After receiving so many responses to this post, I thought perhaps we could all use a few ideas on how to actually and practically seek & find Him amidst the busy. Below are a few things I feel help me keep the calm throughout the crazy.
ps – I love you guys.
Music:
- Music and Meditation for Christmas, by Linda Kelsey and Deborah Clayton {I can’t find this available anywhere but eBay! I love this one because it’s soft piano music with Advent devotions spoken over it. So calming and centering for my heart.}
- O Holy Night, by Sara Groves
- James Taylor at Christmas
- December, by George Winston {I play this year round, but if it’s possible to capture winter on an album… this does it}
- the Delilah station on iHeartRadio {I love her =) }
Books & Devotionals:
- Shepherds Abiding, by Jan Karon {I read this every single year before Thanksgiving to set the tone of my season}
- 31 Family Devotions for Christmas, by MariLee Parrish {this one seems to be out of print. But about 6 years ago we found it at a local bookstore for $.99, and we’ve used it each Advent since. Be on the lookout for a simple devotional – that’s what I love about this one. It’s short yet inspiring.}
- Taking the Advent Story Home, from Vibrant Faith Ministries {this was my idea and baby! =) It’s a free PDF download, written by the entire VFM team, board members, spouses, and friends. Each day includes a devotion, conversation questions, service ideas, and a tradition to try}
- The Greatest Gift, by Ann Voskamp {this is a brand-new daily devotional for Advent, and it’s lovely}
Tips:
- Weigh the worth of each event, every cookie baked, each gift purchase, and make a judgement call. Is it the best way to spend your time and dollars?
- Start saying no. Even to the good things. If it’s too much, it’s too much.
- End each day quietly. Turn on your tree lights, light a fire, and just sit, if only for a few minutes.
- Even if you find your schedule jam-packed and your kitchen in shambles and not a present under the tree… He is still there to be found. Pausing for a deep breath and remembering this has proven helpful to me.
Let’s help our sisters out. What are your favorite resources, songs, movies, stories and tips for bringing and keeping the calm to your season, even amidst your busyness? Please, please share below. Your voice will bless!
-Anna
{girl with blog}
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Joseph’s Lullaby by MercyMe paints a beautiful picture of Jesus as a baby-the whole reason for all this preparation.
And thank you for your list!
Thanks for the list 🙂 praise the Lord! Merry Christmas!
I have a recording of an old Christmas album from my childhood that I listen to each year, and it grounds me back to when Christmas held magic and reverie. It often makes me very sad too, as it reminds me of family members no longer with us, but to me, the songs are so pure and real, even when they’re the same ones we here on constant repeat from Thanksgiving onward. And those moments of sitting in the darkness, with only the lights from the tree is such a simple means for me to unwind and just stop my life for a while. It’s even better when I take off my glasses, as the lights blur to this mass of puffy color that’s nothing short of miraculous. I wish everyone could see Christmas lights in this way.
I love listening to any and all Christmas music but the two cds that I listen to the most are Go Fishs two Christmas albums. I listen to them over and over! My favorite album is More Than A Story. There is a song on that album also by that title and it always reminds me of the true meaning of the season. During the song, they have someone reading the Christmas story overlaid with music…absolutely beautiful. And it always stops me dead in my tracks when they start reading the story! 🙂