A Cup of Christmas Tea

What a wonderful, thought-provoking book! A nephew reluctantly visits his great Aunt, who invites him to her home for a cup of Christmas tea. Long story short...he goes and comes away inspired. This book spoke a very powerful message into my own heart. I suffer from severe depression, and because of this, it is excruciatingly difficult for me to enjoy and celebrate life. I have a horrible habit of talking myself out of this, that, and the other, saying, "Why bother? What's the use?" And yet, this great Aunt, who has suffered a mild stroke, has a completely different take on life, one which is far superior to mine! She lives all alone, and yet, she took the time to decorate her house for Christmas. She hung a Christmas wreath on her front door. She put up a beautiful Christmas tree. She set up her Christmas Nativity, her Christmas wooden soldiers, and old Christmas cards which she had received in times past. She even took the time to bake Christmas cookies. Having done all this, she then invited her nephew over to visit her. As I read this poem over and over again, I couldn't help but notice the glaring differences between me and this dear old woman. If it were me living all alone, would I have even bothered? I would have said something like, "Why put up a tree, decorate, or bake cookies? Who is going to see any of it? Who is going to enjoy it except me? What if I go to all this trouble, and I don't receive a single visitor?" I then would have talked myself out of doing any of it. And yet, here is a woman who is old, recovering from a stroke, and pretty much all alone in the world, going full steam ahead in her celebration of both life and Christmas! This dear old woman has shown me what a truly miserable woman I am, and she challenges me to repent!She did not live in her circumstances; she lived in a much higher realm - a spiritual realm - which enabled her to keep enjoying and celebrating the gift of life on earth no matter what hardships and challenges had come her way. I think that this is the secret to happiness. The Aunt did not live in her circumstances...she lived in her soul. Those who discover this secret - the secret of living in the realm of the spirit - have learned how to live victoriously and to triumph in their souls regardless of whatever circumstances they may be facing in their lives. A powerful message, not only at Christmastime but for all times!

A good story and in good condition. I bought for a tea party I am chairing.

I purchased A Cup of Christmas Tea many years ago and read it aloud to my mom and three sisters who i had invited over for a Christmas Tea. Tom Hegg's poem so touched my heart that my voice broke towards the end of the reading. This is the story a man who goes to visit his old aunt whom he loved and spent time with as a child. He goes out of guilt and dreads what condition he'll find her in. To his surprise and delight she is still the same caring, loving woman of his youth and in spite of her physical limitations she still celebrates Christmas. As they drink tea and eat the cookies she's made, he finds that she is vibrant in spirit and draws him out just as she did when he was a boy. This is a book to treasure. It has inspired me as I have grown older and struggle with physical limitations. I bought this copy to send a friend who is wrote that she is finding it hard to care about Christmas as she did in hears past. My hope is t hat it inspires her as it did me.

This is an old classic tale told in poetic form about a young man and an old aunt who he fondly remembered as a young boy. The poetic story begins with his hesitation to pay his old aunt a visit because of the problems she has remembering things. Since he is a young man he cannot relate to the common problems of old age. Nevertheless, he decides to visit his old aunt and he learns it is never too late to learn something of value from his wonderful aunt.After a long talk a with his aunt, where memories of his boy hood Christmas memories came flooding back, his aunt made the tea. Together they sat drinking "A cup of Christmas Tea.In conclusion, this is a timeless poetic tale that is a joy to read.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Heart: An old warrior's poetic tribute)

For anyone over 60 years old, this book will bring back memories and feelings of Christmases past. It did for me. I've even read this story for 2 church Christmas services accompanied by Christmas music. Lovely story.

I've read this one before, and being a great aunt who doesn't see her kids very often, it does bring a tear. I hope my littles [no longer little] think kindly on their auntie, as in the story/poem.

This is story I had heard over 45 years ago. I finally found a hard copy of this beautiful sweet hard copy Christmas tale. I encourage everyone to purchase at least one copy of this precious icon. I ended up purchasing a total of 10 -12 copies to use as Christmas gifts two years ago.

I bought this intending it as a gift for my 81-year-old aunt who LOVES Christmas - we write letters to each other regularly. I didn't send it because I thought it was too negative. My aunt and I have a great relationship and I would never think it was dull or boring to visit her. I don't think she would have liked the story at all. Too late to return it as I think I bought it in 2021.

Supeer.

excellent

Bought for a friend. We read this book occasionally - but always at Christmas. It hold a great lesson for all of us.It is a wonderful book.

I was very impressed first by the condition of the book and then by the story/poem. I only had the first stanza and the last line of the poem. It was a real treat to get the book and in such fine condition.Thanks A Cup of Christmas TeaA Cup of Christmas Tea

The story hits home for many of us, we get so busy and forget about our very senior family members.I have given this book to a few of my friends.Janet Chapple