Welcome to the Christmas at the Circus Celebration! For those of you who’ve discovered the new short story, I hope you’ve enjoyed a December 24th visit to the circus with Charlie and Ella! This time of year seemed like the perfect season to swing open the not-so-frosty window panes and enjoy the holiday festivities with the Lionheart family. If you’d like to grab your copy of the short story, you’ll find 3 handy download options.
To enter the Christmas at the Circus giveaway, the form is below! It’s easy to enter + there are bonus entries as well!
Sending you the warmest holiday wishes from this colorful cast and circus crew!
~ G I V E A W A Y P R I Z E ~
Up for grabs is a festive bundle inspired by the short story itself as well as a few treasures just right for the new year:
- Vanilla Sprinkle Meringue cookies
- A red & white country apron
- 3 Bake Shop cookie cutters
- 2020 monthly planner
- A “Virginia” Panettone cake with chocolate and amaretto
- And a signed copy of the original novel, The Lady and the Lionheart
Entry Guidelines: Due to shipping costs, winner must have a US mailing address to receive the prize. Entrants must be at least 18 years or older. One form submission (entry) per person. Winner will be drawn on December 23rd and contacted by email.
~ E N T E R H E R E ~
Christmas at the Circus is available on Kindle, Nook, and as a Thank you download. If you’d like to learn more about the story and others that Joanne recommends, pop in for the Christmas Facebook chat!
I do not have a nook or kindle…is the novella available in print? I can’t wait to read this story!!!
Great question, Janet. The book is also available as a PDF which is printable, or can be read on your computer if you sign up through my Newsletter. Here is the link! https://joannebischof.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=92b0eb7f643b291a3655856fe&id=fce68948fd
Baking and decorating my mom’s soft sugar cookie recipe. I started making them at my house when my oldest was 2 and a half. She is 24 and bakes them with her boys now.
So special, Sara 🙂
Enjoyed the first one. Looking forward to reading this one.
We love just putting up our tree together and reminiscing about all the older ornaments that my family have had
I love looking at lights with my family
Thank you for hosting this giveaway! One of my favorite traditions is sitting in our living room singing Christmas carols with my family as my mom plays the piano on Christmas Eve. Have a Merry Christmas!
We love going to SLC to see the lights.
This is so exciting! The Lady and the Lionheart was the first book by Joanne Bischof I ever read, and she became an instant favorite. Her delightful soul shines through Everything she writes!
And….I forgot to mention….that we like to drive around with hot cocoa and look at all the lights and Christmas decorations people spice up their yards and homes with. Some are just incredible.
Thank you so much, Sheila! And I agree – that is so fun!
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is singing Silent Night at the end of our Christmas Eve service with only candles for light.
That sounds so special, Emily.
One of my family’s Christmas traditions is the Christmas story from the bible and then listening to Christmas music while we pass out the presents then my sister’s and I will go into the kitchen to get the Christmas dinner done!
What a fun tradition, Sarah. 🙂
I loved revisiting the characters from Lady and the Lionheart. Charlie Lionheart will always be one of my favorite male protagonists. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is decorating the tree and taking out all my Hallmark Gone With the Wind ornaments. Twenty five years ago my mother started buying them for me for Christmas. The year she passed away, I bought my own. The next year I met my husband, and he has bought one for me every year since. Each one is special and has fond memories attached.
New Christmas books for my kids given on Christmas Eve.
Such a great idea, Susanne.
Attending Christmas Eve candle light service with family and playing games, eating homemade goodies, and singing carols afterwards.
One of my favorite traditions is the moment in which my family pauses to read the Christmas story from the book of Luke.
Dana — that is so special. I need to do this with my kids this year. Thanks for sharing.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making our holiday pretzels with my mom, sister, and sisters-in-law. We take pretzel rods, wrap them in caramel, and then dip them into melted chocolate. After letting them cool, we package them in fancy pretzel bags tied with bows. We usually give most of them away, but we do save some for our family Christmas celebrations! Those pretzels taste sooo delicious!!
Those sound AMAZING, Elizabeth.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is driving with the kids to look at Christmas lights! I love the cozy car and music and family time.
I love this too, Sarah 😀 So fun.
We keep Christmas very simple so I put out the Willow Tree Manger scene every year.
How beautiful, Perianne. I love this idea.
One of my favorite traditions is driving around, looking at Christmas lights. So many fond memories of doing that!
I love doing that, too, Danielle. And I agree – it really brings back fond memories 🙂
Jesus’ s birthday cake on Christmas Eve.
Gosh, I don’t know if I have a favorite! I love when we read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve right before going to bed, and when we take a day to make cookies and chex mix together with Christmas music playing in the background.
Such wonderful traditions, Kathryn. All those activities + chex mix = 😀
A special tradition that my family has is every year we go over to my elderly grandparents’ house and celebrate Christmas with them. We have a big dinner and exchange the gifts and watch something on TV. They are getting a lot older so it’s very special to still have these opportunity’s to spend these special times with them. We’ve been doing this since I was little, and I’m grateful that I still have them to spend Christmases with even now.
That sounds like a really special time spent with those you love, Marissa. Savoring the years we have together is so meaningful!
Wow! This is such a fun giveaway! Thank you so much for the chance, and Merry Christmas!
Also, one of my favorite Christmas traditions is decorating the house with my mom while listening to Christmas music. So much fun!
I’m so glad you stopped by, Priscila. Merry Christmas!
My tradition is getting a ornament.
I love our family’s tradition of always gathering at Christmas Eve. However, it’s getting harder and harder to do with so many of the ‘kids’ married and forming their own traditions.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas this year, Susan, with those you love.
Reading the biblical Christmas story on Christmas Eve
A beautiful tradition, Joan!
We always give ornaments to each other each Christmas….we need about 4 trees now! But can select which ornaments to display on our tree…
That sounds so fun, Connie. 😀
Making my Mother-in-laws secret chocolate pie recipe for friends & family
Yum! Chocolate pie is so good. We had some for Thanksgiving and now I know why your MIL’s recipe is a secret 😉
Not gonna lie, I love hot chocolate. I try to mainly drink water the rest of the year, but when December comes around, it’s like an every night kind of thing.
Also, I love decorating the Christmas tree and making Christmas cookies– I might have a slight sugar addiction…
Alisa, Christmas is the perfect time for splurging 😀 I feel that way about egg nog!
My mother used to make Swiss cookies at Christmas time. Her parents were from Switzerland and the recipes were handed down. They’ve all passed away, and now my sister makes the cookies and Swiss bread. Luckily, she lives close by and shares. 😀
Those sound so special (and yummy!) Winnie.
Caroling with family and friends is one of my favorite things!
I love that people still go caroling. It is such a wonderful way to brighten others’ day (and it’s fun, too!)
Every Christmas Eve, my family all gets together and does a dinner and then we listen to a dramatized version of the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I don’t know how it started but we still do it!
What a neat idea, Haley. We love audio books, so I might have to give this one a try. 😀
Thank you for the ch once ❤️
I love all the goodies we get to bake and just the spirit of togetherness! It’s truly a special time and no wonder as we are celebrate the birth of our Saviour
A wonderful holiday tradition, Mia!
I love decorating our Christmas tree with ornaments from my childhood!
Me too, Heidi!
A relatively new tradition for us is that our boys exchange their Christmas gifts for each other on Christmas Eve, by the tree that’s just for them. And then we give them each a new book to take to bed with with them, and they’re allowed to read as late as they want, but they have to stay in bed. 😊
What sweet traditions, Janelle.
Checking out the Christmas lights around the city.
SO much fun, Kim.
Going and looking at Christmas lights.
Yes! I still need to do that with my kids this year 🙂
I love driving around with my husband and kids and looking at Christmas decorations.
We also like baking cookies and watching Christmas movies. Our favorites are “The Santa Claus 1 and 2 (3 is okay but not a fav), Elf, and The Grinch.
Merry Christmas Joanne!
Great picks, Erica 😀
My favorite tradition began when I was younger. I would get up early with my mom and start making monkey bread. While the presents were being unwrapped, the bread cooked in the oven sending off a delicious aroma.
It is still a tradition my mom and I do together.
YUM! That sounds like a fantastic tradition.
My favorite tradition to this day is playing “I Spy” with all the Christmas decorations. I cannot wait to pass this tradition on to my kids some day!
What a fun idea, Sarah!
I love seeing all the lights!
Definitely! So much fun.
Purchasing a real tree every year is my favorite holiday tradition.
Marilyn
Real trees are so wonderful, Marilyn. We don’t have a real one this year but I used to work at a country store where the family sold Christmas trees and the smell was AMAZING.
My favorite tradition….so many! We love preparing with a Jesse Tree, caroling, and lots of cookies.
Neena, I really enjoyed seeing our pic of your St. Nicholas goodies. I don’t know if you saw my Facebook video last week, but we have done the same thing in our family!
My favorite Christmas tradition was my Dad always arriving very early so he could go down the hall saying “Hohoho Santa’s been here!” and waking up our daughter to go see what was under the tree. It was a tradition that we all loved – including his granddaughter. When she had just turned a teenager, she actually woke up very early to get dressed and fixed up (you know teenagers when it comes to having their photos taken) and then crawled back into bed just so Pappaw could “wake her up” Christmas morning like he always did. I cherish these memories since both Dad and our daughter are together now having Christmas in heaven. <3 Mom joined them a few years later.
Now my favorite tradition is to make up the recipes passed down from my Granny and Mom for their Christmas candy, cookies and desserts. Once they are all baked up, I fix up goody boxes just like my Mom did to be delivered to friends, family and for elderly and shut ins that we know. Nothing beats sharing the bounty of the kitchen. It's a tradition I shared with my Mom and now hubby and I carry on the tradition,
Such a special tradition. Fun how the teen got ready before getting woken up by papaw. So cute!
I love making cookie packages for family and friends!
Agreed, Deena!
Lovvvvvvv this author….
Thank you, Judy!
Our favorite Christmas tradition is the Christmas Eve candle light service. Coming together as the body of Christ celebrating HIM! Always beautiful!
Our Christmas Eve appetizer dinner is looked forward to all year!
That sounds delish, Hanna 😀
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is decorating the tree while watching Christmas movies such as A Muppet Christmas Carol!
Ooh, that sounds fun, Priscilla. It has been way too long since we’ve seen the Muppet Christmas Carol. I will have to get that one for the kids. 🙂
We don’t have a lot of traditions, but we always have a Christmas tree and Christmas village put up around the house.
Isn’t setting up the village so fun? I love having the lights on in those little houses. The kids always want to put some in their rooms too.
Going to Christmas Eve candlelight service at church.
That is a wonderful tradition, Erika. So very special.
Well sadly the giveaway doesn’t want to open for me. As I can see what I’ve read everyine is mentioning Christmas Family Traditions. Well, ours is being together on Christmas eve and reminiscing about past Christmas memories as we create more Christmas memories for the coming year to remember. Sipping hot chocolate and munching on cookies as we sing Christmas carols.
SO sorry about that, Keren! Did you try logging in with facebook or email address? If you want to email me, I can work on helping you get entered. And your Christmas Eve tradition sounds so special. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
Hi Joanna! Thanks for the chance! There’s a Christmas tradition I love. After dinner we all gather together (adults and children) and the smallest kid brings a basket of candy. On top of it lies a beautiful image of Baby Jesus. So the child takes the basket to each family member so they can kiss the Baby Jesus, take a candy, and thank him for something he or she feels grateful to Jesus (something that happened in the year, for family, health, whatever). After finishing with everyone, we all unwrap our candy, and in one of the candies there’s a small note that says: I’m staying with you! The person (adult or children) who gets that surprise note, gets to keep the Baby Jesus on the basket. It’s usually a sweet figurine, not real sized, but a bit smaller. It’s a sweet and joyful tradition I think.
Paty, that sounds like such a sweet tradition. How wonderful it must be to hear what everyone is thankful for in that year.
Thank you so much for doing this giveaway.
Thanks for stopping by, Alicia!
I enjoy lighting the Menorah and reflecting on the Light from Heaven coming to Earth.
It must be so beautiful all lit up, Caryl.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is reading Luke 2 on Christmas Eve as the family sits around the tree while a fire in the fireplace provides light and warmth. This is all preceded by a small feast of Christmas finger foods. Sometimes we sing Christmas carols.
Such a wonderful way to focus in on the meaning of Christmas, Tammi.
I have several faves. Putting out a nativity, decorating the tree, sending cards, giving gifts 🙂
Such sweet traditions, Sabrina 🙂
One of my favorite traditions was making peppernut cookies with my daughter. She’s married now and we don’t have the time together to make them like we used to, which makes me a little sad. It was a nice tradition while it lasted.
Those sound so yummy, Pam, and what a sweet time spent together.
My favorite Christmas tradition is going on a baking spree with my family.
I bet your family LOVES it. Nothing like a houseful of goodies 😀
My favorite Christmas tradition is sitting together, reading the Christmas story from Luke 2.
A special way to spend the evening!
I remember decorating our tree with my mom. I loved putting the icicles on the tree!
Those memories are so precious.
My favorite Christmas traditions is looking at the Christmas Lights with my family.
Holly – me too!
We love getting together with the extended family, eating yummy foods, playing table games and telling stories about happy memories! Merry Christmas!!
Such a fun way to spend time together, Trisha.
I love the candlelight Christmas Eve service.
Always a beautiful time, Paula.
I adore buying the Christmas tree and decorating it with my family!
Love that, too!
Going to the Christmas Eve service at our church with the family.
Agreed. Christmas Eve services are one of my favorite events this time of year.
A favorite Christmas tradition of mine is taking our boys to a nearby town to walk through their park filled with Christmas lights. Afterward we always go to the local “mom and pop” pizza place for dinner. Simple, but we look forward to it every year. Merry Christmas!
That sounds magical, Ashley 🙂
When I saw that you were publishing this book I pretty much squealed in excitement! Can’t wait to see what Charlie and Ella re up to. My favorite Christmas tradition is waking up Christmas morning and piling on my mom and dads bed to open our stockings!
Yay! I am so thrilled that you’re excited to read this one. Thank you, Leah!
I love this give-a-way!!! I love gathering on Christmas Eve every year with my children and grandchildren for Christmas dinner and opening presents.
I am unable to download the free Christmas at the Circus story. I am subscribed to your email updates but when I click on story it only takes me back to the giveaway.
Thanks for sharing, Doris. And I will email you to make sure we get you the story 🙂
The Lady and the Lionheart was the first book I read of yours and I loved it! I can’t wait to read their Christmas story.
Rosalyn, I am so thankful that you enjoyed L&L. Thank you for reading it!
I loved visiting Charlie, Ella, and Holland!!! Our extended family gets together on Christmas Adam (the day before Christmas Eve). It’s loud, crazy, and memories all wrapped up together. 🙂
Thank you for reading it, Jackie. It means so much!
My favorite Christmas tradition opening our stockings while eating cinnamon rolls. Sometimes it’s the small gifts that mean the most.
Those both sound wonderful, Hannah. We are making homemade cinnamon rolls too 😀
Of course I entered! Merry Christmas to you, Joanne.
Love seeing you! Hoping we can catch up at Mt Hermon one year soon <3
Family! Hot chocolate and the Christmas Eve one gift opened at bedtime together. Sweet dreams and a movie or two. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
That sounds magical, Kathleen!
What an awesome giveaway! Thanks for being so generous.
Thanks for stopping by, Vivian 😀
We have so many favorite traditions! One we started when our kids were toddlers is a Christmas Eve treasure hunt for an early gift. We hide clues leading to the gift. Some years they each get a separate set of clues leading to separate gifts. Other years they’ve had to work together on one set of clues leading to one joint gift like a movie or game. When they were too little to read, I took photo clues and printed them out. My kids are now 12, 15, and 18. They still love this tradition.
Such special traditions, Debbie, and very fun! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is watching Holiday movies and baking cookies with the family!
Holiday movies are the BEST.
Thank you for the chance to win!
Diane
My pleasure, Diane!
Ours is a tradition started in my family when I was little. We have a little red stocking called “the Jesus stocking.” We put paper and pens near it and when you see someone in the family doing a kind deed for someone else, or if someone does something kind for you, you write it down and put it in the stocking. Christmas Eve we read them!
That is so sweet, Laura. What a wonderful way to keep the focus on loving others.
I love Christmas parties and events. This seems like the time of year when most people are happy and everyone gets along well.
The events really are fun, aren’t they!? We just had our Christmas party at my work and it was a blast. It’s a fun time of year to gather together.
Oh this is so excited!!
Hi Michaela! So glad you found the giveaway. 🙂
When I was little, we used to go to church on Christmas Eve and then drive around and look at all the Christmas lights! It was my favorite time of the year!
There’s just something about a Christmas Eve service that makes Christmas feel complete, isn’t there?
Christmas Eve service at church. Such a special time.
One of my favourite traditions is buying an ornament for each of our kids every year. We try to buy something that in some way symbolizes their past year.
Decorating the tree to music.