We are already making plans for Christmas. The kids have given me their gift lists, via Google docs, with hyperlinks. The girls have started working on a dance to the song “His Name is Wonderful” for our church Christmas pageant. And, of course, there are Oreos with blazing red icing at the grocery store. I haven’t bought those yet.
I used to be a bit of a scrooge about all the hype around Christmas, but over time I’ve decided that this is indeed a season for celebration. Peace, love, joy, hope, expressed through wreaths and kitschy ornaments and too much food and champagne and gifts—the baby lying in the manger is worthy of our celebration.
The Story of Jesus
So I’m all in for the music and the dancing and the parties. But I also want to connect all the festivities to the one who caused the angels to rejoice. And I don’t want to lose sight of the grief many people carry through this season or the hardships and injustice many experience.
I return to the stories offered to us in the Gospels so that I can return to the truth that anchors peace and love and joy and hope. And I want to invite you to do the same.
Advent Devotional on Amazon
I’ve created an Advent devotional, Prepare Him Room. It is now available on Amazon for Kindle and in paperback. It offers a Bible reading from the birth stories about Jesus and a reflection each day, from December 1-25.
Reflection Questions for Advent Devotional
I’ve also created a set of discussion questions for individuals or groups to accompany the book. These are available here.
And join me for weekly Advent reflections on Instagram Live during the month of December.
Let’s prepare room for God to enter into the glorious and shameful and beautiful and hard stuff of this upcoming season. Let’s celebrate this birth together.
Learn more with Amy Julia:
- Advent Devotional: Prepare Him Room PLUS discussion questions
- Advent, Hope, and Canceled Parties
- When Christmas (and Life) Is Unexpectedly Disappointing
If you haven’t already, you can subscribe to receive regular updates and news. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Goodreads, and you can subscribe to my Love Is Stronger Than Fear podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
