Fr James Early! Congratulations!

Dedicate one of my books for your child this Christmas! Orthodox Christian books that celebrate Greek Cypriot culture:

Under the Grapevine: A Miracle by Saint Kendeas of Cyprus published by Conciliar Press:

“…The writing and illustrations are beautiful, and the story guides both young and old to look to the Saints of the Holy Orthodox Church for Intercession with our Lord. It is even more uplifting to know that it is based on the true story of your grandmother, and her miraculous healing through the intercession of St. Kendeas.

…I would highly recommend your book to all of our parents as a way of inspiring great hope in our children….”

–Metropolitan PHILIP
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America
The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

The Hermit, The Icon and The Emperor: The Holy Virgin Comes to Cyprus published by Conciliar Press.

Deeply embedded in the history and hearts of Cypriots and venerated in the Orthodox Church, the icon of the Mother of God at Kykkos Monastery in Cyprus is among the oldest continuously active miracle-working images in the Christian world.  Its legend, already well formed when it was first recorded in the fifteenth century, revolves around recognized historical figures from the early twelfth century in the imperial court of Byzantium, thus rooting the image in the prime of the most enduring Christian empire the world has ever known.

The story of the icon of Kykkos has been retold many times over the centuries, and shaped to serve many different aims and ideals.  In this visually captivating book, its story is told in a way that will enchant children.  Opening a world of splendor and heartfelt feeling to them that will surely arouse their curiosity about Byzantium, the book prompts them at the same time to ponder the deep design that underlies the dramas and traumas of the characters, drawing them together with the icon into a luminous web of divine intention.
– Annemarie Weyl Carr, Professor of Art History Emeritus, Southern Methodist University

Also available in Greek.

 

$15 with free shipping in the US. Please contact me using the contact page or by email: chrissihart1@gmail.com and give the name of the person you would like the book dedicated to.

 

Yesterday was my first presentation at Kids and Cultures summer camp in Lititz, PA where I shared the culture, history, lifestyle, photos and  artifacts from Cyprus,  with 40 children and camp staff.   I  read my book, Under the Grapevine,  A Miracle by Saint Kendeas of Cyprus published by Conciliar Press, with two fabulous kids standing on my right  who volunteered to try on Cypriot traditional costumes.  They looked awesome!

We played a marbles game, wove baskets, played a bean bag game and finished off with some Greek dancing, although we only had 5 minutes before parents arrived to pick up their children!.

Visit Kids and Cultures website for photos,

http://www.kidsandcultures.com/photovideo-gallery.html

We sampled some Cyprus Halloumi cheese, dolmades, halva and watermelon!

Here are a few photos of the costumes close up -

A traditional costume for girls and women

Traditional Headscarves worn with the outfit

Close up of embroidery on dress and jacket

And with a traditional gold coin necklace!

Boy’s outfit, consist of embroidered jacket which is worn over a white shirt, waistband, baggy trousers worn with black leather boots

Close up of boy’s jacket

Back of jacket

Beautiful!

Thank you to the Cyprus  Federation of America for providing traditional Cypriot costumes for this event!

Research suggests that we can help children feel happier by encouraging them to develop a strong sense of personal worth. Children who feel that their lives have meaning and  develop quality relationships, both measures of spirituality, are happier.

Expressing acts of kindness towards others such as acts of altruism and volunteering, help children feel happier.

Encourage your child to practice random acts of kindness at least one day a week. Here are some ideas to start with:

• Enter a room with a smile
• Tell someone they are special
• Look after younger siblings to give mom a short break
• Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
• Hand write a thank you note.
• Send an e-card to lift someone’s spirits (e.g., www.123greetings.com).
• Give the school bus driver or teacher a thank you note.
• Befriend a new student at school.
• Raise money for a charity.
• Give a carepack to the homeless
• Deliver cookies to a local orphanage or shelter
• Visit someone in hospital

For more ideas on helping others and acts of kindness, check out these excellent Internet resources:

www.helpothers.org

www.randomactsofkindness.org

http://www.kidactivities.net/category/Random-Acts-of-Kindness.aspx

Children learn from watching our behavior and our own acts of kindness:

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN’T LOOKING, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

• When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

• When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

• When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

• When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

• When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

• When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

• When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

• When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

•When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

• When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, ‘Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.

Do you have a story you would like to share about an act of kindness or ideas on acts of kindness?  Leave a comment at the end of this blog. I would love to hear from you!

As the New Year begins, I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for God who was born a little child, who came to save us from our sins. Christ is Born! Glorify Him! I am thankful for the appearance of God in the form of a dove at Theophany:

“You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: “You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light.”

I am reminded that everything that is sent to us, comes from above, to help us become closer to Him and to perfect our souls.

“Know and remember always no matter where you are, that whatsoever hurts will be dulled as soon as you learn In all things, to look at Me. Everything has been sent to you by Me, for the perfection of your soul. All these things were from Me.” St. Serafim of Viritsa.

So what does this year bring? Apart from the usual challenges and blessings of raising two children, it brings new books, a new child psychology chapter to update and a new office.  In my psychology practice, I continue to help troubled children presenting with anxiety. The jmportance of family, close attachments, optimistic outlook and a relationship with God is important. Each month I hope to blog about a child psychology topic or focus on a self help book.

This year I will be completing my reading of The Last Battle from The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis on my podcast, Readings from Under the Grapevine on Ancient Faith Radio.  It has been a great blessing to bring these wonderful stories to you. Thank you to all my listeners, both young and old, for joining me each week from around the world! The number of listener visits has trebled over the past year, with an extraordinary increase over Christmas, suggesting a great need to have our little ones listen to stories of faith.

Thank you also to all the publishers and individual authors who have supported this ministry. If you are an author or publisher of Orthodox Christian or classic Christian children’s books and have a book that you would like me to read, please contact me!  I would love to hear from you.

To celebrate the New Year, I am giving away a copy of a new DVD produced by The Benefactory – The Annunciation by Sister Elayne (Mother Melania), illustrated by Bonnie Gillis, narrated by myself, originally published by Conciliar Press as part of the Twelve Great Feasts for Children.

You may also learn more about the Benefactory by visiting their website.

http://www.thebenefactory.com/

Leave me a comment to enter the competition. What does this year hold for you? The winner will be announced on January 18.