Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!
Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom" from some
of today's most beloved writer's (Tricia Goyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Shellie
Rushing Tomlinson, Sibella Giorello and more)! Please follow the series through
Christmas day as each contributor shares heartfelt stories of how God has
touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year.
AND just for fun ... there's also a giveaway! Fill out this
simple {form} and enter for a chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace and
earring set ($450 value). Contest runs 12/14 - 12/25 and the winner will on
1/1. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. You may enter once per
day.
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www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support
the work of charities that help women and children in the US
and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering
Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!)
to help support Pearl Girls.
***
Let The Baby Grow Up This Christmas
By Shellie Tomlinson
When I was a little girl, Christmas seemed to take forever
to make its way back to our little house on the end of a dirt road called Bull
Run in northeast Louisiana.
We kids started counting down the days before the leaves ever began turning.
Sure, the adults said it came once a year but I wasn't so sure. Once Santa
Claus left our humble abode it seemed like light years before he found his way
back to the Delta.
That was a child's perspective. I imagine it hasn't changed
all that much for today's kids. On the other hand, I'm operating under a
completely different time frame these days. It seems like it was just yesterday
when I pulled the boxes down from the attic and began pulling out the nativity
scene, the miniature lights, and the keepsake ornaments. And now, just that
fast-- Christmas Day is right around the corner. Soon the tree will be striped
naked and the piled up presents will all be distributed. After a few more day
it'll be hard to remember who got what from whom, and once again, I'll start
packing all the decorations away for another year.
I was thinking about how bare and cold the house always
looks after the holidays when I realized that, sadly, this scene would play
itself out in many hearts as well. A lot of people will have had expectations
that weren't filled and many of those same souls will be left with hurts that
don't seem to heal. Unless this year is remarkably different from past seasons,
my bet is, the New Year will bring magazines full of articles on combating
depression and the talk shows will have experts on offering ways to fill the
long days ahead and cure the winter blues.
I'm no expert, dear readers, but I'd like to offer you a
suggestion that will go far beyond the creature comforts of a nice warm bath or
a delicious bowl of hot soup. Your heart doesn't have to be bare and naked
after the holidays. Do you want to know the real secret? It's simple, really.
Don't pack up Christ with Christmas! As beautiful and special as the Christmas
story is, it's only a part of heaven's miracle. The Christ child grew into a
man and the man became a Savior.
This year, may we be determined to let the babe from Bethlehem
live on in our hearts. If we'll allow Him to become the Messiah He was born to
be, the joy of Christmas can be ours all year long.
***
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is an author, speaker, and radio
host from Louisiana. Her latest
release Sue Ellen's Girl Ain't Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy was endorsed by Jeff
Foxworthy as "laugh out loud funny!" You can find Shellie's weekly
southern features, podcasts, video chats and more at http://www.allthingssouthern.com/
Make sure to get by the blog and read about the Super Christmas Giveaway
Shellie is hosting for her readers and secure your chance to win a Mort
Kunstler print valued between $700 and $1400. www.allthingssouthern.com
Take the Quiz here!
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