Experiencing the Hope of Christmas
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| Image courtesy Pixabay.com |
During my growing up years, we moved several times because of my dad’s job. But no matter where we relocated to, my grandparents showed up on Christmas Eve bearing armloads of gaily wrapped gifts. Shortly after my dad’s parents arrived, the presents would be stacked under the tree, and the four of us kids were cautioned to leave them alone.
However, one by one we’d creep into the living room to poke, prod, and shake the boxes. Over the course of the day, we would nag the adults until they agreed to let us each select one package to open. As the years passed, this became a traditional game, and we kids enjoyed bugging the adults about allowing us to open a present as much as tearing off the wrapping paper of the chosen gift.
Even though I’m one of the adults now, I still love the thrill of wondering what is hidden in the collection of presents tagged with my name. It’s all I can do not to handle them in an effort to guess what’s inside.
Fortunately, I’ve matured and what has become more important than the gifts under the tree is the Gift sent by God over two millennia ago. Yes, the Christmas season has been commercialized and seems to appear in the stores earlier and earlier each year, but for me, that means I can begin my celebration of Jesus’ birth sooner rather than later.
During the research for my books, most of which are set during WWII, I’ve spoken to men and women who lived during the war on both sides of “The Pond.” When asked about Christmas they indicate they typically received one or two gifts, greatly cherished because, even as children, they understood the sacrifices their parents had made to secure the presents. These conversations always remind me of the ultimate sacrifice God made in sending us His Son, the true Gift of Christmas.
May you experience God’s joy, hope, and love this Christmas season.
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10, 11 (NASB)
Book Blurb:
A Doctor in the House (part of the Hope of Christmas collection)
A Doctor in the House (part of the Hope of Christmas collection)
Emma O’Sullivan is one of the first female doctors to enlist after President Franklin Roosevelt signs the order allowing women in the Army and Navy medical corps. Within weeks, Emma is assigned to England to set up a convalescent hospital, and she leaves behind everything that is familiar. When the handsome widower of the requisitioned property claims she’s incompetent and tries to get her transferred, she must prove to her superiors she’s more than capable. But she’s soon drawn to the good-looking, grieving owner. Will she have to choose between her job and her heart?
Archibald “Archie” Heron is the last survivor of the Heron dynasty, his two older brothers having been lost at Dunkirk and Trondheim and his parents in the Blitz. After his wife is killed in a bombing raid while visiting Brighton, he begins to feel like a modern-day Job. To add insult to injury, the British government requisitions his country estate, Heron Hall, for the U.S. Army to use as a hospital. The last straw is when the hospital administrator turns out to be a fiery, ginger-haired American woman. She’s got to go. Or does she?
Purchase link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B077656725
Bio: Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, speaker, and history geek. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry and has lived in historic places all her life. Linda is a member of ACFW, RWA, and Sisters in Crime. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and a trustee for her local public library.
Social Media Links:
Website/Blog: http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com
Twitter: @lindasmatchett
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Shenton-Matchett/e/B01DNB54S0
Thanks for hosting me, Peg!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Linda. Thanks for being my guest.
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