Little Lamb Books Spotlight on Cairo’s Christmas Journey

Interview with Janet L. Christensen about her book, 

Cairo’s Christmas Journey:

Congratulations on writing and publishing this Christmas story! Let’s talk about it …

Alexis: Why did you write this book?

Janet: I have always loved the Christmas story…the bright star beaming, hosts of angels singing, and a tiny baby resting in a lowly stable. But I wanted to retell it in a new way, with a slightly different message…and a super fun main character, of course!

Alexis: In what ways do you hope that this holiday story will bring parents and children together as they read it?

Janet: This story is fun and engaging to read. There is a lot of action along the way. I know that I enjoy reading it to little ones as much as they enjoy hearing it. It is just one of those stories that begs for fun voices and dramatic reading. It is a great experience for everyone, and I hope it proves to be a story that gets read over and over as we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior.

Alexis: Tell us about Cairo. How did you come up with this character’s name? What is Cairo’s mission? How far will this character have to travel until he reaches his destination?

Janet: Cairo is a tiny cricket that has used his gift of music to help others find rest. He has traveled far and wide and is currently working with a bunch of shepherds outside of Bethlehem. These poor shepherds have some sheep that don’t like to go to sleep at night. Cairo uses his gifts to help them fall asleep. On the night Jesus is born, an angel comes to Cairo to ask him to play his music for the restless newborn Messiah. While the shepherds are just a few miles outside of Bethlehem, when you are only an inch tall, that is nearly an impossible journey. But nothing is impossible with God.

Alexis: What are the hardest and easiest parts of Cairo’s journey to Bethlehem?

Janet: Cairo runs into all sorts of challenges on his trip. From a cluster of grumpy blackbirds, to a sticky situation with an anthill, there is not much about Cairo’s journey that isn’t hard. But along the way he meets some new friends…friends that are just as willing to share their gifts with Cairo as Cairo is to share his gifts with the Messiah. Cairo soon learns that these helpers that God sent him along the way can help smooth out even the bumpiest of journeys.

Alexis: Why does Cairo want to play a song for the newborn Messiah? Will this be an original song that he composed? Or a tune that’s already known?

Janet: Cairo loves to play his music, and when the angel asks Cairo to play for the new baby, he is honored, even though the journey is daunting. Cairo’s music is something unique and special to him. It is a brand-new tune…a soothing tune…one that only Cairo can play. Cairo’s music has been bringing rest to the rowdy sheep night after night. He is happy to share that gift with the new family in Bethlehem.

Alexis: What role does faith in God play in this story?

Janet: The angel has asked Cairo to do a big job. Being just a tiny cricket, the journey into Bethlehem could take days. But Cairo needs to get there that night. The angel tells Cairo that God will send him all the help he needs to get there. Cairo has to believe that God will help him on his journey. Cairo’s big faith and his new friends get him to his destination.

Alexis: What lesson are you hoping to teach young children through this story?

Janet: I want kids to know that even though they are small, they have so much to offer to God and others. Maybe, like Cairo, their gift is music...maybe they like to help their grandma make cookies…maybe they are a fast runner. Whatever talents they have, those talents make them special and God wants them to share those talents with His world, to help make it a better place.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Janet! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Janet: Thank you so much for having me! It was my pleasure. Cairo’s Christmas Journey is available for purchase at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and many other booksellers. Blessings for a joy-filled Christmas season to you and all of your readers!

~*~
Author Bio:

Janet L Christensen is an award-winning writer, speaker and encourager that loves to captivate audiences with inspiring stories.

Whether it is with the stories she writes or with the stories she tells with the help of one of her puppet friends, Janet is sure to deliver an entertaining message of hope and love.

When she is not writing, Janet enjoys living the life of a pastor’s wife and leading children’s or women’s ministry projects.

She is the proud mother of two teenage sons and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Sully.

~*~
Blurb for Janet's book Cairo’s Christmas Journey:

Cairo, I have a job for you. 

It's a special night and Cairo is a cricket on a mission: he's on his way to Bethlehem to play a lullaby for the newborn Messiah. 

If only Bethlehem weren't so far away!

Our miniature hero isn't sure he has what it takes to make the journey. But with the help of a new crew of friends, Cairo sees God always finds a way.

On this holy night, Cairo's adventure shows us that it's in sharing our gifts that we truly glorify the newborn King.

~*~
Connect with Janet:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetlchristensen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janet_l_christensen_author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/j_l_christensen

Devotionals for the Heart: A Savior

A Savior is Born
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” –Luke 2:11-12 (KJV)

Christmas is such a wonderful and magical season.

It’s the time of year when people tend to be generous and kind toward each other, even if in the other eleven months of the year they are not. Children are in awe anticipating Santa’s arrival, decorations are going up, trees are lit, and the air is filled with Christmas music. Retail merchants are vying for the Christmas club dollars and there is a mad dash to accomplish what one deems important for their family’s Christmas. Everything is bright and glittery. This is what Christmas has become in the 21st century. But two thousand years ago, the first Christmas was quite different.

I always think of Mary (the mother of Jesus) and I can’t imagine being nine months pregnant, riding a donkey ninety miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. That trip would have taken four to seven days over some rough terrain. We know Mary’s origin was Nazareth and Joseph was from Bethlehem. They both were in Nazareth when Caesar Augustus degreed that the whole world should be taxed and Joseph needed to return to his city of origin.

Think how Mary must have felt, tired, uncomfortable in early labor and needing a place to bring her child into the world. One could assume Joseph was poor and they did not have the money to procure a room in a private home, which was made available for the well-to-do. Mary and Joseph might have been turned away from several places before they came to the inn.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
– Luke 2:7 (KJV)

They were offered a stable, an out building similar to a barn and many commentaries dispute whether it was a stable or in a house. Some believe they stated in a family members home. This is not a doctrinal point as to whether he was born in a stable or in a house. What does matter is that He was born.

Why the chosen date of December 25 as the birthdate of Jesus Christ? That is another debate among scholars. Many say it couldn’t have been in winter because the shepherds were outside with their flocks, so some have assumed Jesus was born in the spring. Others say winter because there is a special breed of sheep that can tolerate the colder weather. Winter or spring, He came. God sent His only begotten son as the greatest gift of all (John 3:16)! Jesus came to redeem sinful mankind. The blood of cattle and goats could no longer be atonement for sin (Hebrews 9:12).

So, when we gather on Christmas Day with our families, break bread together and enjoy the fellowship of the season, let us reflect upon Jesus, our Savior, who left the splendor of a Heavenly Kingdom to come down to our level and sacrifice Himself for sinful mankind.

There was a song many years ago that had a line that said, “He would have come, even if you’d been the only one.” That is a humbling thought, Jesus would have come just for YOU. He loves you that much.

Let us thank our Heavenly Father for the wonderful gift of Jesus, and share with those around you the love of God. Let’s not be too busy to be kind to one another and say, “Merry Christmas.”

~*~
Author Bio:

Nanci is a poet and short story writer published in Cypress News, Family Times E-Zine, Free Verse and the Commonwealth of Poetry. 

She belongs to RWA, ACFW, and Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild where she’s enrolled in his novel writing program.

Nanci lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and cats, Romeo and Juliette, along with their newest member of the family, Roni who is a seven-month-old Goldendoodle.

Recently, Nanci completed her debut novel, A Betrayal in Cross Keys. It is an Amish romance that she has placed in her agent's capable hands. The rest is up to God.

Words of Faith: Gail Kittleson's story

Second Chances—from Bethlehem to 2016

A Words of Faith story written by Gail Kittleson

 

New Year’s Day is all about starting over—second chances, and that’s what our God emphasizes, too. 

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."~Romans 5:3-5 NASB

Jesus’ birth story revolves around second chances, too. Once again, we’ve contemplated the little Jewish family’s trek to Bethlehem, their firstborn’s birth, the Wise Men’s visit, and the angel’s call to Egypt.

The angels were awfully busy—and in Jesus’ parents, they found reliable receptors for their messages.

Take Joseph, who sought to get out of his commitment to Mary without disgracing her when he realized her pregnancy. An angel intervened, and Joseph listened. Then he obeyed, completely disregarding his own conclusions about the honorable thing to do in this situation.

And then he undertook an arduous journey to Bethlehem to pay his taxes—never a joyful jaunt, but he obeyed. The birth completed, he welcomed strange worshippers—stinky nearby shepherds and stargazers from afar. The gifts they brought may well have financed the little family’s journey to Egypt, again at the behest of an angel in a dream.

What would his parents have said? What did they think, or did they even realize what was going on? So many questions, but Joseph obviously relied on the firm faith foundations of his youth to find his way through this complicated time.

Aware of the danger and committed to keep Mary and the baby safe, Joseph sojourned in Egypt for some time. When a dream confirmed it was time to return home, he acted cautiously, watching and listening for guidance.

Does Joseph remind you of anyone? If so, you’re fortunate to know a humble, courageous man of God who puts his own agenda second to that of his family. He waits to hear a word from God, and when he does, he acts.

Can’t help wondering how Joseph would fit in a society that lauds self-made men, independent souls who found businesses, make fortunes, often at great cost to their families and others who might be “in the way.” The other day, I heard a story about a generous, kind, humble CEO of a very successful company. This man determined to make our country a better place by helping individuals through college and afterward into their careers. He does this financially, of course, but also by providing a network of mentors and opportunities that change these individuals’ prospects. 

In other words, he gives them second chances, gives them hope.

“Wow,” I thought. “What great vision.” His story shows he puts his money where his mouth is. Or maybe we could change that to where his heart is.

History records Joseph’s heart was right where the Almighty desired it to be. “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Joseph’s attitude teaches the value of listening and obeying, even when our instructions might seem pretty weird to others. Humility requires putting aside our desire to please people, to keep everyone happy. We’re not the center of the world anymore. Joseph didn’t seek public acclaim.

Adopting this viewpoint, we can listen and obey. Joseph traveled a difficult road, but to be trusted with the Son God sent to earth—what an honor. But Joseph didn’t seek public acclaim. Pleasing God was enough for him, and God’s pleasure led to second chances.

We assume Joseph and Mary reared a healthy family, and day-by-day, Joseph worked to provide for them. Mary becomes a focal point at several points in the Gospels, but Scripture never mentions Joseph again after the nativity. He passed from the scene unobtrusively, his task on earth complete.

Joseph—a quiet, unassuming man, but faithful and focused on finding God’s way when circumstances obscured it. He’s a great example as we learn to humble ourselves, listen, and obey. Second chances, straight ahead!

How have listening and obeying made a difference for you, and what second chance do you desire in 2016?

~*~
Author Bio: 

Gail believes our stories are our best gifts, and blooming late has its advantages. The pent-up novel fodder never ends. WhiteFire Publishing released Gail’s memoir, Catching Up With Daylight in 2013, and her debut women’s historical fiction, In This Together (Wild Rose Press/Vintage Line) greets the world on November 18, 2015. Another women's Christian historical fiction (World War II) has been contracted for February 2017 release, with two more in that series. Gail has also written two pioneer stories, as yet unpublished. 

Please feel free to contact Gail—meeting new writing and reading friends is the frosting on her cake!