On ‘Christmas letdown’ and finding yearlong joy

It’s Christmas! I should be so excited! I mean, I am excited, mostly. And yet there’s a letdown, too, isn’t there? I hate to admit this, even to myself. On Christmas joy, Christmas sorrow,, and remembering the best part about Christmas is that the gift we receive is JESUS—an eternal gift that keeps on giving.

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A holy circle

This year, I’ve found myself craving quiet more than anything—the solitude of the morning, the sunlight streaming through the trees, that peace and wisdom and love that comes from true, all-consuming rest in authentic relationship with my Lord. That soul-hunger has shaped what I have been trying to do this year with Advent: spend these weeks trying my best to push aside all the noise to focus only on my connection with God.

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The Bible: My official parenting handbook

I make mistakes all the time, and I know I’ll keep making them. I wish I’d sought answers from Proverbs (and the rest of the Bible!) when I was first starting out in my journey as a mom. But I’ve got my ultimate how-to book now. And that makes all the difference.

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Hopefully devoted

In her care and devotion for others, my Gram embodied love. She embodied Jesus. And her love and devotion brings to mind for me the Apostle Paul’s reminder to the early church to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10). On being hopefully devoted.

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Leaving a shameful past in the past

Sometimes, just like we can’t get past our embarrassment about lagging grades, we can’t get past the stains of our past. Sins can feel like a bad report card grade, can’t they? Like they’re on your permanent record, blazing bright for all the world to see, like a scarlet letter or a stamp that says “no good,” “worthless,” “shame on you.”

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