This is the painting that my friend Jana Winters Parkin created for my Great Aunt and Uncle after they lost their daughter Susan. Jana doesn’t know my Aunt Elsie and Uncle Keith, but she felt moved to do something for them because that’s just the kind of person that she is. Her talent is enormous, no?
And this Christmas, Jana’s illustrations are being shared in a beautiful book called What Think Ye of Christmas by Ester Rasband. 
This book is an inspiring (achieved) effort to bring to life the spirituality of Christmas. The pages detail the meaning behind so much of what has become frivolous to us, almost unseen…the lights, a song, the trees…What Think Ye of Christmas rejoices in the small things of the advent season and then celebrates the fact that these small things are true symbols of the Christmas story coming to life–a star and a stable and redemption found.
Jana’s illustrations throughout this book are nothing short of magical. Her water color paintings are a symbol of joy in themselves.
Would you like to see them? You can browse through Jana’s website to do just that, or you can get your own copy for your family or for the perfect gift here. There is also a discount on Jana’s website if you purchase more than 5 copies (they’re only $9.95 each anyway, for this hardcover book!) (you can also get an extra 5% discount if you type CHARRETTE in the discount box at checkout.)
OR, maybe you’d like to win a free copy? I have an extra here for one of you, of course, and all you have to do is leave a comment to enter to win it.
Tell me, what is one of your favorite things about this season? Wrapping? Trimming? Baking? Carols?
This giveaway will remain open until 9pm (CST) on Tuesday December 14th and the winner will be announced the following day.
(Disclaimer: I did receive a free copy of What Think Ye of Christmas for myself as well as a free copy for one of you.)
P.S. Here are some things I love about Christmas:
our living room (I love to stare at this)
My Grandma gave me this in 1987 (it plays O Holy Night and makes me cry a good cry)
{ 23 comments }
Jana is one of the most heart beautiful women I've ever met, I absolutely adore her and love that you're sharing some of her with your world today. =)
My favorite part of Christmas? This crazy family. :)
spending time with my family celebrating. growing up being with family that we only saw a couple of times a year was the most exciting part of the holiday. I hope my kids will feel the same.
I love watching my boys decorate the Christmas tree. They get so excited about doing this.
This book looks so fantastic — I've seen the images on so many blogs.
I love Christmas… especially now that we have kids! More than doubles the fun.
love singing in choir festivals
She obviously has incredible talent–thank you for sharing her with us. You're amazing, you know that?
I love how pretty the house looks. All the bling makes me happy..the sparkles..
I love the carols, the music and the smell of a fresh cut tree.
Gorgeous! I love the family time and the giving. I love to see someones face when they receive a thoughtful gift.
Wow, so cool! I love her art! Hmmmm. One of my favorite things… the music… the christmas part of handel's Messiah.
Oh yes, I do LOVE the baking. How did you know? ;)
And I adore those trees on your mantel!!
I also just love watching the kids at Christmas. It's all so magical and fun for them.
My favorite thing about Christmas? Old ornaments on a new tree. Hubs and I both have ornaments from our childhood. I just know those ornaments are happy to be dangling there beside my daughter's homemade ornament.
Also, it's my daughter's b-day on Dec. 14 and I know she'd love it! She's quite the bookworm.
I have loved every post I've read about Jana's book. Her work is amazing. She is amazing.
My favorite part of Christmas is the magic for the kids. Just how excited they get about the simplest of things, and it brings me back to my own childhood when I felt it, too. It's awesome.
Also, I am in love with teh trees on your mantel there.
My favorite thing? There's this Light in the midst of all the dark days. It's palpable.
It's sounds corny when I write it like that. I don't know how else to say it.
I love baking things, and then giving them away. That's the best.
I've been enjoying Christmas carols that tug at my heart as well as enjoying the quiet in the midst of the activity of the season.
Favorite thing of the season…gosh that's hard. Probably the music. Or the delicious anticipation!
What I love most about Christmas (besides the memory of my grandma, who was a living, breathing, Mrs. Santa Claus!) is the carols. There is something about pouring your heart out in songs about Baby Jesus that makes the whole season alive for me.
We love Christmas books. We have a whole basket we choose from nightly. We especially love ones that are beautiful.
Love reading your life! Love your photography, too! My fave thing about Christmas is remembering why we celebrate!!! And, I love to bake, too!! :-)
I love the pictures of your house. Also, that painting of the flowers is just beautiful.
This book sounds wonderful.
One of my favorite things about Christmas is watching people open gifts that I carefully picked out for them.
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