My niece is grieving today–her little cat died yesterday. I’ll be with her just a few days from now to celebrate Christmas, knowing that she’s facing a kind of grief she’s never known before. I know what it is to face a day of shining and bright with a big hole in your heart, and I wonder if God did the same, knowing the sword that was coming to pierce Mary’s soul.
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Why a Little Charlie Brown Christmas is best (About Fears & Heartbreak & Hard Families At Christmas)
Ann Voskamp considers Linus’ blanket.
- There’s a bunch of kids here, sloshy with hot-chocolate, who just keep playing a Charlie Brown Christmas.
And yeah, I’m not ashamed — so what if it took me a few takes? Because when I finally saw it, I was entirely taken:
Only when Linus retells the Christmas story and repeats what the angel announces, “Fear not!” — does Linus drop his blanket for the first time.
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To the Mom of a Difficult Child: What if You’re Raising a Peter?
Jenni Conrady helps us take a step back from the struggles for a bigger perspective.
- Some days my son leaves me exhausted. I love him, don’t get me wrong. Hear me: I love my son, but there are days—a lot of days—when he can be a little (or a lot) difficult.
His stubbornness is a thorn in my side. He’s quick to act and slow to think about the consequences. He pushes me to my limits. There are nights I feel tears well up in my eyes as I wonder, “Am I doing something wrong?” He fights hard and never backs down and I worry, “Am I a strong enough wall to take the blows?” I worry about the man he will be. I worry and I pray. I pray a lot.
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Rejoicing in the Waiting
Rachel Donahue finds a new form of waiting this Advent, that reminds her of a greater waiting.
- It’s 4:30 in the morning in the middle of Advent, and I am waiting.
Over the past 48 hours, eight people have been vomiting in our home. As I sit in the stillness between sick bay and those who are now resting, I wonder.
Will it hit me? Will I suffer, too? How long, O Lord? You have spared me thus far, but what is to come?
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2020 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens is Here!
Our friends at Redeemed Reader have a great reading challenge for you to add to your year.
- The day we’ve longed for is almost here. The light stringing, ornament hanging, carol singing, and Advent readings will culminate in a big Christmas Day celebration. If your house is anything like ours, you’ll need a pot of coffee to make it through the ear-piercing screams of excitement as children tear through presents, pushing every noisy button in sight. They’ll prematurely rip tags off clothing and snatch cookies from the table. Everyone will feast until calm settles on the house.
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Around the Warren
Classic Christmas Poetry to Share
Christine Norvell has a selection of eminently shareable poetry for the season.
- Christmas poetry collections are a rare breed, though a few do exist. But many classic poems no longer have copyrights and are easy to share without purchase. I could recommend many to a readership that is already word-wealthy, because we recognize that our mutual delight grows when we read together.
The grouping I include here are perfect for sharing, reading, and rereading at meals and devotions.
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Winter
Lizzie Ludovico shares an original poem.
- Far above, high in the sky
A single speck slowly, softly
Drifts and drops till it settles
Finally resting ‘gainst the ground.
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Something to Do with Your Kids
Santa decorations made from toilet paper rolls sounds perfect.
Something to Watch
Hahahaha! The Sesame Street characters are doing impressions of each other…it’s genius.
You can find her at carolyncgivens.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @carolyncgivens.
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 9 - March 22, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 8 - March 15, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 7 - March 8, 2025
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