Thursday, December 3, 2009

Giveaway: A Treasured Gift from Me to You!

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving -- a time for loving and sharing. We can spend lots of money buying expensive jewelry or the latest technological gizmos. But Christmas is about so much more. It's about passing on the gift of God's love. God sent his only Son into the world, to save the world and not to condemn the world. That's what we're celebrating on Christmas.

I think the best presents are kind gestures, a warm smile from a passerby on the street, or a handmade gift from a loved one. God's love is shown in the smallest of packages. This holiday season I would like to share with you the message of God's love.

"Treasured," "God Gave Us Love" and "God Gave Us Christmas"

Treasured written by Leigh McLeroy.

From the back of the book: "Cigar boxes. Refrigerator doors. Scrapbooks and sock drawers and top shelves. These are the places we store our treasures–the keepsakes that tell the story of whom and what we’ve loved, how we’ve lived, and what matters most to us.

God is a collector, too, whose treasures are tucked securely into the pages of his book: a golden bell here, an olive leaf there, a scarlet thread, a blood-stained cloth, a few grains of barley. Each of these saved artifacts reveals a facet of his heart and tells the story of a Father whose most precious possession is…us.
In Treasured, Leigh McLeroy considers tangible reminders of God’s active presence and guides us in discovering evidence in our own lives of his attentive love."


I've really enjoyed reading through Treasured Each chapter is based off of a treasure in the Bible, such as a Fig Leaf or a Fresh Olive Sprig. The treasure, presented as a promise from God, is then examined through the story and the people surrounding it. Finally McLeroy provides a parallel and captivating anecdote from her personal life.

McLeroy is witty, likable and relatable. I could easily put myself in her shoes. This is the first devotional type book that I've enjoyed in a really long time. (And I am definitely not getting paid to say that!)

God Gave Us Love by Lisa Tawn Bergren and art by Laura J. Bryant

From the back:" As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable.

In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because…
“Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.”

This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.”"
"

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren and art by Laura J. Bryant

From the back: As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder… “Who invented Christmas?”

Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that… Jesus is the best present of all.

This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them."


Oh my goodness. Talk about the cutest books ever!

The special child in your life will love and cherish these books. Both books are beautifully illustrated and provide a wonderful glimpse of God that children can grasp.

God Gave Us Love is a beautiful story about God's love being shown in many different forms. Kids will be able to relate to this book as "Little Clubs" asks questions like why sometimes she loves her little brothers but other times she doesn't.

I have to admit though that God Gave Us Christmas was my favorite of the two. The story line of "Mama" taking a journey with "Little Club" to go find God is heart-warming. I especially enjoyed the drawing of the Northern Lights. What an amazing picture of God and His awesome power!

Both of these books will open up conversations with your little ones about God and Jesus this holiday season.

I want to give these three books to one of my readers!

So what do you have to do to get this books? Just simply reply to this post with your name and email address and tell me who you'd like to give these books to this holiday season or the best gift in a small package you've received.

I'll draw a winner out of a hat and post the results by Monday night! (Please note that I unfortunately can not ship outside of the US at this time)

P.S. This will be my last blog of the week as my husband and I are done with our house paperwork and will be signing either tomorrow or Monday! I have a lot of packing and cleaning to do. :) Many blessings all!

All three of these books were provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

7 comments:

  1. Amber Dibble Amberlyn805@aol.com
    I would give these books to my almost 3 year old son.

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  2. God Gave Us Christmas sounds like a perfect book for this time of the year. So many children get so focused on the jolly elf (understandably), but I love that this book opens up a conversation about Christmas, God, Jesus, Love and Santa. How as Christians we celebrate Christmas together with lots of Christian traditions and family traditions. We put up our Nativity scene last night. My 3 and 5 year olds are fascinated with it.
    Andrea (andee741@yahoo.com)
    I hadn't heard of these books before, but will definitely check them out more. Thank you for sharing them with us on SP.

    The best gift in a small package that I have received has been my boys. :) My first was my little angel as my father passed away during my pregnancy. The first year after my father passed away, it was comforting to hold him in my arms. I always called him my little angel. My second is my comic engineer. He keeps me laughing and loves to know how things work...at 3! :)

    Merry Christmas. :)

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  3. These look like wonderful books! I'd love to give one to my niece (who is also my Godchild).

    Thanks,
    G.D. in Central Illinois
    gdschaffer@hotmail.com

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  4. You inspire me, I wish I were better at living life and losing weight etc!!!
    jenemoon@gmail.com

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  5. This is very sweet of you!! What a great way to share the real spirit of the holidays!!
    wants2b1hotmama (sp)
    bhepp@comcast.net

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  6. Congrats on the house! So exciting! And good luck packing!

    These books sound wonderful! I would love to give one of them to the toddler (who is 2) and give the other two to my niece and nephew.

    Andrea
    andreaswellnessnotes@gmail.com

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  7. I'd love to give these books to my grandsons who have lots of Santa at their home and their other Grandma's houses but not really any references to Jesus and his sacrifice. Thanks for offering them.

    Kitty
    basyfeltn@verizon.net

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