How Veggie Tales Inspired
a Biblical Novella
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?
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."
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.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel
Twitter: @AmberSchamel
Pintrest - http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/
Twitter: @AmberSchamel
Pintrest - http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/
2 comments:
Thanks so much for having me on your blog today, Susan! It's an honor to be here.
I have this story and I need to get it read! I am glad to know the story behind the story!
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