Something New for Your Tree

I never saw this idea before, so when I read about making "The Christian Christmas Tree" in this week's giveaway book (365 ways To Prepare for Christmas), I thought you might like to hear about it, too.

The Christian Christmas tree is decorated only with ornaments that have a link to either the Bible or church history.  As author Monn says, "In addition to churches and angels or cherubim..." You could include:

• Wheat, symbolic of life
• Doves
• Scrolls, representing the Pentateuch
• An ark
• A rainbow
• A camel
• Musical notes (for praise and worship)
• Grapes ( the wine of communion)
• A 12 pointed star (the tribes of Israel)
• A lamb
• Candles ("fake or electric never real") since Jesus is the Light of the world

I can think of a few more things to add, such as:

•  A tiny book ornament with the words "Holy Bible"on it
• Lots of baby's breath or cotton wadding for fake "clouds"
• Small instruments like harps, drums and flutes.
• Nativity figures. Add a string or ribbon around an existing nativity set and hang it on the tree instead of putting it on the floor or a table. Each piece becomes an ornament. 

It might not be desirable to make your family tree just a Christian Christmas tree, if, for example, you have years of specially collected ornaments to display. But I like the idea for a small secondary tree for a hallway or child's room.

What do you think? Would it be pretty? Would it help remind you and your family of the real meaning of Christmas?

Let me hear your thoughts. I love to find out what my readers think. And don't forget that a comment enters you into the current giveaway of 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas. 

Warmest Blessings,

Linore

Warmest Blessings,

Linore
Pin This Post

Regency House Christmas!

The winner of last week's book giveaway, An English Christmas, is Amada Chavez! Congratulations, Amada! Please email me at Linore(at)LinoreBurkard(dot)com with your complete mailing address so I can get the book to you ASAP.

Thanks, everyone else, who entered. Be sure to enter this week's drawing for 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas, by David Monn. 
 It's chock-full of ideas for a crafty, home-made Christmas that are sure to inspire. 

 

 What's New

I spoke on Blog Talk Radio with host Carol Topp (*standing in for publisher Felice Gerwitz). If you are a writer, you'll want to listen in as I share tips on building that all-important "Author's Platform" that publishers look for. It's a career boosting experience in 20 minutes. :)

Listen to internet radio with FeliceGerwitz on Blog Talk Radio

More Christmas!

Some of you know

I wrote a Regency Christmas (non-fiction) ebook called,

Regency House Christmas: The Definitive Guide to a Remarkably Regency Yuletide!  It's bursting with illustrations, Regency customs, poems, hymns, recipes and more.

  I started this book because I wanted to know exactly what Christmas would have been like during the Regency.  I already knew enough to recognize that a lot of other writers were getting it very wrong. 

 So, I buried myself in research and came out with Regency House Christmas. This was a few years ago, before the ebook industry exploded. So it's a PDF, not yet optimal for e-readers. (It can be read on an e-reader but won't have the easy navigation you're accustomed to.)

I keep meaning to update the ebook--they say old habits die hard, and my penchant for collecting information regarding an early 19th Century English Christmas hasn't waned. Therefore, I have much to add. I'm making it a top priority of 2013 to have the new shiny e-book all ready for most e-readers by next year's Christmas season. I wanted to do it for this year, but other writing projects--and life--got in the way. 

SO-for right now:  If you get a copy of the ebook as is (in PDF) your receipt will entitle you to the new version of the book ABSOLUTELY FREE.* Originally offered for $14.95, it's on SALE for only $9.95. 

Regency House Christmas Sale !

*On the chance that  Regency House Christmas gets a new publisher, I will not be able to fulfill giving out free copies--but I will be able to award bonus downloads of equally Christmasy content.  Either way, it's a gift that keeps on giving! 

In addition to the Contents & Bibliography, (click to download this short preview of the ebook), I also send a whole sleigh-load of bonus ebooks full of extra Christmas delights.

Regency House Christmas Sale !

A FEW of the extras are:

A Regency Feast--Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings, and more--25 pages of historical recipes, quotes and illustrations.

Regency House Christmas Receipt Book-- More Christmas feast recipes that you can freely give away to friends and family. ("Receipt" is the old word for recipe.)

The Prayers of Jane Austen--Did you know that Jane wrote a few special prayers that her father used as part of an Anglican service? They were no doubt read at home around the fire of an evening, too.  

Regency Carols--Christmas Hymns of the Day! 

English Housewifery Exemplified--173 pages of a 1764 cookbook!  

Ho, Ho, Ho Christmas Beverages--an entire ebook with special holiday libations

Illustrated historical stories of the season

And much, much more!

 

`

Regency House Christmas Sale !

Enjoy Your Copy Today! After check-out, you will receive your ebooks via the email address on the PayPal Receipt. Thanks very much. Warmest Blessings, Linore

Christmas Scents (and sensibilities)

When it comes to Christmas, a little ambiance goes a long way. Nothing shouts "Christmastime" quite like entering a house to the SMELL of the season.  A fresh new Christmas tree may do the trick, or a really good scented candle or two, but if you want to add a little humidifying scent to your home without doing any baking or rigorous cooking, try the following recipes, adapted from this week's giveaway book: 365 Ways To Prepare For Christmas, by David E. Monn. 

 Seasonal   Fragrance(s)

Place fresh orange rinds, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and fresh ginger in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer on low heat and enjoy the scent that will billow into your home from the kitchen.

Or:

"Combine an ounce of cinnamon sticks, an ounce and a half of whole cloves, half an ounce of fresh or dried bay leaves, and simmer for two minutes. Set out in a decorative bowl."

Or:

"Warm the oven, turn it off, then sprinkle cinnamon on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven." *

*p. 104, 365 Ways to Prepare For Christmas, David Monn

There's another kind of ambience that goes a long way during the holiday season, too:  keeping your expectations at bay. As women, we sometimes don't notice that our attitude and mood can affect the entire household. It's like that popular t-shirt that says, "if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."

So-- make an effort to, yes, be happy! You'll give your entire household a lift.

Pin This Post

Don't forget to leave a comment after any post to enter the current giveaway. This week's winner will get a copy of 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas, by David Monn!  

OK--SO IT'S A MERRY BELATED CHRISTMAS

I love, love, love, Christmas. I love the season, the lights, the small-town main streets all decked out in holly and berries and candles and more. I even love the look of department stores with glitter and glimmer and ornaments shimmering, despite the commercialism. It doesn't dampen my spirit or heart--maybe it's the hopeless female-shopaholic in me, I don't know, but the only thing that really gets me down about Christmas is how fast it goes by each year.

This year went especially fast.
I had hip surgery on December 9th, stayed in the hospital for three 1/2 days, and after that, zip, zip, zip, Christmas came, Christmas went. Fortunately, my kids REALLY wanted us to decorate before my surgery, so the very night before, we did. I finished exhausted and not looking forward to the next morning in the operating room, but when I got home from the hospital, the decorated house was a wonderful sight.

I'm one of those who decorate big--not the outdoor glitzy stuff, but the inside, deck the halls and mantels, put a tree in more than one room, fill the picture-window sill with snowmen and santas and angels, and get the nativity just right. After that, layer on the lights!

I'm very visual when it comes to how I feel, and the visual beauty of Christmas is partially why I enjoy it so much. Don't get me wrong, however. I really know that Jesus is the Reason, and some years have been special JUST because of Him. Perhaps all my decorations and adornments only distract me from the Savior. In the end, though, I consider it THE best time of the year for evangelism, and I never feel there can be too much emphasis on the Son of God becoming flesh for our benefit.

HOWEVER: My post today is really an excuse to send YOU a belated Merry Christmas.
Due to my post-op recovering, I did less shopping, less sending of cards, less of just about everything (even decorating). And less cooking!

I also failed to get out a December issue of my online e-zine (which I hope you're subscribed to by now--if not, sign up on my website and you'll get a free download by email right away. Join here:Linore Burkard.com . The thing is, I usually fill the December issue with beautiful, historical Christmas images, as well as a good meaty article. I'm sorry I didn't get to do that...

Which is why this blog post is an excuse for me to at least send you a Christmas e-card, even though it's belated. Actually, I have two cards to share.

The first was sent to me by a sweet reader--The card only takes a minute to view, and it is well worth it! Also, if you have youngsters around, be sure to let them watch as the graphics are sure to delight young and old. Have your speakers on:
Click HERE

This next one is from me and other Ohio authors who are part of the ACFW chapter here in the Buckeye State. Author Michelle LeVigne put it together. A fellow Harvest House author, Mary Ellis, is in this, too. Enjoy it here!

Wait! Just like late night info-mercials, "that's not all!" If you act now (by scrolling down) you can ALSO get some belated lovely images from my collections. After this, I can say goodbye to Christmas.

SCROLL DOWN for IMAGES:


"Stirring the Christmas Pudding"



"Candlemas"





"Angels We Have Heard On High"














Last but not least, about keeping "Merry Christmas" in commercial outlets. My 9 year old loved this.

Merry Christmas!
Hugs and love,

Linore
PS: Today is the LAST DAY you can get The House in Grosvenor Square for only $2.51 on Kindle! If you have an e-reader or an e-reader APP, please don't delay!