Christmas with Ms. Constantine
'Tis still the season to be jolly!
Here in the states, the Christmas season comes to an abrupt end after the frenzy of gifts are ripped open on the 25th. After that, it's pretty much just clean up time. That's pretty anti-climactic for the most wonderful time of the year. I mean, all that work for what? An hour of flying ribbons and shredded paper? Ending it in a day is just wrong. I propose we adopt the better tradition...one shared with me years ago by bloggy friends across the pond...the 12 Days of Christmas.
Yes, the 12 Days of Christmas isn't just a song!
Who knew...besides every Christian NOT living in the continental United States?
You see, my fellow Yankees, Christmas does NOT stop on the 25th. That's simply the beginning! The 25th is the celebration of of the birth. And then...
there are the 12 Days of Christmas!
Yes, 12 more days to celebrate what exactly that birth means to believers. It's a time to reflect on the grace, the forgiveness, and the love of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The 12 days ends on January 6th...the day the wise men sauntered into Bethlehem to see the newborn king...with the Epiphany Feast.
So, to keep the Christmas spirit going, I've invited Cathrina Constantine to come visit. She has a new book out. A dark fantasy where heaven and hell do battle on earth. Okay, so that may not seem very Christmasy, but hey, isn't Jesus all about the final triumph of good over evil?
So, welcome Cathrina to the extended version of Christmas with Friends blog posts where I ask Cathrina the hard hitting questions of the season.
Favorite Christmas movie?
These are difficult questions because I love so many. Each Christmas we watch most of our family favorites like The Santa Claus, Home Alone, White Christmas, and I could go on and on. But, I guess my favorite has always been ~ It's A Wonderful Life. Since we've raised 5 children, my hubby likes to say, "Why'd we have to have all these kids anyway." A quote from the movie. After It's A Wonderful Life had been released, it wasn't a big hit, but it's lasted the test of time.
Favorite Christmas song?
Gosh!!! So many favorites. I do love Mary Did You Know. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Oh Holy Night. Hark the Herald Angels Sing. I can't name an exact favorite. I'm so sorry!!!
Favorite Christmas tradition?
It's called the Peppermint Pig. My daughter reads the history of the Peppermint Pig, and she's quite animated and we giggle a lot. Then the pig goes into a red velvet sack and we take a small silver mallet and the pig gets smashed and beaten to pieces. Each person takes a piece and passes it on to the next person with a blessing or wish for them.
Favorite Christmas memory?
Again, I have a plethora of marvelous memories. But right away I think of the year my son was born on Dec. 5th and on Christmas Morning, sitting at Gramma's house with my son nuzzled on my chest and watching my 2 year old daughter opening her presents. I felt relaxed, loved, and blessed.
Favorite Christmas cookie recipe?
I have a terrible sweet tooth. I love homemade cookies with a passion. But my favorite is the old standby, cut-outs. I like to bake them with anise, lemon, or almond extract instead of the plain vanilla. And then also add the exact to the frosting. Man, they are to die for.
Cathrina is a best selling author and blogger. You can find her here:
Blog
Wickedly They Come blurb:
A Destined Prophecy: “The White Warrior will be one with Lucifer and God will weep.”
Haunting visions and supernatural talents are the norm for the sixteen-year-old warrior, Jordan and her mother Seeley. Together with their formidable angels they find themselves in peril when a wicked sorcerer is determined to fulfill the prophecy to his lord, Lucifer.
After an ominous vision of spirits inhabiting teenagers in a local school, Jordan enrolls in the social culture of teendom at Elma High to combat soulless demons. She encounters Mark, a mysterious new classmate, who is hell bent on keeping her unscathed from the forces of evil.
The battle between Heaven and Hell is escalating—and Earth is their battleground.
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| Buy it HERE! |
After an ominous vision of spirits inhabiting teenagers in a local school, Jordan enrolls in the social culture of teendom at Elma High to combat soulless demons. She encounters Mark, a mysterious new classmate, who is hell bent on keeping her unscathed from the forces of evil.
The battle between Heaven and Hell is escalating—and Earth is their battleground.
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| Join the Goals Blog Hop Here! |
Misha Gericke & Beth Fred host this monthly goal update. The idea is to think big...and then work hard to make it happen. My two goals are publish two books and master marketing.
This is the last update for 2015. I managed to publish one book, while deciding to delay the other. I'm just not in love with the second book yet, and I think it's better to hold off on a book rather than rush something to print that I'm not a fan of. Readers deserve better.
I also didn't manage to master marketing. But I did make it out to many more book events than I usually attend. I may not be the master, but I met a lot of readers and that's always a win.
I knew there were twelve days of Christmas. My parents don't take down their tree until January 6.
ReplyDeleteWhy did you have all those kids, Cathrina? Oh wait, slave labor, right?
Happy New Year, Ladies!
Well=, being a Brit, I knew about the 12 days of Christmas too. Might take our decorations down earlier this year though. Of course in the States you do start celebrating on Thanksgiving and keep it going all month. Happy New Year Liz.
ReplyDeleteHey Elizabeth...a very happy, safe, healthy, and productive 2000 sixteen to you and yours
ReplyDeleteI knew of the 12 days at my sea. It's a wonderful life is a good one indeed.
ReplyDeleteI know of the 12 days, but I tend to get impatient for Christmas to be over and the new year to begin. I don't knot if that is because I have become a planner junkie or if it is just the clutter of Christmas I can't stand. Call me the Grinch but once that tree goes up in our living room on Christmas eve, I can't wait for it to come down. It blocks off the fish tank and a filing cabinet in the only place it will fit and I'm constantly worrying about Christmas tree fires, after a friend of mines, Christmas was completely destroyed by Christmas tree lights, that suddenly deciding to go up in flames. I've fallen into the belief that Christmas is very much just about the kids and I make the effort for my son, but I just cannot wait for it to be over and life to get back to normal. The only joy I find in it any more is the extra time I get with my family over the holidays and the smiles on my sons face. Hence why my tree will be coming down later today hehe.
ReplyDeleteWe try to keep our decorations up until 12th night, but this year it'll be Sunday because we have no time mid-week. It's nice to keep the joy into January :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful life is one of my favorites, too. All our Christmas movies are in storage from the move and I really missed being able to watch all my favorites this year.
ReplyDeleteI love the full 12 Days of Christmas, and I'm so glad you are celebrating!
ReplyDeleteI think you made a wise decision with your book, Elizabeth.
And those cookies, Tara . . . mmm. I can just taste them melting in my mouth. But, we made our crazy gingerbread instead. I'll pull out the shaped cookies (without the ginger) in February for Valentine's day. :)
I just heard exciting news about this book!
ReplyDeleteI always leave our tree up until Jan. 6th as well (or in this year's case, the weekend after). Since I teach a lot of Hispanic students, I'm well aware of the 12 Days of Christmas :-) Thanks for sharing one more post with us in 2015--always love stopping by your blog!
ReplyDeleteGood thinking to hold back on that second book. Yes, it means you don't get to mark your goal for this year as "done", but you know what? In the long run you'll be grateful that you gave yourself more time. :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed 2016!