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Contact: Abigail Davidson, Publicist, WinePress Group, 360-802-9758, abigail@winepressgroup.com
ENUMCLAW, Wash., Dec. 4 /Christian
Newswire/ -- Author Jim Chapman offers a Christian counterpoint to "The
Night Before Christmas" in his illustrated new book, "The Night After
Christmas--A Holiday Paradigm Revisited (WinePress, 2009)."
In 1822 Clement Clarke Moore penned the original poem, also called "A Visit from
St. Nicholas." Using the backdrop of this familiar Christmas story, Chapman
seeks to address the emptiness of rampant consumerism. He considers "The Night
After Christmas" a lighthearted but poignant antidote for the secularization of
the holiday.
The late Jim Elliot, missionary to Ecuador, expressed his distaste for the
extreme commercialization of Christmas sometime before his martyrdom in 1956:
"Seems to me we would have a better attitude toward the whole thing if someone
would write a realistic poem on 'The Night After Christmas' to counterbalance
the magical effects of the imaginative 'Night Before.'"
Inspired by Elliot's words, Chapman set out to write his own modern version of
the story in 1996. He surmises that things have gotten worse since Elliot's
death.
"Our culture has transformed this simple birthday celebration of the
Christ-child into a frenetic shopping and gift-giving ritual that often obscures
the historical origins of the holiday."
Over the years, Chapman has written many other notable poems; however, "The
Night After Christmas" remains his signature work. He recites and performs this
piece to audiences on a regular basis during the holidays, in hopes of making
their Christmas "a little more joyous, a little more sacred, and a whole lot
more meaningful."
"Delightfully riveting and insightful...I'm sure every person can relate. What a
great reminder of what we so often forget!" -- Gary Smalley, Author/Speaker
A CPA by profession, Chapman is also a writer, poet, and history buff. Most
recently he worked as a budget analyst with the State of Arizona, from which he
retired in 2009. He and his wife live in Phoenix, Arizona.
For more information, to request a review copy or to schedule an interview,
please contact Abigail Davidson by phone at 360-802-9758, by email at
abigail@winepressgroup.com, or
by fax at 360-802-9992. Jim is available to recite his poem on air, or visit
your church or bookstore. To purchase a copy of this book visit
www.winepressbooks.com or call
877-421-7323.