December Book Review as we enter the New Year

Well, here we are settling back into somewhat of routine life in what will be 2026. 

We had a good holiday season and enjoyed time with family, friends and just each other in good doses. 

More about that tomorrow, but to kick off the New Year, I did manage to read a book in the month of December so a quick review will be what we have for today. 

This Advent devotion was gifted to me by a friend and both Russ and I benefited from it. 

I think this is the first shared devotional we have ever read and I liked being able to talk to him about the things we were reading. 

The writings are a bit lengthy, so not a quick read each day, but well worth the investment of time to ground us in the heart of Christmas. 

Each day offers a prayer and “fasting” challenge at the end of the readings. 

The prayers were meaningful and I found them helpful to seal in what the reading tried to plant. 

The challenges for fasting were so good. They were not normal physical fasts but fasts from things that made room in the heart for Jesus to work during the season. 

One in particular stands out and I share it as a way to express how the Holy Spirit can work in a family when the hearts of its members are open to His work. 

God’s work actually started before we even read that day’s challenge. 

I had an idea planted in my heart to purchase a rather generous gift for someone special to our family. It was extravagant but I felt like God was nudging me to do it. 

I was praying about asking Russ if he was okay with it and then the next morning, read that day’s prompt where you were encouraged to gift someone something that was unexpected and would be beyond any reciprocation. 

With another prayer lifted, I shared my idea with Russ and was met with immediate agreement from him. Then he topped it with something God was prompting him to do for someone else in similar fashion. 

We were so delighted and blessed with joy to carry out our plans. 

Seriously, these were the gifts that gave us the most joy this Christmas. 

We know it was God’s way of letting both of these people know HE LOVES THEM abundantly. He also reminded me that He moves in ways within us and between us that is miraculous and powerful.

It had nothing to do with us and everything to do with His generous love for us all. 

I highly recommend the Susie Larson devotion and reading an Advent devotion with your family next year!

Here is a link to the book: https://www.susielarson.com/susiesbookstore/p/prepare-him-room