From the Director’s Desk
From the moment I heard about it several years ago, I have loved the charming holiday tradition that is celebrated in Iceland called jólabókaflód. Literally: “Christmas book flood”.
It seems that most books are bought in Iceland during the autumn after every household is mailed a Bókatidindi, a catalogue of new books. Come Christmas Eve—when gifts are exchanged—everyone receives a book and spends the rest of the night reading.
That sounds like a very merry Christmas indeed.
It’s probably no surprise that an English professor (and the director of a Center devoted to all things word-related) might believe that books make very good presents. And this year, both my own gift-giving lists and my personal TBR pile is full of FFW 2026 authors—I simply can’t believe how many good folks we are going to get to meet very soon.
That last bit is important, too, though: the meeting together soon part. What we could call the present of presence.
As much as I enjoy book giving and receiving, I’ve relished the times my friends and family have gotten creative—like the time, many years ago now when a close friend and I committed to having lunch every week for our Christmas gift. That morphed into our “gift of an hour” after she moved: we’d schedule on hour every week for a phone conversation, no matter what. Or, last year, my siblings and I decided to forego gift cards and other unnecessary items that, now in our 50s, none of us need. Instead, when we gathered from the far corners of America to be together with my father, now living in a retirement community, we each took one of the nights while we were there and treated everyone to a “feast” at a local restaurant. Being together, relishing good food and good talk, was such a hit we’re doing it again this year. A different kind of way to bestow words.
Of course, I’m never opposed to a good gift—that’s one of the “love languages” that’s always dominated my vocabulary. I’m sure the gold, frankincense, and myrrh were gratefully received that first Christmas. But in the season that focuses on Emmanuel—of God coming to be with us—I have a feeling that the Magi being there in person to worship the new king was the more essential part.
I hope that this holiday season will be filled with a sense of God’s presence with you—that greatest word gift of all: the Word Became Flesh. And that together with colleagues and friends, family and community, you will find ways to share the joy and peace that results with all you meet.
