Critically acclaimed Christian artists Chris Tomlin and Lauren Daigle ring the in Christmas season with a beautiful performance of 'A Christmas Alleluia.’
In America, Christmas tends to be more about family, gifts, traditions and food than anything else— oftentimes with many individuals briefly acknowledging the birth of Christ in a Christmas service.
Here is a list of short prayers (to be prayed individually or collectively as a family). I hope they will bless, encourage, uplift, and set your hearts on the joy, sacredness, and sweetness of Jesus, the true Reason for the Season.
“I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore, I shall call upon Him as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2 NAS)The Holidays can be a difficult and poignant time as the seasons of life change due to loss of loved ones, children and grandchildren being unable to make it home for the holidays, lack of money to buy gifts, or harvesting seeds we’ve planted the past year.I understand and have wasted too many holidays wallpapering my mind with the if-only moments. Mother always quoted, when any of us began that bottomless trek through the quagmire of if-only with one of her favorite retorts. “If wishes were fishes, we’d all have a fry.”But we don’t need stale, unhelpful, sayings. We need help. Real and lasting help from the Helper of our souls.
When you think about Christmas and all the traditions, so many of them point to the gospel. Let’s take time this year to put Christmas in the right perspective
What do I do with a woman and her starving children, peddling candy just around the corner of a massive structure, lined with gold, that is supposedly peddling hope and good news?
Christmas, for many, is a fun time of the year, and if you believe Andy Williams, it is the most wonderful time of the year. However, it is not that way for everyone. For those who have lost loved ones, those who may be single or lonely, or those who cannot afford to provide gifts for their children, Christmas can be a miserable time of the year.
There are plenty of studies that show the impact lack of sleep and proper rest has on your overall health. If you are tired and dragging now, then ramping things up during the holiday season is not going to help that.
Eating a meal together often brings a sense of joy and contentment to our physical bodies, along with drawing people together emotionally and spiritually. Good food helps to build bridges and cultivate connection between us.
Christmas traditions hold the family together. Family gatherings provide fellowship and the opportunity to enjoy traditions, events, and practices that only your family understands and holds special.
We don’t need to be alone to feel lonely. Sometimes a crowd intensifies our sense of isolation. That’s probably one reason why so many experience dejection, and even depression, during holidays. Loneliness targets us all from time to time as a natural part of the ebb and flow of life. God allows and uses such times of trial.
The fourth Sunday of Advent we meditate on the peace that Jesus brings our hearts and our world. Scripture is the place we can find the promises of God. Let us meditate on these truths and allow them to comfort our hearts this Advent season!
Many of us are afraid to be open about these contentious topics; however, talking about these things can start repairing broken relationships within the family unit and assist in our healing.
Have you ever been blessed by someone unexpectedly? I’ve had anonymous gifts arrive in the mail, spontaneous baking from neighbors, an email from someone encouraging me regarding my writing, and probably far more mercies on a daily basis than I’ll ever realize. The impact of someone deliberately taking time out of their lives to reach out and bless in words and actions stays with you.As I have sat to write this article, I feel a tinge of embarrassment and regret at how little I feel I have emulated this. I hope that I have been a blessing to others. I just don’t think I often go out of my way intentionally to do it as much as I would like to. I admire those who have a gift in giving. They naturally desire to bless through monetary support, lovingly putting a care package together, or something else that is sure to brighten up someone’s day. I want to be more like that.There are many ways to bless others. Maybe, like me, you long to be a blessing to someone, but you need ideas or prompting on what this could look like. Here are seven unexpected groups that you can start blessing this holiday season:Photo credit: Pexels/Jill Wellington
