Podcasts about greatest gift a family celebration

Christmas is six weeks away, and some folks may already be feeling the stress.The holidays should be a time of spiritual reflection and reconnection with family and friends…but too often, we lose sight of that in the quest for perfection. Crystal Paine is here to help us stay focused on the actual “reason for the season.”Crystal Paine is the founder of MoneySavingMom.com and the author of The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most.1. Start with a Christmas BudgetOne of the best ways to enjoy a stress-free holiday is by setting up a Christmas budget. A budget is like a set of guardrails—it keeps you on track, preventing you from overspending or going into debt. Here's a simple way to create one:Determine Your Total Spending Limit: Decide how much you can comfortably spend this season.List Your Recipients: Write down everyone you're buying for and assign a spending amount for each.Track Your Spending: Use a spreadsheet or the FaithFi app to keep a running total of your spending.By creating a budget, you'll know exactly what you have left to spend without sacrificing your financial well-being for the New Year.2. Plan Your Holiday ShoppingIf you tend to overspend during holiday sales, using cash-only or prepaid gift cards is a great way to ensure you stick to your budget. Here are some extra tips:Shop with Gift Cards: Consider using Amazon or store-specific gift cards to control spending.Use Deal Sites: Websites like MoneySavingMom.com and RetailMeNot.com offer deals and coupons.Best Shopping Times: Black Friday week and the following two weeks are generally the best time to find the deals you're looking for.With some planning, you can keep your shopping affordable and enjoyable.3. Keep Holiday Cooking ManageableHoliday cooking can be a joy, but it can also become a significant source of stress. It's advised that you embrace shortcuts where possible:Use Pre-Made Ingredients: Don't feel guilty about using store-bought cookie dough or other pre-made items. Sometimes, it's just as affordable as homemade.One Baking Night: Consider dedicating one evening to bake as a family. Let each person choose one recipe and enjoy the process together without the burden of constant baking all month.These small changes can bring balance to your holiday kitchen, making it a time of joy rather than stress.4. Share the Hosting ResponsibilitiesIf you're hosting family or friends, don't be afraid to ask guests to contribute. Include a note in your invitation encouraging each family to bring a dish. Not only does this lighten your load, but it also makes the event more collaborative and enjoyable for everyone.5. Make a Family “December Bucket List”To bring your family closer during the holiday season, consider creating a “December Bucket List.” Here's an example: Each Family Member Chooses an Activity: Whether it's a movie night, baking cookies, or a trip to see Christmas lights, everyone gets a say.Add It to the Calendar: Schedule these events to create special memories without feeling overwhelmed.This approach ensures everyone has a voice and the season feels special without overloading your calendar.6. Keep Christ the Center of ChristmasAbove all, remember the reason for the season. Using an Advent calendar or devotional is an excellent way to keep the focus on Christ for you and your family. Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp is a fantastic advent devotional if you're looking for a resource for your family to go through this Christmas season. Each day includes a devotional and an ornament symbolizing the story of Christ.This daily ritual not only reminds everyone why we celebrate but also keeps the true spirit of Christmas in the heart of your home.As we approach Christmas, let's aim to make it a season of joy and reflection rather than stress. With a budget, some planning, and a focus on Christ, we can enjoy a holiday that brings peace, love, and lasting memories.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My son and daughter-in-law have adopted four Ukrainian children who are now teenagers and looking for college scholarships. I remember someone previously calling your program and mentioning a resource for finding scholarships that have yet to be widely applied, but I didn't write down the details. Do you have any recommendations for where we can find those types of lesser-known scholarship opportunities?I was told about a Morgan Stanley mutual fund investment that supposedly pays $12,000 per year. It sounds too good to be true. What is your opinion on this, and are there any similar low-risk investments you would recommend?I applied for Social Security benefits after my divorce, but the process has been frustrating. The Social Security office didn't provide all the information I needed up front, and now I'm facing delays getting the required marriage certificate from New York. I would like to know if I can use an old pay stub with my Social Security information to resolve this before they remove me from the system. What do you suggest I do?I'm faithfully paying off a credit card debt of around $8,000 that I took on after the death of my mother. I'm currently paying $320 per month. My wife is willing to help me pay this off once she finishes paying off her own credit card. Should I stay the course with the $320 monthly payments or look into rolling over the debt and opening a new credit card with a balance transfer option?Resources Mentioned:MoneySavingMom.comUnwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann VoskampFastWeb.com | Peterson's Scholarship Search | Scholarships.comChristian Credit CounselorsLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Sometimes hope requires us to wrestle with grief over the way things currently are and the desire of what we want them to be. Listen in today as Carrie shares her thoughts about wrestling with hope. December 13, 2022Key Topics/Timestamps:[2:09] Facing the unknowns [6:38] Four things to remember about hope[13:55] A reminder from Ann VoskampEpisode Links & ResourcesEpisode 18: Why Your Story Makes it Hard to Hope by Adam Young The Place We Find Ourselves (Choose episode 18)Scripture mentioned: Phil 4:5-7; Isaiah 26:3; James 4:2: I Thessalonians 5:17Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann VoskampIf you enjoyed our podcast, please...Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart WebsiteGet our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and HopeReview and like us on Apple Podcasts Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcastsFollow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmomsFind Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writerFind Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholtFind Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclimeSupport the show

There is such a sense of expectancy in the Christmas season. We hope our gifts for others are “just right,” we hope everyone gets along at our various gatherings, we hope to make lasting and meaningful memories, and sometimes we hope for that perfect gift. Before Jesus came the first time, all of creation hoped for God to send the One that would rescue the world. Kari Jobe's song, “When Hope Came Down,” calls us to examine Christ, who “came down” to do the will of the Father. You and I are included in Father God's plan. This week we see the express purpose of Hope coming down. In this episode, I discuss the following: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Repetition Reading in a variety of translations Listening to an audio version of Scripture Reading aloud Sharing with friends Asking questions The account of the angels lifting up their voices  – Luke 2:1-21 The desperate plea for God to “rend the heavens and come down” – Isaiah 64:1 Jesus declares that he “came down from heaven” – John 6:38 Jesus gets to the heart of the motives of the people – John 6:25-27 Matthew Henry's commentary comments that the people weren't seeking good doctrine, but full bellies Jesus' challenge to us to focus on the eternal, not the temporal – John 6:27 The people's limited understanding of the purpose of manna from heaven – John 6:25-31 Jesus defining the foreshadowing of manna from heaven – John 6:32-33 Discovering the purpose of the true Bread of Heaven – John 6:32-40 Application questions: What does God want me to think/understand? What does God want me to believe? What does God want me to desire? What does God want me to do? Additional Resources Purchase the album or single on Amazon Lyrics and chords Advent Resources Come, Lord Jesus: The Weight of Waiting by Kris Camealy The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions by Lisa Welchel This Week's Challenge Spend some time in John 6, where we see an exchange between Jesus and a crowd seeking after Him. Jesus declares that He “came down from heaven” for a purpose. Read all about it for yourself and then ask yourself the application questions: What does God want me to think/understand? What does God want me to believe? What does God want me to desire? What does God want me to do?

Did you know that the classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has many themes that go well with Advent? Join us as we talk to returning podcast guest Jessica Hooten Wilson about this famous Christmas story and what it teaches us about time, waiting, and remembering Christ's birth. You won't want to miss the wonderful conversation.    The Scandal of Holiness by Jessica Hooten Wilson  Giving the Devil His Due by Jessica Hooten Wilson  The Strong Women Podcast 80. The Scandal of Flannery O'Connor and the Power of Stories with Jessica Hooten Wilson  The Complete Stories of Flannery O'Connor  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens  BBC Radio Productions of Charles Dickens  Santa Is Real, But He's Dead (to the World) article by Jessica Hooten Wilson  Mother of the Lamb: The Story of a Global Icon by Matthew Milliner   God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas by Greg Pennoyer (Editor), Gregory Wolfe (Editor) and Scott Cairns   A Children's Literary Christmas: An Anthology by Anna James   Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp  The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry  Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R Tolkien   Join Strong Women on Social Media:  https://www.facebook.com/StrongWomenCC, https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongwomencommunitycc, https://www.instagram.com/strongwomencc/    Erin and her husband, Brett, run Maven which “exists to help the next generation know truth, pursue goodness, and create beauty, all for the cause of Christ.” Check out more about Maven here: https://maventruth.com/   The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what's happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them.  Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/   Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly book list: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women   

In this episode, we begin our four part Advent series revisiting the women doctors of the church with a discussion on hope through the life of St. Catherine of Siena. We discuss the virtue of hope, receiving and sharing Christ's light in the darkness, and tips for making room for Christ this Advent season. We pray that you would receive the deep love of God as we begin this time of preparation for the birth of our Savior. For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women doctors of the church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts!    Sister Miriam's one thing - Be Restored: Healing Our Sexual Wounds through Jesus' Merciful Love - Dr. Bob Schuchts Michelle's one thing - Seeing Christmas - Karen Stacy Heather's one thing - Advent Playlist on Spotify Other Books Mentioned - Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas - Ann Voskamp Discussion questions:     What stood out to you from today's episode?  Does your life, your marriage, your family, your church, or your small group proclaim good news to the world? And if not, why? What needs to be redeemed or restored? Are you living a life rooted in hope? Where can you be light in the darkness for others?  How can you make room for Christ this Advent season?  Journal Questions: How do you need “the Madman” to love you madly in the season of Advent this year? Are there any particular fasts the Lord may be calling you to this Advent to create room for him in your heart? What does the Holy Spirit want to birth or make new in you during this season of Advent? Quotes to Ponder:  “The love of Christ embraces all without exception. Fire of love, crazy over what You have made. Oh, divine Madman.” - Saint Catherine of Siena  Scripture for Lectio Divina: The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God. To comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion. To bestow on them a crown of beauty, instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise, instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. - Isaiah 61:1-3 This episode is sponsored by Kingdom Builders. Our sponsor for today's episode is Kingdom Builders. If you have always felt welcome in church or never felt welcome in church. If you've never had a child, have many children or you long for a child. Single, married, divorced, or widowed. Young, old, rich or poor. A believing Christian or an atheist. If your life is a sinful mess or full of purity or anywhere in between, Kingdom Builders has something for you. Kingdom Builders creates opportunities for holy encounters for women. To learn more about Kingdom Builders and their latest project My Father's Garden, go to BuildingThroughHim.com

We're packing A LOT into this episode! We talk all about Thanksgiving and how it can be a wonderful missions opportunity, and then we share some of our favorite gift ideas for Christmas with you.Things we mention in today's episode:Baptist Women's World Day of Prayer Video and the Prayer Guide that goes along with the video (Beca talks about many of these ministries in her gift guide list)Thanksgiving in the WoodsWMU NC Red Box Prison MinistryRain to Roots Waiting SongsWorldCrafts Joy Earrings and the WorldCrafts Faith EarringsWorldCrafts Nativity SetsHandwriting Gift IdeasLove, Welcome, Serve Cookbook by Amy HannonGlobal Kitchen Recipe Book by MOPS InternationalFor Girls Like YouHigher Hope Connect Haiti MinistriesFairy Lights for BedroomsIpsy Subscription BoxPrayer Made Simple by Tara FurmanThe Daily Grace CompanyUnwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp

This week we have asked our SPARK girls to share what Christmas means to them, what the true meaning of Christmas is, how to keep Christ at the center of Christmas and what brings true light and joy to this season. John 1:4-5 says “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” This Christmas season, let’s turn our eyes towards the true light of the world. We pray your days are filled with the hope, peace, joy and love that only Christ can bring. Merry Christmas! Connect with the following guests (listed in order of appearance in this episode): Mekina Saylor - 1:12 https://www.instagram.com/mekinasaylor Entrice Rowe- 4:26 https://www.instagram.com/entrice_rowe Nichole Tippin- 5:29 https://www.instagram.com/nicholetippinphotography Cassady Adams- 11:11 https://www.instagram.com/cassadykphoto Classi Claire- 13:08 https://www.instagram.com/cassiclaire Jordan Jones- 21:50 https://www.instagram.com/jordanjones.co Suzanne Kraai- 24:11 https://www.instagram.com/suzannetk Amy Rizzuto- 32:15 https://www.instagram.com/amyrizzutophotography Resources: Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids She Reads Truth Advent The Wonder of the Greatest Gift Compassion International Learn more about NJ SPARK at www.njspark.co or follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/njsparkco.

Sometimes hope requires us to wrestle with our current circumstances and the expectation of desiring them to improve. Listen in today as Carrie shares her some practical tips on wrestling with hope. December 8, 2020Key Topics/Timestamps:0:22:     Intro1:04:     Defining Hope2:09:     Feeling like Mary5:36:     Wrestling with Hope6:38:     Honest7:31:     Offer9:20:     Peace & Trust11:45:   Expectant13:55:   God is For You14:54:   OutroEpisode Links & ResourcesEpisode 18: Why Your Story Makes it Hard to Hope by Adam Young The Place We Find Ourselves (Choose episode 18)Scripture mentioned: Phil 4:5-7; Isaiah 26:3; James 4:2: I Thessalonians 5:17Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann VoskampIf you enjoyed our podcast, please...Take Heart WebsiteReview and like us on Apple Podcasts Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcastsFollow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmomsFind Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writerFind Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholtFind Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Today we are sharing some of the things we do as part of our Advent preparation. Through our discussion we also remind each other what Advent is really about. Please join us in listening to this episode.  Some resources we mention in this podcast are:  Catholic Sprouts catholicsprouts.com  Holy Heroes www.holyheroes.com Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp (this is the book Stacy mentions that she uses with her Jesse Tree

In this episode, we begin our four part Advent series on Mary, our heavenly Mother. We discuss the powerful model Mary is for us in how she trusted the character of God when she surrendered control of her own life to say yes to the Holy Spirit. We also chat about seeking healing for areas where motherhood has wounded us or we have been dominated and manipulated by others. Sister Miriam leads a beautiful time of prayer inviting Mary to mother us and Jesus to heal us. We pray you continue to open your hearts wide to Jesus coming this Advent! Sister Miriam’s one thing - Nine Days to Welcome Peace and Nine Days to Rediscover the Joy of Prayer - Father Jacques Philippe Michelle’s one thing - Till I Found you - Phil Wickham Heather’s one thing - Advent Traditions like wooden advent wreath and Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas - Ann Voskamp Discussion questions:     What struck you from this week’s episode? What are some areas in your life that you grasp for control where God is inviting you to surrender in trust? Even if you have accepted Jesus into your life, where are there still blocks to your openness and receptivity to Him? What are the situations or wounds in your life where you have not allowed Jesus to love you fully? Where is Mary inviting you to seek healing in or from distorted motherhood? Where is Jesus inviting you to seek healing from distorted masculinity? Journal Questions: What aspect of God’s character are you being invited to encounter this Advent, so that you can begin to trust like Mary? What decisions in life do you think your ‘yes’ or ‘no’ is motivated primarily by fear, trying to avoid suffering, avoiding intimacy, or avoiding abandonment and disappointment? How can Mary mother you there and bring you to Jesus for healing? What decisions in life is your ‘yes’ or ‘no  motivated primarily by love, self gift and truth? What does true life-giving motherhood look like in your life? How did Sister Miriam’s prayer during this week's episode impact you? Is there anything you need to bring to Jesus from this time of prayer? Quotes to Ponder:  “It was that the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the Virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the Virgin Mary set free through faith.” - St. Irenaeus  “Every woman has something in herself inherited from Eve, and she must search for the way from Eve to Mary” - Edith Stein Scripture for Lectio Divina -  In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived* a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God. ”Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38 This episode is created under the patronage of Mary, Undoer of Knots. You can find a novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots here.   

www.theconversationworkshop.com The Ann Voskamp book we referred to in this podcast is Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas

On this special Christmas edition of Truth in Love Dale and his wife Summer share about their Christmas traditions including: advent, giving back to Jesus Christ, and how they spend Christmas day. “We wanted to turn Christmas into giving back to Christ” - Summer “There is a way in which we can serve the Lord Jesus and give him a gift when we celebrate his birthday.” – Dale ADVENT RESOURCES: - Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas - Ann Voskamp - Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional - Paul Tripp

On this special Christmas edition of Truth in Love Dale and his wife Summer share about their Christmas traditions including: advent, giving back to Jesus Christ, and how they spend Christmas day. “We wanted to turn Christmas into giving back to Christ” - Summer “There is a way in which we can serve the Lord Jesus and give him a gift when we celebrate his birthday.” – Dale ADVENT RESOURCES: - Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas - Ann Voskamp - Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional - Paul Tripp

We're popping in your feed mid-week to throwback to an episode we recorded last year at this time all about our favorite Christmas books.  This is a quick listen we wanted you to have in time for the season.   We will put links here in the show notes to all of these books but they're all also in one place in our Amazon Page at https://www.amazon.com/shop/homeschoolunrefined We'd love to hear from you.  What are your favorite Christmas books?  Come find us on social media and let us know. An Orange For Frankie by Patricia Polacco Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco The Snowman by Raymond Briggs The Night Tree by Eve Bunting Nativity - Usborne Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski The First Christmas by Carol Heyer Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp The Nativity by Julie Vivas Madeline's Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans Christmas Princess by Cathy Hapka   Visit our website Join our closed Facebook group: Unrefined Homeschoolers Follow us on Facebook and Instagram  Angela on Instagram: @unrefinedangela Maren on Instagram: @unrefinedmaren Email us any questions or feedback at homeschoolunrefined@gmail.com Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/homeschoolunrefined  We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

There is such a sense of expectancy in the Christmas season. We hope our gifts for others are "just right," we hope everyone gets along at our various gatherings, we hope to make lasting and meaningful memories, and sometimes we hope for that perfect gift. Before Jesus came the first time, all of creation hoped for God to send the One that would rescue the world. Kari Jobe's song, "When Hope Came Down," calls us to examine Christ who "came down" to do the will of the Father. You and I are included in Father God's plan. This week we see the express purpose of Hope coming down. On this episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Repetition Reading in a variety of translations Listening to an audio version of Scripture Reading aloud Sharing with friends Asking questions The account of the angels lifting up their voices  - Luke 2:1-21 The desperate plea for God to "rend the heavens and come down" - Isaiah 64:1 Jesus declaring that he "came down from heaven" - John 6:38 Jesus getting to the heart of the motives of the people - John 6:25-27 Matthew Henry's commentary's comment that the people weren't seeking good doctrine, but full bellies Jesus' challenge to us to focus on the eternal not the temporal - John 6:27 The people's limited understanding of the purpose of manna from heaven - John 6:25-31 Jesus defining the foreshadowing of manna from heaven - John 6:32-33 Discovering the purpose of the true Bread of Heaven - John 6:32-40 Application questions: What does God want me to think/understand? What does God want me to believe? What does God want me to desire? What does God want me to do?   Additional Resources Purchase the album or single on Amazon Lyrics and chords Advent Resources Come, Lord Jesus: The Weight of Waiting by Kris Camealy The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions by Lisa Welchel This Week's Challenge Spend some time in John 6 where we see an exchange between Jesus and a crowd seeking after Him. Jesus declares that He "came down from heaven" for a purpose. Read all about it for yourself and then ask yourself the application questions: What does God want me to think/understand? What does God want me to believe? What does God want me to desire? What does God want me to do? 

In last week's episode, we set the foundation for keeping sight of Christ through the consumerism, hustle, and bustle of the holiday season. In today's episode, we get very practical... Listen in as we discuss tangible, creative, and inexpensive gift ideas, how to keep things low pressure, and how thoughtfulness can have an incredible impact. Show notes: New segment: Heart Check  What book is in your hand? What voice is in your ear? What's stirring in your heart? Announcement: on January 1st we're doing an online 31-Day Pursuit Challenge. Stay tuned for info. Pick up the books if you want free access to the 31-day e-course. Recap of last week's episode: Keeping Christ front and center Avoid the mistake of expecting gifts to satisfy From a place of security in Christ, enjoy Christmas with wisdom and stewardship Discussion: Simple Gift Ideas that are Low Pressure, High Impact Tile coasters w/ Images on them (4" white tiles, 4" square images) Baked goods (granola, cookies, etc) We love calendars at Costco Give experiences Plan an outing for the day after Christmas Groupon is great for local, fun activities Books that can be read together Memberships to local places (Zoo, Museums, etc) Give "time gifts" Books! The 31-Day Pursuit Challenge Bundle Thirty-One Days of Prayer (for wives, for husbands). Incredible books! Pilgrims Regress Advent by Ann Voskamp For Kids The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls Kiwi/Koala Crates (AMAZING) Craft Gifts Time w/ Kids (simple is fine, just be intentional) For others: Be aware of neighbors... show them intentionality Invite neighbors over if they don't have anyone to celebrate holidays with Give out baked goods to houses nearby Other ideas: Make your own advent calendar Couple's Challenge Pray together about how to be intentional this season. Make a list of potential holiday hangups, pray about how to follow them Pray about people and how you can minister out of your marriage this year Mentioned in the show: The Perfectly, Wonderfully Made Podcast (with Alise Marsh)

We've been looking forward to this episode since the beginning and we're excited to each share the short version of our faith stories.  You'll get to know co-hosts Courtney and Shea even more as they discuss topics such as feminism, holy places and daily practices. Books and resources mentioned in this episode: IF:Table IF: Equip Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey Out of Sorts by Sarah Bessey Savor by Shauna Niequist Seamless by Angie Smith Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp Jesus Storybook Bible Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist Connect with us on social media: Instagram: @styleandgracepodcast Facebook.com/styleandgracepodcast Email: styleandgracepodcast@gmail.com

Tis the season for Christmas/Holiday/Winter read-alouds and we wanted to share our favorites.  What are your favorites?  We'd love to hear!  Join our facebook group and let us know.     Our Favorites An Orange For Frankie by Patricia Polacco Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco The Snowman by Raymond Briggs The Night Tree by Eve Bunting Nativity - Usborne Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski The First Christmas by Carol Heyer Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp The Nativity by Julie Vivas Madeline's Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans Christmas Princess by Cathy Hapka   Visit our website Join our closed Facebook group: Unrefined Homeschoolers Follow us on Facebook and Instagram  Angela on Instagram: @unrefinedangela Maren on Instagram: @unrefinedmaren Email us any questions or feedback at homeschoolunrefined@gmail.com Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/homeschoolunrefined  We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.  

Advent is a period of spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day and lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24. It’s a great way to keep Christ at the center of the season. There are so many different variations and interpretations of Advent customs that exist today. My co-hosts and I are here to share the ways we have celebrated advent in the past and things we would like to try in the future. MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: PRODUCTS: Truth in Tinsel Each day there is a passage of scripture with a corresponding ornament for your kids to create. Joy Cards Advent Calendar - Set of 25 advent cards are with hand-drawn graphics, bible verses, & daily application questions ADVENTures in Odyssey from Focus on the Family STUDY: She Reads Truth Advent study - Beginning Sunday, 11/27, we’ll spend the Advent season exploring the Old Testament roles of prophet, priest and king, and the ways in which Christ came to perfectly fill each of them, as well as a week in Luke’s beloved narrative of Christ’s birth. BOOKS: Light Upon Light compiled by Sarah Arthur The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp The Greatest Gift Jesse Tree Ornament Set The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L'Engle MUSIC: Once Upon A Christmas by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers WEBSITE: Hearts and Minds Books 12 NEW ADVENT BOOKS for 2016 - - AND 5 MUST-READ HEARTS & MINDS FAVORITES On Sale Now from Hearts and Minds Books POSTS: Advent (Second Wednesday) by Kimberly Coyle for Christie Purifoy’s blog.