"Hospitality and real community starts by inviting people into your messy home…"

Summary

In this episode, Mike and Alicia sit down with best-selling Catholic author Emily Stimpson Chapman to talk about Advent, Storybook for young Catholics, and the beauty of simple hospitality. Emily shares the real, lived rhythms of Advent in her home—reminding parents that peace and prayerfulness grow best when traditions are tied to everyday routines and kept flexible, not burdensome.

Emily also introduces her newest work, The Story of All Stories, a beautifully crafted children's story Bible from Word on Fire that presents salvation history as one unified narrative. Although written for ages 7–13, it has already captivated teens, parents, and grandparents alike.

Finally, the conversation turns to hospitality—how ordinary families can open their homes joyfully, even amid noise, chaos, and little ones. Emily offers practical tips, simple meal ideas, and a vision for welcoming others that prioritizes connection over perfection.

Key Takeaways

• Advent traditions work best when tied to existing family routines—like dinner—rather than starting from scratch.

• Flexibility in traditions preserves peace and allows your family to embrace the joy of the season without stress.

• Hospitality doesn't require perfection—simple meals and genuine presence build true community.

• Opening your home combats loneliness and helps families live their mission together.

Couple Discussion Questions

1. What Advent traditions have been life-giving for our family—and which ones cause unnecessary stress?

2. How could we anchor Advent prayer or traditions more naturally into our existing daily routine?

3. In what ways do we tell the story of salvation to our children? Is there room to deepen our approach?

4. When we think about hospitality, what holds us back most—perfectionism, time, or fear?

5. Who is one person or family we could invite over in the next two weeks for a simple, joy-filled meal?