2. Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?
We have a special Christmas Quilt which goes up on our wall in the first weeks of Christmas. The quilt is initially a plain background of hills and a night sky peppered with stars. As the days approach Christmas more and more items are attached to the quilt including a busy inn, a stable, Mary and Joseph, a donkey etc. We follow the journey to Bethlehem by moving the piece around until Christmas day when the baby Jesus is added to the scene!
3. Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?
No, not really. I think unfortunately I have allowed the commercialism of Christmas dampen my enthusiasm for Christmas carols!
4. If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?
I would have a quiet family Christmas with my immediate family. I'd make sure everyone could stay in their PJs for as long as possible and we'd eat all our favourite things regardless of whether they were traditional Christmas munchies or not! Then, perhaps in the afternoon, I'd like for us to be still for a little while and remember everything Christ did for us and consider some of the enormity of what that means. (Jenny here, now I am basically alone I do eat what I want regardless of tradition. although I do have bacon on Christmas, I like you idea of a quiet family Christmas, I have other friends who dont like the day due to the busyness and the rushing around etc)
5. Do you have any special memories of Christmas?
I think this is probably where my ideal Christmas ideas come from. When I was about 12 my family were living as missionaries in North Australia and we had to travel to a remote location to cover the base there while another family was away. So, we were away from our regular home, but that Christmas is one of my most special ones. Yep, we wore our PJs all day. We had a lovely lunch with home baked bread rolls and our present opening time was one of quiet, special enjoyment.
6. What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you.
It depends on where the Christmas day is to be held as we have to share Christmas between families who live in different states. But Christmas Eve usually has a flavour of expectation to it, no matter how hard I try to avoid the whirl! The children are keen with enthusiasm and there is an atmosphere of preparation, a giving kind of preparation which is nice to be a part of.
7. Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see
or read each year?
No. I am a bit of a commercialised Christmas rebel, really. So if there is something out there designed to make me buy it just because it is Christmas, I'll avoid it. I don't even like Christmas trees, we only have one becuase the children enjoy it!
8. Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?
Take time, in the bustle, between picking up the wrapping paper and sorting the mis-matched presents to consider Jesus. The baby part of the story is just one section of the miracle. God went to every length possible to invite us into his kingdom. Don't let this Christmas wizz past without thinking about that, and if possible, sharing that wonder with someone you love!
Penny has several children's books out and I am including the covers of several. You can see her books at http://www.pennyreeve.com/
1 comment:
I love the sounds of Penny's quilt! The relaxed and reflective family time sounds appealing too :)
Blessings,
Paula
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