Keeping Christ at the center of the Christmas season is always a challenge. The hectic pace of life intensifies during December, and often our focus shifts to the never-ending list of responsibilities and chores to complete before the big day.

Strategically celebrating Advent is a wonderful way to keep Christ central in all the commotion of gatherings, parties, concerts, baking, and buying. Utilizing Advent calendars, candles, and books help us to focus on the magnitude of what Christ accomplished in coming to earth while pointing us toward his return.

Catherine’s guest in this episode, Laurie Christine, has accumulated a wealth of devotional resources that will help enrich your Christmas season by celebrating Advent. Catherine and Laurie start by digging into the history of Advent, and then they highlight the great gift of celebrating God’s hope, peace, joy, and love in line with each candle lit. Laurie also offers devotional and book recommendations for all ages to participate in the wonderful celebration of Advent.

1. The Meaning of Advent: Learn about the rich historical roots of Advent, dating back to the 6th century, and how its observance can enhance the anticipation of both the first and second coming of Christ.
2. Dive into The Action Bible Christmas: Laurie introduces this fantastic book featuring 25 imaginative stories related to the biblical Christmas story suitable for young children aged 3-9, providing delightful and engaging ways to teach the story of Jesus' birth.
3. Discover Jotham's Journey Series: Catherine and Laurie delve into Arnold Ytreeide’s four-book series that follows fictional accounts of Jesus' birth through the eyes of four different children. With devotional sections and intertwined stories, it’s perfect for family Advent readings!
4. Celebrate with Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: Laurie shares her love for Asheritah Ciuciu’s devotional, which explores the various names of Jesus over four weeks, providing structured readings and activities for each Sunday of Advent.
5. Creating a Jesse Tree: Laurie explains the tradition of the Jesse Tree, tracing Jesus's lineage with ornaments representing biblical figures. A beautiful way to journey through the anticipation of Christ's birth as a family.
6. Resource Roundup: Laurie and Catherine recommend various devotional books and family activities, including "Unwrapping the Greatest Gift" by Ann Voskamp and "Remarkable Advent" by Shauna Lettler to help make your Advent season more meaningful.

Catherine also shares a heartfelt personal story of finding hope during a difficult time, underscoring the essential themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy, and love.

Laurie Christine’s Bio: Laurie Christine is an author, podcast host, Biblical Parenting Coach, wife, and mom of four loud, adventurous boys. Her podcast, Redeeming the Chaos, invites moms of boys to join her on the wild, wonderful adventure of raising courageous boys and connecting them with Christ.  In addition to hosting a podcast, Laurie writes devotions and Bible stories for families. Her passion is to raise strong, courageous warriors for the Kingdom of God, and to help families like yours do the same!  Her new devotional book for boys, Rise of the Enemy, just released on Amazon in November.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Laurie Christine's website

Laurie Christine's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/laurie.christine.author/?hl=en 

Laurie Christine has created a wonderful resource for CPCW listeners that contains all of the devotionals and books covered in this episode which can be accessed HERE:

https://lauriechristine.com/podcast-interview-resources/

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