Christmas Miracles

It's Christmas Eve and I've had a delightful evening of wrapping presents and visiting with my oldest daughter who's just arrived home from college. After we finished with the wrapping, I kept my Christmas Eve tradition of twenty-four years, as I sat down with my children (ages 24, 21, and 17) and read the Christmas story from the second chapter of Luke. I began doing that when my oldest was a newborn, 24 years ago, and it's a special tradition we always do on Christmas Eve. The most important reason we read that story each year, though, is to remember and focus on WHY we are really celebrating Christmas. We all get so busy during the holiday season and need to make the time to stop and think about that wonderful miracle of the Christ Child's birth so many years ago. It truly was a miracle and the most wonderful, joyous event we could ever celebrate! ~ And speaking of miracles--although this is a much smaller one--my Christmas Cactus has bloomed for the very first time since a friend gave it to me 3 years ago! I was thrilled when I noticed the tiny buds a few weeks ago, and then those buds turned into gorgeous blooms. Although the plant had remained green, it would never bloom. Then suddenly this year it presented me with a beautiful gift as it was covered in red blooms! For me, that was a "miracle" that blessed me as I prepared for Christmas.

OUT OF HER HANDS

I recently read a great book by Christian author Megan DiMaria, Out of Her Hands. I haven't read many books from the main character's point of view, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! ~ Out of Her Hands is the story of Linda Revere, a middle-aged wife and mom to a teen daughter and a college-aged son. Changes are happening in Linda's family, and being a loving mom, she wants to help control matters so things will go smoothly and everyone will be happy. But Linda realizes there are many situations over which she has no control, and she must trust the Lord to be in control and give her a sense of peace. ~ The characters in the story are so believable, and being a middle-aged mom myself I could definitely relate to many of Linda's feelings and emotions! There were parts of the story that brought tears to my eyes, and other parts where I was laughing out loud. I highly recommend reading Out of Her Hands by Megan DiMaria, and I look forward to more books by this talented author.

* * Megan has also written a previous book about the Revere family, Searching for Spice, which I haven't read yet (but I plan to!). You do not have to read it before reading Out of Her Hands.

Miracle, Kentucky

I just finished reading a wonderful book by Christian author Andrea Boeshaar, Love Finds You in Miracle Kentucky. I love the way Andrea writes - - she was one of the first authors I read when I "discovered" Christian fiction several years ago! ~ Love Finds You in Miracle Kentucky is a well-written, sweet story about a young woman seeking a fresh start in a different town (and state). She accepts a teaching position and moves in with her grandmother in Kentucky. One of her students is a precious child confined to a wheelchair, who just happens to have a handsome, widowed father. Their relationships and experiences are written about in a very believable way, and the story was never boring! As Meg (the main character) is able to strengthen her family ties, she truly finds love in Miracle, Kentucky. ~ I enjoyed this story so much, and now I'm looking forward to reading more stories in the new "Love Finds You.." line from Summerside Press!