Stretching Our Hearts at Christmastime

ByDani Pettrey
59 Comments

Hi friends, 

Excited to be here with you today. I always love spending this time with you! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and am guessing most of you have your tree up and decorated…maybe even have most of your gifts bought or cookie baking days planned. I’m right there with you, but God has invaded my heart this Christmas in a way I hadn’t anticipated. 

My husband and I are truth-partners with Alistair Begg’s Bible-teaching ministry, Truth for Life. Every month as partners we get the option of receiving two resources. This month, one of the resources was an advent devotional by Sinclair Ferguson titled, “Love Came Down at Christmas.” I had finished the previous month’s bible study, which was amazing, so I thought it would be nice to do an advent devotional leading up to Christmas. 

I usually have a Bible study quiet-time with the Lord every morning, but I can’t recall ever studying an advent devotional leading up to Christmas. It really surprised me, to be honest, but I’m so thrilled I received this one. I opened the cover and expected to be reading the Christmas story. The angel Gabriel visiting Mary, an angel revealing what was happening to Joseph, no room in the inn, and our blessed Savior’s birth. However, Sinclair Ferguson chose an entirely different section of Scripture to base the advent devotional on. He chose 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Not at all what I expected, but each day’s reading covers a verse or a portion therein. It’s literally opened my eyes and stretched my heart in ways I never anticipated. Don’t you love how God does that? Just to give you a little sample, here’s my favorite quote from today’s reading: 

“Being kind is how love works. The Holy Spirit takes care of the rest.”

~Sinclair B. Ferguson 

Because I love this devotional so much, I ordered a few extra copies to share. I’ll be giving away a copy here on the blog. Just leave a comment on this post and I will announce the winner in the comment’s section on Monday, December 16th so be sure to check back and see if you’ve won.

Because Advent has already begun, you may not be on the intended reading schedule, but it will still bless you to read whenever you get to it. It’s all about Jesus, the love He is and the love we are to show to others.

I pray you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas! 

Reader Question:

What’s one thing you do to show love to others at Christmas or any time of the year?

Remember I’ll be picking one winner from the comments below for the devotional so be sure to share. 

Look forward to reading your answers! 

Blessings, 

Dani 

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Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as "a name to look for in romantic suspense," Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance.

59 Comments

  1. I do this at Christmas time and all year long for birthdays etc. I make a little note and place it in there card. Such as I owe you a dozen of cookies let me know when you want them. Or I will shovel your walk for a week.Fresh baked pumpkin Bread when you want it. Things like this that the person can use the gift when they need it. I love to bake so I pick items that I know they enjoy. I have been doing this for years and my family and friends and neighbors love the idea. They always tell me it is a gift from my heart and means more to them.

  2. Trying to be present in the moment, not thinking about the million of things I need to do. That allows me to be more aware of their needs, which mostly have nothing to do with presents.

  3. I show love to others by trying to be as helpful and doing nice unexpected things for them.

  4. I show love for Jesus by worshipping and participating in our church musical/outreach and caroling at senior facilities. I show love to my family by gifts and presence

    1. All wonderful ways to show love. I think it’s awesome that you carol at senior facilities. That must bless them so much!

  6. I show love for others by loving those who don’t love me. It’s been a learning and growing experience in that when I’m being reviled, I still have to open my heart and love them unconditionally. It can be painful but by God’s mercy He’s teaching me it’s not about me, but all about Jesus.

  7. Oh this sounds so good. I really enjoy Allistair Begg’s teachings. Well, sometimes “enjoy” isn’t the right word for the impact of truth! LOL

    I love to bake and share goodies with others at Christmas.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    1. Hey Linda,

      Send you virtual hugs! Isn’t Alistair a gifted teacher. I agree it is definitely an impact of truth. I’ve learned so much and yet there’s always more to learn and for us to grow in Christ. To be more like Him. I think we all struggle with that. At least I do.

  8. One thing I do for others, and the best thing I CAN do, is pray for them. God is good and hears our prayers, and building up others ultimately builds our own character and spirit.

  9. Sending notes of encouragement to people is one of my favorite things to do throughout the year. I also do things to help my mom even I live quite a distance away. I like to send her goodie boxes with treats. She loves them! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    1. That’s so nice. Notes of encouragement are wonderful and I think it’s awesome you send your mom goodie boxes. So thoughtful.

  10. I love Advent devotionals. We have one we read with the kids every night by the tree.
    Something I do to show kindness to my patients is to anticipate needs and make the time for small comforts.

    1. That’s a wonderful family tradition!

      Small comforts make all the difference when you aren’t feeling well. Trust me, I’ve spend a lot of time at doctor’s and in hospitals and little comforts and kindness are such a blessing.

  11. Sounds like a wonderful resource! There’s love behind giving and baking together and such, of course. But I tend to be task-oriented, and Christmastime increases the to-do list. It’s too easy to wish people would leave me alone so I can get stuff done. But all the doing for them can’t replace showing them love in the everyday moments of life. So I pray and try my best to give them my full attention and trust God for wisdom and grace for the rest.

    1. We absolutely have to trust God for wisdom and grace, but giving your full attention makes a world of difference in this distracted world.

      Merry Christmas!

  14. I just try to be attentive to needs, keep a positive and joyful attitude and willing to do whatever to meet the needs of others. Thanks for the giveaway and have a blessed Christmas!

  15. I like to show the love of Christ to others all year as well as at Christmas time by sharing food, clothing, and blankets to the homeless camps, buying food for the homeless I encounter at the park and beside the dumpsters at the grocery store. I also like to always speak to service people that are cleaning floors, rest rooms etc and tell them to have a blessed day.

  17. I bake! I am not a physically affectionate person, I prefer to show my love through cookies and cakes 🙂

  18. I make handmade greeting cards to give to people, not just at holidays and birthdays but any time I know someone needs encouragement.

  19. This sounds like a wonderful book! I’m reading Pursuing the Christ, Prayers for Christmastime by Jennifer Kennedy Dean. It’s fantastic! Merry Christmas!

    1. Oh, thanks so much for sharing what you’re reading. That sounds great. I’ll have to check it out.

      Merry Christmas!

  20. Sounds like an amazing devotional. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. I like to try and just be even kinder than normal this time of year, especially to mail carriers, delivery drivers and store employees. I know this time of the year can be stressful enough for people without all the extra work that is put on them.

  21. I try to get my dad a few extra little goodies at Christmas. His birthday is the 19th, and his sister’s was the 20th. His childhood was filled with sadness and abuse, and he never had a day of celebration (plus his birthday is less than a week before Christmas). So we try to make his birthday an extra-special day.

    1. I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s childhood. That’s heartbreaking. So wonderful he has such wonderful daughters who care so much for him.

  22. I try to be very thoughtful with my gifts and give something personal or an experience that we can enjoy together.

    1. I’m sure that’s much appreciated. Love the idea of giving the gift of an experience you can do together. Great idea!

  23. We make cookie/candy plates to take to each of our neighbors in our rural neighborhood. We spend 1-2 nights handing them out and socializing with all our neighbors. We wish them a Merry Christmas – Happy Jesus’s Birthday! and catching up on their lives. We have been doing it for more than a decade and our neighbors look forward to our Christmas-time visit and the chaos the 8 of us stopping by brings. 🙂

  24. I work at an elementary school and I really enjoy greeting the kids every morning. Telling them good morning with a smile and to have a great day or a super day or a super good day seems to start their day off right. Sharing a smile with them throughout the day or being of help to them whenever they need something are all ways that I try to let my light shine.

  25. Because our son went to Heaven two weeks before Christmas Eve I understand how hard this time of year can be for those who lost loved ones. I send up prayers for them and send them encouraging messages.

    1. Oh, Laura. I’m so incredibly sorry. I can’t even imagine…There are no words.

      You’re right. Christmas can be extremely painful for many people. I always struggle with missing my mom and grandma who both went to Heaven within a couple months of each other.

  27. My husband and myself feel very strongly about teaching our two teenage boys to serve others…widows and single moms at church and in our neighborhood. They do a Christmas time yard clean up for these special ladies and to top it off the boys love it! They have been serving since they were young in some way or another. Christmas is about love and what better way to show it than to serve another.

  29. My church has a Christmas store where families in need can shop for their children. I donate gifts for it and usually work a room. This year, though, I’m going to put wreaths on the graves at the national cemetery instead of the store.

  30. I enjoy reading devotions from Truth For Life daily. Such wonderful teaching! This Christmas I am helping take care of bigger household duties for my mom. She is having major health issues. I try to be in prayer for friends and family too.

    Merry Christmas !

  31. I seem to be in a season of life where I spend a lot of time helping people. My kids don’t need me in the ways they used to and God has brought others into my life who do need me and it has been a blessing in my life.

  32. I love Advent I’m doing a study with Bible Cafe community on facebook. I’m learning about the Joshua tree for Advent instead of the wreath it sounds interesting not sure yet how it really works. The one thing I like to do to show love to people is to do things anonymously. I see a need and supply it so they don’t know who did it for them. It can be a small thing or kind of big thing. I get great satisfaction in seeing the joy or sometimes relief on their faces and share in their blessing!

  33. I gave out Christmas cards to a new lady at Church. She emailed me back that the scripture verse on the inside was just what she needed that day.
    I gave another lady one with a message on the inside that told her we enjoyed having her at our weekly craft days at Church. She has the beginnings of Alzheimers and she showed it to my friend at least 6 times.

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