Dana Mentink | Spread The Christmas Joy

There are so many sweet Christmas memories that come to mind for me. My husband proposed to me in front of his artificial Christmas tree way back in the year...well...let's not do the math on that, shall we? That tree followed us through more than two decades of marriage, including two children, various dogs, apartments, house remodeling and even a power outage that occurred the year I plugged in the tree top angel and blew the fuse. The tree is somewhat battered now, missing branches and there is a bit of tape holding together a few of the boughs, but for some reason, I cannot seem to discard the thing. Oh I tried one year, bravely tossing it into the trash, all set to get one of those nifty pre lit models that sets up in a jiffy. It was my daughter who said, "Mommy, you can't get rid of that tree!" and helped me rescue it from the trash.

I guess there is just too much love wrapped up in those tattered branches, and maybe some heartache, too, as I look at the ornaments from people who have drifted away, the dog collar of our beloved Nala, the tiny handprints of children who are grown now. The tree is a tangible reminder of the blessings God has given, and sometimes taken away. I am reminded each year that all that joy caught up in the branches, is just a taste of what God has in store for us in the next life if we receive the most precious gift of his son.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas, friends. I hope your tree is overflowing with joyful memories.

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Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner. She is the author of over thirty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and she has also been honored with a Holt Medallion Award. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, Yogi, Boo Boo, a nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. You can find her at www.danamentink.com.

*Giveaway* 

Dana is offering up a copy of Abducted! Enter below.

All giveaways run until January 2nd and winners will be announced shortly after. Use the image to the left to share on social media and don't forget the hashtag: #SpreadTheChristmasJoy16

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