Well, it’s not as miraculous as Christmas coming early. But it’s close.

New writing by Eugene H. Peterson, Luci Shaw, Scott Cairns, Jeanne Murray Walker, Bret Lott, Emilie Griffin, Dain Trafton, Diane Glancy, Erin McGraw, and Gina Ochsner has just arrived. And it’s all in the same book. Even better: I’m giving that book away.

ambitionWant a copy of Ambitiona new book of wisdom from The Chrysostom Society?

To read and keep for yourself, or to give as a Christmas present?

Here’s how to put your name in the hat:

Just email me (joverstreet@gmail.com) one of the following…

  • a list of three movies that would make a great ambition-themed film festival
  • a list of three songs that would make a great ambition-themed playlist
  • a list of three works of fiction that would make a great ambition-themed book club.

Give your email the subject line “Ambition List.”

Need a nudge? Think about it the way these writers thought about it:

It’s something inside each of us: ambition. Without ambition, how would it be possible to do anything well? On the other hand, ambition can feed on itself, growing, becoming insatiable.

I’m already thinking of films, songs, and novels that could have that text printed on their packaging. What about you?

A jury of Looking Closer Specialists will choose what they think to be the most imaginative and inspired lists. The top 5 (maybe more) will be published here at Looking Closer, and the creators of those lists will receive free copies of the book.

Want to increase your chances of winning? You can send in up to three entries (although only one of your lists can end up among the winners).

So send me an email titled “Ambition List.” It’ll take you five minutes, maybe less. See what happens. It could be a Christmas miracle. Of sorts.

Deadline: Email me by midnight on Sunday, December 13.

AmbitionFrontCover copy