This was such a sweet book. I read it early because I was like… If Hallmark can show Christmas movies near year-round, then I’m reading a Christmas story. That’s what I did! Now I’m pumped for not only more Christmas movies but the whole season of Christmas festivities. It’s all so early, but fact.

I actually bought this book last Christmas season sometime and never read it among all my plans and other books on my list (did not stop me from buying more books though…). This was one of my top picks last year so I’ve started out with it first and it did not disappoint.

This isn’t a review of the book and I probably won’t go into as great of detail of it since it’s just different from the other books (although one you should read this season!). I would like to share some things I saw in it though.

Worry

How many times do we worry? How many times do we actually take out our own worry and frustrations of that worry on others around us? A lot more than is necessary.

In Psalm 94, verse 19, the author tells us “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” Where do we find this comfort?

In this story, there was a couple who had serious financial doubts, how are we going to do this anymore? Their dreams were not working out after years and years of work. When competition and fancier options were available, what was keeping them afloat? Their regulars. That’s not always going to work. So where do we find hope and comfort in times like that? THE WORD. God’s Word is amazing like that. It gives us hope, a peace and calm that can immediately come from just being in His presence. We serve a God that cares about us, that is with us in our trials – whether physical, mental, financial or relational.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Give all your worries and cares to God for he cares about you.

1 Peter 5:7

Giving

There were two types of giving in this story – one good and one… not so much.

Bad

One character poured so much of herself into someone else, she was drained – it was all she knew so she was willing to just keep on that way forever. She was giving and giving and at the end, when she realized that that person would never, after years already, give her the needed ingredients in a relationship, she chose to go a different direction.

Is giving of one’s self a bad thing? Not at all. It’s needed! It’s something we are called to. We are supposed to always be thinking of others in our lives. This world promotes “self” this and that all day every day. Don’t associate with “toxic” people, even if it’s family, that’s what the world says. What happens when we miss the Gospel with that kind of mindset though?

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Philippians 2:4

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.

Galatians 6:9-10

We can be so set on getting rid of people that we forget that they need their eyes opened to the Gospel. If we aren’t around them, are we praying for them? Are they in faith like us? Do they know and understand what they do?

But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.

1 Timothy 5:8

God always has a plan and we should always be GIVING in GOOD spirit.

Good

There was so much giving and kindness in this book. It was an example of the true spirit of Christmas! One of the most popular things people say when asked what they think about the spirit of Christmas, it’s giving and kindness. People are just more giving in this season (although people do take advantage and there’s probably a spike in crime…). We have “Secret Santas” and people that just help people pay for things in line, pay off their lay away bills, or buy toys for kids who dont have families or just simply wont have a good Christmas otherwise. I love hearing about these stories every year, it literally warms my heart!

Being kind is one of those things that has to come straight from the heart. It’s not always easy but it’s ALWAYS rewarding. It makes you feel good afterward and can really be transformative – for you and that person you impact.

Look at the example God Himself gave us:

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.

Romans 15:1

Love

Everyone !

Everyone showed love in different ways in this book – which you’ll just have to read 🙂 This book showed that love can be expressed in a multitude of ways! This is an encouragement to use because maybe we just don’t know HOW sometimes – depending on the environment and that person.

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

John 13:34-35

Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

Luke 6:31

Surprises and Blessings

In our lives, we have many surprise blessings, which are the best of all! That’s what happened in this book. It was somewhat expected, but the way it came out at the end was a total shock. Praise the Lord for all our blessings, today and always.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Galatians 5:22-23

Until my next read…