Devotionals for the Heart: God's Presence at Christmastime and Always

God With Us
A devotional by Cyndi Staudt

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” –Matthew 1:23 (NLT)

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year.

It always felt like Thanksgiving was the Grand Marshal of this electric parade, drawing fall to a close and ushering in the Advent season, a season celebrating the coming of Jesus into the world. My Dad’s birthday was on Christmas Day, which seemed to add to the excitement and joy of the season. Our family shared many traditions—cutting down our tree with hot chocolate in hand, going to Christmas Eve candlelight service, baking endless batches of cookies—that not only served to draw us closer but established heartwarming memories that will never fade.

With all the festivities of the season, as many gather in groups large and small, it might be hard to imagine some feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness, even when surrounded by a large number of people. Maybe it’s a first year without a loved one or separation from someone held dear by distance, death or divorce. Feelings of being alone can actually be intensified when being surrounded by others rather than diminished.

I used to wonder how anyone could be sad or lonely at Christmas until I became that person. When my Dad died six years ago, it seemed the light dimmed on the season just a little. Just enough to allow a smidge of sadness to enter my heart where joy previously resided. As cancer claimed my Mom and my faithful furry friend this year, it seems the sadness has overtaken the joy. Now, loneliness fights to claim more space than it deserves in my spirit. Loneliness and sadness now seem to be automatic, and I have to pursue peace and joy where it once occurred naturally.

I find encouragement in the words of Matthew as he assures us we are never alone, no matter how lonely we might feel. God was intentional when He said Jesus would be called Immanuel, God with us. Not God near us, next to us, or a phone call away. But He is with us. Always. In the valleys and on the mountaintops. In seasons of joy and seasons of sadness. In moments of peace and moments of pain. He knew there were going to be times in our lives when we needed the assurance that no matter what our feelings may be telling us, our faith can claim the promise that God is always with us.

Romans 8:38-39 reassures us that nothing can separate us from Him or His love. Not life nor death. Not angels nor demons. Not our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow. Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Jesus Christ. And revealing Jesus to the world is what the Christmas season is all about. God leads my lonely heart back to His through reminding me of the reason for this holiday season. While people, memories and traditions help make the season special, the baby in the manger is what makes salvation possible. Jesus Christ’s arrival into the world as a baby, set in motion God’s plans for redemption and initiated the rescue mission we so desperately needed.

We hold a God-sized gap in our hearts that nothing and no one in this world can satisfy. When we are overwhelmed with a sense of aloneness, we can remind ourselves to be intentional about pursuing God’s presence, which is always with us. Christmas may look a little different this year and certainly has a far different feel than years gone by, but the presence of God and the love of our Savior never changes.

God is always with us and waiting for us to draw near to His heart of love.

Let’s Pray: Loving Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be Immanuel, “God with us”. We are grateful You are omnipresent (everywhere) at all times. When our feelings betray us, our faith assures us of who You are, how You are and where You are. As we journey through the Christmas season, let us remember that Jesus is the reason for this season. While the traditions and activities make for wonderful memories and sweet celebrations, help us to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on the Savior who made His arrival into the world to rescue us. Thank You, Jesus, for revealing God’s extravagant love to us. May our faith be restored and our joy made complete in the hope that is Christmas – the hope that is and always will be Jesus! In the name of our mighty and ever-present Savior I pray. Amen.

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Note from Alexis: Cyndi’s devotional reminds me of this song “God is With Us” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Cyndi Staudt is a Jesus-loving, adrenaline junkie who is devoted to living her life for Jesus Christ until the day she is living with Him.

With a passion for cultivating a craving for God’s Word, her devotions and Bible studies are saturated with faith and hope to stir your soul to connect with God in deeper, more intimate ways.

Through her writing she hopes to ignite your desire to read God’s Word, invite your heart to experience God’s love, and inspire you to live your live life “souled out” to the One whose love has no limits.

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Connect with Cyndi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/souledoutcyndi/

Stories of Love: A Christmas Hallelujah by Dori Harrell

Today, we're featuring my author friend Dori Harrell's book, 

A Christmas Hallelujah.

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Book Blurb:

Romance is the last thing on their minds—who'd take on their crazy lives anyway? 

When her mom decides it's time to "find herself" and takes off to points unknown, illustrator Piper Castleton is left in charge of her hurting, troubled teenage sister and the family's alpaca ranch. Giving up her job in the city and returning to the farm is a no-brainer, but how is she supposed to raise her sister when all she wants is their mother back? And Christmas? That's off the table.

Alex Saunders's young son was diagnosed with severe separation anxiety disorder after his mother's death a year and a half ago, and he hasn't left Alex's side in months. Alex is stretched too thin to even think about celebrating Christmas this year, so when his mom suggests they spend the holidays in Cranberry Creek, he cautiously agrees.

But when Piper and Alex meet, life takes a few unexpected turns. As a surprising and heartwarming friendship unfolds before their eyes, will Piper and Alex orchestrate a Christmas hallelujah out of the beautiful messes that are their lives?

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Author Bio:

Dori, a lover of red licorice, is an award-winning writer and editor and a USA Today best-selling author—plus she speaks at writers’ and editors’ conferences nationwide.

She owns Breakout Editing and also serves as managing editor of Redemption Press. She edits for indie authors and publishers, including Kregel Publications and Gemma Halliday Publishing.

As an editor, she releases more than twenty books a year.

Dori is the author of A Christmas Hallelujah and Grateful for You. She has published more than a thousand articles in newspapers and magazines nationwide. She loves living in the Pacific Northwest, and she’s an avid Seahawks fan (go Hawks!).

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Connect with Dori:
Website: doriharrell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doriauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doriharrell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dori_Harrell

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this holiday book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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Stories of Love: Hart of Noel (novella)

Today, we're featuring a Christmas story by my author friend Chautona Havig. Her novella is called "Hart of Noel" featured in the holiday story collection, 

The Heart of Christmas.

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Book Blurb for "Hart of Noel" (novella) by Chautona Havig:

Noel: where cookies and ornaments collide.

Books and cookies—a match made in heaven?

Not hardly. Josh Hart just wants his fledgling bookstore to have a chance, and with every car in the tiny town of Noel parking in front of his store, you'd think he had a good one.

Again, not hardly.

They're all taking up his prime parking to get into Honey Pott's Bakery. Josh is certain if Honey would quit parking her own over-sized SUV right smack-dab in front of his door, maybe people could see the store.

Enter Milton Coleridge and his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch). He loves the store, but he has bad news for Josh. Without some major changes, Noel's first bookstore may be its last.

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Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling author of Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge.

An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. 

Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

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Connect with Chautona:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChautonaHavig
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chautonahavig
My blog: http://chautona.com/blog/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ChautonaHavig
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/chautonahavig
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chautona-havig
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/chautonahavig
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/chautonahavig
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chautona/videos
My newsletter (sign up for news of FREE eBook offers): https://chautona.com/news

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this holiday story by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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Devotionals for the Heart: Holiday Conflict, Cheer and Hope

How to Handle Holiday Conflict 
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“…if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” –Proverbs 2:3-6 (ESV)

Before the Thanksgiving holiday, the airport, stores, banks and even some gas stations near where I live had begun decorating for Christmas. These signs foretell the joys of holiday cheer, food, family reunions, generational traditions and introductions of new members of the family.

When I was young, my mother would make a cranberry relish as a savory garnish for the holiday meal. I watched and learned. Soon it was my task. She supervised closely, but I did the work. Recently, I bought fresh cranberries and oranges. When my granddaughters saw them, they became joyous!

One of our traditions is to make the cranberry garnish for holiday dinners that my mother made. At the end of the process, they taste the fruit of their labor. When dinner is served, they proudly bring their dish to the table.

I hope that we will build many more fond rituals and family traditions that mark the festivities of the Advent season. I have become aware that there are many negative triggers that mar the revelry of the holiday seasons for some people: Empty seats, due to the deaths of loved ones or relationships may hover over holidays. Memories of abusive experiences or other negative drama can be the killjoys of festivities.

If something is killing your Advent joy, I have a few recommendations that may be helpful to you. I have been through some negative seasons. Yet, I have experienced and learned how to have and enjoy happy endings.

There are five steps in my methodology of restoration:

Step One: Use the Bible as your guide. Proverbs 2:3-6 (ESV) says: “…if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

The wisdom writer is offering a spiritual elixir created by blending insight, understanding and wisdom. The best preparation for reducing the apprehension of negative triggers is to prayerfully seek new perspectives about the painful situations. Relationships are like kaleidoscopes, meaning that shifting the aperture can change the entire perspective.

Step Two: Own the depth of your woundedness.

Two pearls of mother wit from my counselor seem appropriate now:

1. What you bury alive, inside, doesn’t die. It metastasizes.

2. If you don’t feel it, you can’t heal it.

Step Three: Shift your focus.

Instead of looking at the old wounds and feeling past pain, aim at a different target. Make your focus Heaven instead of the hell that you have been through. Matthew 6:33 (ESV) may have been one of the first texts that I memorized. It says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

When we find Heaven, we find love and love heals. Even if the person who wounded and broke your spirit is dead, love can heal your heart and reignite joy in your life. Love is contagious. When it fills you, it oozes out.

Step Four: Seek support.

Feeling wounded can result in isolation. Don't isolate yourself! Seek support! A good support team can dull your pain and expedite your healing. Just be careful that you choose supporters who will uplift you rather than wallow with you in your despair.

Step Five: Grow beyond!

Your wounds are part of who you are, but you are much more than that instance or those times. Grow beyond!

You have survived, so there is much more in front of you than behind you. Lean forward and live into your capacity rather than the crucible that formed you. When I travel, I have begun to use ride share services rather than renting a car. What I like about these services is that I don’t have to leave an event in the same car that brought me.

You have arrived at this juncture of your life. The experiences that formed and informed you do not have to limit you. Seeking wisdom and Heaven can create a vehicle and venue for a better holiday season, a better quality of life and a destiny seasoned by the savory garnish of God’s grace.

Let’s Pray: O Lord, during this holiday season, please bind up the hearts of the wounded and free them from the triggers of past traumas and drama. Bless each individual and family with joyful connections, peace and love. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.

Stories of Love: Deck the Shelves

Today, we're featuring my author friend Toni Shiloh's book,

Deck the Shelves.

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Book Blurb:

Kendall Jackson is the proud owner of Heartfalls’ bookstore, The Cozy Shelf. Her life is one straight out of the pages, except she’s missing that leading man.

Although she has a crush on the handsome auto mechanic, Quinton Hendricks, Kendall wants an old-fashioned type of romance—the stuff swoon-worthy romance books are made of. But Quinton seems to need a little prodding.

Something about Kendall sparks hope in Quinton Hendricks that love could be his again. Only being abandoned by his ex-wife has made him cautious to the point of non-moving.

Can two people hesitant on second chances find love as they Deck the Shelves?

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Author Bio:

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author.

She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novel, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist. Risking Love a 2020 Selah Award finalist. The Truth About Fame a 2021 Holt Medallion finalist. The Price of Dreams a 2021 Maggie Award finalist.

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to encourage authors in the writing industry.

She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media.

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Connect with Toni:
Website: http://tonishiloh.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonishiloh
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tonishilohwrite
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tonishiloh
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tonishiloh
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonishiloh
BookBub: https://bookbub.com/authors/toni-shiloh

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this holiday book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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Stories of Love: Cookies and Cheer

Today, we're featuring a Christmas story collection that includes my author friend Amy Clipston's novella "Cookies and Cheer". 

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Book Blurb:

From bestselling authors in the Amish genre come four delicious novellas perfect for celebrating love, joy, and the holiday season. 

Cookies and Cheer by Amy Clipston

As Christmas draws near, Alyssa Byler dreams of a window display for the bakery where she works. When she decides to design and build a sugar cookie nativity scene, all she needs is the right cookie cutters—and handsome blacksmith Kyle Smoker is the one she asks for help. Using Kyle’s handmade cutters, Alyssa creates a striking display that brings more tourists to the bakery than she can handle. And when shoppers request handmade cookie cutters of their own, Kyle finds himself overwhelmed by the demand. As Christmas approaches, Alyssa realizes she’s been too caught up in work to focus on the true meaning of Christmas—and too distracted to explore the feelings she has for Kyle. Together, they put aside the holiday rush and spend their time celebrating the season that has brought them together.

Loaves of Love by Beth Wiseman

As the only girl in a family of eight, Katie Swartzentruber has been left in charge of her family’s bakery while her mother recuperates from surgery. At first, Katie doesn’t think tending to the bakery alone will be difficult. She’s worked alongside her mother for years. But Christmas is coming, and with the holiday comes a flood of patrons, both regulars and tourists. When Katie becomes overwhelmed with the orders she is receiving, she is tempted to move her Old Order family into the modern world by purchasing propane ovens to help with the workload. She finds help from an unexpected source—childhood friend Henry Hershberger, who has harbored a secret crush on Katie for years. He’s been afraid to tell her how he feels, but he’s sure that this Christmas is his moment. As the demands of the bakery only get more intense, both Katie and Henry have to decide what really matters . . . and find the courage within themselves to go after it.

Melting Hearts by Kathleen Fuller

Mattie Shetler is an expert baker, so when her aunt Carolyn begs for help during the busy Christmas rush, Mattie eagerly packs her bags and heads to Birch Creek. What she doesn’t know is that her uncle has also asked for help with the bakery’s new expansion, and he’s asked none other than Peter Kaufman, Mattie’s sworn enemy. As the two work side by side, though, Mattie discovers not all is as it seems. With Christmas just around the corner, Mattie and Peter open their hearts for the greatest gifts of the season: forgiveness and maybe even love.

Cakes and Kisses by Kelly Irvin

Martha Ropp works hard at her family’s bakery, making cakes and pies in preparation not only for Christmas but the many community weddings, including her sister’s. To help during this busy season, Martha’s mother hires Ambrose Hershberger to make deliveries. Martha remembers Ambrose as a gentle giant from her school days, but soon discovers that still waters run deep. The more they work together, the more they want to spend time together outside of the bakery, but both Martha and Ambrose are too timid to make the first move. That’s when the town matchmakers step in.

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Author Bio:

Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing “career” began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories.

She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America.

She has sold more than one million books and is best known for her Amish fiction. She is the author of the bestselling Amish Marketplace series, Amish Homestead series, Amish Heirloom series, Kauffman Amish Bakery series, and Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series with HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and six spoiled rotten cats.

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Connect with Amy:
Facebook “Author” Page: https://www.facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy_clipston/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyClipston
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2765728.Amy_Clipston
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-farm-stand-by-amy-clipston
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-clipston

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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this holiday book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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Devotionals for the Heart: God's Love

When God Entered the World
A devotional by Kay Pflueger

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 

–1 John 4:9-11 (ESV)

Adam and Eve had everything they wanted or needed in the Garden of Eden; that is until they broke God’s heart in disobedience. He loved them fiercely and was saddened by their actions. The world that should have been a perfect place of love and peace became dark with sin and hatred. Generations of God’s people longed for salvation and prayed to Him for peace and a restoration of His kingdom on earth.

When God deemed it to be the perfect time, He sent an angel to Mary to tell her that He had chosen her among all women to bear His son. That child to be born would bring God’s love back into the world. As we read in 1 John 4:9 (ESV): “the love of God was made manifest among us.” He loved us so much that He chose to become like us and to walk the earth among us. Mary knew in her heart that the child she would deliver was the Messiah—the one sent to save the world. In Luke 1:48-49 (ESV), she praised God saying: “For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

The baby born to Mary in that stable in Bethlehem is the focus of our Christmas celebrations, but the true revelation of God’s love for us did not happen that night but on the cross at Calvary. Before his sacrifice for our sins (dying on the cross), Jesus Christ walked on the earth. He lived and loved selflessly. He showed us how to love one another—those poorer than us, those who hate us, those who demand things from us, and those who speak against us. We are to love them all just as He did. He knew that real, genuine love would fix the human heart and He willingly walked the road to the cross to show that same real, genuine love for us.

We were made in the image of God, and He desires for us what He planned for Adam and Eve. He wants our lives to be full of love, beauty, wholeness, and goodness. He loved us with such an immense love that He sent His Son to suffer a painful death, so that we could spend eternity with Him (John 3:16-17).

In 1885, Christina Georgina Rossetti penned a beautiful poem titled “Love Came Down at Christmas” which was later set to music. The first stanza portrays an inviting image of the love of God descending to earth while the angels and the stars heralded the event. It says that love divine came down at Christmas. It says that the Savior of the world was born. Angels announced His birth and stars in the sky guided the people to the place of His birth (a manger inside a stable located in Bethlehem). Open a Bible to read the full story of Christ’s birth in Luke 1 and Luke 2.

This is the story of love. This is the story of Christmas. Love came down at Christmas. Unwrap that gift and share it with others.

Let’s Pray: Father God, thank you for the gift you gave us in that stable in Bethlehem. You sent your Son to show us how to love and we ask that you help us share that love with those who need it most. Let us not be concerned with how many gifts are under the tree but rather with that gift that is in our heart. Your love came down at Christmastime. Let us rejoice! In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

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Note from Alexis: Kay’s devotional reminds me of the Christmas song “When Love Came Down” by Point of Grace. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Learning to read as a young child opened a world of adventure for Kay Pflueger. She came to realize that words can have a unique power and beauty.

Choosing to share those words in her devotional writings has become a joyful and rewarding experience for her. As a widow, she feels a special affinity towards those who are grieving or experiencing loss.

When she is not spending time with her married son and three grandchildren, she is either reading, cooking, writing, or working on pursuing her Copyediting Certification.

Kay is an avid baseball fan who looks forward every summer to following her favorite team, the Chicago Cubs.

She is an active member of Victory Lutheran Church in her hometown of San Diego, California.

Kay enjoys writing devotions to be shared on her church’s website and personal social media.

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Connect with Kay:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kay.m.pflueger
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irishsweetpea/