'Tis the Season for a little Christmas fun!

My December just hasn't been what I was expecting this year (more about that here) and I wanted to host a little giveaway weeks ago. It's a smidge late, but neverthemind! Christmas is definitely my favorite part of the year. There is so much I love about Christmas, the music, the food, finding just the right gift for a favorite person, reflecting upon the love of my Savior ... oh the list could go on. And on.

What about you? Leave a comment on this post and share your FAVORITE thing/s about Christmas and I'll choose 4 winners on Christmas Day to receive a copy of my Christmas novella, The Great Christmas Bowl! (Be sure to leave your email address.) 

Merry Christmas and THANKS for reading my blog this year!

 About The Great Christmas Bowl: Marianne Wallace is focused on two things this Christmas: planning the greatest holiday ever and her youngest son's football game. But when she's asked to sub for the school mascot in a fish costume, organize the annual church tea, and cope with children who can't come home, will it take a miracle to restore her cheer?

 

Comments

[Jenny Carlisle]

Christmas is the best holiday. There's a feeling that fills your whole being when you reflect on the Gift that God presented to us after centuries of planning.It's a universal happiness that fills our hearts when we listen to carols, witness the smile of a child, hug a loved one. Such a feeling of Hope and Peace. Ahhh, Christmas.
BTW: The Great Christmas Bowl is one of my all time favorites. I checked it out from the library, so it immediately went in my letter to Santa when I took it back. If Santa comes through, and I win a copy, I'll have a great gift to share with someone! Keep up the great writing!

[Jan Marie]

I love reading Christmas books late at night when everything is calm and quiet. Please enter my name for this drawing.

One of my favorite things about Christmas is when the family arrives from distant places. On Christmas Eve, we all gather in the kitchen and, even though it gets very crowded, everyone pitches in to make Christmas cookies. Even the youngest grandchild helps to "paint" the cookies. Then we all load up in our vehicles and drive to a nearby city to view the famous "Walkway of Lights" where many Christmas and winter scenes are displayed with lights and the different displays are sponsored by local businesses, churches, and organizations.

Best wishes to all for a very blessed Christmas!

[Darlene Young]

I love the "feeling" that surrounds us at Christmas like a warm snuggly blanket or the sweet arms of a child. Everyone is friendlier,happier,nicer, more generous, more forgiving than any other time of year. The joy that envelops the world fills me with contentment and hope. I love shopping in crowded stores filled with people in festive attire with moods to match. I treasure the delight in my grandchildren's eyes upon opening the "Just-What-I-Wanted" gift that took six weeks of diligent shopping to find. I savor the smells and sounds of Christmas dinner, plates piled high with food, my home bursting at the seams with extended family, laughing and teasing each other. I look forward each year to new Christmas memories that will live long after I'm gone to be carried on with family not yet born. Share the joy!

[Pamela Mason]

Remember that line in Jesus Christ Superstar? 'Why'd you choose a backwards time in such a strange land?' (And what, you're wondering, does this have to do with Christmas?)
Well, I just love the fact, the idea, the creativity Father God showed in sending us His son at a time when communication was barely more than word of mouth. And it's lasted 2,000+ years!!! Without changing!
Mary & Joseph still travel to Bethlehem, for a census, and the Virgin gives birth to a baby, all alone, in a stable. Where he's laid in a feeding trough, visited by shepherds, and marked by a star. He loves us so much, He came to us in a backwards time, so His story would last and endure forever. He loves me so much, He came to my heart, that's as dirty as a feeding trough, knocked on my door, sent His holy spirit to minister to me, and marked me with his light.
Oh, and I love my neighborhood's Christmas lights too.
Thank you Susan for all your lessons. I would love to read this funny book.
Merry Christmas!

[Llongtine]

My favorite thing about Christmas this year has to be our Christmas tree. This past year has been full of stress and I haven't had much to laugh about or be joyful for. I love how our God brings us what we need. About a month ago we had a windstorm which blew over a 110+ year old tree, just inches from our shed. This happened to be our kids' favorite tree and they were sad to see it gone. Then the kids asked if we could have it for our Christmas tree this year. We cut off the top 6 feet of the tree and it's now our Christmas tree. It's the funniest thing I've ever seen and every time I look at it I bust out laughing. You see the tree is flat and can fit up against our wall. It has one long branch coming out to the right and three branches coming out the left side and one small branch coming out the top right. Our kids had a blast decorating it. The managed to get all of our decorations on by lining each branch. The star on top is wedged up against the ceiling. I love how the Lord brought us joy and laughter this year!!! FYI - you can see a photo of this tree on my fb page http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=1740239032099&set=a.1030739455053.2005629.1422362132

[wetalk2biz@q.com]

There are so many things that are favorite things for me at Christmas! A couple of stanzas of a made up song (Think "Favorite Things" from Sound of Music) and a few other recollections.....
Kids smiling faces while adorning the tree
Christmas supper scents promising something yummy
Reading Luke chapter 2, watching the Nativity
These are a few of my favorite things.

Lights sparkling softly as music fills the house
Children’s laughter chasing away every mouse
Time with our family sharing laughs and hugs
These are a few of my favorite things
(I know, the second stanza doesn’t quite rhyme)

I love reading Christmas stories to our children, now that they are old enough to really ponder WHY Jesus gave Himself ot us as a gift. It prompts me to wonder anew at the amazing love He has for me (and all His creation). This time of year leaves me in awe of the magnitude of God's love. And I love sharing it with my family!

[Casey]

I have said this everywhere, but I love the family atmosphere around my home. Sledding, scrapbooking, good books. :) It's a warm, comforting time of year and I love looking forward to the new year just around the corner and all the promises it holds.

Thanks Susie!

caseymh18(@)Gmail(.)com

[Patti Hess]

I just recently started back loving Christmas...because I want to make sure that people remember "Jesus Is The Reason For the Season" ...if I walk around all HUM Bah for Christmas that's not really showing Jesus's love right?

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks for the chance

[CRPrairie1@imonmail.com]

I enjoy many things about Christmas: remembering that Jesus came to earth, the food, decorating, and the music. Please enter me into your contest!
Merry Christmas!
Martha T.

[Linda Kish]

I love Christmas music. And that most everyone is in good spirits. And the smells of Christmas baking. And the wonderful Christmas themed books. Merry Christmas!

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

[Jenn Soehnlin]

I love how Christmas reminds you how important faith and family is. When you overlook the busyness of the season and focus on the joy of our Savior coming into the world, it's awesome.

Merry CHRISTmas!

[Melissa Saunders]

I love being with family and celebrating the wonder of the God who created the universe entering our world in the form of a helpless baby.

[Kathy P]

I love everything about Christmas! I love decorating the house both inside and out, and trimming the tree. And baking lots of Christmas treats!!! Lots of chocolate goodies and shortbread! And the huge turkey dinner with all the trimmings like stuffing, mashed potatoes and tortiere! I love attending church and singing traditional Christmas carols and worship songs. Christmas just brings smiles and joy to everyone when it is dark, cold, rainy and gloomy outside!

[Shannon Wells]

Susie, I love your books. I love so much about Christmas, but I have this one memory that I would like to share. As a child, we would go to my grandmother's house on Christmas Eve. She is my dad's mom and she wasn't a Christian. In fact, most of the family were not believers back then, but I was and they would always ask me to say the blessing over the food. I always wondered if I was being a witness, and I guess I was, for a few years ago, both my dad and his mom became believers. Merry Christmas. My email address is
oldtimechristian@gmail.com

[Laurie]

My favorite thing about Christmas is the unexpected things that happen. We couldn't have a live tree this year for health reasons. My Mom unplugged her little pretend one, all decorated and with lights, and handed it to me. We plugged it in right away and it's perfect. Thanks, Mom.

[Maureen Timerman]

Christmas is family and friends. Love that is the one time in the year CHRIST is in the front in the Secular World. Love the smells the season brings...fresh cut tree, cookies and turkey dinner.

Merry CHRISTmas!

[Heather Kelly]

I really love Christmas morning! The presents around the tree, stockings filled, and the looks on my precious children's faces!

[Susan Lathen]

Unfortunately I don't want to be the downer among your readers but Christmas is a sad time
of year for me. I lost my third child to SIDS in 1985 from SIDS followed by two miscarriages and 1989 my husband & I took our two children out to enjoy all the Christmas lights on Dec 18 when the baby within me started thrashing. The next a.m. my doctor told me our new daughter had died. He wanted me to deliver naturally so I carried her dead till January 5. And now that I a empty nest the Holiday Season isn't that great for me.

[Theresa N]

My favorite thing is the smiles
on the faces.

[Deanna]

First of all, I am so sorry, Susan (comment#2) for the loss of your children. This year, I do not "feel" Christmas-y because of a tragic accident that killed relatives 10 days ago. It is a sad time. But I believe we will get through this with only the comfort the Lord can give us. Again, Susan, sorry for you losses.

I guess my favorite thing is just being together as a family & watching a lot of Christmas movies. We started a "tradition" years ago with our children...p.j. day. The kids who are all teens still love it. So we still pick a random day between Christmas and New Year's to just stay in p.j.'s.

Have a great Christmas!

[Cassandra]

I like when the family gets together and faces that you have not seen in a long time appear to bring joy to your hearts and soul.

[Susan Warren]

Congrats ... these four ladies have won a coy of The Great Christmas Bowl!

Hope your Christmas was merry.

Patti Hess
Kathy P
Heather Kelly
Susan Lathen

Send your mailing address to my assistant Amy (amy@susanmaywarren.com).

Susie