Sunday Salon - Donna VanLiere, Guest Blogger

It's the perfect day, week, and season to welcome guest blogger Donna VanLiere.  What better time to welcome the author of The Christmas Journey than the week I'm running a contest to give away a copy of the book?  After you read Donna's post, I'll remind you how you can enter to win a copy of the book.  Welcome, Donna!

The Journey of The Christmas Journey

Donna VanLiere

http://www.donnavanliere.com/

Nearly twenty years ago I was asked to write something for a church Christmas banquet. I had never done anything like that before and really had no idea what to do. As the time grew closer and closer I began to get more than just a little anxious because it looked as if there was going to be a big hole in the programming! One afternoon, I set the mail on the kitchen counter and began to prepare dinner. Once it was underway I opened the mail and we had received the first Christmas card of the season. There was Mary and Joseph lounging in their Calvin Klein robes looking warm and happy in that brightly lit, cozy stable surrounded by Lamb Chop and other well groomed animals. I thought, “Who wouldn’t want to give birth there? That place looks great!”

It struck me then, as it continues to do today, that we somehow romanticize the journey that Mary and Joseph took and the subsequent birth of Christ. We’ve sanitized the cave and stripped the people involved of all fear, emotion and pain. At that point, I wanted to bring the story to life and give it texture, mood, emotion and smell. I read it as a narrative at that Christmas banquet and continue to do so for any group, organization or church that invites me. My editor asked to see The Christmas Journey narrative and felt she could make a beautiful gift book out of it. It is my hope that this short read will become part of the reader’s annual Christmas Eve tradition or a small part of their day on Christmas.

I hope you and your readers have a bright Christmas and amazing New Year!

Donna

Thank you, Donna.  Your story truly does remind us what that journey was probably like, without the glitz and glamour.

If you'd like to win a copy of The Christmas Journey, email me at lholstine@yahoo.com.   Your subject line shoud read, "Win The Christmas Journey."  Your message should include your mailing address. Entrants only in the U.S., please.


This contest ends Tuesday night, Dec. 14 at 6 PM MT. The winner will be selected by random number generator. I'll notify the winner, and Donna's publicist will mail out the book. Good luck!

Donna VanLiere's website is http://www.donnavanliere.com/


The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere. St. Martin's Press, ©2010. ISBN 9780312613 (hardcover), 96p.