12/25/25: Take Two — A Christmas Classic That Almost Wasn’t
Ideas and inspiration for a more intentional, extraordinary life.
December 25, 2025
A Christmas Classic That Almost Wasn’t
In 1843, Charles Dickens found himself at a crossroads. Though he was already a successful author, his latest idea—a short Christmas story centered on generosity, redemption, and human kindness—failed to excite his publisher.
Dickens believed deeply in his vision for the book. He wanted to produce something beautiful, with high-quality paper, gilded edges, and colored illustrations. These choices raised costs and convinced his publisher the project was too risky.
Dickens believed otherwise.
So he did something uncommon—almost reckless by the standards of his time. He paid for the book himself. He covered the printing, the illustrations, the binding—every detail—because the story mattered to him. A Christmas Carol was released just days before Christmas and sold out almost immediately.
The story went on to shape how generations think about Christmas, compassion, and second chances. It has become the quintessential Christmas classic.
As this year comes to a close, maybe you felt supported and encouraged. If so, be grateful and celebrate. And if you didn’t—if encouragement was scarce and reassurance never arrived—remember this:
You don’t need approval to begin.
You don’t need perfect conditions to take the next step.
You only need the courage to move forward.
Maybe this is your season to bet on yourself.
To brave standing alone.
To bring your ideas into the world, even imperfectly.
After all, some of the most enduring endeavors begin the same way A Christmas Carol did: with one person choosing to believe before anyone else does.
THE GIFT THAT CAN'T BE WRAPPED
Most of the gifts we give this week will be unwrapped, admired, and eventually forgotten.
But one gift never goes out of style: your full attention.
Not the half-listening kind while your phone buzzes nearby. Not the distracted nod while your mind drifts to what’s next. The kind of attention that says, I’m here with you—and nowhere else.
It’s the choice to put your phone down.
To listen without planning your reply.
To sit with someone you love and be fully present—not distracted, not rushed.
Attention is rare. And because it’s rare, it’s valuable. In a world competing relentlessly for our focus, presence has become a quiet form of generosity.
Years from now, people won’t remember every gift they opened. But they will remember how they felt in your presence—whether they felt seen, heard, and valued.
This season, give what can’t be bought, wrapped, or returned.
Give the gift of being fully present.
A TREE FULL OF STORIES
I love Christmas—the lights, the music, time with family. One of my favorite parts of the season is decorating the tree.
Our tree isn’t coordinated or themed. It’s layered with memories.
Each ornament marks a place we’ve been, an experience we’ve shared, or someone we love. There are reminders of national parks we’ve wandered—Denali, Joshua Tree, and Zion. There are ornaments from our annual Delaney Family Adventures—Whistler, Costa Rica, and Ireland. And there are mementos from cities whose streets we’ve walked and stories we’ve brushed up against—Edinburgh, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Florence.
Each ornament is small. But together, they tell the story of the lives we are living.
I’ve come to believe that milestones and markers matter. They remind us not just where we’ve been, but who we were becoming along the way. Life moves fast, and without reminders, even the best moments can fade into the blur of time.
Life, after all, is a collection of experiences. And once collected, it’s a gift to return to them—to reminisce, to remember, to feel gratitude for the journey.
My hope for you this holiday season is that it’s filled with moments worth remembering. Take a photo. Save a token. Frame the memory for next year’s tree.
May your Christmas tree become a yearly reminder—not just of the season—but of the beautiful journey your life has been, and continues to be.
BEFORE YOU GO
Christmas is a sacred time for many—myself included. It’s a celebration rooted in the belief that God loved us so deeply that He chose to enter the world as a baby, so that we might know Him.
And whether or not you celebrate Christmas, I hope you have sacred days of your own—moments that invite you to pause, reflect, and remember the beauty and gift of life.
As the year comes to a close, may your final days of 2025 be merry and bright.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin