Today is a guest post by Karen Malley.
Almost
everyone has Christmas traditions, whether it’s attending a special church
service, donating time or money to charities, decorating the house, baking
treats, braving the malls, or simply taking the day off of work and spending
time with loved ones.
My
husband and I started a tradition when we first married. Each year we’ve
decorated a Christmas tree together. The first year, we each hung an ornament
from our childhood trees, along with a “first Christmas together” ornament,
representing our two separate lives coming together. Since then, we’ve added to
the tree with special ornaments representing that year. Some years were more
somber than others – an American flag represented 2001, and this year, yes, we
actually bought a virus ornament. Other years, the ornaments marked special
events in our lives, such as buying our house or the birth of our children. Some
years we have ornaments from special places we’ve traveled, or a championship
win by a favorite sports team. This year I’m hanging an author ornament to
commemorate my publishing debut.
Each
December, I add a few sentences to a book containing our ornament story. I read
the description of the year, and we all take turns placing the ornaments on the
tree. Our family takes this time together to remember, both the treasured
memories and the difficult ones. It brings us together, and sets the tone for
the season to come, for no matter what happens in the future, we always have
our memories of the past.
For
us, Christmas is about family, but more importantly, it is about taking time to
celebrate the greatest gift of all, God’s amazing gift to us in His Son, Jesus.
We are blessed beyond measure by His goodness, so each year on Christmas
morning, we take time to open His Word, before opening any presents, and
remember that night so long ago when hope entered the world.
I
wouldn’t call my debut novel, Following the Sparrows, a Christmas story, but I
do have an unusual Christmas tree decorating scene!
Here’s
a short excerpt:
They
drove out past the outskirts of town, the hustle and bustle of the shops
thinning out into the rolling hills of farmland.
“Where
are you taking me?” Kathryn asked.
“Ahh,
patience, my dear, patience.” Adam said.
Thirty
minutes later, they pulled into a huge farm area. Trees of all sizes were lined
in rows, ready for the choosing. Adam kept driving. “Aren’t we going to get out
and pick one of these trees?” Kathryn asked.
“No
ma’am, we’re going to find our own.” They drove down a dirt road behind the
farm and pulled into a grove of pine trees. With the truck’s headlights
illuminating the field, Adam swung himself out of the truck and came around to
help Kathryn down. She drank in the cool clean air, fragrant with pine.
Trudging
through the snow between the trees, Adam stopped at an enormous Douglas Fir.
Full and lush, it stood with noble bearing. Adam took the ax from his shoulder.
“It’s
gorgeous, but it’s huge.” Kathryn protested as Adam singled out the tree.
“It’s
the best one here. It will be perfect.” Adam swung the axe like it was a part
of him. With smooth clean strokes, he felled the tree and loaded it into the
back of his truck. After he closed the tailgate, he turned around, scooped a
handful of snow, and lobbed it straight at Kathryn. She froze for a moment,
stunned, but quickly retaliated, and ducked behind a row of trees. Adam chased
after her, only to get a face-full of snow thrown at him. Kathryn ran around the
trees to the left, and Adam dashed to the right. Soon, they both jumped out
from their hiding spots and ran right into each other. Toppling into the snow,
Kathryn couldn’t stop laughing. Adam rolled onto the ground next to her.
“You
know what we do now, don’t you?” Adam asked.
“Get
up and get back in the truck?” Kathryn asked.
“Of
course not. First…” Adam moved his arms and legs in the snow.
“Snow
angels!” Kathryn exclaimed. She made her own, and stood to admire it.
When
she checked out Adam’s, she couldn’t suppress a laugh. “A bit lopsided, don’t
you think?”
“Nonsense.”
Adam answered. “It’s the perfect angel. Just like me.”
“Ha!
Perfect angels don’t throw snowballs at innocent young ladies.” Kathryn said.
“Innocent?
I believe I still have snow dripping down my neck, young lady!” Adam laughed.
Kathryn
blew on her hands. “My fingers are numb.”
“Ok,
time for a truce.” Adam said. “Let’s go back to the main farm and I’ll buy you
the world’s best hot chocolate.”
“It’s
a deal.”
~~~~~
If you’d like to read more, you can find it at
https://www.amazon.com/Following-Sparrows-Springs-Karen-Malley-ebook/dp/B08HQZRF8J
You can learn more
about me and my writing at https://www.karenmalley.com.
Merry
Christmas!
My review of Following the Sparrows: This one kept me riveted from the start. Kathryn and Robert have an outwardly happy marriage, but when he's killed, she realises that things weren't as idylic as they seemed. It's through a chance meeting with Adam that she begins to get her life back on track. Her friendship with Adam deepens as time passes. Guaranteed to make you smile, cry and want to thump the main characters at times, this one is a keeper.
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