Missy Tippens
We're so glad you've come by to spend time with us this month for our Advent celebration! Because I know Christmastime can be difficult or overwhelming for some, I wanted to share a devotional I wrote for our church last year...
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
As we move through the season of Advent, each week we light a candle—representing hope, love, joy, peace. But what if while lighting the candle of hope, we feel hopeless at home or at work or at school? What if while lighting the candle of peace, conflicts rage inside and out?
Sometimes we see the command to rejoice always, and give thanks in all circumstances, and we just can’t wrap our heads around how to do that. When we’re crushed by grief, overwhelmed by responsibilities, or stricken with guilt, how can we give thanks? When we’re rushing around trying to prepare the “perfect” Christmas even while feeling empty inside, how can we pray continually?
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined...For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:2, 6 (NRSV)
A child has been born for us—for us!—into all the messiness and craziness of our world. How can we not pray and give thanks? How can we not pause and turn our eyes expectantly to the Christ child this Advent season?
The Prince of Peace has come.
A gift.
For me. For you.
******
So let's pause and wait expectantly together in the coming weeks! Let's encourage each other to remember Whom we're celebrating. Do you ever fall into the trap of trying to pull off the perfect Christmas? I'd love to hear how you battle the busyness and remember the true reason for the season: Jesus's birth.
Oh, and don't forget I have a Christmas novella out now!
Unlucky in love, police deputy Hardy Greenway has spent his life in the friend zone. But now he’s fallen hard for the girlfriend of his nemesis. Dori Blanchette has been waiting for a proposal from her boyfriend, but how can she say yes when she has feelings for Hardy? With Christmas tree ornaments playing spontaneously and secrets being revealed, there’s no telling who will end up together at Christmas!
Welcome to Dahlia, Georgia, where everyone feels welcome!
Buy here!
Welcome to Dahlia, Georgia, where everyone feels welcome!
Buy here!
Today's Giveaway! I've taken up painting this year and have done a small acrylic painting of an angel to give to one commenter. (Please note this image isn't of the actual prize.This is a painting I did in my Bible journal!) Please let me know in the comments if you'd like to be entered.
The month-long giveaway!
Our power was out for 18 hours yesterday because of downed trees from all the rain and wind Saturday night. Very cold around here! Thankfully, it's back on now. However, now our Internet and phone are out! So I may not get to drop by as much as usual this morning. I'm really hoping they'll have it up and running soon!
ReplyDeleteI like to reflect on the Christmas carols that talk about Jesus' birth. They remind me why I'm celebrating.
ReplyDeleteToni, that's a wonderful suggestion! I think music is one of my favorite ways to enjoy Christmas.
DeleteThanks for reminding us!
Missy -- I know so many people who have reasons for an "uneasy" advent season this year -- serious illness of their own or family members, death of a loved one, financial uncertainties, overwhelming kid situations or other family responsibilities or disturbances.
ReplyDeleteWe need to give ourselves permission to not try to "do it all" when it comes to seasonal "expectations."
Easier said than done, I know, especially when children are involved. But we need to be kind to ourselves as well as others when life is rougher than rough. Step aside from the seasonal demands as often as we can, if even for a minute or two, to draw from God the peace and comfort and wisdom and strength that may be so desperately needed. To realize we are not alone and God WILL get us through.
Glynna, that's beautifully said! Thanks for sharing. I'm sort of feeling my way along this season which will be the first without my father. I love your idea to draw away and find peace, comfort, wisdom and strength from God.
DeleteI have definitely fallen into the "perfect Christmas" trap, but have learned (begrudgingly, at times) over the years that with 4 small kids there is NO SUCH THING as "the perfect Christmas". There's laughter, and tears, and joy, and messiness, and magic...a little bit of everything...and trying to keep our focus on the birth of our Savior. And every year we make special memories that I hope my children will cherish.
ReplyDeleteLove the new covers for your novellas, Missy!
Beth, that's such a great lesson to learn. I can remember one year when the kids were really small being in angst over what special holiday-ish clothes they would wear to the big Christmas Eve candlelight service for our first year at a new church. Thankfully, by the next year I had realized that wasn't important at all. And now it makes me smile when I think of how one year (just a few years ago), my oldest asked to borrow one of my "ugly" Christmas sweaters to wear to the Christmas Eve service for fun and I gladly handed it over. :) I'm so glad I let some of the expectations go. But I still struggle sometimes with trying to make everything like this perfect holiday I carry in my mind. I still struggle to keep the focus where it should be.
DeleteBeth, this perfectly sums up Christmas With Kids.
DeleteI try to spread out the preparations to avoid that craziness. Presents are bought throughout the year when on clearance (my kids compile a list through the year and when their item goes on sale, i buy it). Come December my husband and i make a concentrated effort to talk about Jesus and the reason he came so our kids will know why we celebrate. Thanks for sharing your devotional - lots of food for thought. I would love to be entered in the draw. (Lee-Ann B
ReplyDeleteLee-Ann, I think that's a fantastic idea to stay on top of the holiday! No last minute panic or flurry of activity. Once it gets here, you can focus on Jesus's birth.
DeleteI've got you entered!
Hey, Missy, so very sorry about the nasty weather. Praying things get back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this, my friend, because I am a HUGE proponent of praising and thanking God in all things. And when I do, it ALWAYS turns things around for the better because it's like stomping on the devil's head, which feels soooooo good! :)
I didn't realize you took up painting -- how cool!
You asked: Do you ever fall into the trap of trying to pull off the perfect Christmas? I'd love to hear how you battle the busyness and remember the true reason for the season: Jesus's birth.
In addition to giving TONS of presents, I used to bake 60 dozen cookies and 30+ breads to make cookie plates for neighbors and friends that I decorated with bows and real holly. It was NUTS!!
But thank God I'm well beyond that now, and what has helped is a program my church sponsored and my pastor actually started along with a few other pastors called ADVENT CONSPIRACY. It's based on four tenets: Worship fully. Spend Less. Give More. Love All. It's all about giving more "presence" rather than "presents," which means doing more things for people and with people vs. materialism. So now, my friends and family and I have pulled away from giving presents and give more time and love, which has helped me to focus more on the reason for the season.
GREAT post, Missy, and I LOVE the cover to your Christmas book!!
Hugs and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Julie
Julie, thanks for coming by! I remember when you first mentioned doing that program! I remember how you said it changed your life. I'm so glad you reminded me of it. I'll have to check it out.
DeleteI love your idea of moving away from gifts and giving gifts of time and presence. I really need to try this. You know, a few years ago my One Word was "presence" as I felt I needed to be more present for my family (rather than be on my computer all the time). It was tough to do but worth it.
Missy, I am loving this and all the Advent posts. I'm in a state of transition right now, the older members of the family have passed away and the younger ones are really, really busy and scattered, so my husband and I are reinventing our own Christmas. No Norman Rockwell stuff, a more quiet, adult celebration, but that's okay, we've had the other. It's not about presents or food, etc. With the changes comes less to do and I'm FINE with that. (I'm working on a book deadline, ironically a Christmas story, so anything that keeps me out of the malls is golden.) My church and this site are really focusing on Advent this year, and that's been good for me.
ReplyDeleteHe Came. The rest is icing on the cake.
Kathy, I love how you're adapting. I hope you'll share with us afterward how it went. I love your quote: "He came. The rest is icing on the cake." So true!
DeleteBest wishes for the deadline!
A silver lining from being older: the pervert uncles are all dead, and those of us that are left know better than to talk about politics. So there's that.
ReplyDeleteOh, man. I'm sorry you had to worry in the past about dodging those uncles.
DeleteSo true, Kathy. So true!
DeleteAhh, Missy. Such perfect sentiment for our hurried lives! Thanks for brightening my day with your reminder :)
ReplyDeleteAudra, you just brightened my day. :)
DeleteMissy! Did I forget to say how much I LOVE the cover of your book?? Gotta love the snow and scarves!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Audra! Rogenn Brewer did them!
DeleteOops. Typo. Rogenna
DeleteI've been lurking but enjoying these Advent posts this month! I haven't finished my shopping yet but I love it so it's not a chore. Over the years I think I've finally mastered the expectations vs the "must have's" but I laughed at your story about the matching outfits because that was SO me when my kiddos were little! And it see it all over my church even on Advent Sundays and it makes me smile, remembering how I'd shop and shop for those matching shirts etc. Every mom learns on her own! For Advent I try to do Random Acts of Kindness and then carry that on into January so it still surprises people. :) Whether it's paying for someone's Timmies coffee/lunch or distracting a screaming toddler in a grocery line-up, I think it helps us remember the reason for the season. Kindness. Loving each other. It's just a good witness for Him. Please enter me in the draw Missy. :)
ReplyDeleteLaurie, yes! I can remember being in major angst over just the right hair bow for my daughter!! Crazy. :)
DeleteI love your goal to show random acts of kindness! And of carrying that over into the new year. I pray you'll touch many people! I'd love to do the same.
Hi Missy - Beautiful devotion for advent. Echos some of the same thoughts I had yesterday at the lighting of the advent candle. This year my two sons (and their ladies) will be home at different times for Christmas. Was originally sort of bummed about that as we dont have the whole family together very often. But, I've come to look at it as a way to spend more quality time with each one individually. Amazing how peaceful that sounds compared to the boisterous family celebration. My son says it has been very cold and rainy in Atlanta, almost ice type weather. Sure hope things warm up for you soon. I would love to win the painting. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteCindy, yes, the weather here has been yucky! I'm ready for some sunshine.
DeleteI love how you're looking at the positive for the holiday! I hope you have a blessed time with each of the couples!
I haven't done much shopping at all but I hope to do it this week. We have never spent a lot on Christmas becasue for so many years our budget wouldn't allow it and now, we have what we need and the rest truly isn't necessary. I do try to send some year end contributions to some charities that are dear to our hearts. My mom supported St. Jude and after her death last year I took it on!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Missy, I would love to be entered in your angel picture drawing.
Connie, I think supporting St. Jude is wonderful! What a loving way to honor your mother.
DeleteMy Internet is back on! Bless the men and women who've been out in this miserable weather fixing it!
ReplyDeleteHi Missy:
ReplyDeleteGod is eternal. He always existed. God is omnipresent. He is everywhere. As such He cannot arrive anywhere because He has always been there. It is us, the believers, who arrive, once again, at the annual acknowledgement and celebration of God's greatest gift to mankind.
Look not for God to come to us but for us to come to God in faith and praise for God is always with us and always there for us to unfold and let Him in.
***
I'm a little worried about you new story, "His Perfect Christmas" as it involves a love triangle. This theme might be nice for women readers for they always win when there are two guys to choose from but for the male reader: one guy always loses.
Is it clear in your story at the start who the male reader should vicariously identify with? And how can the winner feel secure when he may have won the heroine on a 51 to 49 percent vote! Even a slight drop in his standing in her eyes makes the other man seem to have been the better choice! In these cases the HEA is always in danger of being crushed by these four little words: "I should have married". :)
In one of Julie's books I identified with the wrong suitor and didn't get the girl -- but then again I think the heroine in that story was Charity so I actually kind of won on that deal. Then in one of Mary's stories I was the 'hero' but was killed off so my wife could marry a man on the neighboring ranch! He may have been a better man but he was a poacher!
Of course, it is only fiction but if it didn't feel real to the reader at the time, then it wouldn't be read very far in the first place.
Worry not. When it comes to God, Christmas is always perfect. It is how we celebrate it in our hearts that may be less than perfect. As such even "One Imperfect Christmas" can still bring joy!
It's not in our stars but in our selves.
Please include me in the angel drawing.
Vince
Vince, now you've gone and made me want to change the wording in my devotional!! :)
DeleteBut I won't change my love triangle story. LOL Although, I get what you're saying about how male readers must identify with one of them. I did try to make sure the reader knows that the boyfriend at the beginning (Victor) was waffling the whole time. Hopefully that was obvious enough. :) Plus, I started the story in Hardy's POV. That should be a giveaway! ;)
And you named the loser 'Victor'?
DeleteLOL!! Never occurred to me. haha Of course, he gets his own story!! That should come out in January. :)
DeleteI haven't gone all out for Christmas in quite awhile. It's good in that there is less stress, for sure. Less presents. Less fuss. More "being". It's nice.
ReplyDeleteI love your Christmas story and am so impressed by your art endeavors! Creativity with color is one of my favorite things!
Sherrinda, I love that you've been downsizing. I really think I'd like to try that next year.
DeleteAlso, I need to give you all the credit for my getting into painting! It all started with me seeing one of your beautiful Bible journal drawings on FB. Then I started journaling. And that led to buying water color, then acrylic paints and papers! And now I've bought oil paints and have signed up for an online class. My dad painted (oils) when I was young and I adore his paintings. I'm so excited to be trying them!! So THANK YOU, Sherrinda!
My teen Sunday School class (I'm the teacher) and I are working on doing this, not just at Christmas, but all year...being grateful, stopping to consider others before ourselves, looking for ways to serve one another, and remembering that through God we have peace and joy. So far, they are out-serving and out-thanking ME! Humbling and challenging!
ReplyDeleteDuring Christmas, I like to stop and list my many blessings, getting my focus off of the to-do list and the expectations and getting it back on all the wonderful things God has given and done for me.
Erica, that's so wonderful that your class is responding so well! I love your ideas for focusing outward. I wish you were my teacher!!
DeleteYes, we need to keep a gratitude journal going, especially at Christmas.
My kids are grown and one is out on her own, so the "busyness" that used to be years ago is not so much anymore. I still cook a big meal on Christmas but I love cooking so it's no biggie :-) It's also fun teaching our almost five year old grand-girl the true meaning of Christmas. It helps that she gets to go to church with us and she's part of the kids play. Her teacher has a knack for teaching them the Biblical reason for the season through it. It's funny, my grand-girl said the other day "Santa's not real, but Jesus is"! She knows other kids celebrate with Santa and that we don't and it's okay. We've told her it's just a fun way for some kids to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteI think we all need to keep Christ in the center of our lives and not just Christmas time. That way, we can all have a reason to be thankful and mindful of His working in our hearts.
Trixi, your granddaughter sounds so cute! I love that attitude! Yes, we need to keep Christ central all year to keep everything in perspective.
DeleteThanks to the storm i have been without internet for 2 days and still without. My friend and I are eating supper out so using internet there. I will read post later.
ReplyDeleteWilani, I hope yours is back soon! Mine has been out too due to the weather (fallen trees). Enjoy your dinner!
DeleteInternet is back on. Yay.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing. I would love to be entered. I’m doing a devotional A Walk Through Advent that I’m really enjoying.
ReplyDeleteLucy, thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteLovely, Missy. Advent is such a special time of anticipation...a time to embrace and enjoy as we await the birth of the Christ Child, Emmanuel, which, as you know, means Christ is with us.
ReplyDeleteMaranatha, come, Lord Jesus!
Amen!
DeleteGreat post, Missy, with a lot to think about. I also try too hard sometimes for a perfect Christmas. But with my work schedule, I can't always make it as I would like, so I just have to know what I can let go.
ReplyDeleteToday I started a two week sub job at the high school for a teacher on maternity leave. It will certainly keep me busy, especially since I will have a lot of hours at the book store next week. I am looking forward to that Christmas break!
Please enter me in the drawing. I collect angels so would love to win it.
Sandy, you're smart to figure out what you can let go. I've been doing that the last several years.
Delete