Today marks the third Sunday of Advent. The Tiniest Tiny is on the verge of losing her first tooth; I’m feeling all the feels. Before long, a dairy-free version of Alice Currah’s “Spicy Sausage Kale Bean Soup” is reheated on the stovetop. Leftover Thai food is thrown into the microwave; and two-thirds of our children refuse to eat it. Eventually, our family gathers around the oak farm table in the dining room to light the Joy Candle. As the flame of the pink candle flickers and comes to life, we set our eyes on whatever is lovely and good, to the dawn of about to get better. This is the song of old, the story rising in me.
The above reflection was part of last year’s Christmas letter. I didn’t mention that the kids were fighting to the death over whose turn it was to blow out the candles; the dog was barking; and each time I snuck a glance at my phone to refer to the Advent reading I’d found online, my husband Greg, always the kid at heart, tried to blow out the candle that was supposed to represent joy.
My family wasn’t the only problem. Panic seemed to creep into my heart as soon as Costco rolled out their holiday decorations. Anxiety was at its peak by Black Friday. For the love of trying to find that special treasure for each family member, extended family member, teacher, school specialist and even the milkman. By the time I got to the milkman, I’m afraid the “special something” came from my neighborhood Starbucks in the form of a $10 gift card. I really wasn’t a Grinch. I really did love Christmas. I was just overwhelmed by the increasing number of obligations, and expenses, associated with the season.
Enter Jody Collins and her new book, Living the Season Well — Reclaiming Christmas. I met the author at a Seattle-based writing group last winter. Jody sat on a red couch by the window and told us, enthusiastically, about an idea she had for a book, an idea she believes God gave her to help parents (and grandparents) appreciate the connection between adapting, or adopting, the liturgies of the church year by presenting simple ways for families to approach the holidays without feeling burdened by it.
Living the Season Well is for evangelical and liturgical families alike. My faith background is Presbyterian-turned-Nondenominational-turned-Assemblies-of-God; which meant I was basically confused about the church calendar and all things liturgy. I have precious memories of the lighting of the Advent candles at the church of my childhood, complete with wooden pews and stained glass windows. As an adult, it’s easy for me to get behind all of the longing and anticipation associated with Advent. But I had questions about the candle business. I knew about the little pink Joy Candle, but only because I Googled it. I loved learning from the book about the sacred traditions of the church in ways that work for modern families. I found the explanation of Advent particularly helpful.
I appreciate the tone of Living the Season Well. Jody is never bossy or condescending. Her book urged me to start small and start now. Since I’m a budget-conscious mama, I love that many of Jody’s ideas and suggestions to incorporate the timeless church traditions are inexpensive, and often free.
I learned that it’s not about cramming more of Christmas on or around December 25. This was one of my favorite take-aways from the book. You see, I’m deeply introspective. My heart requires a great deal of time to ponder and reflect upon the way God chose to show his love for me through the miracle of his son’s birth. I’m not ready to take down the tree just because Christmas has come and gone. I’m still celebrating. What a relief to have permission to stretch the season out and enjoy the sacred beauty of it all.
As mentioned previously, I’m prone to anxiety. It doesn’t take much for me to feel overwhelmed by the increasing number of obligations and expenses associated with the beloved holiday. Can you relate? Friend, it doesn’t have to be this way. Christmas doesn’t have to be a major source of stress and anxiety. There’s a plethora of useful information available in Jody’s book to help you and your family simplify Christmas and live the season well.
As part of the launch team for Living the Season Well, I received a digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. Truth be told, I loved Jody’s book so much that I ordered a paperback for myself. I think you’ll like it, too. I encourage you to click on one of the following links to order your own copy of Living the Season Well — Reclaiming Christmas by Jody Collins. You’ll thank me later.
Living the Season Well — Reclaiming Christmas by Jody Collins on Amazon.
Living the Season Well — Reclaiming Christmas by Jody Collins at Barnes & Noble.
