Once upon a time, a lovely friend invited me into her home. We (our group included her sister, otherwise known as the the selfless "Molly" and her/their/my/our friend Kazzy) had a delicious dinner of homemade soup and bread. Afterwards, we noshed on incredible desserts along with their entire book group whom she had encouraged to read my very first novel. It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me in my entire life, made even more remarkable by the fact that I had never met any of these ladies in person until I flew from my home in California to theirs in Utah in time for dinner.
How cool is that?
So, when Jana (known as Charrette on her blog) asked me to blog about HER first book and offer a copy to give away, I was thrilled to be a part of it. I was even more thrilled when this slim little volume (written by Ester Rasband, illustrated by Jana Winters Parkin) arrived in the mail (on my birthday, no less!) and I was able to read every measured word matched with every inspired stroke of Jana's luminous paintings. (Read here and here and then keep reading about how Jana used inspiration to create these gorgeous works of art.)
What struck me first about these gentle, delicate and ethereal illustrations was how unlike they are from the usually rather robust representations of over-abundance we are accustomed to see when looking at anything having to do with a secular Christmas celebration. How much better suited these magical renditions are to the thoughtful message of "What Think Ye Of Christmas?"
Second, I was struck by the theme of symbolism. We often hear about the symbols of Christmas and what they mean: the candy cane for the shepherd's crook, and so on and so forth. However, the meaning behind the symbols so beautifully depicted here are much more meaningful than a curved piece of wood. These symbols bring one directly to Christ, to His gift to each one of us, of our obligation to receive that gift if we are to truly celebrate Christmas as it was intended to be celebrated.
I was particularly overcome with emotion when I read the scripture quoted on the last page, the very one my son learned and memorized for the children's program at church just a few days prior to reading this book. "After the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of Him: That He Lives!"
What struck me first about these gentle, delicate and ethereal illustrations was how unlike they are from the usually rather robust representations of over-abundance we are accustomed to see when looking at anything having to do with a secular Christmas celebration. How much better suited these magical renditions are to the thoughtful message of "What Think Ye Of Christmas?"
Second, I was struck by the theme of symbolism. We often hear about the symbols of Christmas and what they mean: the candy cane for the shepherd's crook, and so on and so forth. However, the meaning behind the symbols so beautifully depicted here are much more meaningful than a curved piece of wood. These symbols bring one directly to Christ, to His gift to each one of us, of our obligation to receive that gift if we are to truly celebrate Christmas as it was intended to be celebrated.
I was particularly overcome with emotion when I read the scripture quoted on the last page, the very one my son learned and memorized for the children's program at church just a few days prior to reading this book. "After the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of Him: That He Lives!"
It is, quite simply, the best thing you can buy as a Christmas gift for anyone, including yourself! And I am giving away a copy this very minute. If you want to be included in the giveaway, please make a comment saying so. If you linked here from Facebook and you don't have a google I.D., then just comment on FB or send me an email and I will include you. I will figure out a fair way to randomly choose a winner. (The deadline to enter is Saturday night the 20th of November at midnight.)
At this wonderful time of year, I am so thankful for the God-given talents each one of us enjoys, via our own but mostly, via those of others around us. I am so grateful to have been asked to do this for someone who has done so many lovely things for me and am over-joyed that I have such a wonderful group of friends "out there, somewhere" . . . Hugs!
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