FREE eBOOK: "25 Days of Christmas" by Arlene Pellicane of The Happy Home Podcast

Twenty-five days, starting on December 1st and ending on Christmas day - here's a FREE eBook download for busy moms (or anyone, really) who are interested in some practical activities to do with their families this Christmas season. 

The "25 Days of Christmas" devotional and activity eBook includes 10 devotionals (5 for Mom, and 5 for the kids), 10 fun family activities, and 5 easy ways to serve. I really like the ideas on ways to serve, (which can really be done as a family OR individually). The book includes ideas for serving family & friends, teachers, neighbors, and your community. 

NOTE:  Even though there are days of the month listed on each page, the activities in this eBook do not need to be done on any specific day, or in any certain order - unless you choose to do it that way. Just download it and have fun!  It is a practical guide of meaningful opportunities that families can use to connect with each other and celebrate Jesus together.

Begin creating special memories with your family today by downloading and reading through Arlene Pellicane’s “25 Days of Christmas” ebook. Its FREE, so why not? 

While you're at it, you can also check out The Happy Home Podcast on the AccessMore podcast network.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW:

25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Many thanks to AccessMore for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

#25DaysMIN

#25DaysofChristmas

#MomentumInfluencerNetwork

My Favorite Christmas Ornaments #4: Gifted

WEEK 1:  My Favorite Vintage Ornaments
WEEK 2:  My Favorite Homemade Ornaments
WEEK 3:  My Favorite Store-bought Ornaments

WEEK 4:  This is the final week for sharing my favorite Christmas ornaments. Today is about some of the ornaments that were given to us as gifts (not including the ones that were already mentioned in previous posts.)

Friends of ours, The Snowdens, gave this to us - I'm thinking it was 2 or 3 years ago. It is a favorite because it reminds me of our two cats, Aggie and Dutchess, who were with us for 18 and 19 years. This ornament, and another one that says "PURRR" are memorials to these special cats.

A friend of mine, Debra, gave this to me the Christmas before we both went our separate ways to college. It is engraved with the year I graduated from High School.

My sister, Judith, crocheted these ornaments for us when David and I were newly married. The bigger one is crocheted around a small red ornament; and for the smaller one, she used a  plastic cap from a water bottle. I love them because they were crafted for us with Judy's time, and with her love. I put them on our tree every year.

 

I don't remember who gave this one to us, but it says, "Our First Christmas Together - 1992" It was a wedding gift.

Luke 2:14 - “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

I hope you are enjoying your holiday season, remembering the good times you have had in the past, and making new memories this year with family and friends. Above all, be at peace, because the Prince of Peace was born to bring you hope.

Merry Christmas! 

My Favorite Christmas Ornaments #3: Store-bought

WEEK 1: I shared My Favorite Vintage Ornaments
WEEK 2:  I shared My Favorite Homemade Ornaments
WEEK 3 brings us to some of My Favorite Store-bought Ornaments

There are 4 store-bought ornaments in this photo. The gold ball on the left and the red ball on the right I bought during a Christmas clearance sale one year to help fill in the gaps on our new artificial tree. Those are nice, but not really favorites. However, the snowman ball and the angel ornament are special because they were recently handed down to us from David's mom and dad. The clear snowflake in the top photo is also from them.

In remembrance of my dad, and our first Christmas without him, I bought this ornament new this year from Personalization Mall. It says "Forever in Our Hearts" and is  a new favorite of mine. 

Luke 2:10 - And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.(ESV)

My Favorite Christmas Ornaments #2: Homemade

As I mentioned last week, every ornament on our Christmas tree has a story to tell. Some were on our tree when I was growing up, some are homemade, some are store-bought, and some were given to us as gifts.

Today,  I share about some favorite homemade ornaments on our tree...

 

This is only two, out of I think 8, ornaments that I painted for mine and David's first Christmas tree. They are plastic, but are meant to look like stained glass. We didn't have any ornaments of our own yet, so I decided to get an ornament kit and paint these.

The kids and I made these salt-dough ornaments in 2005. JJ was almost 3 years old. EL was 7. It was a fun project to cut, bake, and paint these ornaments. We gave some away as gifts that year, and kept some for ourselves.

Some dear friends of ours made us several ornaments made of pinecones. They make our artificial tree look a little more real.

This photo shows two more homemade ornaments. The one with JJ in the frame was made at the local nursing home several years ago at a Christmas event for children. The round one above it was made in 2004. It has JJ's thumbprint on it, and I added a stick person's body to it, then wrote the words "Thumb body loves you!" I have one that EL made also (not shown), but I made her thumbprint into a flower shape and wrote, "Thumb flowers never fade." We gave these away as gifts that year, and didn't keep any for ourselves, but these specific ones found their way onto our tree after Grandma Mac passed away in 2013. So, they are special because they have the kids thumbprints on them, and are also special because they belonged to Grandma.

Luke 6:38 - Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (ESV)

My Favorite Christmas Ornaments #1: Vintage

Our family has made the personal choice to observe Jesus Christ's birth every year by celebrating Christmas with family and friends. One of the traditions we have during this time of year is to decorate a Christmas tree. It is a special time of family togetherness, and a great time to reminisce.

Every year when we decorate our tree, it is like taking a walk down "memory lane." Every ornament has a story to tell. Some were on our family tree when I was growing up, some are homemade, some are store-bought, and some were given to us as gifts.

During the month of December, I will share some of my favorite ornaments with you and tell you why they are special to me.

Today,  I share about some of the vintage ornaments on our tree...

The original Shiny Brite* company was a producer of popular American-made glass Christmas tree ornaments. According to my mom, this box of assorted ornaments was most likely purchased at Woolworth's in Springfield, IL (a popular "five and dime" store) in the late 1960's. The ornaments are special to me because they were used on our family tree when I was growing up.  I especially liked the teardrop shapes, like the one in the photo at top, and in the photo below.

*You can read about the history of the Shiny Brite company on the Manchester Township website, under HISTORY.

The blue one in this photo is my favorite out of the Shiny Brite collection. No real reason - I just like the color. And, along with this ornament, you can also see a painted bear made of wood. I remember helping my mom paint this bear when I was very little, maybe 4 or 5 years old. My brother and sister painted some of these wooden shapes as well.

This one was a personalized metal angel ornament given to me by our dear friends, The Moores. It has been on our family tree since I was about 10 years old. It's always a favorite to hang up and remember the friendship we had (and continue to have) with the family who gave it to me.

Here is a full look at our Christmas tree this year. Come back next Sunday to get an up-close look of some of the homemade ornaments that are special to me.

Our 2017 Christmas Tree

John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Revisiting Inexpensive Ways to Encourage at Christmas

Two years ago, I did a series of "Encouragement Challenges" on this blog. During the Christmas season that year, I published 3 different posts that included inexpensive (or even free) ideas for encouraging others during this time of year. Today, I want to share these gift ideas with you again as we head into another Christmas season. Read the articles by clicking on each of the images below.

Write tributes to your loved ones for them to read while they are still with you.

Share positive thoughts. No money needed - just a little of your time.

Share Christmas goodies with family and friends.

I hope you enjoy this Christmas season 

by spending much of your time thinking 

about and encouraging others.

Animated Christmas Movie: The Star

My family and I are planning on watching the upcoming Holiday movie called "The Star."  In this adorably animated film, a small donkey named Bo desires to have a life beyond the normal, everyday life he has had. One day he finally finds the courage to break free, and goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with several other animals (a sheep named Ruth; Dave, a dove; and three wisecracking camels, just to name a few), who all follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in what is called "the first Christmas." The film looks like it will be humorous, fun, and entertaining for the entire family. It should be interesting to see how the Biblical account of Christ's birth is portrayed in this film, as if being seen through the eyes of the animals.

Watch here, the official trailer of this new Christmas movie, set to be released from Sony Affirm on November 17, 2017...

I

Get the kids involved before seeing this film by going to the MAIN WEBSITE where you can read more about it, "meet" the characters, or print out some coloring pages.You can also pre-order tickets if you like to order online.

The theme song "Life is Good," has a fun, upbeat tune. Watch and listen here...

This next clip gives us a peek behind the scenes.

If you like what you've seen so far, head on over to THE STAR MOVIE FACEBOOK PAGE where you can find many more videos and information about the film.

DISCLOSURE:  This is a sponsored post via FlyBy Promotions Blogger Network. As a Picture Featured Contributor of The Star Influencer Program, I am sharing this film promo, as well as my honest opinion of the trailer and other promotional materials, in exchange for 4 free tickets to see the film. 

CHRISTMAS MEMORY: A Pregnancy Announcement

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

When you have a moment, here's another Christmas memory I wanted to share. This one happened during the Christmas of 1997. It was such a fun Christmas! After 5 years of marriage (and some trouble with infertility), David and I were beyond excited to announce the coming of our first child. I know that David's mom, and my mom, had both been praying for us to have a child, so we decided to make this announcement as part of our Christmas gifts to our families.

On Christmas Eve that year, David was on shift with the ambulance. So, he and his partner, Steve, met me, my parents, and my brother and his family at Grandma's house. When my mom read the card we made for her, I'm sure you could have heard her excited screams out in the street with the windows closed! I'm surprised the neighbors didn't call the police! (LOL)

The card was simple - a homemade card printed out on our computer. It had Mickey and Minnie Mouse on the front wearing Christmas hats and, on the inside, it said, "Merry Christmas, Grandma & Grandpa!"

The happy soon-to-be grandparents (for the 5th time)

The next day, we went to my sister's house and gave them the news while we were there. Then, David and I headed North to celebrate Christmas with David's side of the family. I remember we had extended family eating Christmas dinner with us and spending the evening, so we waited until after they went home before we opened gifts. David and I were excited when the time finally came to pass out our Christmas card to his Mom and Dad. We had Mom read their card out loud because we told her we made it and wanted everyone to hear what we wrote. When she first took a look at it, she seemed confused. The card had been made at one of those do-it-yourself Hallmark card machines and, on the front, it looked like a general Christmas card - nothing unique about it - but this is what it said:

(Front) A long time ago in Bethlehem, a Savior, Jesus, was born...

(Inside) As we celebrate Christmas with family today,
We just want you to know, there's ANOTHER child on the way.
Merry Christmas, Grandma & Grandpa!

 

The excited soon-to-be grandparents (for the 1st time)

 

CHRISTMAS MEMORY: Getting Engaged

Our friend, Janice (and also a family member on David's side), has fond memories of the Christmas she became engaged to her husband, Chuck. They were at Chuck's mother's house and Jan says:

"I was surprised because I wasn’t expecting it. I also remember that quite a few people were there, including a [family] nobody knew. They were traveling and got stranded near Chuck’s mother’s house. They stayed overnight on Christmas eve, and I think Christmas night also."

Chuck & Janice on their Wedding Day

On the same topic of engagement, I remember Christmas in 1991 when David came with me for the first time to spend Christmas with my family. It wasn't too cold that year because I remember going for a walk around Grandma's neighborhood on Christmas Eve. Grandma, Mom and I were walking ahead of Dad and David. I remember my mom asking why David didn't stay to spend Christmas with his family, and I told her it was because David wanted to have a talk with Dad. So, as we walked, we were letting the guys talk alone. I knew what was going on - David was asking my dad if he would agree to David and I getting married. He was asking for Dad's blessing. I knew this because, a few days before Christmas, David had asked me if it was okay for him to have that talk with my dad. I said yes. So, I guess you could say we were "unofficially engaged" at that time.

And, yes, Dad gave his blessing!

Mom, Dad, Grandma, David and Me - Christmas Day 1991

 

CHRISTMAS MEMORY: Reading the Christmas Story

My dad says one of his favorite Christmas memories is when, on Christmas mornings, he would read about Jesus' birth in the book of Matthew. We always did this as a family before opening our gifts, to help us focus on what Christmas is supposed to be about.

David and I have continued this tradition with our own kids; but for the past 6 years we have also used The Usborne Advent Nativity Book to have a little fun as we count the days to Christmas. This book uses the events surrounding Jesus' birth and, for 24 days, one new cardboard figure is taken out of the book and placed on a shelf until the entire nativity scene is displayed. The story can be read each night before placing a figure, or you can choose to read it however often you like. Our kids have enjoyed having it read each night, or every other night, because their dad will often make up sound effects to go along with it. And, even though the kids are older now, it is still a fun family tradition we like to share during the days leading up to Christmas. In fact, the book has been read aloud so many times that our daughter, EL, has memorized it and can almost repeat it word for word.

Reading the Book in 2010

2014 - Mom usually gets to set up the last piece of the display

Reading the book in 2015

Reading it on day one of this year, 2016

CHRISTMAS MEMORY: The Little Silver Tree

The word of the MONTH is MEMORY

: the act or fact of retaining and recalling impressions, facts, events, etc.; remembrance; recollection

For the month of December, I will be sharing some Christmas memories with you - some favorite moments that took place during the Christmas season. Today’s memory is about a little silver Christmas tree my family had back in the 60's and 70's.

We had a variety of different Christmas trees when my sister and brother and I were growing up. For a few years, I know we had a real tree but, most of the time, it was an artificial one. I mostly remember the typical evergreen model, but I also vaguely remember a little 3 ft. aluminum tree we put up once in awhile. My sister, Judy, remembers it better than I do. She says this about the tree:

“If Dan [our brother] was 1 or 2, then I was 4 or 5. We had a little silver tree. There was a color wheel that turned, it faced the tree and made beautiful colors. (You can't put light strings on the silver trees.) Dan and I were mesmerized and would sit close and just stare. As a side note: Mom tried to sell the tree at a garage sale. I'm very thankful it didn't sell because she ended up giving it to me! I still put it up every year. This was my first tree as an infant.”

What Judy didn’t mention is that, back in 1999, she and her husband lost their house and belongings in a devastating house fire. They lost everything. All except that little silver tree.

Judy's decorated tree

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Where Jesus Slept [GIVEAWAY CLOSED]

Hardcover Book. Reading age:  4-7

When my kids were younger, I remember reading to them a funny little book called "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" by Pam Adams. It started with the woman swallowing a fly. Then, with each page, it added something new. By the end of the book, there was one very long sentence about all the different things the woman had swallowed.

I immediately thought about that book when I first started reading WHERE JESUS SLEPT by Norma Lewis, because it is the same cumulative type of story.

This is the bed where Jesus slept. 
This is the straw that lined the bed where Jesus slept. 
This is the cow that shared the straw that lined the bed where Jesus slept.
and so on.....

It starts with Jesus sleeping sweetly in a manger, and ends with the wise men bringing Him gifts. (I personally believe the wise men did not come to the stable on the night Jesus was born, but that is a minor detail).

Children will love the repetition of this story, as well as the appealing illustrations. Enter below for a chance to win a copy to share with your kids and/or grandkids this Christmas season. (U.S.A. addresses only). 

Giveaway ends Saturday, November 5, 2016, at 8:00 p.m. CST.

Entry-Form

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of  Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Encouragement Challenge #43: Share Your Christmas Goodies

Over the years, our family has enjoyed making "goodies" to share with our friends and neighbors during the Christmas season. Some of the items we have made and passed out include:

• Cookies:  Ginger Snaps, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Cool Whip Cookies
• Chocolate Caramel Oat Bars 
• Brown Sugar Shortbread
• Divinity
• Fudge
• Penuche
• Peppermint Bark
• Granola
• Trail Mix
• Pumpkin Bread
• Homemade Ornaments

We do not make all of these every year, but usually choose 2 or 3 to focus on. We start baking early in the month, then freeze the goodies until time to deliver them. It is a fun tradition we have as a family.

ENCOURAGEMENT CHALLENGE #43:

Pass out goodies to your neighbors this week. If you do not bake or do not like to make ornaments, you can pick up a little ornament at a discount store and give it along with a card. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive. Just share the love of Jesus with others. Let them know they are being thought of during this sometimes lonely time of year.

Encouragement Challenge #42: Two Christmas Gift Ideas that Share Positive Thoughts About Someone You Love

This week, I want to share with you two different ways you can encourage someone you love this Christmas by sharing the positive and uplifting thoughts you have about them...

When I was 13 years old, I received a special, handmade Christmas ornament from my parents. They worked together to draw and cut out a bell shape, type out positive thoughts they had about me, decorate it, and attach a string to put it on our Christmas tree. I kept it all these years because it meant a lot to me. It's the simple things that really touch me the most.

This is the front of the ornament. It was drawn on plain typing paper, but something heavier, like cardstock, might hold up even better.  They used colored pencils to color it, and glued a  piece of colorful fabric around the edge. The little poem was typed on a separate piece of paper, then cut out and glued to the front.

This is the inside of the ornament. The words were typed, then cut out and glued to a piece of cardboard. A piece of gold string was used to attach the two pieces of the ornament together and then hung on our tree for me to see on Christmas morning.

In the Christmas of 1998, I took the example of my parents and typed out 20 different reasons why I love my husband. I decorated the paper, put it into an envelope, and gave it to him as a gift in his stocking that year...

ENCOURAGEMENT CHALLENGE #42:

Use one of these ideas to surprise someone special in your life this Christmas. If you already made a Christmas Tribute for someone last week, choose someone else (a different friend or relative) to encourage with one of these other ideas. Hand deliver them, or stick them in a Christmas card and mail them. Work on these personalized gifts this week and, if you don't celebrate Christmas, do it just because you love them and want to surprise them with a blessing.

Encouragement Challenge #41: Write Tributes for Christmas Gifts

The Christmas season is upon us, so I have an idea I would like to share with you - a gift you can give to someone you love, and it won't cost you anything except a little of your time.

Ten years ago, I came across a poem. (At the time, I thought the author was "Daddy" Silverwood, but I don't know where I found it. I have since seen the poem online being referenced to Clyde H. Box, so I'm not sure who the real author is). The poem is about how we shouldn't wait until our loved ones have passed away to tell them how much they mean to us. This is the poem:

Tell Them Now!

If with pleasure you are viewing

any work a man is doing,

If you like him or you love him, tell him now;

Don't withhold your approbation

'till the parson makes oration

And he lies with snowy lilies o'er his brow;

For no matter how you shout it,

he won't really care about it,

He won't know how many teardrops you have shed.

If you think some praise is due him,

now's the time to sip it to him,

For he cannot read his tombstone when he's dead.

On the same year I found that poem, I used the idea and took the opportunity to make homemade cards for some of my family. On the front of the card, I typed:  A CHRISTMAS TRIBUTE, along with the person's name I gave it to.

This is the front of the card I made for my husband

On the inside of the card, on the left, I typed the poem above. Then, on the right side, I shared my thoughts about the person the card was intended for. The words I wrote for my David are a bit personal, so I'm not gonna share them with you. Sorry. But, here is what I wrote for my Grandma. She passed away a couple of years ago, and I'm glad I took the chance to tell her my feelings before she left this earth:

Grandma – You are one of the most amazing people I know, and I look up to you. I admire your inner strength, your faith in God, and your unselfish acts of kindness. You are compassionate and caring, you have a good sense of humor, and you are someone I know I can trust. I am so proud to have you for my Grandma. Thank you for everything you have done for us. You are a very special lady, and I love you very much.

For this week's ENCOURAGEMENT CHALLENGE, work on making these special tributes for your loved ones. Give them away for Christmas this year. I promise, they will be treasured keepsakes.

REVIEW & GiVEAWAY: Mercy Me It's Christmas CD [GIVEAWAY CLOSED]

I know its not even Thanksgiving yet, but I want to let you know about a new Christmas album you may want to consider this year. Pizza Ranch is helping to promote Mercy Me It's Christmas by the contemporary Christian band, Mercy Me. The album will be available for sale at each of the 200 Pizza Ranch locations throughout the Midwest and Great Plains states for only $5.00 plus tax. Sales begin November 1, 2015 and continue through December 31, 2015.  The CD has 4 exclusive songs that can only be found on the CD version being sold by Pizza Ranch.

Bard Millard from Mercy Me said, "We are so excited to debut our new Christmas album, MercyMe, It’s Christmas, with Pizza Ranch. [It is] a fantastic restaurant with a great mission to glorify God."

I love Mercy Me, and I love Christmas music. So, for me, this CD is GREAT! It has upbeat, traditional AND modern music that can be a help in bringing some Christmas cheer to your home  this year. 

When you enter below, you will have a chance at winning this exclusive CD. The giveaway ends Saturday, November 14, 2015, at 8:00 p.m. CST. One entry per mailing address. If you have won a prize from my sponsor, FlyBy Promotions, in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.

Entry-Form

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

CHRISTMAS HYMN: Who Is He in Yonder Stall?

 

Benjamin R. Hanby was born in Ohio in 1833. The son of a preacher who spoke about the evils of slavery, he wrote one of America's greatest antislavery ballads, "Darling Nelly Gray," but he was at his happiest when he was writing Sunday School songs for children. He took a special interest in children, and in music. Tragically, he lost his life to Tuberculosis in 1867 when he was 34 years old. About a year before that, this hymn was published. It is a Christmas hymn that doesn't just cover the birth of Jesus, or the shepherds, or the angels, or the wisemen. It goes much deeper and covers the life of Jesus from Bethlehem to Galilee. It gives us the full story of the Christ child and explains WHY he came to earth. He wasn't just a cute little baby lying in a manger. He was born to be the King - the Savior - of the world.

Psalm 24:10 - Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty - he is the King of glory. (NIV)

WHO IS HE IN YONDER STALL?

Words and Music by:  Benjamin Russell Hanby

Who is He in yonder stall,
At whose feet the shepherds fall?

Who is He in deep distress,

Fasting in the wilderness?

Refrain:
'Tis the Lord! oh wondrous story!
'Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall;
Crown Him, crown Him Lord of all!

Who is He the people bless
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to Whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?

Refrain

Who is He that stands and weeps
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng
Greet with loud triumphant song?

Refrain

Lo! at midnight, who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Refrain

Who is He that from the grave
Comes to succor, help and save?
Who is He that from His throne
Rules thro' all the world alone?


Merry Christmas!

DEFINITIONS:  

Succor: Something that you do or give to help someone who is suffering or in a difficult situation

SOURCES:  

NET HYMNAL
WIKIPEDIA
HYMNARY.ORG

THEN SINGS MY SOUL BOOK 3 by Robert J. Morgan

CHRISTMAS HYMN: What Child Is This?

 

William Chatterton Dix wrote over 40 hymns in the course of his life, including several Christmas carols. He was the son of a surgeon and author, and grew up to be the manager of a marine insurance company in Scotland. But, his heart was in the written word - the poetry of worship.

As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, we can be thankful for the hymns that help us focus on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, including this one written by Dix...

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

Words by:  William C. Dix, 1865

Music:  16th Century English Melody, Greensleeves

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Luke 2:7 - And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

CHRISTMAS HYMN: He Is Born

Micah 5:2 - "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

HE IS BORN

A traditional French Carol

Translated into English by George K. Evans in 1963

Refrain

He is born, the holy Child,
Play the oboe and bagpipes merrily!
He is born, the holy Child,
Sing we all of the Savior mild.

Through long ages of the past,
Prophets have foretold His coming;
Through long ages of the past,
Now the time has come at last!

Refrain

O how lovely, O how pure
Is this perfect Child of heaven;
O how lovely, O how pure
Gracious gift to humankind!

Refrain

Jesus, Lord of all the world,
Coming as a Child among us,
Jesus, Lord of all the world,
Grant to us Thy heavenly peace.

Refrain

Interview with Mukkove Johnson - Christian Author

I'd like you to "meet" a new friend of mine, Mukkove Johnson. She is an author of Christian children's books, and also a new member of the Gabby Moms program of which I took part in last year. Mukkove and I swapped books recently. I sent her the book I wrote about Communion, and she sent me the book she wrote called, "Christmas is About Jesus," which is a devotional to be used during the advent season.

If you have young children, this is a great book to use with them. The book uses the symbols of Christmas, from candy canes to Christmas carols, to help parents keep their children focused on the Lord. It consists of color photos, Scripture references, and a short devotional for each day from December 1st through the 24th.

Here is an interview with Mukkove, so you can learn more about her, and the book, in her own words:

1. Tell us about yourself, Mukkove.
I have lived in Alaska since I was about 9, so it is home. My husband and I married in 1994. We love this state, our home, and our community. We have 3 children in our home and one in heaven. I educate our children at home and where ever we go. I love to create things of beauty and process my thoughts through writing.

2. Tell us about your book. (What is it about; age of your audience; etc.)

Christmas is About Jesus: An Advent Devotional was published in 2009 by Tate Publishing. It is written for families to read together each day of December. Each day shares a way that common sights of the season can remind us about Jesus. Each devotion is short enough to hold young ones attention and has a picture for them as well. Written into the devotions are questions to engage every member of the family. I hope the devotions give families a ground work to teach their children what they believe.

3. Tell us a little bit about the publisher.
Tate Publishing was founded by Christian authors Richard & Rita Tate because of frustration with their experience with traditional publishing. I found them by what I like to call a “divine internet search”. After several attempts of researching the options for publishing my book – all shut down by information overload – Tate came up at the top of the search. I visited their site and read their statement of faith. I knew this was where I wanted to pursue publishing.

4. Is this the first book you’ve had published?
Yes, Christmas is About Jesus is my first published book. It was a far different experience than I expected. Marketing has been even more surprising than publishing. I’m always learning and trying to balance my calling to homeschool with the efforts to help families find my book, what I hope is a useful tool.

5. What inspired you to write this book?
I wrote this book when my children were preschoolers and they still enjoy it now as they are all double digits. I began to think about traditions from my childhood and how they reflected or didn’t reflect what I wanted my children to know. I knew I could not keep my children from our culture, so I decided to influence what they would think when they encountered the culture.

6. How do you see this book being used?
Our family reads one devotion each day, usually at breakfast (that way if we miss we might get it at bedtime). I made ornaments to match each devotion. My children take turns hanging up an ornament each day. After reading the devotions when we see the things out in the store we talk about how they can remind us of Jesus.

Ideally I would like to see families read each devotion together and use it to fuel discussions as they go about their daily activities.

7. Are there more books in your future?
One for sure, though I hope to have as many more as I can write to be useful tools for families discipling their children.

Easter is About Jesus: Family Devotions for the Easter Season is going through the publishing process at Tate right now. It will be released in 2012. There are several options to stay informed. My website: Kove’s Cove, Facebook, and Kove’s Blog. At each of these you can sign up for my newsletter.

8. Do you have additional resources or suggestions?
I have made printable coloring pages and ornaments to match each devotion. I also post additional activity ideas each day of December on the Christmas is About Jesus blog. Ideas include simple crafts, songs, websites, videos, service projects, and more discussion questions.

9. Where can we buy your book?
Tate Publishing
Kove’s Cove
Amazon
Christian Books Distributors

10. Is there anything else you would like to say that hasn’t been covered already?
As a Christian author I want my writing to help parents carry out their calling in Deuteronomy 6:7, you “impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk [or drive] along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (NIV)

I love to hear from parents about how they are using Christmas is About Jesus and if it has been helpful to their family. I welcome comments on my blogs or personal messages in my email: Mukkove@KovesCove.com

Thankyou for sharing with us, Mukkove. It has been a pleasure getting to know you, and I look forward to using your book with my own children this coming Christmas.