How About TWO Fun Christmas Gift Ideas?
Friends! How can Thanksgiving be fast approaching with Christmas right around the corner? Well, I’ve got GOOD NEWS: help is on the way!!! I’ve got two fabulous Christmas gift ideas (one for adults and one for children) this week. More to follow, Lord willing. ‘Tis the season!!!
So I recently received a lovely, belated birthday gift from my friend, Denise, and it just so happens it’s a book for Christmas—actually for Advent! It is BEAUTIFUL….See what you think:
Anne’s angels have taken the world by storm and captivated a gazillion of us fans in a myriad of ways. I’ve been blessed to have her notecards, Scripture cards, you-name it and several of my friends have all of her books—many of which are gorgeous coffee table books. Take a gander:
Including the Christmas Angels book, and the two books above, these are only three of eight of Annie’s books. You can see more by visiting her website: www.anneneilsonhome.com
The Christmas Angels book is divided into four sections, one for each week of Advent: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. Each devotional opens with a beautiful painting of an angel, a Scripture, followed by pertinent thoughts of encouragement from Anne, then concluding with a lovely prayer.
I had a cool thing happen a couple of weeks ago while preparing for our Tuesday Bible study class. I was on Day 4 of Anne’s devotional, “Refuge in His Word.” The Scripture for that day is a favorite: “You are my REFUGE and my SHIELD. I have put my HOPE in your word.” No sooner than I’d read this, I turned on Liz Higgs’ “Grace for Every Monday” on Facebook. Her verse she shared was Hebrews 6:19, “We have this HOPE as an ANCHOR for the soul, FIRM and SECURE.” Clearly the Lord wanted me to share this HOPE with our Bible study gals. The devotion, plus Liz’ FB post from 10/27 were just what the doctor ordered that morning.
In Day 6, “Waiting on the Lord,” is a topic that has never been a strong suit of mine. Waiting and being patient seem to be my challenge du jour, so when I read the closing prayer in this particular devotion, it really spoke to me. Read this with me:
This is just a glimpse into Anne’s lovely devotional which would be a huge treat for any of your family or friends this coming Advent Season. Don’t forget Advent will begin this year on Sunday, November 30th.
Next up: Here’s a super sweet children’s book for the kiddos in your life. I learned about this book from my dear friend, Brie Roberts, who owns an incredible children’s store here in Louisville, The Rocking Horse. Brie knows our grand angels’ names and sizes better than I do! (I sorta get in trouble each time I stop in there as Brie carries gorgeous children’s clothes, accessories, toys, and books and well, DO go check it out! www.therockinghorselou.com ):
Written in lovely prose your children or grandchildren will adore, the book’s story flows beautifully, following some darling animals preparing for Jesus’ birth. Each animal has its own quirks, many of which don’t necessarily guarantee a stress-free clean up of the barn.
Their attempt to get along becomes quite humorous. We readers can glean several lessons from the animals’ personalities. (Perhaps lessons for our very own household!) The illustrations will also endear you to each animal.
So will all the animals have the barn and stable and manger ship-shape for Baby Jesus’ arrival? Ahhh, my friend, you must read the book to find out! (Also fun, the bright star which points to the manger is who gently guides the animals.)
Let’s close with the lovely Christmas Blessing at the end of the book—may it become one of your family’s traditions!
“As Christmas Day draws near,
We bow our heads and pray.
We thank God for His blessings,
That He gives us every day.
God thank you for our family,
The ones that we hold dear.
For bringing us together,
At this special time of year.
God thank you for our friendships,
Some are old and some are new.
They helps us to explore and learn,
A different point of view.
God thank you for our home
That we fill with joy and love❤️.
It brings us peace☮️ and comfort,
A true blessing from above.
God thank you for these precious gifts,
With you we shine so bright.
May the spirit of the season,
Bless us all this Christmas night.”
Amen.
Now run, don’t walk to your nearest bookstore and grab some copies of Christmas Angels for your friends and family members and for the children or grandchildren in your life, grab copies of The Christmas Blessing. These books will take some pressure off your Christmas list!
‘Til next time!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the page above are “affiliate links.”