Bill Holm shares memories, music from Minnesota Christmas past

Bill Holm
Poet and essayist Bill Holm was the 2008 McKnight Foundation Distinguished Artist. He died in 2009.
Image courtesy McKnight Foundation, (Photographer: Einar Falur)

When Minneota, Minn., poet, author and musician Bill Holm sat down to write a Christmas letter, he sorted through a lifetime of memories. He was born in 1943 and died in 2009 at the age of 65.

Holm put some of these memories in a book he wrote in 1997 called "Faces of Christmas Past."

That same year Minnesota Public Radio produced the "Voices of Minnesota" special, with Bill Holm reading from his own book.

It also included some music, a Christmas ghost story from Iceland and a little holiday philosophy from Bill Holm.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Holm is perhaps best known for "Faces of Christmas Past," "The Music of Failure," "Windows of Brimnes," and "The Heart Can Be Filled Anywhere on Earth." Though he also wrote many other books.

"Faces of Christmas Past" was published by the Afton Historical Society Press. The "Voices of Minnesota" series was produced by Dan Olson. Gary Eichten's voice is also heard.

To listen to the feature, click the audio player above.

Further reading

• Books: The Thread

• Choral Featured Album: 'Twelve Days of Christmas'

More from MPR News Presents

MPR News presents offers speeches, documentaries and debates — airing weekdays from noon to 1 p.m