Shannon here: Patricia Lee shares a Christmas devotional, a yummy recipe for Christmas Salad, & a chance to win a copy of her latest Contemporary Romance, In Search of Forever (continental US). Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: Dec 30th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Patricia:
The Greatest Story
In three days we will celebrate Christmas, the greatest love story ever told.
And then it will be gone, tucked away for another year, along with the ornaments, ribbon, and wrapping paper.
In some ways I am saddened when Christmas finally arrives because the day passes quickly. The fervor that drove us to this point vanishes. Shopping for Christmas gifts ends. Preparing holiday foods is complete. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over. The days become quiet. Ordinary. Leftovers linger. The feeling passes.
For some, though, the excitement never happened. Children who have been removed from their homes and live in foster care don’t always share in the festivities the same way other families do. Many of them wish they could see their mothers and fathers. Others are glad that they don’t. But even though foster care attempts to bridge the gap, it isn’t the same.
In my latest release In Search of Forever the story is set on a ranch where kids without families are cared for as they wait their forever homes. I try to write of an ideal living arrangement, and through story encourage those in their endeavors who foster children. It takes a special person to provide a loving environment to a hurting child. It is not always as easy as I portray it, but it isn’t always bleak, either. I’ve known several dedicated foster families who made a difference. Christmas was celebrated the way it should be—with joy and enthusiasm.
When Jesus arrived on that first Christmas night so long ago, the excitement would only grow. Angels lit up the sky heralding his arrival in song. “Glory to God in the Highest. “
Luke 2:9-11 “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Imagine the sound of that. The sight of them. The splendor.
Shepherds watching their flocks on hillsides sat awestruck, probably more than a little frightened. To witness this occasion the angels foretold, they came carrying their littlest lambs. “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8
Wise men in the East saw the star in the sky and began their journey to meet this newborn king. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Matthew 2:10
Instead of Christmas being over, the miracle had only begun. A baby boy had been sent by his heavenly father to redeem a broken world wallowing in its filth. The journey would take years as that child grew to manhood and went to a cross to die for each of us. I still am awed that He would do that for me, for you, for all of us.
Christmas did not end in a day. It is the ultimate love story. It continues, allowing each of us the opportunity to declare Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. By declaring our belief we are set free, not for a day, but for all eternity. A love story beyond our imagination.
May your Christmas be praise filled with joy abounding. May that joy be with you all year long—a gift that can’t be stored away in a box.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Salad dressing
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 large lime juice freshly squeezed
Salad ingredients
- 6 oz baby spinach
- 1 cup pecan halves toasted, some of them chopped finely
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 3 mandarin oranges peeled and segmented
- ⅓ cup goat cheese crumbled
- ⅓ cup pomegranate arils or more
- I prefer to arrange the salad in individual bowls for presentation purposes.
- Add spinach to each individual salad bowl. Top with the remaining salad ingredients.
- Drizzle with the salad dressing.
- Alternatively, you can combine all the salad ingredients (except pecans and pomegranate arils) in a large serving bowl, add the dressing, and toss to combine. Then, top the salad with toasted pecan halves (some of them chopped) and pomegranate arils.
Link to Salad: https://juliasalbum.com/holiday-salad/?fbclid=IwAR0Goiw25SP9rGI-o1QErlTc7bIvysAU9RYHykn_aPT35DQELYd-7s_y-IE
Question for Readers: What is your favorite thing about Christmas?
About Patricia: Patricia (Pat) Lee has had a fascination with words and what they can do since she wrote her first short paragraph at the age of six. She doesn’t remember the content of her story, but her teacher became excited at what she’d done. “Obviously,” Pat says, “words made people happy.”
Pat worked as a stringer for a local newspaper during her middle and high school years representing the school’s news to the community. She received her B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oregon, then went on to work as a tabloid newspaper editor at her local church.
After she married, she began her freelancing career and sold to various publications, including Expecting, Moody Monthly, and Power for Living. More recently she has published in two anthologies, Cup of Comfort Bible Promises and Heavenly Company, as well as featured articles in Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse magazine.
An Anchor On Her Heart, her debut novel, released in July, 2017. Love Calls Her Home, A Kite on the Wind, and Love’s Autumn Harvest followed. A fifth book, In Search of Forever, is due to be released in May, 2023.
She also wrote The Call of the Frontier series. The series contained two dual-time novels , The Descendant’s Daughter (2020) and The Sister’s Plight, which chronicled the journey of her great-great-great grandfather, Cornelius Joel Hills, when he crossed the Plains in 1847 seeking a new life and free government land in Oregon. Pat grew up on part of the original land claim.
She lives were her husband in the Pacific Northwest. They have two grown children. She is a member of Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Learn more & connect:
Pat’s Website Pat’s Facebook Pat’s Twitter
Pat’s Email Pat’s Newsletter Pat’s Pinterest
About the book – In Search of Forever:
Can they bridge the long gap in their friendship?
Growing up Jayden Clarke dreamed of becoming a Marine like his late father, who was killed in Afghanistan when Jayden was nine. His foster dad, Kurt, was also a decorated soldier. But his own encounter with a narrowly missed IED in Afghanistan leaves Jayden wounded and honorably discharged. He returns home defeated, his dream destroyed, not certain what his future will hold. Who will he become now? Is there anyone he can turn to?
Baylie Summers, two years out of college, has returned to the Mueller Rescue ranch where her best friend Jayden Clarke once lived as a foster teen. She hasn’t seen him since they graduated six years ago but she’s thrilled when she lands the job as the ranch’s fundraising newsletter writer. Seeking refuge from the storms of life, Baylie waits for Jayden to return home, hoping he’ll have wisdom to help her recover from past incidents she wants to forget. Once a foster child herself, she fears Jayden might not like the woman she’s become. Will telling her secret make her lose Jayden forever?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Patricia’s other titles? Get your copy/copies now!
In Search of Forever Pat’s Books
Merry Christmas!
Come back Dec 26th for Donna Schlachter!
My favorite thing about Christmas is spending time with extended family members that we don’t see very often. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
My favorite thing about Christmas is the music. I play it at home and in the car. I like traditional Christmas music, but my favorite Christmas songs are faith-based. I usually play only Christmas music during the holiday season.
Family gatherings and ALL the food!!!!
I have a winner! Donna Odum won the drawing. I appreciate Patricia for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.