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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Christmas Spotlight Saturday: Guest Post and Giveaway with Cheryl C. Malandrinos, author of Little Shepherd

Hi, everyone!


Welcome to another edition of Spotlight Saturday at Darlene's Book Nook, where we feature authors and their books!

To celebrate the holiday season , we will be featuring Christmas books for the entire month of December Spotlights!

We will be joined today by Cheryl C. Malandrinos.



About Cheryl:



Cheryl C. Malandrinos is the author of Little Shepherd. She is a member of SCBWI, a book reviewer, and blogger. She has also written the upcoming children’s book, A Christmas Kindness, under the name C.C. Gevry. Ms. Malandrinos lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She also has a son who is married.


CONNECT ONLINE WITH CHERYL:

Welcome to Darlene's Book Nook, Cheryl!

Cheryl has written a guest post, so I will now turn the floor over to her!


The Magic and Hope of Christmas
By Cheryl C. Malandrinos


While searching for inspiration on what to write for this blog, I reread an article I wrote last year on the spirit of Christmas portrayed in literary works. I had only just finished when the alarm on the clothes dryer buzzed. Grumbling at the interruption, I stomped out of my office.

I barely landed on the third stair when a song I hadn’t heard in many years floated from my brain to my lips.

Haul out the holly
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now

For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet

Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
It hasn't snowed a single flurry
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry

So climb down the chimney
Turn on the brightest string of lights I've ever seen
Slice up the fruitcake
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough

For I've grown a little leaner
Grown a little colder
Grown a little sadder
Grown a little older

And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder
Need a little Christmas now

For we need a little music
Need a little laughter
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter

And we need a little snappy
"Happy ever after"
Need a little Christmas now

And for the first time ever, I thought about what these lyrics said. This song is filled with many symbols of Christmas. It could be mistaken for any happy holiday jingle that makes you tap your feet. But why is this person saying, “Need a little Christmas now?” He isn’t saying he wants Christmas to come. He says he needs it. Sounds like that leaner, colder, sadder, and older self is seeking the kind of magic and hope only Christmas can bring.

For me, there is magic in the first snow of the season. Ours arrived yesterday, and you better believe my girls and their friends were out playing in it. The sound of a child’s laughter is almost as magical as his saucer-like eyes and wide-opened mouth on Christmas morning. Magic can be credited for how everything gets done between November and December.

Christmas is also the season of hope. And that’s what I truly believe this person who “Needs a little Christmas now” is looking for. Hope that despite the trials and tribulations splattered among the victories and triumphs of the past twelve months, next year will be better. Hope that comes from the gathering of family and friends. Hope whispered by an angel on your shoulder. And the hope brought to a weary world by the birth of a Savior.

May you be blessed with Christmas magic and hope this year!
Thanks so much for joining us today, Cheryl, and sharing such a beautiful and inspirational Christmas message! May your family, too, be blessed this Christmas!


One lucky winner will win a paperback copy of Cheryl's Christmas picture book, Little Shepherd.












In the hills outside Bethlehem, Obed guards his first flock of sheep. When the angels appear to tell of the Savior's birth, he is hesitant to follow the others to see the new King. When Obed returns to his sheep, he realizes it is a night of miracles. Suggested age for readers: 4 - 8

 Buy Link: 

To enter the giveaway, you must complete the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway is open to Canada/US mailing addresses and will close at 12:00 AM CST on December 8, 2012.

12 comments:

  1. Thanks for featuring my work today. Good luck to all who enter the giveaway.

    Many blessings,

    Cheryl

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  2. Love Chery's book! Thanks for the great post!

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    Replies
    1. You're so sweet, Melanie. Glad you and the kids enjoyed it.

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  3. Thank you Cheryl for such a lovely post. I think we all need a little Christmas all year long.

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  4. Wonderful post. Enjoyed it very much!

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  5. Yes, I'm starting to get into the Christmas mood, now that it's December! But, I'm not wishing for snow too soon. It has a habit of getting in the way when I want to walk, and I do need my exercise!

    I did put up some Christmas decorations yesterday and will gradually add to their number.

    And, today, it's predicted to be at least 60 here in Illinois! That's the kind of December weather I like!

    I don't need to be entered in the contest, since I already have Cheryl's heartwarming Christmas book!

    Morgan Mandel
    http://www.morganmandel.com

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  6. Thanks for the post, Cheryl. Christmas is magical for so many reasons. I love the lights, decorations, smiles, and smells of special meals prepared and served with love. So many people open their hearts and homes to others at this time of year. I love giving and delight in gifts from others. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas.
    Penelope Anne Cole, author of Magical Matthew, http://penelopeannecole.blogspot.com

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  7. Thanks everyone. I am so glad you stopped by. It's been mild here too, Morgan. I don't mind it. All I ask is for a bit of snow on Christmas Eve. After that, the snow can stay away.

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  8. Gorgeous post, as always, Cheryl. Loved reading it!

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  9. Thanks Nancy. Hope all is well.

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