The Heart Behind Anne Neilson's Christmas Angels | Author Interview

To start us off Anne, please can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

First off, I am wife, mother of 4 grown children, and daughter of the King most high. As a little girl, I wanted to be an artist [made a D- in 10th grade art class] but knew that God had a plan for my heart's desire to become an artist. 

It was a journey. I had a hand painted dinnerware line back in the late 80’s and early 90’s, met my husband and we quickly started our family. I put the artist dream on hold for a while while my children were little, but picked up painting after we built our home and a little art studio off our kitchen. 

I started painting in oils and painted my first little angel in 2003, sent an image to my sister asking her thoughts and her comment back to me was “I think you found your voice”. What started out as a hobby has become such an incredible ministry to others.

Can you tell us the story behind 'Christmas Angels', what inspired you to write this Advent devotional?

Christmas Angels is my third devotional and I wanted to write something that would slow us down during the holidays. A lot of people always comment “You are so BUSY”. I never want to glorify that word [ever] and I came up with a little acronym that I tell others: “We are ALL BUSY…we need to Be Uniquely Serving Yahweh By Using [what is] Specifically Yours. 

Christmas Angels walks the reader through daily devotions and scripture of LOVE, JOY, PEACE, HOPE and prayerfully will center our hearts on the true meaning of Christmas.

What would you say was the central theme of your Advent devotional?

Each week focuses on a word: HOPE, LOVE, JOY, PEACE. These words create a thread throughout the Christmas season and help the reader centre and focus on the true meaning. My hope is that we cling to these promises throughout the year and not just the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Did you paint each piece of artwork after you had written the devotional or did the artwork itself inspire the devotional?

I paint to praise music always. It is my time of worship and I allow the Holy Spirit to flow out of the depths of my soul and onto the blank canvas. I rarely write and then paint. I always paint and then after I have a body of work, and a new book, I will choose paintings that will pair well with the devotions.

Who is the devotional aimed at?

All of us and all ages. We all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas. 

What do you hope readers will take away from Christmas Angels?

A sense of peace and wonder…either through the writings or the art. I pray that readers will find time to sit and be still. And, I am speaking to me on that one!

Can you share with us what your favourite things are about Christmas?

Family coming together. Cooking. Christmas songs playing throughout the house. The Christmas tree ONCE it is up and done. That is always my job and every year I say I will not be getting a tree the next [for several different reasons] but I always do! The lights shining all throughout neighborhoods!

We're exploring the theme of Hope here at Eden this Christmas, so I'd love to know what your hope is this Christmas?

My hope this Christmas is that through change, I will still experience the HOPE that Jesus brings. Our first of four got married this year and we are having to share the holiday moments. Not having my entire family home for Christmas is going to be a new normal and I am going to have to find new traditions, but I'm hopeful for what is to come.

As a Christian bookseller I'm always keen to know - what is your favourite Christian book (other than the Bible!) and why?

Mark Batterson “Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge”.

I quote his book at every speaking engagement. Chapter One: Get Ready. It is about Cornelius in Acts 10:2 and how Cornelius prayed 24/7…it talks about how when we pray to God on a regular basis God will do irregular things in your life…and that is my life!

He has taken me places, brought people in my life, that only He could do…I love this book!

And lastly now 'Christmas Angels' has launched what's next for you and if you want to find out more where can people find you?

Well, my dad would always say that I could juggle many balls in the air and they would always fall into perfect placement! And, my friend Kathie Lee Gifford always says “If you have a pulse…you have a purpose!”

We continue to expand our Home brand line which includes a children’s line with my angels and water colours…I LOVE to entertain, whether it is a small intimate dinner party at my home or hosting an at the gallery.

I am working on a book The Art of Entertaining that will be part cookbook part devotional as I weave stories and photos of the journey. More devotionals hopefully and getting in my studio to paint and praise the One who gets all the glory on this journey!

If you want to see more of Anne's work you'll find it here.