Pearls of Christmas ~ Day 1: Susan May Warren

Merry Christmas Friends! Please plan on visiting GivingNSharing for the next 12 days as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Our Savior with 12 different authors who have a very special message for each of us. 

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

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God with Us . . . And Us with Him

By: Susan May Warren

Every year over labor day weekend, the Warren family has a MWE. Mandatory Warren Event. It’s a call to come home and enjoy the long weekend with our favorite people. Since my children have left for college, I relish every second of this weekend—the laughter in the kitchen, the long conversations in the family room, the frenzy of backyard football, the quietness of the morning as we drink coffee on the deck and watch the sunrise. I cherish these people, and when they are with me, I drink in their presence.

I’ve been reading the prophecies about Christ this season and came across Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

I am struck by the word Immanuel. God with us. The closest I get to comprehending this is reading about how Jesus’ loved his disciples. Surely they relished the time with him more profoundly after his resurrection, knowing he would soon leave.

Thankfully, he didn’t leave them for long and sent His Holy Spirit. God . . . still with them. 

As I consider the magnitude of this God who would come to earth, who would abide with the disciples, and then with me, I have to wonder not only do I relish God’s presence in my life, but does God relish time with me? Am I committed to embracing His entrance into my life? Am I even making the effort to see Him?

Imagine that during our MWE weekend, I ignored my children, and they, me? I would lose the joy of their presence.

It is not surprising to me that the Jewish people did not recognize their Savior. After all, who would guess that the Almighty might package himself as a baby and appear among them, fragile and dependent? But today, we know the story, we know the miracles, we know the truth, and God invites us into an abundant relationship, one that He wishes to relish, one that will change us. A relationship that will slake our thirsts and satisfy our hungers. One that reminds us that we are never alone.

Because every day we are a mandatory event to our Immanuel.

This season, look for the ways that God is your Immanuel, with you, every day.

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Susan May Warren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 40 novels. With over 750,000 books in print, her stories of family, romance and adventure have earned her acclaim and reader fans from around the world. Visit her website for upcoming books and sneak peeks!

There's a NEW Claymation Christmas Episode coming!

I was given the opportunity to preview the new Claymation "Community" Christmas episode tonight and requested to blog my thoughts on the show.  I wasn't really sure what to expect since I've never seen the show "Community" sitcom.  


The new Claymation Christmas episode is similar to the old Christmas shows "Frosty the Snowman", "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and the "Easter Bunny" show (sorry don't remember the name of that one).  The story is based on one of the characters wondering what the meaning of Christmas is and his friends are worried about him and decide to try to help him.  Why?  Because he is Muslim, wondering what Christmas is all about.  



This is not your typical Christmas special.  The characters in the show are Christian, Jewish, Muslim and I think one of them may even be atheist (although that's never said, it was just a feeling I got).  There is no mention of faith except in one phrase sung by Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley) who sings about Baby Jesus.  The only mention of the Jewish faith is pointing out the Menorah and of course the main character in this particular episode is Muslim.  That is the extent of talking about the True Meaning of Christmas, Hanukkah and Ramadan.
I didn't particularly like the show or not.  It was a relief that there wasn't a lot of language or sexual innuendo (can you imagine?).  It's just a light comedy about Christmas and a shallow discussion of what "Christmas" is.  I wouldn't worry about kids watching the show - they'll probably enjoy the Claymation and watching a new holiday special.
Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas (rated PG) Thursday night December 9th (8/7pm) on NBC. 

If you'd like to learn more about the sitcom, click here to check out their website.
Disclosure: As a member of One2OneNetwork, I received a special advance preview of this show.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

CSN has a great selection of luggage for holiday travel!

Going on a trip anytime soon?  Maybe a trip to Florida or California to get away from the cold wet weather? Or maybe a business trip after the holidays?  Every January Usborne Books has their annual Winter Retreat (read that as training but retreat sounds even better) and you'll need luggage that will look good, isn't huge and you can carry onto the plane (save a little on luggage cost and carry it on) and of course the kids will need to go to Grandma's sometimes so you and the honey can have the occasional weekend to yourselves.

Look around at different Luggage Stores and you'll find CSN has just the styles & prices you need!

I found this awesome bag which would be perfect to pack full of books for homeshows, literacy events, personal shopping appointments and those once a year 'retreats'.  It's compact, roomy and would fit nicely in the car.

Or maybe you know of a couple getting married soon?  CSN is having an awesome sale on Hartmann Luggage right now - Hartmann luggage is strong, very well made and looks great. 

It's available in several styles, made with soft & luxious black pebbled grain leather and the hardware is a beautiful antique bronze.  (Note the bag above is a Hartmann bag too & it has FREE Shipping - YAY!)

40% Off the Entire Naturalist Collection! Take advantage of this great sale today.

Experience the difference in comfort and durability with the Naturalist collection from Hartmann. Featuring extremely durable fabric with a brown and black two tone dobby weave. Water and stain resistant black interior textured lining.

www.Luggage.com

Monday Fun & Games:

  Welcome to my blog!
(Sorry the icon wasn't coming up correctly so it's not joining us today!)

1.  Do you eat Sushi?  NO!
2.  What kind of bath soap do you use?  I don't - use shower gel from Bath/Body Works
3.  How often do you talk to your Mom?  

     Maybe once a month, occasionally twice.  They're really hard to get ahold of.
4.  What TV shows do you watch on a regular basis?

     I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE - Criminal Minds, Blue Bloods, Numb3rs, & the Mentalist!
5.  Did you start Christmas shopping
     yet?  I'm more or less done.  I think I have a couple more and then I'm done.

How's that for short and quick?  LOL

Alright, I'm back.  I've been fighting this awful headache for almost 10 days and it really takes it out of me.  I think it's a sinus headache and most of it's gone - it's just sitting on my right side - ear, teeth and temple.  I've been taking this Pseudophedrine PE since Friday and it seems to do the trick for a couple hours at a time and then it all comes back.  BUT - it's not near as bad as Wed - Thursday.  According to the pharmacist at Wally-World something is going around and I think I caught it.

Other people here at work at getting the "something" that's going around too.  I think it's all John's fault! 

Anyway - the 12 Days of Christmas has officially started on my Holiday Traditions blog.  Don't miss out - if you sign up for my newsletter you get an extra entry for my Black Friday holiday kickoff!  Stop by in the morning and check out the FREE holiday music, children's books and the mega Holiday Sippers gift set I will be giving away that day. 

Giveaways you DON'T want to miss & some news too:

The Magic of Giving by Marc Dunston is a wonderful family book that teaches about compassion and sharing.  Drawing closes 11/19 around 10 pm.

Celebrate the Haul-idays with Chronicle Books!
Chronicle Books is giving away a $500 in Books to a lucky blogger and a matching set to their reader. I had so much FUN putting together a Family's Dream List of Books. Everything for kids of all ages and a few for me too! Drawing will take place 12/14 just in time for Christmas!

WIN a FREE Month of Kid-Friendly menu's! 11/19 - Low Entries as of now, you have a strong chance of winning this.  Actually everyone is a winner as the company is also donating a FREE week to everyone who requests it.  Ends 11/19 around 10 pm.

Thanks so much everyone for your wonderful support!  I've made some awesome friends in BloggyDom and have learned so much from you too!  See ya around!  Tina "The Book Lady"

It's the Weekend & time for GivingNSharing!

Hi everyone - I have so much to do this weekend, but I wanted to first announce that we have our Dinner is Ready winner!  I have emailed her and let her know that she won a copy of the Dinner is Ready Book and the software that comes with this great cookbook.  She has till Sunday night at 10:00 pm to send me her shipping address or I will need to choose another winner. 

Here is what Sable won!

Dinner is Ready!

Dinner is Ready is a beautiful 240 page 6" x 9" softcover cookbook contains clear instructions plus more than 150 freezer-worthy recipes (See sample recipes). No strange recipes. No strange ingredients. All simple, freezable and delicious. Easy to read, large print format.

Yay Sable! 

Upcoming reviews:

"The Magic of Giving" a darling book by Marc Dunston  (Family Literacy and You)

"The Nativity Collection" by Robert Morgan  (Holiday Traditions, Gifts & Recipes)

"Code Triage" by Candace Calvert  (Family Literacy and You)

12 Days of Christmas participants:  Be sure to put November 24 - Dec 8th on your calendar.  My living room is FULL of review items and you can be sure to watch for their reviews to post.  There will be recipes, family activity ideas, music, maybe a craft or two, lots and lots and lots of giveaways - I have enough companies for 20 days and the event is ONLY 12 days long!

I've already posted 3 reviews in the last 10 days and will be adding 2-3 more this weekend.  Be watching for companies like:

The Spice Hunter, Discovery Toys, DaySpring, Hearthsong, Plow and Hearth, Ann Clark, Ltd, Peaceable Kingdom, Arbonne, Usborne Books, 1-2-3...Get Organized, and more!

Reviews, special discounts, shopping links are at:
http://holidaygiftsandmore.blogspot.com