Welcome back friends,

I hope you are enjoying your Christmas break and getting ready for the holidays! Here in our house we are anxiously awaiting the celebration of Jesus' birth! We are preparing for meals with family, good times with friends and loving the fact that school is done until 2018...can I get an amen?

In preparation for the Christmas season I have been following some advent studies that have really opened my eyes to some things I didn't think about before. Michelle over at Displaying Grace has done a beautiful job preparing our hearts for advent in a very real and different way this year with her advent study on the redeemed women of the Bible! While there are so many things I have pulled from this study, one main thing is that Mary gave birth to the One who still had to redeem her. Can you imagine her heart and mind as Jesus was growing up and doing miraculous things? She too had to be saved, redeemed and forgiven by the very one that she carried in her womb! WOW..that is powerful!

If you haven't had the chance to read an advent study and want something you can do even after Christmas is over, head over to her website at displayinggrace.com and check it out! She is an amazing writer and this study she has written will open your eyes to how you too can be redeemed!

Another great advent study I am reading this season is "Unwrapping the Joy" by Tonya Andrews at encourageherministry.com. Y'all this is her first book and it is incredible! I have joined Tonya every Tuesday and Thursday on both Instagram and Facebook while she goes over and discusses the scripture passages throughout the book.  This is a beautiful depiction of the excitement and anticipation we should feel towards the birth of Christ the King!

One thing I have pulled from her study that has touched my heart is the simple fact that when Jesus came and was born a babe in a manger, He was so significant but yet so human. He was fed just like any other baby, played just like any other child and grew as we do now. There is so much humanity in that Jesus was relatable.

Maybe you have studied advent before or maybe you have no idea what advent really is....go pick up one or both of these studies from these precious women of God, you will not be sorry and you will grow in your walk with Him!

I pray that each and every one of you have a very Merry Christmas and take the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and what this season is all about! Everlasting love, sent for us only to die in our place!

Til' next time.....