While to some Christmas is past, we at A Pen for Your Thoughts see the Christ of Christmas remain in our hearts, our lives, and our minds from the beginning of the year until the end.
I am pleased to be able to share with you, Author Tina Pinson, who is going to bless us with news about her newly released book, Christmas in Shades of Gray.
It was the week
before Christmas and there where I lived,
temperatures were nearing 70 and
short sleeves were in.
Granted for some in
frigid weather that sounded rather strange,
but it did cool down some and we
did get some rain.
The houses were decorated
with twinkling lights.
The desert was lit, even Cactus and Palm Trees were
bright.
I wore my shorts and
sometimes sandals too, at night
if it cooled down a little jacket would do.
I set up my
stockings, advent calendar, and tree.
In hopes my spirit would find Christmas
Glee.
I hung stockings and garland
and a couple of wreaths.
I had cookies and candies and sweet treats to eat.
I played the
Christmas music, searching for the Christmas Cheer,
But in truth, I must
say something was off this year.
Perhaps I longed for
Christmases like before.
For frosty
windowpanes and ice crunching beneath my feet when I stepped out my door.
Perhaps I longed to
see my breath paint the air before me,
to see Christmas lights
glisten with the moonlight on new fallen snow.
Maybe I missed the
icicles lining the eaves of my house,
little prisms that giving off their own
little glow.
Or being able to
light a fire for more than ambiance's sake knowing it would keep me warm.
Perhaps it was
because I was far away from some of my family and friends.
I couldn’t be at the
large family gatherings, laughing over stories
or making memories with them.
Maybe I knew when I
wrapped all the gifts, most would be sent out
and I would miss the smiles when
they were opened.
Or maybe it was more
than what I've listed above,
perhaps my mind was on so many other things, I'd forgotten
what Christmas is for.
I'd forgotten that
Christmas is more than presents and lights.
And more than tinsel or a fire's glow on a chilly
night
More than gathering with family and friends.
It's a timeless story
with a gift that never ends.
It's about a tiny
baby sent so long ago.
A gift wrapped in
swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. A message of hope.
A seemingly
insignificant child, carrying the gift of the Father's love for all mankind.
Was your Christmas
missing something? Did it lack cheer?
I pray you find the joy and hope and peace
that comes from Jesus.
And it last for the
whole year.
In Christmas in Shades of Gray, David is lying in a hospital
bed, dying and feeling terribly alone. His children don't come to visit. One
would but he lives too far away, the others just don't seem to care. And those
children who don't seem to care, don't know Christ either. Fearing he won't be
able to see them again in life let them how much he loves them. He prays that
God will reach his children so he will see them in eternity.
A being comes to him and asks David, "What in your life
merits God answering your prayer?" And David is at his wit's end to answer. The being takes David on a whirlwind tour of
his past looking for the answer, but David finds it when he remembers the great
Christmas gift ever.
Christmas in Shades of Gray is the story of one man's
insignificant life, an insignificant life that God sent his son to die for
because this life meant the world to him. It is my prayer that if you're
feeling insignificant or lonely this Christmas you'll find the beauty of the
season and remember the True Gift of Christmas. And remember you are loved.
May
the Blessing of Christmas be yours
through out (this new year)
2014
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