time's anticipation {sixth giveaway}

{item no. 1}

time is a clever thing. 

as this Christmas season slowly begins to creep upon us, the ticking of the clock heralds the anticipation. we are children, you and i both, to feel the shiver of delight as we see the illuminated trees and delicately wrapped presents.

and we are seekers, you and i, as we step from shadow to the glow of stable's lantern light. we kneel there with virgin mother and tender protector, the caress of a Father's eye upon His son's infant form. this humbling of King of life to wailing new life in the arms of this chosen woman.

this month, i am honoured to lay two very special items before you, given from the hearts of willing friends and generous sponsors.

i cannot fully speak out my gratitude to Shabby Apple and vintagerelics {Jen} for their gracious gifts this Christmas season, both to me and to you.

item no. 1: The White Rabbit's Timekeeper pocket watch necklace from Shabby Apple

item no. 2: white pearl earrings in sterling silver from vintagerelics

{here is how to enter to win one of these beautiful items. please leave each entry as a SEPARATE comment, and please leave your blog address or email address in at least one of the comments.}

(IMPORTANT NOTE: while i dearly love each one of my international readers, this giveaway is only open to the United States at the shipper's request.)

Entry No. 1 (mandatory): what is your favourite aspect of this time of year and why?  (+1)

Entry No. 2 (mandatory): follow this blog and put the new and improved button on your sidebar. (+1)

{item no. 2}

Entry No. 3 (mandatory): become a fan of Shabby Apple on Facebook. if you do not have Facebook, you can follow their blog and/or twitter. {+3, one entry per and one comment per, please}

Entry No. 4: blog/tweet/Facebook about the giveaway, and leave a link to your post/tweet/blog post in the comment. (+3, one entry per and one comment per, please)

Entry No. 5: visit Jen and comment with your favourite item from the shop. (+1)

Entry No. 6: purchase an item from Shabby Apple {+10 entries per purchase, MUST be verified}

Entry No. 7: purchase an item from vintagerelics {+10 entries per purchase, MUST be verified}

this time of year is one of my favourites. a time for renewal and restoration, the preparation for the coming of this newborn Messiah, and the precious completion of prophecies long foretold.

oh, come

oh, come

Emmanuel. 

this giveaway ends on January 3rd, 2012 at midnight. 

winners will be chosen via random.org and announced within the next day or two. 

winners have 48 hours to claim their prizes or new winners will be chosen

the first

{via pinterest}

i can hardly believe that today is the first of December.

each time a new month comes around, i sit back and ponder where i've come from, and where i'm going. december is the month that draws the most contemplation, the deepest inhales, the quietest dwellings.

it's my favourite, if i'm being the most honest.

because it's the start of the end, after all.

there's a freshness in realizing that we're so close to crossing our toes from one full year to a brand-new empty canvas.

this artist embraces that, swims in the paint that could become 2012, if i let it free.

december holds much. we start the anticipation today. children tug sleeves with knitted mittens and squeal

Christmas is coming

there is an innocence with december, a newness even though the year is crammed to brimming behind our backs. it's like the closet door that slowly swings closed on the year, cluttered or organized, because the door must close eventually. there are new ones to open, after all.

{via pinterest}

that's what awakens my soul in this twelfth month. the countdown to Christ's coming is made so much more real as we hang small figures or read pages from special books, lighting the candles and murmuring

come quickly, Lord Jesus. 

:: Advent Sundays become Advent everydays :: 

so cue the instrumental music that leaves room for the soul to sing its own words at the close. because that's the best we can do, the greatest gift we can give Him, is to let our souls compose His song.

i'm tossed in Light now. in soul now. i'm sitting with my King, legs dangling over the edge as we speak together in the silence.

we're choosing words, my Jesus and i. we're making our preparations with joy, counting down the moments until the start.

and so with anticipation, we begin the final measures of this two-thousand-and-eleventh symphony. the ending is the prelude, the expectation building toward Glory.

i'm elated to discover now. and forever.