It's that time of year again! The 12 Days of Christmas Link-up is back!!
I said to myself, earlier this year, "self, if Faith does 12 Days of Christmas again, we're going to participate." Spoiler alert, Faith did indeed decide to host it again, and thus, we find ourselves here. I'm pretty hyped, and I hope you are too!
We're starting simple, with a book tag that I stole from my awesome friend Rachel, because what is Christmas for if not stealing tags from people you admire?
Let's jump on in!
1) Anticipation:
The Christmas excitement is real; What release(s) are you most anticipating?
There are quite a few! I think the top one has to be Lament, though. I've been looking forward to this one since I read the first book last year! Also, can we talk about this cover?? *heart eyes*
2) Christmas Songs & Carols:
What author can you not help but sing its praises?
I've got to hand it to Marissa Meyer, the Lunar Chronicles are a masterpiece. Each one wouldn't let me go, her characters are full and real, she's the queen of that old writer advice of "what's the worst thing that could happen to your character? do that thing" because WOW do the characters go through some stuff.
3) Gingerbread Houses:
What book or series has wonderful world-building?
No one builds a world quite like Tricia Mingerink. Especially in her Beyond the Tales series. Tallahatchia is a fascinating world that I've so enjoyed getting to explore more in each book of the series!
4) A Christmas Carol:
Favorite classic (or one that you want to read)
This one, luckily, is actually pretty easy for me, seeing as it's my favorite book of all time. I adore The Magician's Nephew, and the whole Narnia series, with all of my heart.
5) Christmas Sweets:
What book would you love to receive for Christmas?
There are quite a few indie-published books that I would love to see under the tree this Christmas, and this lovely one (and the rest of its series) is definitely on that list. (You can check out my full review to see how much I loved it, lol)
6) Candle in the Window:
What book gives you the warm, fuzzy feelings?
Every one of Tara Grace Ericson's books have given me all the warm fuzzies, but especially Poppy's Proposal. Something about that friends-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience plot, man.
7) Christmas Trees & Decorations:
What are some of your favorite book covers?
I mean?? Can you even??
8) Christmas Joy:
What are some of your favorite things about Christmas
and/or some of your favorite Christmas tradition?
- Opening presents at our house on Christmas Eve, and then at our grandparents' house on Christmas Day.
- Watching White Christmas with my sister at the beginning of the season.
- Listening to all my favorite Christmas music.
- Just... the feeling in the air.
- Like, the world is happier for a bit.
- People are kinder.
- There's a joy around in the decorations and the music and the fake snow (FL life, lol)
- I don't know how to describe it, but just the feeling of Christmas is my favorite.
And there we have it! Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas! (it's actually more like 7 for me, but go with it, haha) Make sure you check out all the other amazing posts!
In the spirit of Christmas, there's also an awesome giveaway going on! You can enter it by clicking this link right here! :D
Who's a fan of Christmas music? I certainly am. There are definitely other times of year where I still listen to Christmas music, it just makes me so happy. It's not only full of cheer, but it often makes me think of the birth of my Savior, and I love that about it.
So for today's 12 Days of Christmas post, I'm going to share some of my favorite Christmas music albums so that you can get in the spirit with me!
(Just click on the album art to play it on Spotify!)
1. That's Christmas to Me - Pentatonix
Favorite tracks - Mary, Did You Know // Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
If you haven't listened to Pentatonix Christmas album yet, what have you been doing? xD I remember the first year we got this, it was basically all we listened to. Every track is just brilliant.
2. The Heart of Christmas - Matthew West
Favorite tracks - Leaving Heaven // Christmas Makes Me Cry // O Come, All Ye Faithful
This album is just plain fantastic. I don't think there's a track I don't like. It's really good.
3. All I Really Want for Christmas - Steven Curtis Chapman
Favorite tracks - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day // The Miracle of Christmas // The Night Before Christmas
SCC is one of my favorite artists in general, but his Christmas albums are really great. This one just has a sense of comfort for me.
4. Christmas - Francesca Battistelli
Favorite tracks - Christmas Is // You're Here // Marshmallow World
This whole album is a lot of fun. Francesca has a nice balance of fun, upbeat songs and slow, meaningful ones. But that's true of most of her albums, lol.
5. Joy - Avalon
Favorite tracks - Joy (to the World) // Light a Candle // We Are the Reason
Y'all, this album is my JAM. Joy (to the World) and Angels Medley are two of the Christmas songs that get me dancing the fastest. I always end up jumping around and singing at the top of my lungs and I love it a lot.
6. All My Christmases - Jillian Edwards
Favorite tracks - (I mean, there's only 4 tracks but) Mary's Lullaby // O Holy Night
Jillian Edwards is one of my favorite artists in general (I love her voice so much oh my wooord) and her little Christmas EP is a really great one. They've all got a great, lilting quality to them that make them really fun to sing along with.
7. Songs of Winter - The Hound + The Fox
Favorite tracks - What Child is This/Child of the Poor // We Three Kings // God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
This duo is new to me this year, and this album is completely new this year! I love their whole vibe, it gives me much the same feelings as Jillian Edwards' music. It's very folksy but not annoyingly so. Great for chilling or going to sleep to.
8.The Spirit of the Season - Voctave
Favorite tracks - Mary, Did You Know // O Come, O Come, Emmanuel/The First Noel/I Wonder as I Wander
Voctave (also known as EPCOT's Voices of Liberty) is one of the most incredible acapella groups to ever grace anyone's ears ever. Trust me on this and just click the link.
9. Home for Christmas - BarlowGirl
Favorite tracks - Carol of the Bells/Sing We Now of Christmas // Hallelujah (Light Has Come)
Anybody else remember BarlowGirl? They were my sister's favorite band for awhile, and I still really enjoy their music. Their voices lend perfectly to Christmas music.
10. Into the Silent Night - For King & Country
Favorite tracks - Glorious // Baby Boy
This is another EP (the extended edition that this links to has 6 songs) but it's a great little collection. 4K&C puts on an amazing Christmas show, I've been to it, and the album really captures the feeling of being there.
Honorable Mention:Christmas is Here! - Pentatonix
Favorite tracks - Everything but "Sweater Weather", tbh. (("Sweater Weather" is ewww))
HAVE Y'ALL HEARD THIS YET?? I didn't want to put two ptx albums on this list but they had to go and release an incredible new album and who am I to say no? They continue to astound me with their arrangements. How do they do it with only five voices?? HOW???
If you want to hear some of these albums shuffled together with my other faves, I have several Spotify playlists all about my favorite holiday! what child is this {gentle lullabies and songs of the Savior} jingle bell rock {bops, jams, and songs that make me want to dance} light of the world {songs about the first Christmas}
So that's my list! What would your list include? Have you listened to any of these albums (or are you going to listen to them?)
Per the usual, be sure to check out everyone else's awesome 12DoC posts!
They inhabited one of the lowest rungs of society. They were thought of as good for nothing more than keeping sheep. They were haggard, grumpy, and probably smelled pretty bad.
And they were chosen to see God first.
The story would have been very different if the wise men had come first. If the rich and the brilliant had been the first to see Him.
But God didn't just come for the wealthy and the wise. He came to save all of humanity from itself. And to prove that, He sent messengers to an open field, a small spattering of unwashed men, and dozens of sheep.
It must have been terrifying. The angel's first words are "Fear not", which tells me that the shepherds were doing the exact opposite of that. One minute you're sitting next to your makeshift fire, looking up at the stars and trying to ignore the growl in your stomach. The next, the sky is split open with blinding light and a voice that seems to come from everywhere is telling you not to be afraid. But what else can you do?
And then the voice is speaking words that your humble Jewish heart had given up hope of hearing. "The Messiah has come. God is here. Go and find Him!" And just like that, the night is dark again. The sheep keep grazing as if nothing happened. You look to your companions, still noticing the faint glow of heavenly light on their faces.
The whole group jumps to their feet, pulling at each other as they race into the city. "We have to find him! We have to see what God has done!"
Mary must have been startled to see a group of unshaven shepherds standing at the stable entrance. Joseph moved so that his body shielded his wife and God incarnate from these strangers. But when the first man caught sight of Him, and fell to his knees, and began to cry, they relaxed.
They probably didn't expect to see the least and the lowest standing in the presence of the King. Who would? But I suppose, taking into account that the birth had taken place in a stable, they might have figured out that this wasn't going to be anything like anyone had expected.
The beauty of God calling the shepherds first doesn't lie in the men, it lies in the manger. The beauty is the fact that God not only sent Himself to Earth, He sent Himself to a young family who had to go on a long journey to fulfill a prophecy, and introduced Himself first to a group of shepherds. Not to the kings, not to the wealthy, not to the religious... to the poor and the lost and the hurting. What a beautiful picture that is for all of us who come to the manger, and come to the cross, in much the same way.
This was a continuation of a series I started last year, so if you want to see my posts on Mary or Joseph, you can click this link right here!
And, of course, check out all the other blogs participating in the 12 Days of Christmas fun! Here's a link!
Welcome back to another day of the 12 Days of Christmas link-up! I've been getting so into the Christmas spirit, and I can't wait for the next few days!
Today, we're going to be talking about my favorite thing - books! Specifically, my TBR pile. Which, to be completely honest, is very intimidating at the moment, but that's okay. I have a nice little stack of Christmas books I want to read (that will very likely carry me into January) and I thought I'd share them with you today!
Let's start shuffling this pile and trying to keep it upright, shall we?
1. A Christmas Carol
To be frank, I feel it's almost a crime that I haven't read this yet. Partially because I've had it for almost two years now, and partially because I've always wanted to read it. I even read the first page awhile ago and was snickering from just the first line! I have this feeling that I'm going to love this book if I ever just buckle down and read it. Somebody tell me to go read it.
2. Because of Bethlehem
Another one that I feel shame at not having read. Our youth group did the group study for this last year and I absolutely loved it. I got so much out of it that I bought the book... and then proceeded not to read it. But, in my defense, my sister was reading it. ...not much of a defense, I know xD But I really do want to read this this year!
3. Shepherds Abiding
I've read a grand total of 2 Mitford books, and while book 2 wasn't my favorite, I've heard that that's a lot of people's opinion. I don't know that I'll read the rest of the series, but I want to read this one. Because Christmas specials are my weakness. Also it sounds adorable. Yeah.
4. The Bridge
I've read a couple of other of Karen Kingsbury's books in the past, and I really enjoyed them (even when they left me a blubbering mess), so I'd love to try this one out! Also, it's not very long. That's always a plus for me, if an author can tell a full story in fewer words. (Oh, and this one also sounds adorable. So that's great.)
5. Red Boots
Okay, if I don't read this one this Christmas season, someone poke me. It's a short story. I can do this. (Honestly, I don't really know much about it other than it's by Kate and I love her and her writing so I will probably love this. Yeah.)
6. The Nutcracker
(I would not say no to a bonus re-read of The Snow Queen xD ) This is the gorgeous Barnes and Noble classics edition I have, and in the very back is The Nutcracker, a story I've heard forever but never read. I'm really excited about it, and again, it shouldn't take me too terribly long. (Side note, did anyone else love the Barbie Nutcracker movie as much as I did? Because I loved that movie, oh my goodness.)
7. The Perfect Christmas
Technically, this one isn't out yet. But guys, I'm SO EXCITED FOR IT. "One Christmas in Winter" was the cutest thing (I'd kind of like to re-read it this year as well?) so I can't wait to see what Bell has cooked up next! I'm sure it'll be adorable and heart-warming and perfect for the holiday season! (see what I did there? hehe)
And that's it for today! Have you read any of these books? What's on your reading list for this season?
Be sure to check out the rest of the posts for today by visiting Faith's blog! (She's pretty awesome. You should give her a follow while you're at it.)
Merry Christmas, friends!! (Two posts in one day from me? what is this world coming to??)
Guys! Christmas is coming! The goose is getting fat! Please put a penny... okay I'll stop. (If you don't understand that reference... click this link xD)
This is a very exciting day because today! it! begins! The 12 Days of Christmas is starting!!!! For the past few years, I've seen these posts popping up around the blogosphere and wanted to participate, and so this year, when dear Faith put up a post about it, I said to myself, "Self, you've been wanting to do this for several years now... in the words of Nike, just do it."
So I did. And here we are.
Am I crazy for choosing to do this at the busiest time in my life? Probably. But I want to talk about more Christmas-y things, and so while you probably won't get 12 posts from me (just setting honest goals for myself here, lol), I will be posting some pretty fun Christmas content! :D
Today, we're starting with something that I'm very excited about: The Christmas Tag!! I was going through posts from some of the peeps last year (gleaning inspiration, you know?) and came across this tag and thought it would be perfect to start off this twelve day celebration! I'm not sure who started it or I would give them credit, but I'm sure they're an awesome person because these questions are pretty fabulous.
The Questions:
1) Christmas is a season of joy, hope, and light. What's your favorite thing to make this season bright?
I love decorating, I love singing, I love dancing around and wishing people a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, I just love this time of year.
2) Reading of the Christmas story, lighting of the tree - what's your favorite Christmas tradition?
Every year, my church puts on a living nativity with 8 scenes, people drive through and hear the whole Christmas story. As of last year, I've been in every role but Joseph and the Innkeeper. It's pretty exciting. (Yes, I've been a wise man... I wore all purple, of course xD)
3) Festive old hymns or glorious new tunes - what are you listening to on repeat?
I have severalChristmasplaylists , but what I've had on repeat for the past couple of weeks is The Hound + The Fox's new Christmas album. This is my favorite song from it.
4) Fiction and nonfiction, classics and contemporary - which Christmas books do you love so much that you just have to re-read them every year?
There aren't many books that I can consistently read every year because every year is different, but I do like re-reading the Christmas story in Luke every year!
5) Trees and nativities, bells and bows - do you have a favorite Christmas decoration?
My mom collects nativities, and I love putting them all out every year! They're all just so pretty. *heart eyes*
6) From the prophets to the gospels, the timeless story is woven - which Bible passage that speaks of our Savior's birth holds a special place in your heart?
I LOVE John 1. For that living nativity I talked about, we have a CD that goes into every car at the beginning and a narrator (who happens to be my Dad) reads them the Christmas story, and the first scene starts with that. It means even more to me since he passed away, and I can hear him read me the Christmas story whenever I want.
7) Glittery snowflakes and shimmering balls to angels and one-of-a-kind creations - favorite Christmas tree ornament?
I have this gorgeous Belle ornament of her in her pink winter dress holding a poinsettia and it's beautiful and sparkly and I love it. And I mean, obviously any of our family ornaments that hold special meaning are beautiful too.
8) Red and green, silver and gold, even purple and blue! - what's your favorite color scheme this time of year?
I looove silver and blue... or silver and purple... or silver and gold... I just really love silver for Christmas, okay?
9) Between the old and the new, the classics and the cartoons - which Christmas movie do you come back to year after year?
White Christmas, always and forever. It's probably the only one I consistently watch every year. My sister and I watch it together every year at the beginning of our Christmas season (though somehow this year we haven't watched it yet? Don't know how that happened...)
10) Pies and cakes, cookies and sweets - what's your favorite Christmas treat?
((I appreciate how this one rhymes, too, haha!)) I love anything and everything peppermint. Particularly if it involves chocolate.
And that's about all I have for you on this First Day of Christmas! I'm off to sing in the first performance of our Christmas musical! What are you up to?
In order for any story to work, it needs characters.
And boy, did the Great Author pick out an eclectic cast to tell His Greatest Story.
I've been thinking about doing a special series of blog posts for Christmas. Christmas is, after all, one of my favorite times of year. And every year, God shows me something new in the Christmas story. And this year, I thought I would share them with you.
So get ready to dive into the Greatest Story, where God proves His love for mankind in a most unexpected way.
And we begin with a young woman, who unexpectedly became a key player in this plan, despite being inexperienced, unmarried, and from a backwater town where not much happened... ever.
Mary is fascinating to think about.
I mean, here you have this girl, who is probably younger than I am now, who is preparing for marriage to a man she probably doesn't know all that well, and is innocently gathering water or preparing for a meal when she is suddenly not alone. And this intruder is so terrifying that his first words to her are "Fear not."
(Mini side note here, I'm fairly certain that angels are really, really scary. Because every single time, their first words are "Don't be afraid.")
This stranger, this glowing warrior, is telling her that she has been chosen by God. Now, just the angel would have her freaked out. But telling her that God has a job for her? To a Jewish girl from a small town, that must have taken her breath away and left her silently gasping for a moment, only hearing the rush of her blood in her ears. Her first thought, trying to wrap her mind around this declaration, comes out in a small-voiced question: "How can this be? I am a virgin."
But then a voice whispers, "Mary, you know it's true."
And she lifts her chin, takes a deep breath, and knows the truth behind the words she speaks.
"I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled."
Can you imagine carrying that kind of encounter in the forefront of your mind? Feeling the change in your body, knowing the change in your heart, wondering when to bring it up to your family, when to say something to Joseph. Having the knowledge that once this secret is out, it could not just ruin your life, it could end your life.
She must have prayed about it on so many nights, when she was sleepless with fear, listening to her family's steady breaths, sensing that she could never go back to the way things were. Picturing Joseph, his face hard and his eyes heartbroken, turning away and leaving her to the mercy of her neighbors. She must have cried out to God, asking why she had been chosen, knowing, in her heart of hearts, that it would be alright because God was in it, but still wondering. Still doubting, if only a little.
Mary's faith is something I aspire to have. Because clearly she had a lot of it. Not only was she hand-picked by God for this task when certainly (to human understanding, at least), there were other, more qualified people He could have chosen. People who had a secure life, people who were older, people who knew more, who had more. But God chose a humble Jewish girl from a humble Jewish town to carry out the most incredible plan He had ever put in motion.
One of my favorite Christmas songs asks the question of whether Mary knew what she was getting herself into. Most people answer "Yes, of course she did", but I'm not sure about that. Gabriel didn't really give her details. Just that she had been chosen, that honored by God, that she would bear His son, and that son would be mighty. But as for the actual miracles? I can't help but think that she had no idea that those were coming. I mean, she watched Jesus grow up. She watched him go from a snotty-nosed toddler to a quietly curious child to a devoted teenager taking up his earthly father's job. It's really no wonder the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus when he returned to them during his ministry. They knew him as a child, not as Messiah.
And I highly doubt that she ever truly thought about the fact that he would die. She knew the prophecies, of course, everyone knew the prophecies. The Messiah would die for his people. But standing at the foot of the cross, watching her firstborn's struggle for breath and watching the blood dripping from his broken body, she must have wondered again why she had been chosen.
Surely she didn't see the cross reflected in the eyes of a boy who had been born in a stable. She didn't see the power to heal the blind in the little hand that held hers on the way to market. She didn't know that the little boy who stumbled over his own feet and cried when he fell would walk on water.
And yet... she must have seen it. In little things he did. How he could calm conflict between his siblings with a single word. How he had a kind word for everyone who came through the shop, even when they were there to complain. How he lit up when he prayed.
Mary was amazing. She really was. But I doubt that she had the whole picture. She was, after all, only human. And that's the most amazing thing about her.
Yes, this post was supposed to be up like two weeks ago. But somehow this year's December has been even more busy and chaotic than most Decembers before.
So I thought I'd best pop in now that we're three days 'til Christmas (?!?!?!) and actually write a blog post. Yay.
Because I'm getting in the holiday spirit, I thought I would give you some things to watch that will bring you into it with me. That's right. I'm talking CHRISTMAS MOVIES. and CHRISTMAS EPISODES. and CHRISTMAS IN GENERAL YAYYY.
Let's begin with some Christmas Movies shall we?
1. White Christmas Plot: Two famous radio actors and a pair of sisters go to Vermont for Christmas, only to find that the general they served under in WWII is down on his luck and needing a little Christmas cheer. Much hilarity, sweet romance, and fabulous dance numbers ensue.
2. The Nativity Story Plot: (if you didn't know this already...) Mary, a young woman from a small town, is visited by an angel and told that she will give birth to the Messiah. Featuring Oscar Isaac as a much younger than was probably accurate Joseph but is still one of my favorite portrayals of him *cough* Also, the wise men are hilarious.
3.The Mistletoe Promise
(I couldn't find a gif *sadness*) Plot: A divorced business owner teams up with a lawyer to convince everyone that they do, in fact, have someone to spend the holidays with, and end up, of course, falling in love with each other.
(random note: yes, this is a Hallmark movie. but my mom and sister and I have been watching so many Hallmark movies this season, and this has by far been my favorite)
4. It's a Wonderful Life
(can you have a list of favorite Christmas movies and this not be on it? I think not.) Plot: A depressed man is guided by an angel to find out what would have happened if he had never been born. This leads him to the fact that despite all the hardships, he does, indeed, have a wonderful life.
5. Saint Nicholas
(couldn't find a gif for this one either *cries*) Plot: When Junior has a bit of trouble giving away Christmas, Bob and Larry teach him about "Nick" and how he learned to give with a joyful heart.
(random note: I almost went with "The Toy That Saved Christmas" or "The Star of Christmas", as those are my childhood, but this one has so many puns I couldn't resist)
And now we move to what has become my personal favorite, Christmas-themed Episodes.
1. "The Ho, Ho, Ho Job" ~ Leverage (season 3)
(c'mon, you knew this was gonna be first) Plot: While trying to take down a corrupt mall owner, the team goes undercover, making Parker a very happy elf and Eliot a very grumpy Santa. And also confirming the status of Sophie and Nate as the team parents.
2. "Gus' Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy" ~ Psych (season 2) Plot: Shawn is invited to spend Christmas with the Guster family, but ends up having to solve the murder of their neighbor, who has been known to argue with Mr. Guster.
3. "Santa's Midnight Run" ~ The Librarians (season 1) Plot: Santa seeks the help of the Librarians when he is stranded without his sleigh, and Ezekiel keeps his magic hat safe, which means he is filled with Christmas spirit, which is absolutely hilarious.
4. "Girl Meets Home For the Holidays" ~ Girl Meets World (season 1) Plot: It's Christmas in the Matthews household, which brings many family and friends back together, while Riley tries to figure out why Cory's best friend Shawn doesn't seem to like her.
That's all from me... no, wait, there's something else! I have to extend an invitation!
Every year (for 20 years now, whaaaat???), my church puts on a drive-through nativity. We all refer to it as "the drive-thru", but as many don't know what that even is, I shall endeavor to explain. Basically, all over the church grounds, we set up 10 scenes, vignettes, if you will, that tell part of the Christmas story. We furnish with costumed actors and live animals, set up a path of luminaries, and invite people from literally around the world to drive their cars through and see and hear the story unfold. It is literally so hard to explain, wow. I've been doing it all 18 years of my life, as my parents founded the ministry, so I like to call it my first lead role as a 3-month-old, playing baby Jesus.
So if you live or will be visiting the Orlando area this Christmas, I encourage you to stop by one of the three nights! And here's a link to the church's website if you need more information... plus teeny tiny pictures of what we do xD
And if you aren't going to be in the Orlando area, I have a favor to ask. Pray? Please? It takes a lot to put this thing on, and more than normal as we had to completely rebuild the Inn scene this year. God has blessed us in so many ways with this ministry, and we've seen so many people come to Jesus, and come to the church, because of it. Boy, do I have stories I could tell! But prayers are always appreciated, and then you can, in some small way, be part of what we do. And that's always fun.
And so, we enter/exit another Christmas season. I will leave you with a fantastic Christmas tune by the fantastic acapella group Pentatonix (if you haven't listened to their new Christmas album, I highly recommend it)
MERRY CHRISTMAS. OR NOT. IF YOU DON'T CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS :D CHRIST IS COME! GO AND TELL!
