I really love Christmas with my family. We have some wonderful traditions that we follow (almost) every year.
Year: 2014
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you!
I love, love, love, love, love Christmas. Christmas is the time to remember an Infant born into poverty, born to die to save us from our sins.
This Christmas I will remember that it was a tiny baby who held the hope of the whole world upon His shoulders. It was a tiny baby who, though born in a stable, is the Son of God, the Word made Flesh. It was a tiny baby who became man to save me from my sins. It is because of a tiny baby whom we know is the Savior of the World.
Imagine the great joy of the Blessed Virgin to hold a baby in her arms, a baby who is both her Son and the Son of God. Imagine the great love Saint Joseph felt for a baby born to his wife, a baby who is the Savior of the World. Imagine the great awe of the shepherds when the angels called to them, telling them of a child who is the Prince of Peace. Imagine the great reverence of the magi who traveled so far to bring gifts to the King of Kings.
Merry Christmas! I pray you all enjoy time with your family this holiday season.
I’ll leave you with a poem I wrote a few years ago for Christmas.
What Gift do You Bring to the Newborn King?
By: Amanda Marie
What gift do you offer to the King of kings?
What can you give Him that truly comes from you?
What do you lay before Him?
Can you give a gift of self to the newborn King?
Do you bring Him gold?
A gift beyond all price?
A precious faith that knows no end?
A gift of self to the newborn King?
Do you bring Him frankincense?
The rising incense of your prayers?
A hope that even this shall pass and better things shall come?
A gift of self to the newborn King?
Do you bring Him myrrh?
A precious spice for His burial?
A love than can conquer even death?
A gift of self to the newborn King?
Do you bring Him talents?
Special gifts He gave to you, given back for all the world?
Things that only you can do?
A gift of self to the newborn King?
What gift do you bring?
An expression of faith, hope, and love?
A gift that only you can give?
A gift of self to the newborn King?
Review: Esther
Series: Dangerous Beauty #1
Publisher: Bethany House (2014)
eARC (325 pages)
Via: NetGalley
Rating:
Also by this author: Delilah
Also in this series: Delilah
Reading Challenges: Read 2014
Synopsis
An ambitious tyrant threatens genocide against the Jews in ancient Persia, so an inexperienced beautiful young queen must take a stand for her people.
When Xerxes, king of Persia, issues a call for beautiful young women, Hadassah, a Jewish orphan living in Susa, is forcibly taken to the palace of the pagan ruler. After months of preparation, the girl known to the Persians as Esther wins the king's heart and a queen's crown. But because her situation is uncertain, she keeps her ethnic identity a secret until she learns that an evil and ambitious man has won the king's permission to exterminate all Jews--young and old, powerful and helpless. Purposely violating an ancient Persian law, she risks her life in order to save her people...and bind her husband's heart.
Esther marks bestselling author Angela Hunt's return to biblical fiction. In each novel she explores an example of a Hebrew Old Testament tob woman: a woman whose physical beauty influences those around her--and can change the course of history.
Find the book: Goodreads, Amazon, Book Depository
When I first saw this book on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it. It is about Esther! I absolutely love the movie One Night With the King and the biblical book of Esther. Esther (or rather, Hadassah) is one of the biblical persons who really fascinates me. And the cover is just beautiful.
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Books on my Christmas Wish List
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
This week’s list is the Top Ten Books on my Christmas Wish List.
Review: Time’s Edge
Series: The Chronos Files #2
Publisher: Skyscape (2014)
eBook (452 pages)
Via: Library
Rating:
Reading Challenges: Read 2014
Synopsis
To stop her sadistic grandfather, Saul, and his band of time travelers from rewriting history, Kate must race to retrieve the CHRONOS keys before they fall into the Cyrists' hands. If she jumps back in time and pulls the wrong key--one that might tip off the Cyrists to her strategy--her whole plan could come crashing down, jeopardizing the future of millions of innocent people. Kate's only ally is Kiernan, who also carries the time-traveling gene. But their growing bond threatens everything Kate is trying to rebuild with Trey, her boyfriend who can't remember the relationship she can't forget.
As evidence of Saul's twisted mind builds, Kate's missions become more complex, blurring the line between good and evil. Which of the people Saul plans to sacrifice in the past can she and Kiernan save without risking their ultimate goal--or their own lives?
Find the book: Goodreads, Amazon, Book Depository
This was a book I borrowed via the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. I read the first book in the series a few months ago. Then I decided in December to borrow the second. It was … an interesting book.