Christmas Focus on Snowbound Colorado Christmas with Darlene Franklin
Today I want to thank Darlene for sharing with us. I love hearing how others celebrate Christmas and there thoughts.
Thanks for agreeing to be on my blog for my Christmas special. I am trying to be a little creative!
Firstly thanks for coming back to my blog this time we are focusing on Christmas. So I thought I would have a few fun questions first.
1. For you what do you most associate with Christmas where you live?
The usual American Christmas traditions: Christmas tree, music, lights, lots of great food, and of course, giving and receiving presents. Occasionally we have a dusting of snow for Christmas; I remember walking to a Christmas Eve service in a light snowfall and enjoying it very much. In spite of the historical blizzard that is the backdrop for Snowbound Colorado Christmas, Colorado rarely has snow at Christmas.
One unique Denver tradition is the “wild lights” at the zoo. The zoo remains open at night for about two weeks, often the coldest nights of the year. I enjoy looking at the nocturnal animals, enjoying unique lighting exhibits, drinking hot cocoa and burning my fingers on roasted chestnuts. Now that I’ve had my knee “fixed” maybe I’ll be able to return and enjoy the spectacle again.
2. Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?
When my children were small, I baked a birthday cake for Jesus. As we put up the trappings of the holiday—tree, lights, gifts—I tied the symbols to the original meaning of Christmas. Jesus came to offer us eternal life, like the evergreen of the Christmas tree. Jesus is the light of the world. We give gifts at Christmas because not only did the wise men bring gifts to the baby Jesus, but most of all, God gave us the gift of His Son. Music, both church specials and carol sings, is an important part of Christmas.
2. Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?
When my children were small, I baked a birthday cake for Jesus. As we put up the trappings of the holiday—tree, lights, gifts—I tied the symbols to the original meaning of Christmas. Jesus came to offer us eternal life, like the evergreen of the Christmas tree. Jesus is the light of the world. We give gifts at Christmas because not only did the wise men bring gifts to the baby Jesus, but most of all, God gave us the gift of His Son. Music, both church specials and carol sings, is an important part of Christmas.
3. Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?
As I said above, I love Christmas music. My number one favorite has to be Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Like Christ the Lord is Risen Today, also by Charles Wesley, the song captures the entire gospel. But there are so many. Every year, I play and sing through the entire Christmas section of the hymnal. This year, I got a head start. When I spied a piano at the home where we spent Thanksgiving, I asked permission to play for a few minutes. What a blessing!
As I said above, I love Christmas music. My number one favorite has to be Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Like Christ the Lord is Risen Today, also by Charles Wesley, the song captures the entire gospel. But there are so many. Every year, I play and sing through the entire Christmas section of the hymnal. This year, I got a head start. When I spied a piano at the home where we spent Thanksgiving, I asked permission to play for a few minutes. What a blessing!
4. If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?
I love going to church on Christmas Eve. Celebrating the birth of our Savior with my family-in-the-Lord is an integral part of Christmas. But a quiet day, to relax and enjoy family and/or friends—that’s wonderful.
5. Now a few questions about Snowbound Colorado Christmas. I really loved the concept of this book was it hard to co-ordinate with the other authors?
Coordinating with the other authors wasn’t hard at all. I had to “know” the other heroes in the book, so that I could create a realistic scene with my hero in my novella; and Patricia Logan, the heroine of Almost Home, makes a brief appearance at the beginning of my story.
Coordinating with the other authors wasn’t hard at all. I had to “know” the other heroes in the book, so that I could create a realistic scene with my hero in my novella; and Patricia Logan, the heroine of Almost Home, makes a brief appearance at the beginning of my story.
6. What was the best part about writing the Novella?
Spending a night at the Brown Palace! The experience was luxury personified, and I had the perfect excuse since my story was set there.
Spending a night at the Brown Palace! The experience was luxury personified, and I had the perfect excuse since my story was set there.
7. I loved the story you created with 2 people from different walks of life, did you have a theme when you were writing Dressed in Scarlet?
My theme was that in Christ, all outer differences are swept away, and we share equal standing before God. When Natalie and Fabrizio realize they are both members of God’s family, the possibility of romance between them blossoms.
My theme was that in Christ, all outer differences are swept away, and we share equal standing before God. When Natalie and Fabrizio realize they are both members of God’s family, the possibility of romance between them blossoms.
8. Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?
God is with us. I lost my daughter to suicide this year, and approach the holidays with some trepidation. But I can say without any shadow of a doubt that God is with us, all the time. The verse from my perpetual calendar yesterday says it best: “God has said, ‘I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.’ That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, ‘The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.’” (Hebrews 13:5-6, TLB)
God is with us. I lost my daughter to suicide this year, and approach the holidays with some trepidation. But I can say without any shadow of a doubt that God is with us, all the time. The verse from my perpetual calendar yesterday says it best: “God has said, ‘I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.’ That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, ‘The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.’” (Hebrews 13:5-6, TLB)
(Thanks Darlene I will be thinking of you this Christmas as I understand how hard it will be)
Remember if you would like to win a copy CLICK HERE only entries on the giveaway link will be entered and remember to answer the question even I am not sure will do but you need to reply.
4 comments:
Good interview, Darlene.
I know what Darlene means about Christmas being tough the first year without a loved one. It will be like that for my family this year, since my grandfather passed away in August.
Beth, I'm sure many people are struggling with the death of a loved one this year. Let's hold each other up in prayer. We expect to spend Christmas week with my son's family and visit with my brand-new grandbaby! I can't wait.
I play the piano some and one Christmas for part of our Christmas program some musicians in the Fellowship volunteered to join me to play One Small Child. All together there were seven instruments. What we didn't have music for, I transposed the notes to fit the instrument. It turned out fantastic and a very fine memory.
I look forward to reading your story in this book, Darlene. You were the only one at the ACFW conference I wasn't able to get a signature from.(some day when I know you will be where I am, I may just bring it with me so you can sign it too) It was great getting to know you a little bit in the interview!
Pam W
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