Can you imagine celebrating three Christmases every year? Well, in a sense, that’s exactly what the Amish do! Here are some Amish traditions for those three Christmases:

December 25th, Christmas Day, is celebrated with the family, and is often a day of prayer and contemplation…a holy day set aside to reflect on the birth of the Holy Child, Jesus Christ. Often, family members will find a gift or two waiting at the breakfast table—gifts that are generally homemade and useful. 

How easy it is for us to get lost in the trappings and trimmings of the modern-day Christmas season—the one that begins earlier and earlier each year. “Christmas in July” is on its way to becoming a reality, it seems!

What are some things you do to remember the birth of Jesus in the midst of the holiday hubbub?  Perhaps this year you and your family could make salt dough Christmas ornaments representing the Nativity scene.

Some things make a lasting impression.

A few years ago, our minister posed a question to the congregation during one of his sermons. He asked, "If you were limited to possessing only two books of the Bible, which two books would they be?" I was sitting in the choir loft and started thinking. Murmurs filled the sanctuary as we struggled with this perplexing question. From around me I heard whispered “John,” “the Psalms,” “Romans,” and “Matthew.” I think one of our older choir members uttered “Isaiah,” but I don’t think I heard “Obadiah.” 

Our minister allowed the murmurs to finally die down, each of us apparently settled on our choices. Mine were John and Romans. Comfortable with our decisions, apparently too much so, we were immediately humbled by his next question.

“Okay, since in your opinion those two books are indispensable, when was the last time you read them?”

Silence. And then fidgeting. 

The point was made and driven home. We pay passing homage to what should be some of the most important things in our lives, but passing only. Our lives are so full of other things—other distractions, other diversions—and we quickly lose sight of what is important in life, though it stands right in front of us. Sometimes pleading for our attention.

Have you asked God for something and kept receiving a "No" answer? 

I have. And it hurts. But I've also realized that sometimes God's best gifts to us are the very things He decides to withhold.   

I remember not wanting to accept one of the "gifts" God was giving me, primarily because I saw it as His withholding.  I struggled with not being able to have a second child. I remember "claiming" Psalm 84:11 as my promise that I would have another child: "No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly" (ɴᴀsʙ).  

And yet God did withhold.

Let's face it. Not all of us want "a partridge in a pear tree" for Christmas. (Although some of us may indeed be happy with five golden rings.) What would make the song more suitable?

Books, naturally!

Harvest House is changing up "The 12 Days of Christmas" with the sweet sound of book titles. Even better—we're giving away 3 copies each of 12 different books. That's 36 chances to win a free book!

As December begins, so does the countdown to Christmas. And what better way to count the days than to recount the events surrounding Jesus' birth? 

We have created free printable Advent calendar cards for you and your family to use this month. With 25 pieces in all, each simply lovely card includes a verse or verses from Scripture to help you begin the day focused on the One whose birth and life we celebrate this season.

When our daughter was finally born, she was immediately whisked off to what the doctors informed us would likely be the first in a series of major surgeries. Down the hall in the waiting room our family and friends were anxiously anticipating news on how Stephanie was, and whether this critical surgery would be successful. The mood was tense. In stark contrast, there were several sets of families and friends in the large hospital waiting with balloons and gifts for the delivery of healthy babies who were soon to be celebrated and embraced. There the mood was joyful and expectant.

It was a difficult day for many of our friends and family members. Those who admired our lives and ministry also struggled with the further comparison that many of the healthy children born in that hospital, along with the thousands born in hospitals across the country, were being born to people who, to put it nicely, were not so admirable. The thought of perfectly healthy babies being born to those who were shamelessly opposed to what was good, while a pastor and his wife were having to roll their newborn into the operating room, was “not right.”

The holidays are coming! The holidays are coming! And where there are big gatherings of family and friends...there are often hordes of youngsters in need of nondestructive entertainment. You can give the gift of giggles with some funny knock-knock jokes for kids. If these aren't enough, find 10 more in 10 Funny Knock-Knock Jokes for Tell a Joke Day, or check out the full book these jokes are shared from, titled The World's Greatest Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids.

I noticed her curly reddish hair first. A flash of red from another aisle just beyond my peripheral view, but it was enough to make me suddenly stop right in the middle of the dollar aisle.

Was that who I think it was? I clutched the cart I was pushing a little tighter. I hesitated, not sure where to go, resisting the urge to duck down beside the glow bracelets and plastic miniature ice trays in front of me. We had not talked in a year…or was it two? The amount of time didn’t matter—just thinking about her had instantly brought back old feelings of hurt and resentment. I had no desire for a spontaneous reunion! Leaving my empty cart, I headed for the exit and the safety of my car. I could come back later…

Have you been there?

Here’s a big dose of reality for all who are housekeeping impaired: One of the most self-deceiving and self-defeating things we do around the house is set up systems that don’t take into account our own unique put-away styles. Your put-away style, or PAS, is the manner in which you usually put something away when you’re finished with it.

Think about it. For example, what’s your PAS when it comes to extension cords? When you finish using one, do you neatly wrap the cord up before you put it back in the closet? Or do you cram it back in there in a big messy wad, thinking you’ll straighten it out later? If you’re housekeeping impaired, chances are it’s the latter. Yet there’s also a good chance that the place you’ve created for storing extension cords is some sort of hook or small container that will only work if the cord has been neatly wrapped up first. 

My friend, it’s time for a little self-awareness check.