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Are the Mothers Lonely?: On Grief at Christmastime
Their absence settles in the room like the aroma of yeasty rolls and savory ham waiting to be carved. Like Mary, we carry Immanuel with us. We may not physically carry him bouncing on our hip, but Jesus is no less with us.
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Wood and Stone: How Christmas Expectations Never Live Up to The Hype
Infused with a dose of Christmas magic, we try to recreate the conditions with the same traditions, homemade caramel popcorn, and classic Christmas movies (It’s A Wonderful Life or White Christmas, anyone?)
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Intentional Gift-Giving: The Benefits of In-Person Christmas Shopping
I find there is something about the physicality of moving through the store, shopping cart wobbling ahead of me down the aisle, looking at the real item sitting on the shelf that aids in the creativity of gift-giving.
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Finding Balance During the Busy Holiday Season by Gena McCown
Most of us would consider ourselves pretty busy. We manage to balance our homes, families, and putting aside time for a little self-care. Then, the holiday season rolls in and everything goes awry. The pressure at work builds up, end-of-year deadlines approach, kids’ activities and events, work holiday parties to attend, extended family obligations, friends’ holiday gatherings, gift shopping, cookie…
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Looking back to Christmas past to form traditions for future Christmas mornings by Michelle Terry
Looking back on December 2012, I can remember spending almost every day compulsively preoccupied with figuring out how to make my infant daughter’s first Christmas the very best. I loved that little nugget more than anything and wanted the perfect Christmas morning photos to prove it. The transition to motherhood wasn’t easy for me. My daughter was colicky, and I…
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Blessed are the Content, For They Shall Stop the Chaos of Striving This Season by Brenda Seefeldt Amodea
When I say content, I don’t mean lukewarm, wishy-washy, apathetic, indifferent, impassive, or other uninspiring words. I mean, content as in, deep peace that this (whatever this is) is enough. That I am enough. And this is good. When I say content, I don’t mean to have no goals or make no plans. I mean, content as in, I know…
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Let Christmas Begin: Bringing the Joy of the Holidays Early this Year
It’s that time of year again, so let’s ask the question on everyone’s mind: Are you pro-Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving or against? Previously, I’ve been staunchly opposed to Christmas decorations going up before Thanksgiving. That’s the way we always did it at home growing up. Nothing Christmas would grace the mantel over the fireplace or sit smugly on the coffee…