On the 10th Day of Christmas…Give Away with Wendy Pope
*Give Away has Ended*
Welcome to day ten of the 12 Days of CHRISTmas giveaway!!! There are holiday ideas, easy recipes and both practical and pampering prizes to win. Best of all, each day you will meet one of my fellow “sistas” from the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaking team. Get to know them and their wonderful resources including books and teaching cd’s. Why, you might even just discover the speaker you have been looking for to appear at your next event.
So get in the holiday spirit. Tune in each day. Hop on and leave a comment. The more you leave, the better your chances of winning. The 12 daily winners will be announced on Saturday, the 13th day of December so comment on all 12 posts if you can!
Oh, am I excited today to have you meet my friend Wendy Pope. She is a wife, mother, speaker, author and awesome daughter of the King!!! She has a passion for the Bible that is evident in everything she does. In fact, her give away today is all about the Bible!!! But, before we get to that wonderful give away and today’s Christmas comment question, meet my friend Wendy!!! Here she is in her own words…….
I am Wendy Barnette Pope. In 1991, I married the man of my dreams, Scott. Together, with the Lord’s help, are raising two amazing children. My daughter, a horseback riding book worm and a son, a bulldozing, dirt loving bundle of energy makes our home a very lively place.
I am woman who loves home, work, and ministry however many times falls short of finding a happy balance. The Lord blessed me through the early years of motherhood to be at home with my children then later called me into ministry. My life, as chaotic as it might get sometimes, is fulfillment of scripture. The Lord has truly blessed me far more than I could have dreamed or imagined. There are days we I feel the need to pinch myself, not because I have material wealth or success as the defined by the world but because God, the Creator of heaven and earth allows me to be an active part of His story. It is the passion of my life to live Christ out loud in everything I say and do. He is so good and so faithful to His creation that I simply must proclaim His greatness.
Now for our interview:
· Wendy, tell us what is in store for the Pope household during this fun season.
Christmas happens right here for us. Both my family and Scott’s family are local so there is no traveling. (Thank the Lord) Christmas Eve we will celebrate with my side of the family. After we spend the morning and some relaxing at home Christmas Day we celebrate with his family.
· You have a passion for getting women into God’s word. How can Christmas be a perfect time to accomplish this?
Christmas is a great time to make the commitment to spend time in God’s Word every day in upcoming year. Celebrate Jesus’ birth throughout the year. His gift of love goes on through us each day.
· What is your favorite holiday activity or tradition?
Well, I would say my husband reading the Christmas story from the family Bible at his mom’s house on Christmas Day with the whole family listening. Also, reading the children’s book, The Best Thing about Christmas to my children on Christmas Eve. (They are 8 and 10.)
In addition, the time of rest and conversation with Scott after the rush of opening presents on Christmas morning. (Usually snuggling under the covers while the kids play with all their new things.)
I also love watching my children proudly carry their Samaritan Purse shoe boxes into church and knowing they understand what their gift means.
· What is your greatest hope for the New Year to come?
For the over 900 people who purchased a Chronological Bible from P31 and committed to read through God’s Word in 2009 reach their goal as well as allow the Lord to use His Word to transform their lives. I wrote a devotional that challenged women to read the Bible through with me in 2009. I have had over 600 people commit to doing just that and it is so exciting!!! You can read about this awesome work God did here.
Thank you Wendy for dropping by to chat with us!!!
My pleasure! Merry Christmas!
Now for our idea of the day and give away: Wendy mentioned reading as one of her favorite holiday activities. So we’ll focus on that today. Start thinking about this: what is your favorite Christmas book or story? Or, if you can’t think of one off the top of your head, what is your favorite part of the Christmas story from the Bible?
Oh I am so with Wendy on loving reading at the holidays!!! My mother started a tradition of giving my kids a new nativity story book each year for Christmas Eve. We soon had a huge basket full of these keepsake books. We have added a few more of our favorites to this collection. Here are a few of our most treasured:
- The Small One by Alex Walsh and Jesse Clay This is the sweet story of a too small donkey who is no longer of use to his master. The young son of the family is ordered to take Small One to town to sell him and fetch one piece of silver. But alas, no one wants such a small, old animal except the village tanner. Soon the small donkey is willing to give up his life so that the boy can obey his father. Just then, they encounter a man who is in need of just such a gentle animal to carry his pregnant wife to Bethlehem. So the humble donkey is given the great honor of carrying the Christ-Child while He is still in Mary’s womb. It illustrates the proverb, “Before honor is humility” Our kid’s favorite from their younger days!!!
- Buddy Bow Wow An antique replica of a book written during the great depression. It is about an honest, poor paperboy who finds a wallet full of money and decides to do the right thing. As a result, his entire family is blessed. A sweet and endearing tale. Unfortunately, I think it is no longer in print.
- The Red Suit Diaries by Ed Butchart Tom Brokaw said it best about the author: This Santa “can only be described as the real thing.” With warmth, humor, and wonder, Ed Butchart shares his stories as a professional Santa Claus in The Red Suit Diaries. Deftly combining his Santa persona with his passion for God, Butchart reveals himself as a once-hardened Marine who found Jesus and began to serve others in unusual ways. Readers who open The Red Suit Diaries will find themselves transfixed-from Santa’s day job refurbishing medical equipment for the disabled, to the sweetest of secrets whispered in Santa’s ear and written in letters, and the story of how he unknowingly found “Mrs. Claus.” Woven throughout is a faith-and a joy of giving-that energizes Butchart’s mission to spread love to all kinds of children and adults. This fun-spirited, inspirational read will delight collectors of Christmas books and anyone who’s a child at heart. (And we especially love this book at our house since all three of our children crafted letters to Santa that serve as openings for three of the chapters in this heartwarming new classic.)
Now for Wendy’s give away: This Bible-loving gal has graciously offered to give away a copy of the wonderful chronological Bible in the New Living Translation that she will be reading along with 600 other women in 2009. If you want to join Wendy, (and me!) in reading the entire Bible too, she should have a Wordly Wise button up on her blog soon where we can all connect and encourage each other as we read God’s word.
Now, if you want a chance to win this Bible for yourself, tell us, what is a Christmas book, holiday story or part of Jesus’ birth from the Bible that you simply love?
Sweet Story-telling Blessings,
Karen
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas story is in Luke where it says “Mary treasured and pondered these things in her heart.” It challenges me to treasure and ponder all that God has done in my life and in the lives of those around me.
Merry Christmas!
Laurie
I love so many Christmas stories. What a great idea to get a new one every year. We get most of ours from the Library. I can’t remember the names of most of ours but I do like “The Best Christmas Pagent Ever”.
I would love to win and read that Bible with you!
I don’t read Christmas books often, but reading the events of the first Christmas in the Bible is always a
part of my yuletide meditations. I’ve read Ruth Graham’s book about Chriatmas and of course you
cab’t talk o f Christmas books without mentioning Dickens’ CHRISTMAS CAROL!
My dad always read ‘The Little Lost Angel’ to my sister and I on Christmas Eve. I loved the way that the Christmas story is told from the viewpoint of the young angels.
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This is a toughy – our kids love ‘The Crippled Lamb’ (sweet book), and Eric Carles’ “Dream Snow’… but my favorite is Christmas morning when my husband reads the story out of Luke… my Grandpa used to read it to all of us (30+ grandkids). I tear up and love it so much. I am SO excited about this giveaway… I have started many years to read through the bible… never stuck with the plan. My husband is diligent and is on his 6th year through! I think this chronological bible would help me stick to it. Thanks for the giveaways!
I love hearing my children tell me the Christmas story. They are 5 and 4 and I love when they learn more about Chirstmas and tell it back to me.
We didn’t read the story but I am changing that along with so many other things. I love the idea about getting new Christmas books every year. Our favorite would be the book called “Christmas Stories” that includes so many favorites. Thanks for the wonderful ideas, again!
The Christmas story from Luke 2 is my absolute favorite. I love the shepherds enthusiasm to tell what they had heard and seen!
We like “Room for a Little One” by Martin Waddell. We got the book as a gift for our first little one (whom we had not yet met) as we waited to adopt. It is a special story and makes me cry every time. There is always room for a little one here!
My favorite the last few years has been “The Legend of the Candy Cane”. I also enjoy the story “Christmas Day in the Morning” – thanks for the reminder Shannon!
My favorite part of the Christmas story is the reverence that was shown to baby Jesus acknowledging who He really was (is!).
I love the THREE TREES! Also, we have a Jesse Tree devotional book with ornaments. My son just turned 5 and is really beginning to “get it”. This year my favorite has been our family time reading the Bible by the light of the tree and then listening as my son talks about what he learned. So neat to see your kids developing a love for Scripture!
I enjoy reading about the birth of Jesus from the Bible. If I had to pick a book for adults it would be Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon. I love all of her books. My favorite kids book is the The Small One.
I just ordered this book for my kids (really for me) and I love it–Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck. A wonderful story about how a teenage son gets up early on Christmas morning and does the chores, and then sneaks back into bed as a surprise for his dad.
The part of the Christmas story that simply astounds me is that Mary was so obedient. I can only imagine the emotions that go along with being told of Christ’s birth would be. Her faith and trust in the Lord is awesome.
It’s not a Christian book, but I love The Polar Express. My son loves trains, so this is always a favorite Christmas read for us.
My favorite part of the Christmas story is from Luke 2:19 where is says Mary “pondered” all these things in her heart. I understood that better than I ever have the Christmas I was about 10 weeks pregnant with our oldest. We hadn’t told hardly anyone yet and I was able to hold our secret close to my heart and “ponder” it.
I can’t really think of a Christmas book that I always enjoy. But my favorite part of the Christmas story is the part where “Mary pondered these things in her heart”. That just always strikes a chord with me.
Two from Galilee
My favorite Christmas book is The Story of the Candycane. I just love the how it shows the simplicity of being able to tell the gospel with a candycane.
I like the book about the Three Trees and we have a book called The Littlest Star (I think) which my three daughters love. We read that one all year!
I’m glad that you posted about this. This hasn’t really been a tradition in my family but my 8 yr. old daughter and I love the book: Christmas in the Barn, by Margaret Wise Brown. It’s illustrated by Diane Goode, one of my favorites! It’s a simple story, but with a wonderful message.
We also enjoy Room for a Little One; A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell. Jason Cockcroft does the beautiful illustrations.
We will start a new tradition! Before, we would read them, just because. Now, I want to make even more precious memories sitting in front of the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa and reading some wonderful books with the even more wonderful message of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
One of my favorite parts of the nativity story is when the angels appear to the shepherds. My favorite children’s book is The Crippled Lamb. Whenever I put out a nativity scene I always place the figures looking out so people can see. My son just recently dusted (I leave the Willow Tree one out all year) and put all the figures back facing baby Jesus. That spoke volumes to me about the heart of a child!
The best christmas pageant ever.
Oh my. First, thank you for the book ideas. We have been looking for Christmas books to read with the kids.
We didn’t read at Christmas when I was growing up but the very first Christmas my husband to me to meet his parents, my (to-be) father in-law read the Christmas story out loud to the family. He couldn’t get through it because he was crying so hard. In that moment, the Christmas story took on a whole new meaning. Thank you Lord for that, it is an awesome memory for me.
i believe reading it from the bible is the favorite. but the red suit diaries sounds very good. i’ll have to get that for this christmas. thanks for the suggestions.
I think perhaps The Small One is my favorite book. I took that book with me to Ukraine several years ago and “read” it in several of the orphanages we visited there. I had the opportunity to read it to a young girl in a village we visited as well. The way her eyes lit up as I read that story made my heart feel sooo good! I think it is becoming my own daughter’s favorite Christmas book as well!
I love “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever.” I never make it through either dry-eyed!