Monday, November 25, 2013

How Veggie Tales Inspired a Biblica Novella--Amber Schamel #Christmas guest post with #bookgiveaway


It was a summer evening, I was in the kitchen making dinner while my little siblings (for some odd reason) were watching The Toy That Saved Christmas, a Veggie-Tales movie. My publisher had asked me to write a Christmas story and I was deep in thought wondering what I should write when I suddenly tuned in to what was playing on the screen.

Grandpa George was reading a scripture to Bob, Larry and Buzz-saw Louie. "And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in baby clothes and laid him in a manger."

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute, the passage didn't say baby clothes. In the King James it says swaddling clothes. That got me to thinking, what exactly are swaddling clothes? Are they just baby clothes? Or is there another meaning to them?

I looked up the passage in Luke chapter two and noted that it was mentioned not only once, but twice that Mary wrapped her first-born son in swaddling clothes. So I began my research.

I found out that swaddling clothes did not necessarily mean that Mary and Joseph were poor or destitute. Swaddling clothes were used by people of all classes to wrap a newborn in hopes that it would help their limbs grow straight, as well as calm the babe. But if swaddling clothes were so common during that era, why was it specifically mentioned as a sign to the shepherds of who the Messiah would be? So I searched some more.

Another source said that in the eastern countries they would use a cloth to put between the yoke of an ox, and the ox's shoulders. When Mary and Joseph were in the barn, they had nothing else to use, so they used this ox's cloth that was translated as swaddling cloth to wrap the Messiah that would carry the yoke of our sin and bondage.

Many hours and websites later, I emerged armed with a ton of information, four different theories, and a story forming inside my head. So, I guess you could say that my new book The Swaddling Clothes was inspired by a Veggie Tales movie.

The things that inspire people, or give them an idea is very interesting to me.
What are some odd things that have given you an idea or inspiration?
Answer Amber's question and be entered to win a copy of her Christmas novella! Be sure to leave your email addy and tell us if you follow her blog, this blog, or shared this post to get extra entries. Winner will be chosen via random.org on Friday, Nov 29 8 EST

Amber Schamel is a multi-published author of Christian Historical Fiction. Her passion for history and culture has led her to travel extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and the Holy Land. Amber is actively involved in her church and enjoys volunteer work and music ministry. Raised in a family of twelve children and homeschooled throughout her education, she currently resides in the beautiful state of Colorado where she also serves as bookkeeper and marketing director for their family businesses. Find Amber on her blog, or on all the main social media sites.
http://amberschamel.com/
Blog: http://www.stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel
Twitter: @AmberSchamel
Pintrest - http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/

The Swaddling Clothes
Synopsis:
Through the ages, many stories have been told about Mary, Joseph and the birth of the Messiah. Stories of shepherds and sheep, kings, angels, and stables. But there is one story that has never been told. One story that has remained hidden in the fabric of time. The story of The Swaddling Clothes.
Mentioned not once, but several times in the Scriptural text, what is the significance of these special cloths? And how did they make their way into a stable in Bethlehem? From the author that brought you the Days of Messiah series comes a whole new adventure critics are calling "intriguing...thought provoking... a fresh twist on an age old story."
"I get tired of Bible stories sometimes, but The Swaddling Clothes brings the story to life."
"Heartwarming...truly inspired. A story you will want to read again and again. Rich details and a suspenseful plot will keep you reading while giving you a glimpse of God's wonderful power and His amazing love."



22 comments:

  1. Thank you for your charming post, Amber. Your new Christmas story sounds wonderful!

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  2. Thanks so much for having me on your blog today Kathy! :) I can't wait to see who wins the free copy of my book!

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  3. How do you enter the give-away ?

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    1. You can enter the giveaway by commenting with your name and email address in the secure dotcom format. For example: johnsomebodyatgmaildotcom

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  4. Hi, there!

    Since I write historical fiction in the 19th century U.S., I love to look through images in the Library of Congress site for inspiration. Particularly if I can find an odd one, something that looks out of place, then I'll start asking "why" and "what if," and usually an interesting story idea pops up. =)

    I'm following this blog and Stitches Thru Time.
    simmadar (at) yahoo (dot) com

    I'd love to know a little about the cover for Swaddling Clothes. Is that a weaving loom? And which character's hand is in the photo? Or would that give away a secret? =)

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    1. Hi Natalie! Thanks for stopping by. :D
      Pictures are great for sparking imagination! I once walked past a building and the building sparked an entire story plot in my mind. I haven't written that one yet, but maybe someday. :)

      There is a royal weaver in the Swaddling Clothes by the name of Nun of Hebron. It's a he, and the picture looks like a she, but it gets the weaving part of the story across. :)

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  5. Oh! I shared this post on Facebook, but just now saw it would get an extra entry. haha. :)

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  6. Love to win. Love to read this Amber.
    Blessings
    joeym11@frontier.com

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  7. Love your posting. I've never had any odd things happen for inspiration besides my Mom. My Mom and I live together and she's started reading the book of Daniel. She noticed for the first time that when they threw the three into the fiery furnace, they still had on their hats. Some months ago, my Pastor preached from the book of Isaiah (I believe) that God sits on the center of the universe. Now, the swaddling clothes. Amazing!! I learn something new from the Bible all the time. Would love to win your book. Thank you for the chance to win this giveaway and please enter my name.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. That's very interesting! I'll have to go back and read Daniel again. Haha.

      Thanks for stopping by, Barbara! Best wishes in the drawing.

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  9. I'm a follower of this blog and I shared this on Twitter!!

    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  10. Oh wow, that is so neat to know now! I always wondered what exactly were swaddling clothes - and pictured rags or "poor" blankets. Thanks for sharing!
    lattebooks at hotmail dot com
    follower of this blog

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Susan! That is always what I thought as well, but when I started doing the research, I was amazed!
      Good luck in the drawing!

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  11. This book sounds so very special and I would love to read it. I am a follower. Thank you!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Hello Melanie! Thanks for stopping by. It's nice to 'meet' you. :D

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  12. An idea that I used to encourage people I was introduced to facebook and realized that It gave me the opportunity to encourage people and show them God love.
    God bless you
    Chris Granville
    granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet

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  13. Hi Amber! I sometimes get inspiration from watching football!!!!

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  14. It's always interesting to see where writers get their inspiration. It's everywhere! :)

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  15. Hi Amber,

    I get inspiration from current events, conversations with people, and during my prayer time.

    Please toss my name into the hat. I'd love to read your book. susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com

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