Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Embrace the Spirit

Ornaments, trees, and gift wrap already fill the aisles of all the department stores. Do you ever feel like the hustle and bustle of Christmas distracts you from the amazing miracle of Christ’s birth? Sometimes I just feel deluged with shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating, and shopping some more. And then…I go to Christmas service, and let myself get enveloped in God’s love—a love that sees beyond my sins and flaws, washes away my past, gives me hope and a future. Last year, I had the opportunity to write a story for The Spirit of Christmas anthology, with a forward by Debbie Macomber, just recently released by St. Martin’s Press. If you think you'll be needing some Christmas Spirit in the months ahead, the kind based in LOVE, not gifts; PEACE, not chaotic shopping trips; HOPE, not stress, check it out.

HOW DO YOU EMBRACE THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS?

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS.

My story, "Christmas Rainbow," begins in 1964 and reflects the changes in our Sicilian family through the decades, as we married, had children, and blossomed into a multi-cultural family with different backgrounds, personalities, opinions, and perspectives, but strong in our conviction to love one another, as Jesus said to do. His command had no “small print,” no caveats regarding skin color or country of origin. Just “Love one another, as I have loved you.”

Mine is one of 42 short stories in the book. I hope you enjoy it.

5 comments:

  1. Sounds like a fun collection. I try to put the brakes on the type of sales-driven commercialism that springs about before Christmas. The fact that I'll be buying a few gifts for family and friends isn't going to make me a sucker who maxes out the credit cards just because stores are masters of manipulation. Thanks for offering a copy of the book to one fortunate reader!

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  2. It is really difficult during the holidays to slow down since we do so much travelling because family doesn't live around us. But, the last two years I have done an advent study and have enjoyed the quiet time doing that. I would love to read your story.

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  3. This is so cool! Congrats to my awesome crit partner for being included in this collection (not that I'm surprised). I would love to be entered in the giveaway. :-)

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  4. I'd love to own a copy of this marvelous Christmas anthology! In July, I realize that I "miss" Christmas! I look forward to the decorating, music, and story of the Christ child's birth each year. We don't exchange gifts with family members so we have the blessing of avoiding nearly all of the commercial side of the holiday. Takes the stress out of December!

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  5. I LOVE Christmas and Christmas stories. I think it's a choice--to be involved in all the fun celebrations of Christmas, yet keeping the meaning of it all as the central focus.

    We've tried hard to do that in our family. The result is--a ton of fun memories and a ton of deep, meaningful memories and experiences.

    Blessings to you, Susan!

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