This week, in the spirit of giving, I wanted to share some of my favorite authors and articles about Christmas, Advent and peace. Some of these ladies I have partnered with or met this year, some I have admired from a distance. Each have affected me by their writing or intentional approach to thoughtful and faithful Christian living in a world where what’s popular isn’t always what’s wise, even within Christian writing.

But more often than not, I’ve found such depth, encouragement and intentionality in all the writers I have “met”.

And in my first full year of blogging the 3 greatest highlights have been: 

1. The multitude of encouraging, supportive, helpful bloggers out there, answering everyone’s questions and wanting to help them communicate God’s Word in them as best as they can!
2. The quiet side conversations I’ve heard from readers, “Thanks for putting into words what I’ve been feeling or believe too, when I couldn’t. It is soooo nice to know I’m not alone.” 
3. Seeing pictures or hearing stories of our ornaments and resources being used in homes around the world where new traditions centered around God’s Word and worship are being born! What unexpected blessings!

 

I hope you will open my gift to you by perusing through the list and “opening” up the grace-filled words of wisdom and fun ideas I’ve chosen for you!

 

 

So, what is it you are looking for today?

 

How to find rest during the holidays (and afterward)?

• Come to Me: How to Find the ‘Real Rest’ Jesus Promises
• Fighting for Joy this Holiday Season: 3 Tips to Overcome Overwhelm 
• What I Wish I knew about Family Culture 10 Years Ago  – Why an unhurried life and family traditions matter. 
• Spreading Christmas Cheer…at Home  – A Podcast for those on the run but a classic favorite podcast speaker, Sally Clarkson

How to shift toward a Christ centered Christmas?

• How To Seek Christ Like the Wise Men
• Daily Toddler Advent Readings – A great place to sharing the story of eternity. 
• Rethinking Christmas – What does Jesus love? Gift-giving in a more meaningful way.
• Christ Centered Christmas Activities and Elf of the Shelf Alternatives – A great collection of Christ-centered ideas and links your children will love.
• Skip Santa? 6 Reasons to Consider Shifting Your Focus this Christmas 

How to have a fun AND frugal Christmas?

• How to Simplify Christmas without being a Scrooge – Good perspective about values and a multitude of ideas to strip away the fuss. 
• Make Christmas Magical with No Money – Dozens of ideas that are the simplistic fun our children’s hearts needs and Free!
• 3 Ways I Make Creating Memories With my Children a Priority – As a homeschool mom and boy mom too, Angel Penn gets my desire to say No more so I can say Yes to what I really want.

How can I celebrate Advent as an Adult?

• Prepare Him Room: An Advent Prayer Guide –  Also check out her study on the Names of Jesus.
• The Wonders of His Love: An Advent Reading Plan  – 25 day Scripture reading plan and daily Advent article
• Expectant Light: An Advent Devotional – 12 Day Scripture reading plan & book
• Practicing Silence During the Holidays – suggestions for what this means and why it’s important.

And our most popular posts so far about Christmas:

• Bringing Christ to Your Christmas Tree
• Still No Room in the Inn: Telling Kids the Truth About Santa 
• 10 Ideas with Toddlers for Jesse Tree

 

I know these are just a fraction of the articles out there about a Christ-centered Christmas, so if you are a blogger or have a favorite link of a similar type of post, you may leave the link in the Comments and Pin this! 

 

 

Join us for 25 days of Biblical Jesse Tree Advent on Instagram! 

Blessings to you on the Eve of Christmas Advent! May it be a season filled with meaning AND peace focused on Emmanuel.

~Jen & Don Love