EXPECTANTLY WAITING {CHRISTMAS BLESSING GIVEAWAY}

Christmas, one of the most beautiful times of the year. Several years ago I was striving to make my Christmas more Christ centered. I had heard of Advent, yet I didn't really know anything about it. My lack of knowledge had me thinking it was specific to a certain religion. I did some research and found that was not true. Advent simply means "expectantly waiting." We are expectantly waiting the birth of our Savior. I want the Christmas season to hold this beautiful expectancy. So I began doing an Advent study each Christmas. It is life changing.

It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. All the shopping, wrapping, buying, baking, and parties. It's also so easy to become "me" centered. We tell our spouse what we want for Christmas, we encourage our kids to make lists of gifts they want. We watch countless commercials all with a sole purpose to make us go out and buy yet another gift or hope we receive that gift. Please hear me, there is nothing wrong with gift giving or receiving. Gift giving is a beautiful blessing and gift receiving can be so fun. Yet to keep Christ truly at the center of the season, we need to keep our focus on Him and be careful to not let the busyness and gift aspect take over.

Not only do I want my Christmas to be more Christ centered, but I want my family to focus on Christ. This is why we started doing an Advent study as a family. Studying the Word deeply, discussing it and praying together. It helps us to shift our focus from the glitz and glamour of the holiday to the Savior who was born in a stable all those years ago with the purpose of saving us.

I encourage you to find an Advent study and intentionally make it a part of your day. Sit with your family under the lights of the Christmas tree and expectantly await the Savior together.

Here are some of the Advent studies I have done and love:

She Reads Truth

I love this ministry so much! I follow their studies all year long and their Advent study is so beautiful. You can download the app, subscribe to the emails or just head over to their website. Each day a devotion is posted that will have Scripture reading for the day as well as the devotion itself.

Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus by Courtney Jospeh

Courtney, from Women Living Well and Good Morning Girls, has a beautiful Advent that you can print out and put in a binder or folder. She uses the S.O.A.P. method.

Ann Voskamp

Ann, in her beautifully poetic way, shares the heart of Advent as well as books and free printables.

Reasons for the Season

In this ebook, you will find twenty-four devotions for the family. Each day including memory verses, discussions and activities.

Advent began yesteryday, December 3rd, and goes until Christmas. If you missed it, that's okay! Start today. Check out the resources I listed above, or head to your local LifeWay and find a great Advent study that fits your family. I pray that this season of Advent helps you and your family to focus on the beauty of expectantly waiting.


I am so excited to bring you the 6th Annual Christmas Blessing Giveaway! I've teamed up with Woman to Woman Ministries and fifteen other bloggers to bring you this incredible giveaway.

One blessed reader will win $420 in Paypal cash. Money for Christmas, bills, a need your family has, whatever God lays on your heart to do with the money. To enter, you only need to complete the tasks in the rafflecopter below.

Please support the participating bloggers:

Woman to Woman Ministries
Jenifer Metzger
Shari A. Miller
Elizabeth Stewart, Just Following Jesus
A Mama’s Story
Skill Trekker
Rachael Gilbert
Phyllis Sather, Write the Vision
Breakthrough Homeschooling
Mama’s Coffee Shop
Learning Grace Through Motherhood
A Delightful Glow
Heather Bixler
Paradise Praises
Word Traveling, Faith-Fueled Living
Awe Filled Homemaker
Ben and Me

Giveaway rules: No purchase necessary. Must be 18 to enter. Void where prohibited by law. Open to US and Canada residents only. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or associated by Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest. By entering this giveaway, you agree to release Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Woman to Woman Ministries and all participating bloggers of all liability. Contest ends at 11:59PM CST on December 11, 2017. Winner is randomly chosen by Rafflecopter and will be emailed.

a Rafflecopter giveaway