December 10, 2008

Prepare Your Heart for a Great Christmas

Written by Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books)

I'm a little slow on the uptake. I don't jump into trends quickly, and sometimes it takes me a while to warm up to a theme or idea. I think that holidays even fall into this camp for me. For weeks leading up to Easter or Christmas, I sort of contemplate the work that Christ did, but afterwards — after a beautiful Christmas Eve service, after listening to Christmas music for a few weeks, and staring at my nativity scene decorating my home for a couple of weeks — THEN it finally sinks in.

It's Christmas. God sent Jesus to the earth as a miraculous baby, to grow up as a human.

But by that time, the Christmas CDs have been put away, the Christmas-themed books seem out of date and silly. But I think that for me, I should take this additional time after the holiday to ponder and continue to apply those truths to my life.

I was sent Maria Rodgers O'Rourke's Prepare Your Heart for a Great Christmas a while ago. Before Thanksgiving I think. Plenty of time to look at, review, and pass on to you — and you know, actually prepare my heart for Christmas. But I didn't.

When I finally picked it up this week, I saw that it is designed as a reflective devotional with room for journaling alongside each day's devotional reading. It starts at Thanksgiving and goes through December 25, but then there are about 15 more undated "Christmas Season" entries to carry you through the time after the big day.

Yes, the entries are mostly related to the advent of Jesus — mostly but not all. In general, the author appeals to us as women: tired, busy, confused women. She addresses the Santa issue (how to answer the questions, what he adds to the Christmas celebration and more), and of course that long long list of to-dos that seem to plague every woman this time of year.

Each day there is a space to write down something for which you are grateful, your intentions for the day, and your to-do list. What a great time to plan your day — in the midst of your time with God!

If you want a devotional that will prompt you to journal, or if you are looking for a gift for someone who you would like to encourage in this way, I highly recommend Prepare Your Heart for a Great Christmas. The entries are dated, but I plan on using the book as if it is not once I get beyond the Christmas season.

We even have three copies to give away (U.S. shipping addresses only), so leave a comment if you're interested. I'll announce the winners on December 17.

Managing Editor Jennifer Donovan is a contributing editor at 5 Minutes for Mom. She blogs at Snapshot about daily life with her tween daughter and preschool son.

Filed under Christian, Gift Ideas, Jennifer, Parenting, Women's Interest by Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books)

Find out about our relationships with publishers and affiliate networks in our full disclosure statement.

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97 Comments

Comments on Prepare Your Heart for a Great Christmas

December 10, 2008

Trish @ Another Piece of the Puzzle @ 8:46 pm

This sounds lovely, and I totally know what you mean about getting caught up in the season. It's so easy to do despite our best intentions.

Just Mom @ 9:24 pm

The book sounds great..add me to the drawing please. Thank you!

Kristi @ 10:40 pm

Hello,

This sounds like a great little book – and a good way to take a little time out during the busy holiday to focus on what is truly important.
Please enter me in this drawing.

Kristi

MaryK @ 11:03 pm

I'd love to have this book!

December 11, 2008

stephaniesmommybrain @ 10:33 am

Sounds like a good book to put away and use next year.

Jen @ 10:33 am

This looks like a great book!

Chris @ 11:49 am

Sounds like a great book…I could use that.

Mary @ 1:39 pm

This sounds like a great book for now and years to come.

Deidre @ 4:41 pm

I'm having a hard time getting in the spirit this year. Sounds like this book would be a step in that direction. Please count me in.

Deidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com

Karla E. @ 5:55 pm

I could use this book…and I'm guessing I could use it to prepare my heart for the new year.

Alice Hansen @ 8:12 pm

A great book for this time of year – and really for any time of year. Thanks for the chance!

gahome2mom @ 8:38 pm

A wonderful book selection for the holiday. TY

Sweetpeas @ 9:25 pm

What a great sounding book, I'd love to win it!

Jayme @ 10:18 pm

i could use this book to help me focus on the true meaning of christmas. this sounds like a great book!

Megret @ 10:31 pm

I was just thinking today that I wish I had a book kind of like this. Thanks for the chance!
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com

December 12, 2008

Andria @ 8:42 am

Please sign me up! My pastors wife just got a blessings journal for her birthday and said it has blessed her to sit down and recall the blessings at the end of the day. Thanks for the chance!

jenna @ 11:50 pm

This book would be a great one to read this holiday. It would bring us all back to the true reason for the season. Thanks!

December 13, 2008

Christy Hawkes @ 12:41 pm

I would love to win a copy of this book. My 27 year old son-in-law passed away in his sleep Monday morning, so this Christmas is going to be a difficult one for our family. This book would be a blessing for my daughter and her 2 little girls.

hawkes(at)citlink.net

Keeling @ 12:55 pm

I would love to win!

December 14, 2008

Renee G @ 12:34 am

This sounds lovely. I'd love to share this with my mom.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo.com

Wrighty @ 2:10 am

#18 Christy,

I'm so very, very sorry to hear of your loss. That's tragic any time of year but it's especially hard with the holidays. You and your family have my prayers and deepest sympathy.

Debbie (Wrighty)

Wrighty @ 2:21 am

I've always enjoyed keeping a journal and this sounds so nice. We've hard some hardships in the family in the last few years and this is a good reminder of what is important and how to appreciate the holiday season. Thanks for the offer.

susan varney @ 5:17 am

i love to read

Geri Nyland @ 5:21 am

Great giveaway! Thanks )

Katherine Frazier @ 5:34 am

This has been a very rough year, this journal/book would sounds like it would help put everything in perspective.

nicole belletiere @ 6:05 am

please enter me

Charlotte winters @ 7:57 am

It sounds like a good book. I'd be very interested to read it. Thanks.

Cheryl Fowler @ 8:44 am

I would like this book and I know several other people who would too.

Michael Capp @ 8:45 am

I'd love to win!

Kathy @ 9:04 am

Looks like a great book

Shannon Baas @ 9:37 am

Looks like a great book.

Terra Heck @ 9:38 am

This would be a great book to win.

Maja @ 11:03 am

nice book

Maja @ 11:03 am

subscriber

ky2here @ 11:41 am

I'm interested – please include me!

Laura B @ 3:09 pm

What a wonderful book with an even greater message. I would love to have this book to read!

c. clemens @ 4:23 pm

hi, put my name in that little hat and pick it
LOL

Sandra Brodeur @ 6:20 pm

I have a special person to give this to. Hope I win but whoever does, please enjoy.

REBECCA TOWNER @ 6:21 pm

would love to win

Denise @ 6:41 pm

Sounds great!

Shirley @ 6:52 pm

What a beautiful title for a book this time of year; would love to read

Julie @ 8:54 pm

What a wonderful idea to prepare our hearts for the Christmas season-and the true reason for it!

christopher h @ 9:18 pm

love to win this

Stephen Saunders @ 11:19 pm

Please sign me up!

December 15, 2008

romero @ 1:13 am

would love to be entered.

delores @ 1:14 am

please enter me!

Green Yak @ 1:32 am

This sounds wonderful, useful, and relaxing!

Christina G. @ 6:14 am

Thanks for the giveaway!

michele anne jaquays @ 8:54 am

Sounds like everyone should have a copy of this book. I would love to win it.

Jennifer @ 9:42 am

This is a great giveaway. Thanks for offering it. I would love to win.

Jennifer hedden @ 9:47 am

enter me

Linda Howard @ 10:58 am

Please enter me. This would be a nice book to own. Thanks!

veronica sandberg @ 11:34 am

want to win this

betsy @ 1:16 pm

thanks for the giveaway!

Erma Hurtt @ 1:28 pm

I would love to win this. Thanks for the chance to win.

Marilyn @ 1:57 pm

this would be a great gift for my bestfriend

angie @ 2:34 pm

Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. Looks like a fun read.

Pamela Hansen @ 3:25 pm

please enter me thank you

tony davis @ 3:37 pm

LOVE TO WIN

Kathy Scott @ 6:49 pm

I love to read and this sounds like a great read.

susan @ 7:23 pm

this seems like a great book.. thanks for the chance to win

Cassandra @ 8:17 pm

I have been looking for something to help me become a bit more spiritual this time of year. This book seems like it will aid in that process. Thanks so much!

Jennifer Barr @ 8:40 pm

looks like a great book

D. Martin @ 8:56 pm

I would love to win this book!

Carla Pullum @ 9:28 pm

Would love to read this book!!!!

Amy A @ 10:40 pm

Sounds like a great read. Hope I win!

Kayla Pease @ 10:59 pm

I want to win!

December 16, 2008

Cathie @ 12:31 am

This sounds like a wonderful devotional I would be happy to have one. Thank you.

Jennifer Short @ 2:26 am

Please enter me. I love to read and have had a hard time getting into the "Christmas spirit" since I visited Bethlehem and saw my friends get cheated out of $100.

chastidy @ 2:29 am

Looks like a good book

Jeanine Price @ 2:34 am

Nice prize! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

Elizabeth M. @ 5:24 am

It sounds just wonderful!

claudette flanigan @ 7:35 am

please enter my name in your drawing. This sounds wonderful!

Timothy Sternberg @ 8:15 am

This sounds lovely.

Leigh Nichols @ 8:42 am

Enter me please

Dan Smith @ 9:32 am

Sounds like a nice book

Roseann Kies @ 10:34 am

I'd love to read this book! Thanks!

kathy pease @ 10:55 am

PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY

djp @ 11:50 am

what a wonderful thing

Grace @ 12:01 pm

Good luck!

John Deal @ 12:20 pm

It's easy to forget what holidays are really about due to all the hectic activities surrounding them. This book looks like a grwat reminder.

Buddy Garrett @ 12:44 pm

I would love to win this great book.

Marcy Strahan @ 1:08 pm

A inspirational book always warms my heart & lifts my spirit!
Count me In!

L Knott @ 2:13 pm

Sometimes when you don't think you need something like this is when YOU really do need!
I need to do some deep thinking about my life and why wait to the New Year. Thanks for the chance to win!

Katie Zebrowski @ 2:20 pm

This sounds like a great book!

Chrysa @ 3:10 pm

Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!

Kathy @ 4:21 pm

I have been wanting to start a gratitude journal for some time now, so this book would be perfect. Thanks for the chance to win!

Ed Nemmers @ 5:20 pm

Happy Holidays!

Matthew Meisenhelder @ 5:29 pm

awesome prizes

Tisa @ 7:25 pm

Sounds like a good read! PLease count me in! ~ Thanks!

Sandra - Illinois @ 8:03 pm

What a wonderful idea for a book! I know that is is easy to get so involved in the preparation that we forget to concentrate on the real meaning and the beauty of Christmas. Thank you. I was unaware of this book and would love to read and use it. blackford56@yahoo.com

Jill Lund @ 8:30 pm

"Prepare in me a clean heart Oh God and renew a right spirit within me" has been a favorite prayer of mine.

Beverly M @ 9:04 pm

I think I need to read this book. Because of everything that needs to get done, before the holidays, I'm beginning to feel a little stressed out right now. It's time to relax and remember what the Holidays are all about. Thanks for having the contest and Happy Holidays!