Katie Hart Smith’s newest book, “Go Light the World,” has an unexpected Jones County connection that includes her friendship with the coordinator of the annual Live Nativity as well as the event itself.
Smith is a Georgia-based author, columnist and speaker. She was born in San Diego and moved around a lot as a child due to her father being in the military.
In a Nov. 28 interview, the author said her family moved to Dunwoody when she was in the seventh grade, and she has lived in Georgia since.
She said the story about the book starts about seven years ago. She said her mother had a dollhouse she was given by her parents that was decorated each Christmas.
“I loved how generations were centered around the dollhouse for the holidays,” Smith said.
The author said she outlined the story on their trip back home and kept those ideas for later. She said it was not until she had a conversation with Richelle Hinson, with whom she was working for the Physicians’ Outreach Program in Atlanta, that the idea was reborn.
“We were at a Christmas lunch, and Richelle started talking about her experience working with the Live Nativity for the past 20 years,” Smith said. “I had no idea she did that.”
The author said she was enthralled, and the whole story just washed over her.
Smith said Hinson had no idea that her father had died from COVID-19 in 2020, and she had lost her writing muse. Since the death of her father, her focus had been on her mother.
“I didn’t have a story, but it all came back in that conversation with Richelle,” she said.
The author said she called Hinson that night and told her about the inspiration. Then she and her husband drove down to experience the Live Nativity for themselves. Smith said she was blown away.
“I loved how the all the generations in the church came together, even down to caring for the animals. The entire event was fabulous, including how the costumes are made and stored. It’s all so well organized,” she said.
Smith said the last two scenes were her favorites.
“Being in the setting surrounded by darkness and then the spotlight at the end,” she said. “I had chill bumps up my spine. It was God’s light and love that is so special to each person.”
In the book, Smith said some of the characters are roped into being part of a Live Nativity.
The author said the last two pages in the book are about inspiration and include a picture of that spotlight.
When asked her reaction to the revelation from Smith pertaining to the inspiration for the book, Hinson said it was unexpected.
She never imagined 23 years ago that the Nativity would be what it is today.
“And a book reminding us of Jesus’ birth and the Reason for the Season. So exciting.”
For more information about Smith and her book, “Go Light the World,” go to the website, katiehartsmith.com.
