“Did you get it?” I asked my daughter as she climbed into the car after school, freezing cold air following in her wake.
“Yep!” she said with a smile on her face, holding up a small torn piece of paper. On it, carefully spelled out in loopy handwriting, were the words hot chai with cream.
“I have mine, too,” my other daughter said, pulling off her gloves and reaching into her backpack: iced vanilla latte.
“Great!” I said, reaching for the papers to tuck them carefully into my cup holder for safekeeping.
The next morning, we left the house early so we could stop and pick up drinks from the local coffee shop for each girl’s teacher. When we arrived at school, my older daughter stepped out first and reached up to hold both drinks until her little sister could climb out and claim “her” cup for her teacher.
“Careful, it’s hot,” the big sister cautioned. Snapping a quick photo to send my husband, I waved good-bye as they held their cups in front of them like precious treasure.
For the last several years, bringing a special drink to their teachers during December is one of the many small things we’ve incorporated into our Advent season. The idea was birthed many years ago when two friends and I were chatting over coffee, bemoaning our kids’ ever-expanding Christmas lists and the season’s busyness. In the midst of a full calendar, we wanted to remind our kids (and ourselves!) that the Christmas season—while special and wonderful—is first and foremost a celebration of Jesus.
Our solution was simple: Each day during the Advent season, we would intentionally do one kind act for someone else. Most acts were small, and many were free, but they quickly became one of our favorite parts of the season and a beloved tradition in our home.
—Kristin
Are you looking for more Christmas resources? Check out our NEW book Merry & Bright: Rediscover the Peace, Joy, and Hope of Advent, available wherever books are sold.
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The holidays are a time for giving gifts that bring joy—and what better way to spread a little cheer than with thoughtful faith-filled books and resources? Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned believer, a curious friend, or someone who loves diving deeper into their faith, there’s a wealth of inspiring reads and practical tools to make the season a little brighter.
From uplifting devotionals to faith-filled reads, we’ve put together a Holiday 2024 Gift Guide with a selection of Christian books and resources that make perfect gifts for anyone looking to grow spiritually or just enjoy a little quiet reflection this season. Take a look at our handpicked ideas below, and get ready to make your holiday shopping easier and more meaningful!
Are you looking for practical steps to help you create and hold space for Jesus? 4 Steps for Creating Quiet, an incredible FREE resource from our friend Marnie Hammar, is filled with simple ways to find time to get quiet with and listen for Jesus. You'll also receive ongoing encouragement once or twice a month to help you keep holding space for Jesus. Access your free resource here.
Want an Advent devotional to help you rediscover the hope, peace, and joy of Advent? Check out Merry & Bright, our newest devotional! As we prepare for Jesus’ arrival, how can we open our hearts and homes to Him and others in a way that adds joyful satisfaction rather than tension and stress? How can we experience Jesus in a way that celebrates the season and offers the respite that Advent promises? In Merry & Bright, we unwrap what coming home means this Christmas season.
In this joy-seeking journey, you will:
• Experience the transformative power of God's abundant joy in Luke's gospel story.
• Discover how the joy of the Lord sustains in uncertain times and stormy circumstances.
• Proclaim boldly the good news of great joy and bring hope to a weary world.
P.S. You can find all of our books here!
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| Photo: @savvyphotage |
1. Keep a gratitude journal. One of the easiest ways to cultivate gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. Every day, take a few minutes to write down three things that you're grateful for. They don't have to be big things; even the small things count! Over time, this practice can help you focus on the positive things in your life and increase your overall sense of gratitude.
2. Practice presence. Take a deep breath and notice the world around you. With busy lives, it's easy to race through our days without When you practice mindfulness, you become more aware of the good things in your life and can appreciate them more fully. Take a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness, whether it's through meditation or simply taking a walk and focusing on your surroundings.
3. Say thank you. Expressing gratitude to others is a simple yet powerful way to cultivate gratitude in your life. Take the time to thank the people in your life who have made a positive impact on you. Whether it's a friend who's always there for you or a coworker who went above and beyond, a simple "thank you" can go a long way in fostering gratitude.
4. Look for the positive. It's easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of life, but making an effort to look for the positive can help you cultivate gratitude. Try to find the silver lining in challenging situations, or focus on the good things that are happening in your life. By shifting your perspective to the positive, you can cultivate a greater sense of gratitude.
Cultivating gratitude is a simple yet powerful practice that can have a profound impact on your life. By keeping a gratitude journal, practicing mindfulness, saying thank you, and looking for the positive, you can increase your sense of gratitude and appreciation for the good things in your life. Give these practices a try and see how they can help you cultivate a greater sense of gratitude and well-being!
While there is nothing wrong with entering the season of Advent as either a maximalist or a minimalist, the maximalist version of Advent is often considered the proper way to celebrate.
Fewer Must-Do’s
Over a decade ago, I found my exhausted self standing in a friend’s kitchen, my newborn in another’s arms, sliding pans of cookies in and out of the oven as six of us worked to make and exchange hundreds of cookies. I love my friends, and I love doing things in community, but cookie exchanges are not my thing. The year I gave myself permission to say a loving no to the cookie exchange was the start of my minimalist Advent adventure.
You can read the rest of the article here. |
Are you looking for more Christmas resources? Check out our NEW book Merry & Bright: Rediscover the Peace, Joy, and Hope of Advent, available wherever books are sold.
Be on the lookout in the next two weeks for more tips and encouragement for the Advent season.
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