Christmas and Advent

When our daughters were younger, and we were going on little sleep and abiding an infant and toddler schedule, we found ourselves sleepwalking into that in-between stage. Maybe you know what I mean? It’s where Christmas borderlines the place where everything is magical and fun, but little ones are still too young to “get it” all. So, my husband and I decided to place our focus on each other and claimed we would do our best to make it magical for our daughters once they got a bit older.Well, that year, as we woke up on Christmas morning and came sauntering into the living room, my oldest daughter, who was three at the time, ran straight to the stockings, then paused, and turned to us in bewilderment. Four words came from her mouth, “Mommy, were you bad?” There hung all our stockings full of goodies, and then there was mine, with not even so much as a lump of coal. Let’s just say the glaring glances my husband received at that moment were anything but of a doting wife.Now, I truly do not want to dishonor my darling hubby or paint him in a bad light in any way because he really had good intentions and actually had the goodies for my stocking; he just forgot to fill it. Sleep deprivation is no joke. Not to mention, he was putting together a rocking horse until midnight.Truth be told, we have both learned so much since those early days in our marriage. Besides, the stories easily go both ways, I assure you. The year I gave my hubby football tickets to a game that already took place is still a running joke in our house. Ha!But, as we once again gear up for the beauty, awe, and wonder this time of year brings, I am writing specifically for the gentlemen here in a means to simply clarify a little about what your lovely bride may want/need from you this Christmas.Maybe you are raising littles and going on a few hours of sleep, or you have teens (the stage we are currently in) and trying to find ways to create the magic of Christmas in a different way. But I bet your precious wife has already been doing “all the things” from decorating to baking, striving to make this time of year filled with moments and memories your whole family will enjoy and love. So, join her and do this beautiful holiday season together. It will not only be a great way to bond but also such a blessing for your marriage.And, with that, below are a few ways you can do just that and give your sweet wife a gift she will find simply charming: the gift of YOU!

Cuffing seasons come and go. You don't have to rush into any type of relationship to feel better about yourself during this time of the year, only for it to possibly be a short-term romance. Take some time to think about who you really are and what you truly deserve, and know what you don't want in a relationship. Never settle for less than what you deserve, no matter what season of life you are in.

I’m afraid I’ve become a bit hum-bug-ish lately. Not because I don’t like the holidays, but because I feel like it’s a lot of work to make things merry and bright. However, I’ve been reminiscing about some of my childhood memories - including stockings filled with Pez candy and Lifesaver books, and I have to admit, it’s bringing back some of the holiday cheer.What about you? Do you feel like you’re in a rut this year? Why not add a few new touches to your holiday celebrations? If you’re not big on creativity, don’t worry - I’ve got you covered. Here are seven ways to bring back childhood fun during the holidays.

When we stop to really contemplate the reason Jesus came, our traditions and celebrations can reflect the love that came down wrapped in a bundle of baby flesh.

Prepare for awe as two sisters sing a chilling duet of ‘O Holy Night.’ This well-known Christmas hymn is one of the most popular songs during the holiday season as it speaks to the magnitude of the birth of our Savior.

Since I've been married, my husband and I have been away from family for most of the holidays. Because he's also a pastor, there are times when we must stay close to home to have church services. Sometimes we've had to miss special holidays because of the distance. It's not fun to be away from family during the holidays. This is especially true for relatives who may be housebound due to illness, are equally distant from their relatives, or have strained relationships and don't feel they can visit their family for the holidays.Although relatives might be away from family for the holidays, it doesn't mean they have to be lonely. With some creativity, a relative who can't be present can be the focal point of your holiday. Here are five ways to love relatives who are alone for the holiday:

As grandparents, we have the opportunity to infuse love and creativity into our grandchildren’s holiday season through a bit of planning, an attitude of joy, and the understanding that often, good memories are less about what we do and more about how we do it.

Joseph – the man who served as Jesus Christ’s earthly father – is an important part of the Christmas story. We often see depictions of Joseph in nativity scenes as part of the Holy Family. Sometimes, Joseph appears as a young man, and sometimes as an older man. How old was Joseph when Jesus was born? The Bible doesn’t mention Joseph’s age. But it does reveal some clues that allow us to make some educated guesses. By exploring those biblical clues, we can also find inspiration from Joseph’s life. Joseph, regardless of his age, was someone who God chose to play a vital role in Jesus’ life on earth. Here are 5 Bible clues about Joseph’s age from his inspirational life.Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Nankimstudio

One sweet young man was over the moon about the part he had been assigned in his school’s nativity scene, and he couldn’t wait to share the good news.

One family is reminding us of the real reason for Christmas with an incredible holiday light show set to ‘Mary Did You Know.’

A classic and beloved Christmas tune, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” has gotten an updated look, with a new video starring the original singer, Brenda Lee, and a few of her famous friends.

We hope you enjoy this compilation of some of our favorite Christmas covers by Pentatonix. Merry Christmas!

Most of us know the general outline because we’ve heard or sung it or watched it being enacted in the Christmas programs that most churches offer during December. We know about the shepherds, the angels, the “Wise Men,” the star, the innkeeper, the long journey of Mary and Joseph, the baby in the manger, and we know about the gold, frankincense and myrrh. But how much of what we know is tradition and how much comes from the Bible? Download this quiz, print it out, and take it to your Christmas parties, Sunday School classes, drop it in stockings, challenge the family on Christmas Eve!Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Marcos Elihu Castillo Ramirez

They top our trees, adorn our yards, and may even stand proudly in your local department store. But the Bible has a lot to say about angels, and not just in the Christmas story. Who are these angelic beings, what do they do, and why are they so closely connected to the story of Christ's birth?

It may not make sense. The situation may seem impossible. The odds may be stacked against you. Trust God.