HOLY PALS CHRISTMAS JAMMIES

Our family loves doing matching Christmas jammies. It's a tradition we started when our adult kids were very young and we've continued through the years even now with the grandkids. A few years ago we found a company that not only offered matching Christmas jammies with incredible quality, but also gave us the message of what Christmas really means. And that is our deepest desire for our family, to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and grow Spiritually.

Holy Pals is a Christian created and owned company. George and Jen started Holy Pals when their son said, "Imagine if my pajamas had David & Goliath all over them, wouldn't that be cool?" Holy Pals was quickly born.

Just think, you get your child ready for bed in their Holy Pals Bible story pajamas and snuggle in with a Bible story for bed. What a great way to send your child off to sleep!

Holy Pals pajamas are high quality, made to last, very comfortable, and share Bible stories on them. They offer pajamas for all sizes; newborn, infant, child, women, men, and even dog bandanas. Can't leave the family fur baby out! At Christmas you can get Prince of Peace, Away in a Manger, Sweet Baby Jesus, O Holy Night, and Glory to God. But they also offer Fruit of the Spirit, Armor of God, David and Goliath, Queen Esther, Daniel, Jonah, Ruth and Naomi, Noah, and He First Loved Us. Each pair has the correlating Bible reference printed on the sleeve, so your child will know that their pajamas truly come from the Word of God.

Holy Pals is helping us wrap our family in the Word of God this Christmas and all year long. Check out Holy Pals HERE and use code JENIFER10 for 10% off your order!

WHEN CHRISTMAS IS HARD

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. I love all holidays and Christmas has always been placed at the very top of that list. Until four years ago.

In the early hours of Christmas morning 2019, my phone rang, waking me from my sleep. A phone call at this hour is never good. I saw my mom's name flash across the screen and said a sleepy, "Hello?" She uttered two words that have forever changed my life. "It's Papa." I jumped from bed screaming, waking the household. We raced to my grandparents home and when we arrived, I jumped from the car before my husband even stopped. As I ran inside, my dad met me at the door and with unfallen tears pooling in his eyes, he shook his head.

Life has not been the same. Since that sorrowful day, we also lost my Mamaw two years ago. She passed on Halloween, and while I do not celebrate Halloween in any way, it was just one more holiday that "stole" my grandparents from me. My grandparents were my best friends, my biggest cheerleaders, and my strongest prayer warriors. Losing them has been one of the absolute hardest things of my life.

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HOLY PALS

When our kids were little, over twenty years ago, we got our kids brand new pajamas for Christmas. On a whim, we allowed them to open one gift on Christmas Eve and the wrapped pajamas happened to be what they opened. Our kids loved their new, colorful pajamas and excitedly made their plans to wear them to bed that night.

We decided that year that we would make this a new tradition. Every year since we have wrapped brand new pajamas and gifted them to our kids, and now grandkids, on Christmas Eve. Every year my husband says, "There are no pajamas this year." And every year they know they are still getting them. Such a simple, yet fun tradition.

Last year I found a company that has elevated the Christmas pajamas to a whole new level. Holy Pals offers pajamas that let you wrap your family in the Word of God.

George and Jen, founders of Holy Pals, were tucking their son into bed one night when he said, "Imagine if my pajamas had David & Goliath all over them, wouldn't that be cool?" They immediately knew they wanted to make this happen and Holy Pals was born.

Holy Pals pajamas have Bible stories printed on them. Stories like the birth of Jesus, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lion's den, Jonah and the whale, Queen Esther, and more. On the sleeve of each pair of pajamas is the Scripture reference for that Bible story. Imagine dressing your child for bed while reading the Bible story that is printed on their pajamas. What a wonderful way to send your child off to sleep at night!

Their pajamas are 100% premium cotton making them not only great quality, but also super soft and cozy. Even after a wash, they hold their shape and still look great.

Holy Pals partners with The Littlest Lamb Orphanage. So when you buy a pair of Holy Pals pajamas, they give a pair to a child in need.

Our family loves Holy Pal pajamas and you will too. Shop Holy Pals HERE and be sure to use code JENIFER10 for 10% off your order.

FIVE PRACTICAL WAYS TO KEEP CHRISTMAS ABOUT JESUS

Every year we utter the mantra "Jesus is the reason for the season!" Every year we start out with grand plans to truly keep Christ as the very focal point of our holiday. And every year we fall short.

Busyness quickly takes over. There are cookies to bake, gifts to buy, gifts to wrap, decorations to put up, parties to attend, outfits to plan, cocoa to drink, movies to watch, music to sing to, meals to prepare, snow angels to make, and more. None of these things in and of themselves are bad. They are precious memories we are making even. Yet, they are not the reason we have this day to celebrate.

We know that Jesus is reason, we know that this day is for us to remember and honor our King that came to this earth to live, suffer greatly, die, and rise again. All for us. But how can we truly keep Christ at the center?

Here are five practical ways to help you and your family keep your focus on Jesus this holiday season.

Be okay with saying no. Maybe that means no to too many parties. Maybe it means no to too many gifts under the tree or too extravagant of gifts. It can be easy to get caught up in "yes" when we should be saying no a little more often. Become okay with letting the answer be no for a better yes. Yes to family. Yes to rest. Yes to focusing on Jesus.

Purposely pause each day. Each day pause as a family to reflect on the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Maybe at breakfast or at dinner. Maybe in the car on the way to school or at bedtime. Whenever it is, pause and reflect. Say a prayer together giving thanks for Jesus. Another fun way to do this is to use your nativity! Put the baby Jesus away for now; then each day take Joseph and Mary and have them travel to another room in the house. You can even have a family member act out an innkeeper saying there is no room. Then, on Christmas before you begin your festivities, Joseph and Mary can arrive at the stable where you bring out baby Jesus. This interactive way of pausing will bring the story to life for your little ones.

Watch a movie about the true meaning. Christmas movies are so much fun! I love snuggling in with a fuzzy blanket and cocoa as I watch a Christmas movie. Along with your fun movies, be sure to watch at least one movie about the true meaning of Christmas. A couple options are The Nativity Story and The Star. Great American Pureflix also offers a wide range of faith based Christmas movies that will point your family to Jesus.

Read the story of the birth of Jesus. At least one time this holiday season, read the story of Jesus' birth. Our kids used to love to sit by the tree and read Christmas books. There is just something so fun about sitting under the lights of the tree and reading about the holiday. You could keep a basket of books at your tree and each night before bed read one together as a family. Make sure you offer books that are about Jesus and keep a Bible in the basket to read the story straight from God's Word.

Wrap your family in the Word of God. Over twenty years ago we began a tradition with our kids that we still to this day celebrate: Christmas jammies. Last year we found a company that is more than snowmen and Santa hats and we love it. Holy Pals offers Christmas jammies with meaning. Each pair of pajamas shares the story of Jesus birth with beautiful prints and even has the Scripture reference tagged right onto the pajamas. Holy Pals pajamas are super soft and cozy, made with great quality and care. What better way to pause and reflect as you help your child get ready for bed and what a precious reminder on Christmas morning that the day is about more than opening gifts. When shopping at Holy Pals, use code JENIFER10 for 10% off!

What are other practical ways you keep Christmas about Christ?

WHEN CHRISTMAS IS HARD & THE 10TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BLESSING GIVEAWAY

I have always loved Christmas! Everything about it is wonderful and glorious! I have so many precious memories of the holiday. Beautiful Christmas productions at church, Christmas Eve fun with my dad's family, Christmas morning with my parents and siblings, getting to eat cookies for breakfast, and Christmas dinner with my mom's family. Then when I married we added so many more precious memories with our own children. Watching my children light up when they open a gift, reading the Christmas story from the Bible, baking cookies together, so many wonderful moments tucked away in my heart.

Until December 25, 2019...

This was the worst Christmas ever. And to be transparent, I have struggled to even like the season ever since.

You see, just after midnight on Christmas morning, my grandfather left this world for his heavenly home. Life hasn't been the same since. I haven't been the same since. I know Christmas didn't take him. I know it was his time and God called him home. But mercy it still hurts. I feel like it left a stain on Christmas. Every decoration and tradition is a reminder of that grief stricken day. Christmas is hard.

My family has faced some struggles, some discord. My once inseparable family is now so far apart. I used to love and look forward to spending the day together, now I worry and can't help but wonder what will happen now. Christmas is hard.

One of my best friends lost her battle with cancer in October. She loved Christmas! Each year we would talk about Christmas, send each other pictures of our trees, and video each other on Christmas morning. I miss her. Christmas is hard.

My grandmother left this world for her heavenly home on October 31st. Just five weeks ago. It hurts so bad. This will be our first Christmas without her. An already difficult day, now even harder. I miss her sweet words, her hugs, her food, everything about her. Christmas is hard.

I know I am not alone. Many of you struggle with finding joy at Christmas for one reason or another. Many of you are facing the first Christmas since the loss of a loved one. Many of you feel alone. Many of you are hurting.

What can we do when Christmas is hard? When we want to unplug the lights because how dare they possibly twinkle with joy when we hurt so bad. When we want to scream at the top of our lungs because the Christmas carols won't stop and we don't want to hear it. When our heart is aching.

For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Christmas isn't about all the glitz and twinkle. Though it can be glorious (when we are in the mood for it), it takes our mind off what really matters and reminds us of the pain and loneliness.

When I focus on the holiday of Christmas, I see what I am missing out on; my grandparents gone, my dear friend gone, and my family torn apart. But when I focus on the meaning of Christmas, I see the blessing; because Jesus came, I know my grandparents and friend are in heaven right now and I will see them again one day. When I focus on the holiday of Christmas, I remember the shock and pain of my mom's voice through the phone at 1am saying, "It's Papa!" But when I focus on the meaning of Christmas, I see the memories and the love.

We must shift our focus to the true meaning of Christmas and to our Savior. When we do this, we are allowing Him to come down and bring comfort and peace like only He can. Through His comfort and peace, we can find pockets of joy in the season of Christmas.

If Christmas is hard for you, put Christ back at the very center of the season. Keep your eyes and heart fixed on Him.

*********

We want to help with the financial burden this year so we have partnered with some amazing bloggers to bring you the 10th Annual Christmas Blessing Giveaway!

One blessed person will win $480 in Paypal cash! That cash can be used to help buy Christmas gifts, buy groceries, pay a bill, or whatever you want to do with it.

Thank you to our bloggers!

Woman to Woman Ministries

Jenifer Metzger

I Choose Joy Now

Coupons and Freebies Mom

Jan Burt

A Delightful Glow

Bible Journaling Ministries

Homeschooling Dietitian Mom

Danielle Tate

Live Well Blessed

The Round About Farm

Mama’s Coffee Shop

Changing Focus

Amy Bovaird

Experience His Freedom

The Manor Manor

Wonder and Grace

Let’s Paint With Jesus 

A Mama’s Story

To enter to win, just complete each task in the rafflecopter below. The winner will be chosen at random by rafflecopter.com on December 14th and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond claiming their blessing.

Rules:
No purchase necessary. Must be 18 to enter. Void where prohibited by law. **Open to US/Canada residents only.** This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or associated by Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. By entering this giveaway, you agree to release Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Woman to Woman Ministries, and all participating bloggers of all liability. Contest ends at 12:01am EST on December 14, 2020. Winning entry will be verified. Winner is randomly chosen by Rafflecopter and will be emailed.

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR ALL & A GIVEAWAY

*Disclosure: Links on this page may be affiliate links. Thank you for supporting this ministry by using the affiliate links.

My husband and I love giving gifts! Whether it is a gift for our children, grandson, or friend, we love giving gifts to those we love. But if we are honest, sometimes it's hard to think of just the right gift. So today I am sharing some of my favorite gift ideas. These are products we own and use regularly, most of which are from small businesses!

For everyone

Bound for Truth - These custom Bible covers are beautiful! My husband and I both have a Bound for Truth Bible cover and love them. These covers are made from saddle quality leather and made custom to fit your Bible. You can choose from several different cuts, pick your snaps, and personalize it with embossing. Each cover comes with a pen holder on the inside. A Bound for Truth custom leather Bible cover would make the perfect gift for anyone! Use code JENIFER15 for 15% off! Click HERE.

C.1921 Candle Co - I love burning candles, however, not all candles are safe. C.1921 Candle Co offers candles that are completely safe! Their candles are phthalate free, lead free, made with American grown soy, and infused with essential oils. The candles burn perfectly even and all the way to the bottom of the jar! And, they smell amazing! C.1921 Candle Co are my favorite candles and perfect for anyone who enjoys candles! Click HERE.

Candace Cameron Bure - Merry - Christmas Throw with Trivia Cards and Conversation Starters - Our family loves blankets! We all love to snuggle up with a soft blanket all year long, especially this time of year. The new CCB Merry Christmas Throw is so soft! It is 50"x60" and comes with conversation starter and triva cards. Anyone will love this blanket! Click HERE.

Candace Cameron Bure - Inspiring + Admired - Set of 2 Candles with Gift Boxes - The CCB candles are cute! Each 6oz candle features a warm, classic vanilla fig scent and beautiful glass vessel with goldtone accents. These would make great hostess gifts for all those Christmas parties. Click HERE.

Kindle Paperwhite - I am a big reader. I much prefer a physical book in my hand. I just love the feel of holding a book and turning a page. I never thought I would like an e-reader. However, this year I got the Kindle Paperwhite and love it! It has great storage, is waterproof, and so easy to use. I have actually come to love reading from a Kindle. This Kindle Paperwhite makes a wonderful gift for anyone you know who loves to read. Click HERE.

Hasbro Scrabble Deluxe Edition (Amazon Exclusive) - We love to play Scrabble! This Scrabble Deluxe Edition is perfect! You can swivel the board around so each player gets a good look and the board folds up for easy storage. If you are looking for a family gift or know someone who loves games, this Scrabble board is perfect! Click HERE.

Loopy Cases - Everyone has a cell phone these days so why not protect your phone! Loopy Cases are the only phone cases I use. The loop helps to stop the drop and frees your hands when you're on the go. Click HERE.

For her

Bellamare Designs - Bellamare Designs offers beautiful customized bracelets. I have quite a few and love them. My favorite bracelet set is a stack of three, one with my husband's name, one with my name, and one with all our kids' initials. I wear this set almost every day! These bracelets would be a beautiful gift for any woman. Click HERE.

Write the Word Journals - Write the Word Journals are the perfect gift for any woman (including teen girls). These journals help you to slow down and linger in the Word as you write out Scripture verses. Write the Word journals have become a daily part of my quiet time. With over 15 journals to choose from, there is something any woman will love. Pair a journal with a beautiful pen for a precious gift. Choose the Custom WTW Bundle where you can choose 5 journals and you will have 5 gifts! Click HERE.

Candace Cameron Bure One Step Closer Bible - The CCB One Step Closer Bible is one of my favorite Bibles and the Bible I am currently using daily. I love the red letters for Jesus, three ribbon book markers, highlighted Bible promises, help finder index, and more! *Pair with a Bound for Truth Bible cover for the perfect gift! Click HERE.

Gold Initial Necklaces for Women and Girls - This adorable necklace set comes with an initial pendant necklace and a paperclip chain necklace. I wear this necklace all the time, sometimes together as a set and sometimes separate, and love it. Click HERE.

For him

SYMA X500 4K Drone with UHD Camera - My husband wanted a drone to take fun videos at the lake this summer and he loves this one! It is easy to use, has a clear video picture, and comes with a carrying case. It is a great gift idea for your husband, brother, or even teen boy. Click HERE.

Custom Headphone Stand  - If your husband is a gamer, musician, or just loves music, he probably has a pair of over the head headphones. This customizable stand is perfect for keeping headphones in a safe place. Click HERE.

Tony Evans Bible - This is my husband's favorite Bible! It is the CSB version and comes in several cover options. Inside you'll find commentary from Tony Evans and QR codes to scan that will bring up video teachings from pastor Evans. *Pair this with a Bound for Truth Bible cover for the perfect gift! Click HERE.

Experiences - Experiences can be a great gift for your husband, father, teen son, or brother! You could gift a fishing license for next year, new hiking boots and backpack, painting classes, cooking classes, archery lessons, or a few months of bowling. Something fun for him to do!

For the kids

Write the Word Journals for Kids - Write the Word journals for kids are a wonderful way to help your children get into the Bible. Write the Word for Kids, Write the Word Adventure, and Write the Word Fruits of the Spirit are cute, bright colored journals your kids will love using. Each journal comes with a space to write out a preselected Bible verse, doodle pages, coloring pages, BINGO pages, and more. Pair a journal with these markers for a wonderful gift to help your children grow. Click HERE.

Self Watering Animal Planter - These little planters are so cute! They are self watering with the little tongues! These make a cute gift for your little one to learn to take care of plants. Click HERE.

3D Tic Tac Toe - This adorable wooden 3D Tic Tac Toe game is so fun! Plus, this game is a fair trade item in association with National Geographic. Click HERE.

Experiences - Experiences are a great gift for kids! Things like day or season passes to your local zoo, science museum, swimming pool, gym, or amusement park. Other fun things are kid's painting, sewing, or cooking classes.

Now time for a giveaway!

One blessed reader will win a few of my favorites from our Christmas Gift Guide:

• 1 Bound for Truth custom Bible cover
• 2 Bellamare Designs bracelets, 1 gold cross bracelet and 1 peace bracelet
• 2 C.1921 Candle Co Christmas candles, 1 Noel and 1 Tinsel
• 1 Candace Cameron Bure - Inspiring + Admired - Set of 2 Candles with Gift Boxes

To enter to win this gift guide bundle, complete each task in the rafflecopter below. Winner will be chosen November 7th and emailed. USA ONLY (due to shipping costs).

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SHOULD I OBSERVE ADVENT?

I grew up in a Christian home where we celebrated the true meaning of Christmas every year. However, I never knew what Advent really meant. Naively, I thought Advent was observed by a specific religion. Seven or so years ago I was seeing the word Advent and the phrase Advent study all over social media, so I decided to do some research and see what it really was about.

Simply put, Advent means expectantly waiting. We are expectantly waiting on the birth of our Savior. 

What is Advent

Advent is a period of waiting. It helps us to remember and celebrate the first coming of Jesus, His birth, and anticipate His second coming. Advent lasts the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day. The Advent season is a beautiful time of focusing on the arrival of Jesus Christ. Observing Advent isn't specific to a religion or group of people. Advent is for all!

Should I observe Advent

While observing Advent is a personal choice, I believe it is good for Christians to do so. Why wouldn't we want to celebrate and anticipate Jesus!?  I love everything about Christmas. But it can get so busy and so commercialized, Advent helps us to shift our focus back to Jesus and slow down and enjoy the holiday. Advent also helps us to deepen our relationship with Jesus.

Advent can also be done as a family. This is a wonderful way to help your family grow closer to each other as everyone also grows closer to Jesus.

How should I observe Advent

Advent begins November 28th this year and will end on Christmas Eve. To observe Advent, you can do an Advent study. There are so many great Advent studies!  Advent studies will go through Scripture and help us dig deep into different aspects of Christmas and faith. Advent studies can be done in addition to any Bible study or devotional you are already doing or in place of for the time of observation.

Many people also light Advent candles. I've done this a few years, but not every year. Advent wreathes and candles come with four candles. Each Sunday of Advent you light one candle and say a prayer. This is a simple practice of putting extra thought and prayer into Advent each week. (Some wreathes offer five candles, one for Christmas Day too.)

The first candle, first Sunday, represents hope. The second candle, second Sunday, represents love. The third candle, third Sunday, represents peace. And the final candle, final Sunday before Christmas, represents joy. You can light your candle at a family dinner, family devotion time, or whenever works best for you on that Sunday.

What I am doing this year and my favorite Advent studies

This year I am doing the Cultivate What Matters Advent Write the Word Journal. I absolutely love Write the Word journals! The Advent WTW comes as a gift set with a beautful keepsake box, your journal, conversation card set, Scripture verse card set, stickers, an ornament, and a cute mug. To order the Advent Write the Word Journal gift set, click HERE.

I am also doing Candace Cameron Bure's Bring On the Merry: 25 Days of Great Joy for Christmas. Candace is known as the queen of Christmas! Her new Christmas devotional is a beautiful book perfect for the holiday season. You'll find devotions, thought provoking questions, and more. To pick up Bring on the Merry, click HERE. Use code FRIEND for 25% off!

I will also be using the Advent wreath and candles from Dayspring. It comes with a beautiful wreath and all four candles. To check it out, click HERE. Use code FRIEND for 25% off!

Other Advent studies I've done through the years and love are:

Advent: The Story of Christmas by Sherri Gragg - on sale for $11.25 with code FRIEND

Keeping Our Hearts Focused One Christmas by Courtney Joseph - a downloadable pdf

The Daily Grace Co's Waiting for the Savior - on sale for only $10!

The She Reads Truth 2021 Advent Study Book

Observing Advent is a personal decision. One that, should you choose to observe it, can be a great blessing in your faith journey.

Discussion:
Have you observed Advent before?
What is your favorite Advent study?