This is exciting – I have a book to recommend and a free copy to give away to one lovely reader. Brace yourselves, I know it’s still November but this is another festive book – this time by the lovely Lucy Rycroft who blogs at The Hope Filled Family.
Over the years I’ve recommended several advent resources to you, since I love Christmas and I know it’s an ideal opportunity to get yourself (and your children) excited about Jesus. I mean, in Him all things were made! And yet He became flesh and lived among us! A mere 2000 years ago!
But let’s be real – Christmas is a hectic time. It’s a time of chaos. It’s a time when you’re short on time. It’s a time when each of your children is in several shows that you can’t miss. It’s a time of wrapping paper and black treacle.
Friends, it’s a time of glitter.
With this in mind, Redeeming Advent is a book that I recommend particularly if you find December pretty overwhelming and you need some help to bring Christ into focus amidst the haze of gingerbread and cinnamon fumes.
Each chapter is a little bit like a blog post – imagine having a lovely new festive blog post to read every day of advent? What a treat. Lucy takes everyday examples from down-to-earth motherhood and helps us to lift our eyes to Christ, who is with us in each ordinary moment of the day.
Lucy’s style is very warm and welcoming. For example, I’d say that Lucy and I are on about the same page regarding Santa, but she’s much more polite about it than I am. I think it’s because, although she lives in York, she’s not actually northern. And whilst I live in the South, I definitely am (please see evidence here). I have been known to call Santa (on this very blog) a big fat lie who drinks sherry. Eek.
This would therefore be a book that I’d also happily give to a friend who wouldn’t call herself a Christian, as I think she’d enjoy it and be challenged to think a bit more carefully about this baby in the manger. In fact, if you’re reading this and you’re not sure about Jesus – please do try the book! You might even win a copy – see below.
At the end of each short chapter there’s a suggested prayer – which can be very helpful indeed when your brain isn’t in gear or you’re distracted. Let’s face it, sometimes you can’t remember your own name during advent, so a little help on the prayer front is very much appreciated.
This is a thoughtful, sincere and joy-filled companion to the Christmas season, and if you’d like to win a signed copy, please Like my Facebook page (if you haven’t already) and comment on this post on there. If you don’t use Facebook you can comment below instead. I have in the past asked people to comment with the title of their favourite Christmas song but people didn’t seem to want to do that… maybe this year will be different? I wait in hope. The deadline for the giveaway is midnight on Wednesday 20th November. If you don’t win (or even if you do), you can buy the book here.
Mum in Zone One 
I will need to give this book a look!! It sounds wonderful. Don’t worry about putting me in the give-away, the postage would be crazy. And, just so you’re not left wondering too long 😂, my favorite Christmas song is “O Holy Night”… “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices” gets me every time.
Hi Mel! Yes do you know what? Brits hardly ever sing O Holy Night. It’s a crying shame. It is gorgeous though. Love the high notes. Bless you, thanks for all your encouragements.
This book looks great, I’m always up for a freebie! I enjoyed ‘Do nothing, Christmas is coming’ by Stephen Cottrell too. It’s hard to choose a fave carol, I do love O come all ye faithful, the way the chorus builds; O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Thank you so much, Catherine! Sorry you didn’t win this time – Rachel Hepburn won. I don’t know “Do Nothing, Christmas is Coming”. I’m off to investigate that one!