The 25 Days of Christmas Devotional by Sonya Davis and Ruth O'Neal Blog Tour

Description

Many of us get caught up in the commercialization of Christmas. One way to prevent that is to focus on the reason for the season. Taking a few minutes each day with this different kind of devotional book will help your family think of others. Each day focuses on one word and includes a story from Daniel and Holly's family, a Scripture reading with the devotional, the YouTube link to a Christmas Carol, and an activity that the entire family can be involved in.

Reviews

"We love it! You posted it just the right time. God's providence!"

"My kids love it! Especially the song and the activity."

"The kids like to read the verses during the devotional part. It has been a good way to get the whole family involved."

Link to book

Bio

Ruth O’Neil has been a freelance writer for 20-plus years. She sees everything as a writing opportunity in disguise, whether it is an interesting character, setting, or situation. You can find her book series “What a Difference a Year Makes” on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or her website (http://ruthoneil.weebly.com/). You can also visit her on her blog at http://ruths-real-life.blogspot.com/. When she’s not writing or homeschooling her kids, Ruth spends her time quilting, reading, scrapbooking, camping and hiking with her family.

Links

Email - oneilruth@gmail.com

Website - http://ruthoneil.weebly.com/

Blog - http://www.ruths-real-life.blogspot.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RuthONeilAutho

Amazon -             https://www.amazon.com/Ruth-ONeil/e/B00AJ5S3YQ

Excerpt

Advent

Story

"I have a surprise for you kids," Mom said as soon as Daniel and Holly walked in the door after school.

"What?" They both wanted to know.

"Follow me," Mom requested as she walked toward the family room.

Two-year-old Evie followed along behind, clapping her hands and giggling.

"She must know what the secret is," Daniel commented to Holly.

Holly laughed when Evie shouted, "Sec-et! Sec-et!"

Mom smiled as well. "That's her new word for the day."

Then Mom held up a box that had a bunch of what looked like little doors. Twenty-five of them to be exact. They each had a number.

"What's that?" Daniel asked.

"It's an Advent calendar. Each day we'll open one. Behind each door is a treat for each of you and a word we can talk about to help us prepare for Christmas."

"Can we open one now?" Holly wanted to know.

"You may." Mom pointed to the first door.

"Advent," Holy read after she took out three small candies and handed one to Daniel and Evie.

"Advent is all about the days leading up to Christmas. We can talk about what Christmas really means and prepare our hearts to worship Christ."

"Why did Jesus have to come to earth as a baby? Why couldn't He come as a grown-up?" Daniel wondered as he picked up the baby Jesus from the Nativity set.

"Well, Jesus needed time to prepare, too. He needed to experience all the things we experience. He experienced what it was like to grow up, have a family and friends, and be tempted by sin just like the rest of us. No matter what problems we face in life, Jesus truly understands."

"But I thought Jesus was perfect and never sinned?" Holly questioned.

Mom nodded her head. "He was perfect. He didn't ever sin, but He still went through a lot of the same things we do. Because He lived a perfect and sinless life, that's what made Him a suitable sacrifice for our sins. Only a perfect Man could pay the price for us."

Daniel and Holly didn't say anything. For a few moments, the only sound heard was Evie slurping her candy and quietly repeating, "Sec-et."

Mom continued. "God had to prepare the world for Salvation to come in the form of His Son, Jesus. It wouldn't happen overnight. It would take Jesus' entire life time here on earth."

Daniel, always the one who wanted to learn more, said, "I think this will be interesting."

"I think this will be fun," Holly gave her opinion.

"I think it will help prepare us all and help us to understand Christmas just a little bit better."

Devotion

Read Matthew 25:1-13

This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:25b-26

Advent is a time of preparation. The Christmas Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. Many families, especially those with young children, have Advent calendars. Each day the children get to open a door, receive a little gift, or remove an object in the countdown for and in anticipation of Christmas.

Children, for the most part, look forward to Christmas because of the gifts they will receive. That’s not a bad thing, but we as adults, should have a much deeper anticipation of Christmas. We take the time to buy and wrap gifts, prepare food, clean the house for guests, buy new outfits, attend parties, etc. But how much time do we put into meditating on the actual birth of Christ and worshipping Him?

Many years, at least in our household, we spend time putting up the tree and decorating it, only to ignore it. We more often than not, sit in the room with the TV. Unfortunately, that’s often the way we are with God as well. We accept Him as Savior. We attend church on Sundays. Other than that, we pretty much ignore Him, too.

This Christmas, in anticipation of the celebration of His birth, let’s focus on Him a little more throughout the month. Let’s prepare our hearts by reflecting on why He came to earth.

Christmas will be that much more special when we focus on the true Reason for the Season.

Activity

This activity will take some extra planning. Get together as a family; you can even invite your extended family members to take part in this one as well. Choose a family that is in need; try to find a specific need if possible. Gather together money to give to that family for the specific need that they have. If possible, try not to let them know where their Christmas gift is coming from. That makes it all the more exciting for both them and you.

Song - The Twelve Days of Christmas (How I Want to Sing)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmyxUHWQm0

My Review

This is a really good family book for the Christmas season. There are 25 devotions each with a story, devotion, activity and song. I have been enjoying the story of the family which follows through the whole book followed by a devotion which is associated with the story. The activity is something that the whole family can be involved in and then some lovely songs I haven't heard before but I am really loving. I have to mention the stories are based in America so snow is mentioned but many of the activities can still be done in Australia. (We may not go sledding but we do go to a pool and can still look up at the stars). If you are looking for a family devotional advent book I would highly recommend this book.

Getting to know you with Ruth O'Neil

Please welcome Ruth O'Neil to my blog this week. I meet her when I reviewed a book by her mother about the civil war and put in in my top ten for the year. Unfortunately her mother had passed away but through the book we have kept contact. Ruth's latest book is listed below. I am still not reading much but it does look like an interesting read. Welcome Ruth

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I have been a freelance writer for more than 20 years, publishing hundreds of articles in dozens of publications as well as a few books. I enjoy helping others of all ages make their publishing dreams come true. I was born and raised in upstate New York and attended Houghton College. When I’m not writing or homeschooling, I spend my spare time quilting, reading, scrapbooking, camping and hiking with the family.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

I loved reading, even as a child. I would often spend my summer days lounging at the pool, after a stop at our local library so I would have something to read. The Little House and Trixie Belden series of books were some of my favorites. (I loved Little House also)

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and right write?

Definitely fiction. When I read, I like to escape to another world. When I write, I like to touch reader’s emotions. I love to make readers laugh and cry.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

I don’t know if I had any particular authors that influenced me. I was a voracious reader and read everything I could get my hands on. My influence was probably a conglomerate of authors.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I was 9 years old when I wrote my first story. My mom liked to write and would tell me about writing stories with her cousin when they were young. I wanted to be just like my mom – like most little girls.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

My mom was a HUGE influence on me. She would encourage me, give me constructive criticism, and take me to writer’s conferences where I gained valuable information at a young age.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

I would probably do something crafty. I enjoy sewing quilts on the side to relax and think when I have a writing project going on in my head.

8. Outside of reading and writing what do you like to do?

Quilting (when I’m thinking about writing), camping (where I enjoy writing in the peace and quiet), hiking with my family (where I get inspired with new writing ideas), and reading (where I enjoy other people’s writing).

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?

I really enjoy the beach or pretty much anything outside. I often work outside simply because I can since I work at home.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

Hmmmm…that’s a tough one. Maybe Candace Cameron Bure, because I respect her stand to be godly in an ungodly world.  Karen Kingsbury, because I see similarities in our writing styles and how we come up with ideas. And maybe Jerry Jenkins, author of the Left Behind series of books, one of my favorites as an adult.

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.

Belonging my latest book, available on Amazon as an ebook – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LA8KK9M

After the death of her father, painfully shy and introverted Shelly finds her world turned upside down. She is forced to speak with people and she may even have to move from her comfortable apartment. Sorting through her father’s possessions at his house brings back many memories, including how they would research her mom’s genealogy so that in a way, she could get to know her mother’s family, who are all deceased. Shelly wonders why her dad never researched his own family and she never remembers any family events. Why? She begins a journey that takes her to places she never dreamed. Throughout the entire story, God nudges Shelly to get out of her comfort zone. That’s easy for some, but for Shelly it may almost be impossible.

Come Eat at My Table - http://amzn.to/14Q7vyz

Karin is a woman with a past. About the time she thinks no one will ever know, it comes back to haunt her. The deeper she tries to push it away the more prominently it returns. Forgiveness is a word that isn’t in her vocabulary as far as the people from her past are concerned.  She thinks she's fine until someone from her past shows up unexpectedly forcing her to think about what happened. With the help of her family and other people around her she realizes that she must learn to forgive, even if forgiveness wasn't asked of her.

You can find all of my books on my website - http://ruthoneil.weebly.com/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/writerrutho

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RuthONeilAuthor

Christmas Memories with Ruth O'Neil

Please Join me in welcoming Ruth O'Neil to my blog today to talk about Christmas Memories. I met Ruth a couple years back after reading a book her mother wrote which

I loved. 

1.    What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?

It isn’t necessarily where I live now, but I always associated snow with Christmas. I grew up in upstate New York and we often have to wait Christmas. But now I live in Virginia and white Christmases are few and far between.

2.    Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?

One of the things that I do Christmas time as a tradition is to decorate the house while my husband is at work. He hates decorating. He becomes a Scrooge. So I like to turn up the Christmas music and decorate when he’s not here. He likes it that way to. We also have braided bread every Christmas morning for breakfast. This is a recipe for my grandmother and it’s one my mom always made a Christmas time while we were growing. (Jenny here mum was like your husband. I would decorate the tree etc at night when she went to bed cos if she had her way we would have had no decorations)

3.    Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?

Favorite? I like a lot of different ones. I love “O Holy Night” and Steven Curtis Chapman’s rendition of “O, Come, O, Come Emmanuel.” (Jenny again I love O Holy Night and also O, Come, O, Come Emmanuel)

4.    If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?

I’m not sure that I would spend it any differently than I do now. I love to be with my family. Our family dynamics are changing as our kids grow and my oldest is getting married this next spring so I think Christmas is all together as a family will be even more important.

5.    Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

I remember as a kid we were allowed to get up and get into our stockings early in the morning, but we couldn’t get into the presents under the tree until my parents got up, and we were not allowed to wake them. I think that’s kind of a tradition my husband and I tried to carry over with our kids. The only problem is my husband is the one who gets up early in does wake everybody up because he’s so excited. (Jenny again we had the same rule we could look at our stocking but nothing else. Oh we would then go and wake mum and dad can’t remember the time but what I didn’t realise at the time mum and dad were already awake as mum was always up before 5.30am)

6.    What is a typical Christmas eve, and or Christmas day for you.

We try to keep it relaxing. Were so busy every other day of the year that it’s nice to just sit and relax and not rush through things and enjoy our time together as a family.

7.    Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?

I love Christmas movies. I think last year was the year I watched the most Christmas movies. I think I had a lot of sewing that I needed to do for other people so I would plan my hand sewing around the Christmas movie schedule. As far as favorites, I don’t know that I have a favorite. The same goes for books. I just enjoy reading different ones each December just to get myself in the Christmas spirit.

8.    Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?

Just enjoy the time that you have with your family. Don’t worry about making every little event a big deal. Sometimes I find with my own family it’s the little things that really mean a lot and the least planned events are the most fun and the most relaxing.

Here is my book blurb - "Come Eat at My Table"

Karin is a woman with a past. About the time she thinks no one will ever know, it comes back to haunt her in full force. The deeper she tries to push it away the more prominently it returns. Forgiveness is a word that isn’t in her vocabulary as far as the people from her past are concerned.  She thinks she's fine until someone from her past shows up unexpectedly forcing her to think about what happened. With the help of her family and other people around her she realizes that she must learn to forgive, even if forgiveness wasn't asked of her.

 http://ruthoneil.weebly.com/

http://www.ruths-real-life.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RuthONeilAuthor

http://www.amazon.com/Come-Eat-My-Table-ebook/dp/B00BUUPW5M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366635822&sr=8-1&keywords=come+eat+at+my+table

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/come-eat-at-my-table-oneil-ruth-ruth-oneil/1115981534?ean=2940148236528