It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
I hope you're getting into the spirit of Christmas.
You notice I didn't say "into the Christmas spirit." They're close in meaning but I tend to think that the spirit of Christmas is all not only the birth of Christ but also the spirit of everyone coming together to help each other at this very holy time of year. There is also so much anticipation of the human side of the holiday -- the presents and family get togethers. But so many of our neighbors are experiencing challenging times right now. Remember to share your blessings with them, with strangers, with even the needy animals at the shelters (one of my personal favorite charities along with places that help the homeless).
Some memories from Christmases past really stand out: first Christmases with each of my two children...then with precious grandchildren...making handmade gifts in lean years that were more fun than buying them now...Christmas Eve and Christmas day services at a favorite church and watching one of my children participate in one of the plays...listening to the kindergarten Sunday school class sing "Happy Birthday, dear Jesus" on Christmas day...being especially grateful to be alive after a health scare the month before Christmas last year...cheese fondue and chocolate fondue for Christmas Eve dinner...buying Christmas sweaters for my two little dogs...writing my very first inspirational Christmas story and having it so well received (One Child in an Amish Christmas).
And, strange as it seems, I've been grateful for my mother's long ago complaint that I'd spoiled Christmas by becoming a teacher. She said ever since I did (about 15 years ago) I get sick on holidays -- especially Christmas. Well, December is especially busy for teachers as the semester ends and there are big papers and exams to grade and then germs get passed around so I'm not always available to do everything for the family. I've learned that I cannot do everything for everyone and be everything for everyone. Know what? The family learned to do more for themselves. And I've learned to take better care of myself and to find quiet moments during the season for myself as well.
I hope that you are occasionally stopping to smell the Christmas tree and have a warm drink and maybe read a special Christmas book ... by the way, so nice to see the positive response to An Amish Christmas, Christmas in Lancaster County being re-released as an Expanded Edition with a new story. We just heard that the book was #12 on the CBA bestseller list! My co-authors (Beth, Kathleen, and Kelly) and I are so thrilled! I hope you'll pick up the new edition and enjoy stories of Christmas in an Amish community.
The winner of the Advance Reading Copy (ARC) of A Time to Heal, second book in the Quilts of Lancaster County series, Abingdon Press) is Suzanna Laitinen. She wrote such a wonderful comment on last week's blog. Suzanne, I'll be contacting you for your snail mail address. And I'll be hosting contests for more ARCs in the weeks to come.
Have a wonderful week and remember to take a moment for yourself to absorb joy and peace.
Blessings,
Barbara
You notice I didn't say "into the Christmas spirit." They're close in meaning but I tend to think that the spirit of Christmas is all not only the birth of Christ but also the spirit of everyone coming together to help each other at this very holy time of year. There is also so much anticipation of the human side of the holiday -- the presents and family get togethers. But so many of our neighbors are experiencing challenging times right now. Remember to share your blessings with them, with strangers, with even the needy animals at the shelters (one of my personal favorite charities along with places that help the homeless).
Some memories from Christmases past really stand out: first Christmases with each of my two children...then with precious grandchildren...making handmade gifts in lean years that were more fun than buying them now...Christmas Eve and Christmas day services at a favorite church and watching one of my children participate in one of the plays...listening to the kindergarten Sunday school class sing "Happy Birthday, dear Jesus" on Christmas day...being especially grateful to be alive after a health scare the month before Christmas last year...cheese fondue and chocolate fondue for Christmas Eve dinner...buying Christmas sweaters for my two little dogs...writing my very first inspirational Christmas story and having it so well received (One Child in an Amish Christmas).
And, strange as it seems, I've been grateful for my mother's long ago complaint that I'd spoiled Christmas by becoming a teacher. She said ever since I did (about 15 years ago) I get sick on holidays -- especially Christmas. Well, December is especially busy for teachers as the semester ends and there are big papers and exams to grade and then germs get passed around so I'm not always available to do everything for the family. I've learned that I cannot do everything for everyone and be everything for everyone. Know what? The family learned to do more for themselves. And I've learned to take better care of myself and to find quiet moments during the season for myself as well.
I hope that you are occasionally stopping to smell the Christmas tree and have a warm drink and maybe read a special Christmas book ... by the way, so nice to see the positive response to An Amish Christmas, Christmas in Lancaster County being re-released as an Expanded Edition with a new story. We just heard that the book was #12 on the CBA bestseller list! My co-authors (Beth, Kathleen, and Kelly) and I are so thrilled! I hope you'll pick up the new edition and enjoy stories of Christmas in an Amish community.
The winner of the Advance Reading Copy (ARC) of A Time to Heal, second book in the Quilts of Lancaster County series, Abingdon Press) is Suzanna Laitinen. She wrote such a wonderful comment on last week's blog. Suzanne, I'll be contacting you for your snail mail address. And I'll be hosting contests for more ARCs in the weeks to come.
Have a wonderful week and remember to take a moment for yourself to absorb joy and peace.
Blessings,
Barbara
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 12/12/2010 11:21 PM 
Categories: An Amish Christmas Expanded Edition, Quilts of Lancaster County series, Barbara Cameron, A Time to Love
Categories: An Amish Christmas Expanded Edition, Quilts of Lancaster County series, Barbara Cameron, A Time to Love
Barbara, congratulations to you, Beth, and Kelly on the CBA #12 ranking! That is wonderful Christmas news! Keep writing, dear Ladies, that the love of God may spread through your efforts!
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Barbara, Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I'm so excited I'm doing the happy dance!!! I Can not wait to read it (which I will be doing as soon as I get it!) I absolutely loved the first!! Thank you again, Suzanna
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