an ordinary tax collector like Matthew, then maybe, just maybe, He can use you and me to make a little dent in history.

Merry Christmas!

The post Somebody Had to Write It Down appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

No matter what type of books you write, your work always belongs in the history category. Not necessarily because you’re writing literal history, but because you’re making history.

What does this mean? It means that you have immense power to determine how people think, feel, and act. If you write fiction, your stories can move people to fear, anger, tears, or joy. Those emotions can change how they feel about themselves, their family and friends, and their place in the world. Those feelings can lead to action.

If you write nonfiction, your words and content can educate, inform, inspire, and motivate people. The whole purpose of nonfiction is to help people make some kind of change in their lives. Maybe that change is learning more about the past, learning how to cook, breaking an addiction, or healing their marriage.

You’re making history with your words because you’re changing people. Quite literally, whenever you write and someone reads those words, it changes them and can move them to action.

When we writers describe what we do, we often put the modifier “just” in front of our title, as in “I’m just a writer.”

Winston Churchill said, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” We can take that a step further. You’re never just a writer. You’re the most powerful type of person: one who may not necessarily be writing about history, but you’re definitely making it.

Question: As a writer, how do you feel you’re making history? Why or why not?

The post You’re Never “Just” a Writer appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

If you were to guess what the most requested image in the National Archives is, what would your guess be? Would it be something related to the moon landings? Maybe something historic, related to WWII or the Civil War? Maybe something from the turn of the century?

If so, you’d be wildly off base. The most requested photo in the National Archives was taken on December 21, 1970, in the Oval Office. It shows Richard Nixon shaking hands with Elvis Presley, who was wearing one of his famous jumpsuits, along with a giant gold belt buckle.

You might wonder, how in the world did these two famous figures end up in the same picture, and what does it have to do with writing?

Let’s tackle the first question first. On December 19, 1970, Elvis Presley abruptly left Graceland and flew to California to meet his friend Jerry Schilling, who joined him on a flight to Washington, D.C. They were met there by another of Elvis’s friends, Sonny West. Elvis often did things on a whim, and this time he had decided he wanted to get a DEA badge. He had always been a big supporter of law enforcement, and he often collected badges from police and other officers when he went on tour.

Despite his image as a rebellious rock ’n roll star, Elvis was actually quite conservative. It bothered him that the problem of illegal drugs was getting out of hand, and he wanted to do something about it. His solution, as crazy as it sounds, was to become an official undercover drug enforcement officer. He felt that his status as a public figure could help lend support to the fight against illegal drugs.

Having struck out with the powers that be in D.C., who refused to give him a badge, Elvis decided to go straight to the White House to seek an impromptu meeting with the President himself, Richard Nixon. He directed his limo to pull up to the White House gates at 6:00am and gave a handwritten letter requesting the meeting to the guards, asking them to pass it along to the President. At first, he was rebuffed, but later in the day he received the call at his hotel that the meeting was on.

And yes, Elvis did get his DEA badge that day. He was immensely proud of it and was excited to show it to his family and friends when he got back to Memphis.

So… what does that crazy story have to do with writers?

It all comes down to taking initiative to get what you want. Do you want a podcast? A book deal? Do you want to write a book series? Do you want to write full-time? What specifically do you want to do in your life as a writer?

Whatever it is, go for it. Take initiative. Get assertive. So many writers just sit passively by, waiting for something to happen to them. You’ve got to get off your duff and start making things happen.

On the wall in my home office, I have a printout of that famous photo showing Elvis and Nixon shaking hands. I hung it as a reminder to get a little crazy, to take action, and to do whatever it takes to make my writing dreams come true. They’re not going to happen for me by accident, and they’re not going to happen by accident for you, either.

Daily Question: What did you learn from this story about Elvis, and about taking initiative as a writer?

The post Elvis, Nixon, and Learning to Take Initiative appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

When you walk into a library or a bookstore, even if it’s online, you’ll notice that books are categorized into genres. Popular genres include biography, children’s books, adult fiction, self-help, spirituality, and history, among many others.

No matter what type of books you write, your work always belongs in the history category. Not necessarily because you’re writing literal history, but because you’re making history.

What does this mean? It means that you have immense power to determine how people think, feel, and act. If you write fiction, your stories can move people to fear, anger, tears, or joy. Those emotions can change how they feel about themselves, their family and friends, and their place in the world. Those feelings can lead to action.

If you write non-fiction, your words and content can educate, inform, inspire, and motivate people. The whole purpose of non-fiction is to help people make some kind of change in their lives. Maybe that change is learning more about the past, learning how to cook, breaking an addiction, or healing their marriage.

You’re making history with your words because you’re changing people. Quite literally, whenever you write and someone reads those words, it changes them and can move them to action.

When we writers describe what we do, we often put the modifier “just” in front of our title, as in, “I’m just a writer.”

Winston Churchill said, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” We can take that a step further. You’re never just a writer. You’re the most powerful type of person: one who may not necessarily be writing about history, but you’re definitely making it.

The post You Are Making History appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.