I know it’s not Thanksgiving yet, but this is a Christmas anthology you’ll want to curl up with as we enter the holiday season. This month’s contest is for an ebook edition of the latest Mosaic collection of short stories.
“At Christmas, we always…”
And thus a tradition is born. The rituals stay the same, but if betrayal, illness, unfaithfulness, or tragedy strike, can cherished traditions survive?
When unexpected twists throw life out of kilter for the people in these stories, will beloved, time-honored customs lead them back to the heart of Christmas?
Note:
- The Rafflecopter winner is open to those with either a U.S. or international address.
- The giveaway is for an ebook edition of The Heart of Christmas by six of the Mosaic Collection authors.
- Contest Guidelines Link
Who doesn’t love a Christmas anthology? We have to have Thanksgiving before decorating, but it’s not too early for Christmas books and movies! Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi, Sally! We always got our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving when the kids were growing up. But now that I live with one of my daughters–who absolutely loves Christmas and can’t wait!–I have to admit there are already four decorated trees at our house. LOL!
We don’t have a lot of traditions but I think my favorite thing to do is go to Christmas Eve service ending at midnight and welcoming Christmas.
Hi, Ellen. When our kids were growing up, our church held an annual Chrismon service where white ornaments were placed one by one on a tree in between songs and readings and Scriptures. We’d go to the service then come home for snacks and appetizers and a board game. Oh, I miss those days!
My favorite tradition is going to our local church’s Christmas Eve program, then our entire extended family goes to my aunt’s house for food and just hanging out together. It’s a lovely time of family togetherness.
Those times are so precious, Linda. Thanks for sharing!
decorating
Hi, bn100! So glad you stopped by. The decorating has already begun at our house!
A favorite holiday tradition is attending Christmas Eve worship as a family and then gathering at our home for snacks and a gift exchange.
Hi, Kathy. I love that tradition! I replied to Ellen (up above) about the Chrismon service we used to attend and how meaningful it was. And afterwards, it was family time! Sounds like you all have a great time.
What a beautiful book title and book cover. I also enjoyed the excerpt and review.
Would love to read and review the book(s) in print format by these authors. One of our traditions is getting together with some of the family but now that most of my family are old enough and have moved away getting family together to celebrate Christmas means so much. We do have one one that we’re not sure of will come due to circumstances beyond our control. Another tradition I have is one I actually started myself. I tried this place called Omaha Steaks on my family first and their food was delicious and they more than just steaks too. I liked it so much that I started giving my sisters and their husbands a package(I have 2 sisters) and got my parents a food package for Christmas. They liked it so much they ask for it every year. I also have started buying the food packages for birthdays and anniversaries too. 6 Christmas gifts now down and they now have food to eat for at least 6-8 days or so. I found the best traditions are the ones you make yourself sometimes.
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Hi, Crystal. That’s such a great idea–and who doesn’t like food?!? Hope you all have a very blessed time together.
Thank you for sharing. I enjoy reading Christmas books all year around. God bless you.
Hi, Debra! Why shouldn’t we read Christmas books throughout the year? It’s the best story ever, right?!
Would love to read as Christmas books are wonderful anytime. My Christmas tradition was always going home to my parents and going to Christmas Eve candle light service then home to play games eat finger foods and laugh a lot. Daddy passed 2 years ago next week and mama in May so it is my first without parents.
Lucy, I am so sorry that your parents won’t be with you this Christmas. I pray God’s arms surround you and that you will have a lovely Christmas holiday. I know you cherish your memories of family times, and I pray those memories bring you comfort and joy.
The book sounds amazing! I love Christmas stories!!
There’s a Christmas tradition I love, and it is this. After dinner we all gather together (adults and children in the family, aunts, uncles, nephews, etc) and the smallest kid brings a basket of candy. On top of it lies a beautiful image of Baby Jesus. So the child takes the basket to each family member so they can kiss the Baby Jesus, take a candy, and thank him for something he or she feels grateful to Jesus (something that happened in the year, for family, health, whatever). After finishing with everyone, we all unwrap our candy, and in one of the candies there’s a small note that says: I’m staying with you! The person (adult or children) who gets that surprise note, gets to keep the Baby Jesus on the basket. It’s usually a sweet figurine, not real sized, but a bit smaller. It’s a tradition I’ve always loved!
Paty, that is such a lovely and unique tradition! How precious. Thanks for sharing with us.
Wonderful giveaway. I really enjoy the anthologies. I have found some new to me authors that way.
Hi, Julie. That’s a great thing about anthologies. And–not that I’m biased–but I believe the Mosaic Collection anthologies are among the best ever! LOL!!
We always cut our Christmas tree in our local National Forest….so fun for the family!
I do a tradition with my 4 kids i did with my mom and grandma! We bake cookies while listening to Christmas music and then making trays for family and friends as gifts! Its a list thats been in my family for lots of years and we add new ones every year!
Hi, Shannon. That’s a great tradition, Shannon. We’re going to bake cookies this year for gifts, too. My sister put together a family cookbook recently that has several favorites in it. I just got my copy and can’t wait to share these recipes with my grandgirls.
Connie, that is so cool. I’ve always wanted to do something like that but it’s never worked out. And it won’t this year, either. Though I prefer live trees (and usually have (one), we two large artificial trees this year–one in the living room and one in the family room–and small artificial trees for each of the bedrooms. Maybe next year!
I enjoy going to our Christmas Eve service and giving the grandchildren matching pjs!
Yes to matching pjs! What a great idea, Anne! Did you know that November 14th was National Family PJ Day? I wrote about it on the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog last week. So fun!
Begin decorating the house for Christmas the end of November and watching Christmas movies.
Hi, Faith. What are your favorite Christmas movies? I always loved the original Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life. Also a fan of While You Were Sleeping though it may not be technically a Christmas movie. LOL!
Decorating as a family.
That’s so much fun, Amelia. We already decorated because I was going on two-week trip to visit my sister and I’ll be spending Christmas with my daughter and her family in Virginia. So the daughter I live with thought I should have as much “Christmas” as I could in between those trips. (Actually, that was only an excuse. She’d decorate for Christmas in October if her husband and I would let her! LOL!!)
Mom and I always put our Nativity set out the day after Thanksgiving. That’s one tradition I’m going to carry on this year!!
I’m so glad you’re going to do that, Trudy. Hugs!
When the girls were little, we would bake cookies, and decorate them. We would decorate the tree.
Hi, Brenda. I’m so looking forward to our baking day. So much fun!!
We read the Christmas story from the Bible before any gifts are opened. After attending the Christmas Eve Candlelight service we drive around and look at lights.
Those are both wonderful traditions, Maryann. Naturally I love the Christmas story and I also love Christmas Eve light-driving. LOL!
With the passing of my husband last year, new Christmas traditions are in the development stage. Spending time with the grandchildren is number one, even if it is only a video call. Looking forward to the freedom to travel after retirement to visit each family over the holiday season.
Reading Christmas stories start after Thanksgiving, but I must confess to watching some Hallmark Christmas movies last summer!
Hi, Sharon. I am so very sorry for your loss. Grandchildren are so precious, aren’t they? I pray that God surrounds you with joy and comfort. Hugs!