Sharon Donovan, Author: Legend of Christmas Candle

According to legend, throughout medieval Europe, a large candle known as the Christmas candle was burned until the twelfth night in remembrance of the arrival of the Wise Men to Bethlehem. In Victorian times, the candle represented good will and was placed in the window from December 25 to January 6 to welcome any passerby in need of shelter and food.

Many legends and superstitions are associated with candles. Certain cultures believe the burning flame will frighten away evil spirits during the darkest evenings of the year. Norwegians believe that if the Christmas candle burns out on Christmas Eve, bad luck will befall on a family member.

Legends tell us that Christmas candles light the way for the Christ child on Christmas Eve as He wanders from house to house looking for a place to stay. For this reason, no traveler should be turned away on Christmas Eve should he be the Christ child.

The custom of lighting candles on indoor trees was started in Germany to symbolize stars and was a custom that found its way to America. In today’s culture, the lighting of Christmas candles signifies the season of Christmas.

In my house, we light blue candelabras in each window as a symbol of peace and tranquility. When it snows, nothing is more beautiful than serene blue flames reflecting on a blanket of downy white. In the living room, we light fragrant pillar candles to give the house and home a warm ethereal glow.

Where do you light your Christmas candles?

Sharon Donovan

Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

www.sharonadonovan.com

sharonad@comcast.net

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Winter Wonders

ISBN-13: 978-1-936167-66-1

Charade of Hearts
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http://www.thewildrosepress.com/charade-of-hearts-p-4346.html

Her Biggest Fan
An edge of your seat chilling suspense
ISBN: 1-60154-813-3

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Mask of the Betrayer
Book one in the Mask series
Filled with so many twists, turns and surprises, you’ll be
hooked from the first chapter.
ISBN: 978-1-936167-06-7

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/sharon_donovan/mask_of_the_betrayer.html

Echo of a Raven

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/echo-of-a-raven/7275809

UPDATES ON SHARON

6th January 2012

Sharon went through heart surgery yesterday, after problems with her heart pump which she had after her heart attack nearly eighteen months ago.

Miraculously, her heart was found to be strong enough now to be restarted. Our prayers have been answered, but please continue to send your prayers and messages for her progress and recovery. It will be a while before she is able to be at her computer again, but we know she'll be anxious to get back to wrting those wonderful romances.

***
Thanks again to everyone who's been sending prayers messages of love and support. Mary Beth, Sharon's sister, has told her about them and I know they will be helping her. Please keep up the prayers, I'll let you know as soon as I have further news.
Get well soon Sharon, we love you!

Lyn

A selection of UPDATES after Sharon's surgery

Latest update: 9th October 2010

Wheeee! See who's left a comment at the end of all the messages on her 'Get Well' post!

Welcome back Sharon, you've certainly been missed. We know it'll be a while before you can type as much as you'd like to, but even a few lines is great, and proof of your determination and the fact you're getting stronger every day. Go girl, go, we're all right behind you!

(I've removed some of the updates as there were quite a few of them, but I've kept the 'milestones' and it's wonderful that now Sharon can once more post to her blog herelf!) Lyn

***
Latest update: 3rd October

Sharon's home again and telephoned me all the way across the pond this morning! She's feeling much better and getting stronger and able to read messages and emails on her computer, although she can't manage to type replies herself yet, but she wanted me to let you know how much all the wonderful messages, love and prayers have helped her, and that she really appreciates each and every one. She had a great time a her Book Release party at the Author Roast and Toast on Friday and having so many visitors stop by and join in the fun made her so happy! Lyn

24th September
Mary Beth reports: "Sharon was feeling better this afternoon (Thursday) The first thing she said to me was “my book comes out tomorrow!” She is very excited about this news...She is anxious to talk to everyone and continues to amaze us with her will and courage to get through this hurdle and continue her recovery."

21st September
Sadly, Sharon is back in ICU after becoming very weak and tired, and needed a blood transfusion. I know you'll join me in prayers that she'll be stronger soon and able to return home.

19th September
Mary Beth says Sharon is making good progress and finding it hard to wait until she is able to use her pc again. She has her first clinic visit at the hospital this coming Wednesday. Thanks again for your continued messages of support and love, I'm sure they're helping with her recovery.

5th September
Mary Beth wanted me to mention that Sharon's brother Tom and his wife, Priscilla, have been staying with Sharon's parents ever since she was hospitalized and have being handling the brunt of the caretaking. So on behalf of Mary, myself and Sharon's many friends, I'd like to say thank you to Tom and Priscilla, and to Mary Beth and of course Sharon's parents, for being there for our dear friend and taking such wonderful care of her. For all she's been through, dear Sharon is truly blessed, in having such a lovely, caring family.

4th September (From Mary Beth)
Dear Sharon was released from the hospital today! ... we were at the hospital all day getting trained on her heart pump and all her new medications and we all had to take a written test to succeed in taking care of her at home so it was a long process and she finally got released with many hugs and kisses from her doctors and nurses (about 5 pm tonight). She got good chicken soup from her dear friend Karen when we got home but poor thing was so exhausted by the end of the day was just ready for hopefully a good night sleep without getting woken up and pricked for more blood. My brother and sister-in-law will be here until Monday and after that my parents will be her main caregivers and I will help and visit as needed as I live about 30 minutes away...Sharon was progressing very well and will have home therapy (both physical and occupational) and her hand/arm is improving every day!
***
29th August

Mary Beth says:Sharon is settled in her regular room back at Allegheny General. She was feeling very good yesterday – they are giving her stomach meds via IV and she was comfortable and had a better appetite. She was sitting up in her lounge chair and was very gabby and we had a nice visit. The drs. Have taken her off the blood thinner for a few days as they cannot do the scope test until her blood has thickened up a bit. They hope to do this test Monday to see what is going on in her stomach. The bleeding has stopped but they still want to do this test. Also she has some fluid in her lungs they want to drain. I believe this will also be Monday. Other than that her heart dr. was very pleased yesterday and said instead of sending her to another hospital again for the physical therapy she may even be able to go home for this and get a home therapist so we will look into these options next week. She does not want to go back to the last place, West Penn! She did not like them there and they did not treat her so nice! Her dr. agreed he would not send her back there! He is so very nice and wonderful bed side manner as well as a great surgeon.

27th August

(From Mary Beth) I wanted to let you know that Sharon had a bit of a setback last night and got transferred back to her original hospital, Allegheny General, back in the ICU.

She had a very low sugar episode the night before (Weds) and yesterday was really feeling out of sorts and later in the day she got very sick to her stomach and was bringing up some blood so they wasted no time in getting her back to the ICU where her heart drs. Are. They are going to run some tests today to determine where the bleeding is coming from but did say this is not uncommon after this surgery and she is on blood thinner as well, so hopefully it is just a matter of adjusting some of her medications. She has also had stomach problems in the past which maybe contributing.

Keep the prayers going and I’ll go to see her this afternoon and get back with an update.

PS – Lyn I read her all the reviews you sent yesterday and boy did that perk her up even as sick as she was feeling.

Aug 16

Mary Beth reports: "Sharon is progressing very well today was sitting up, alert, and asking very many questions. We have been reading to her all the wonderful well wishes on her blog, and she has been very touched by the outpouring of love! "

Please keep the messages and prayers coming, they mean so much to Sharon, we make sure they get passed on to her. I don't think she realised just how many friends she has and how much she is loved.

You're surrounded by love, Sharon, sweet friend. We miss you and pray you'll soon be back on form again

14 comments:

Sharon Donovan said...: Keep the light burning in your hearts this season. Wishing you and yours a beautiful Christmas.; December 18, 2011 at 9:57 PM
Oliver said...: May the joy in your heart be as bright as the twinkle in my eye. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas. Please sit by the tree, savor the scent of pine, cinnamon candles and chocolate chips, gingersnaps and sugar cookies. I'm serving eggnog and hot cocoa with a wink and a smile.; December 18, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Hywela Lyn said...: Mmmm what a delicious Christmas you serve, Oliver, dear, and Sharon, sweet friend, what a beautiful post!

I have a candlebridge in my window and Christmas candles dotted around. I love their soft light and was fascinated by the legends, especially the one about the Christ child wandering from house to house! A reminder we should never turn away anyone in need!

Wish you and your family, and Oliver of course, a lovely Christmas with everything you would wish yourself.; December 19, 2011 at 2:44 AM
Debra St. John said...: Beautiful post.

And my thoughts and prayers are definitely with you.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.; December 19, 2011 at 6:36 AM
Sarah J. McNeal said...: I'm a fire bug so I light a candle every day all year long when I do my morning prayers. At Christmas, I light a candle on the table for every meal but--I have no candles in my windows. Yikes! I do have bubble lights in the bay window in the living room. Does that count?
I'm wishing a wonderful Christmas for you and yours.; December 19, 2011 at 6:47 AM
Lynne Marshall said...: Hi Sharon!
Thank you for the history on candles. My husband is the candle lighter in our house. He loves them, so I'll share your blog with him.

I used to put electric candles in each livingroom window that automatically came on at dusk. I believe my reasoning was along the lines of welcoming travelers.; December 19, 2011 at 6:51 AM
Mary Ricksen said...: I only have one wish for this Christmas. One gift I want more then anything.
Get well soon Sharon!!!
I have artificial candle lights in each front window. I hope with all my heart to get my wish!; December 19, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Sharon Donovan said...: Lyn, dear friend, love your tradition of lighting candles. Legends are so mystical. Sit by the tree, no doubt Oliver can muster up a mead for you to go with the sweets, m'dear!; December 20, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Sharon Donovan said...: Sarah, no matter where candles are lit, they add a feeling of peace. Now, tell me, m'dear, just what is a bubble light? Wink; December 20, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Sharon Donovan said...: Lynne, I'm duly honored that you want to share my post with hubby. Wishing you both a joyous and healthy Christmas!; December 20, 2011 at 1:58 PM
Sharon Donovan said...: Debra, sweet friend, thank you so very much for your well wishes. Merry Christmas to you and yours; December 20, 2011 at 2:01 PM
Sharon Donovan said...: Mary, dear friend, your heart-felt wish is so very heart-felt. Love you and Merry Christmas; December 20, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Oliver said...: Welcome me lovelies. I come bearing freshly-baked gingerbread boys, rum cakes, hot cocoa, spiked eggnog, mead and wine spritzers. Enjoy!; December 20, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Pat Dale said...: Wonderful post on candles, dear friend. We'll light an extra candle this year in honor of your dauntless spirit. You light the way for the rest of us when it comes to courage.
Be well and of good cheer, Sharon!
Dale; December 20, 2011 at 5:21 PM

Sharon Donovan, Author

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Legend of Christmas Candle

14 comments:

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A selection of UPDATES after Sharon's surgery