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When Christmas is hard: 24 Reminders to Help you through the Season

Though Christmas is supposed to be the “season of joy”, we don’t always feel it, do we? Or is it just me? Today I have for you 24 beautiful Words from Scripture to encourage you this Christmas season.

Some causes of discouragement

So many things can discourage us at Christmas time. For some it is simply that life goes on. Maybe this has been a hard year. Loss of a job or a loved one carries into December. A child gone astray or anxiety pull at your heart. It could be as simple as being in the middle of child training and Mommy-ing… and there is never a day off. Just because Thanksgiving has come and gone doesn’t make these things magically disappear. Life can be hard, and that makes Christmas all the harder because it’s supposed to be joyful, isn’t it? That’s what our culture tells us anyway.

I remember one particularly difficult Christmas season in my own life. My 6th baby had been born in September and I had 5 other children 9 and under. I was so overwhelmed that joy was hard to find. To top it off, I felt the lack of “Christmas joy” and it only compounded my struggle. I’ve been there! I’ve felt it and I certainly could have used some encouragement that year!

What to do when it’s not

God’s Word tells to be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)

That He keeps those in perfect peace whose mind is focused on Him. (Isaiah 26:3)

To let the Word of God “dwell in you richly”. (Colossians 3:16)

These are the Sunday school answers, right? Who has time for this? With young ones running around getting into everything, how can we be still? Wish so many of us mamas struggling to focus on our daily tasks, how can we stay focused on God? And when are we supposed to find time to be spending time in God’s Word?

First, let me remind you that this is a season… whatever season this is for you. Mamas to young ones? This is a season. They will eventually get older (I speak from experience.) Are you suffering from loss or hopelessness? Time (and God) can help heal your wounds. Whatever chaos or hardship you find yourself in, it won’t last forever.

But what about now?

“Great! It’s just a season”, you may be thinking to yourself, “but what am I supposed to do right now? How do I get through this Christmas season?”

This year, maybe it would be easier to start with little bits! I have here 24 quick and easy thoughts from Scripture to give you a little daily truth to remember, to think about through your day. If you have more time than that, spend some time meditating on the verses. Use them as a devotional time or journal prompt. Just one each day.

24 Christmas Reminders to Help You Through the Season

Abide in Him
John 15:4 ~ “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
God gave you Jesus for Christmas
John 3:16 ~ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
In God’s presence there is complete joy
Psalm 16:11 ~ “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Christ in alive in you
Galatians 2:20 ~ “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
He is the Good News of great joy
Luke 2:10 ~ “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'”
God’s love will never end
Lamentations 3:22 ~ “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.”
Salvation is God’s gift to you
Ephesians 2:8-9 ~ “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Jesus bring peace for anxiety
John 16:33 ~ “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
God will supply all you need
Philippians 4:19 ~ “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
God is enough
2 Corinthians 12:9 ~ “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'”
Jesus came to seek and to save
Luke 19:10 ~ “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
God’s timing is perfect
Galatians 4:4 ~ “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.”
Do not be anxious
Philippians 4:6-7 ~ “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Peace comes when we focus on Him
Isaiah 26:3 ~ “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Nothing is impossible with God
Luke 1:37 ~ “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
God’s got this
Isaiah 41:10 ~ “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.”
God is always faithful
2 Timothy 2:13 ~ “If we are faithless, he remains faithful-for he cannot deny himself.”
Every good and perfect gift is from above.
James 1:17 ~ “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
God’s gifts are free
Romans 6:23 ~ “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus will give you rest
Matthew 11:28 ~ “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Thank God for His amazing gifts
2 Corinthians 9:15 ~ “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
God’s way is perfect
Psalm 18:30 ~ “This God – his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
Be still and know that He is God
Psalm 46:10 ~ “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
God will provide the way
1 Corinthians 10:13 ~ “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

The take away

Life is hard and too often the Christmas season simply highlights that instead of bringing the joy it promises. Use these little reminders to help you walk through the Christmas season with purpose. Read one each day, meditate on them, use them as devotions, Bible studies, or journal prompts. I hope they are a blessing.

Something extra

I’ve taken each of these little reminders, these encouraging words, and created little advent cards with them (examples are throughout the post) that you can use to walk through December. Read one a day, let them inspire Bible study or devotions, use them as a journal prompt, memorize them or just tuck them away to think about throughout the day. I made 24 so that you could count down to Christmas, but use them any way you like. You can find them in my Etsy shop.

Is this a particularly difficult Christmas season for you? Can you remember one in particular that was hard? Please share it in the comments if you are comfortable. I would love to pray for you! Not only might it encourage another reader, sharing your pain can be a powerful step in healing!

Do you know someone who could use the encouragement this Christmas? Please share this post.

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Encouraging Words

Sometimes we all need a little encouragement, and in His Word, God actually tells us encourage one another.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Daily Affirmation Cards that highlight Bible Truth and focus on encouraging you in Jesus. | mamasbrush

Sometimes it’s hard to find the words to encourage those around us. It can be hard, too, to find others to encourage us.

With this idea in mind, I’ve created cards to encourage you (my job) and to help you encourage yourselves and those around you.

Use them as daily reminders, tuck them in as a bookmark, leave them for others to find at work, school, or around the house. There are so many ways to use these. Use them as Bible study or journal prompts. Tuck the whole set of them in a Christmas stocking or wrap them as a gift. Print as many as you need! How would you use them? Let me know in the comments.

I’ll be working on some other styles for those of you who may like the idea of these, but not the look. Maybe a Christmas theme for the advent season? What do you think? I really love when you guys have ideas for me. 🙂

Want 30% off? Come by with coupon code BLOGREADER before Saturday (11/25/23) or click here.

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Glam Fall Bridal Shower

I had the pure joy to mentor a young lady in our church a couple years ago. It was one of those opportunities where I could share all the things I wish I could tell 20 year old me if I could have. She is so much like my younger self that I smile inside! Earlier this year she got married and I loved watching her relationship begin and grow… and planning her glam fall bridal shower last November! Yes, this is another post from my photo archives! I hope you’ll like it!

The room

Glam Fall Bridal Shower with lots of glitter | mamasbrush

Centerpiece

Cam is everything glitter so I knew I had to bring glitter to the table… literally. Her maid of honor made these glitter leaves from my stash of plain old dollar store fall leaves. For her, a labor of love; for the tables, just the right amount of sparkle. And I love candy scattered on a table… perfect use for candy corn if you ask me!

Some of those glittery pumpkins I found at Hobby Lobby and gifted to the bride at the end of the party, and others I found in the church decoration closet (I love having one of those! And since I throw these showers at the church on behalf of the church… it’s perfect!) The balls and plate were in there too… not to mention the table cloths!.

Glam Fall Bridal Shower with lots of glitter | mamasbrush

centerpiece and decor

I pulled the trees and twinkle lights from other parts of the church, and I love the ambiance they added to this night party! This room doubles as a Bible study room, so I always have to work around the TV. I added the fall leaves (glittery ones I got from my sister’s home) to the mantle beneath it.

The food

Glam Fall Bridal Shower with lots of glitter | mamasbrush

dessert table decor and treats

The dessert table is always one of my room centerpieces. I love to make sure they are on theme. In the center for height is a piece from my home, a tall vase with fall plaid fabric in it, fake flowers and a cute little scare crow. If I weren’t bringing it back to my house after, I probably would have added some glitter to his clothes.

The pumpkin frame (on the left) and the “W” pumpkin in the middle were Dollar Tree finds . I added glitter to the “W” pumpkin, but the other already had it. I gifted those to the bride for her new home after the party.

Glam Fall Bridal Shower with lots of glitter | mamasbrush

dessert table and treats

Our parties are often from 7-9 pm on a week night evening, so I primarily do snacks and desserts. The table scatter is more of the glitter leaves, candy corn, and some of those leaf candy sprinkles you can find these days. Fairy lights took things over the top! (You should get some of those, they add a special touch to everywhere they are!)

The treats for this party are caramel corn, cookies and brownies. I dry brushed edible gold glitter on the cookies after they were dry. For the brownies, I sprayed gold food shimmer on those after they were done.

Glam Fall Bridal Shower with lots of glitter | mamasbrush

Glimmer brownies

Aren’t they fun?!? It comes in an aerosol spray can and are found in the cake decorating aisles. Those are regular brownies cut thin and stacked on top of each other. I piped frosting in between and on top for color, then added the shimmer.

Wrap up

It was a lot of glitter, but she loved it! When planning a party, I challenge you to get to know your guest of honor so that the party will be something special for her!

Tell me, are you for or against glitter yourself? I’m usually against it myself, but I just had to to it!

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Christmas Market 2022 (a little late)

I can’t believe I never shared last year’s Christmas Market! As we buckle down over here to get ready for the 2023 market, I can’t help but procrastinate my other work to share last year with you all! I only hope I’m as happy with this years table as I was with last years!

Christmas Market Display Table | mamasbrush

I was thrilled with the location of our table. I didn’t expect to have this prime location because the gal who usually has it was supposed to be there, but when she canceled at the last minute, (though I was sorry she couldn’t be there) I was happy to fill in.

We start with our tree on the left. With some of the left over product from past years, my [then] 7 year old son made those cute gnome ornaments! I hope we’ll have time to get to some of them this year, but we haven’t started yet!

Aren’t they cute? They’ve set off in him a love of all things gnomes!

Moving down the table I had these cute small book stacks my 12 year old boy made. I also set up that frame for people to find information about my shop and my computer so they could see some of the items in my shop that I didn’t have at the market.

This is right in the middle of the table. At the top is a large book stack my teen son made and one of my mini calendars (shameless plug to find 2024 calendars in my shop now!) Under that is an 11×14 framed print I gifted my pastor’s family. That is one of my “Custom Tree Lots” (also found in my shop!) I just love them! I pick and place trees to match your family (large or small… the photos in my shop show some smaller groupings and even a couple!) and add their names. It’s one of my favorite Christmas products!

At the bottom of the pic are the hot pads my teen girl made to sell from fabric I designed. Somehow I haven’t shared much about this, but I a number of fabric designs for sale on Spoonflower. These are some of my Christmas patterns. One of these days I’d like to share more, but I’m always behind around here. 🙂

Next are some of the wood bead garlands we’ve made, some of my cards, and a bunch of other cute little things we’ve made over the years. In the middle is a mug I had printed my artwork. Those little snowman salt and pepper shakers sold out last year. I really need to get some more of those so the kids can paint them!

This is the far right of our table. I’ve hung another of my calendars for people to see all the designs. More mugs are on the shelves. Those little house shapes you see on the shelves and in front I had my 8 year old paint and we decopaged some of my artwork on. The bottom one is actually fabric we put on and added some detail with the raffia and a gingerbread button. In front are some more cards and a few note pads left over from a couple years ago.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little tour. It’s definitely inspired me to try to get more done in the next 10 days before we have to set up for this year’s market!

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Daily Chore Chart – Beta Version

I never expected to create anything, myself, that could be called “beta”, but here it is. I’ve been inspired by suggestion and personal need to create a chore chart for you all. I plan to share some more details when things are finished, but today I wanted to introduce you to my latest project. A work in progress, if you will. It’s one of those big projects, so I thought I’d introduce the first little part to you in “Beta”. I’d love it if you’d download it and give it a try!

Large Family Chore Chart Free Printable | mamasbrush

For a while now I’ve been using this chore chart with my children (though I’m not great with being consistent!) and when we use it, things run so much more smoothly! The only real change I made to it was to dress it up and add my signature cuteness to it. This is the fall version. It makes our chore time so much more fun! I hope you will take the opportunity to try it out and let me know how it all works.

Page 2 has the weekly, monthly, and quarterly chores on it. Both pages are available as PDFs with editable forms. You can type your own chores into the lists and print them out. That’s the part I would love the most input on for those of you who are willing. Sometime this month I’m hoping to have the designs finished and to list them in my Etsy shop, but for now I have some time for feedback.

These are different than other forms I’ve seen online. I put all the different jobs I want my kids and me to do each day (or at least most every day) on the daily chores page. Then, during chore time, the kids come over and pick what job they want to do, put their initial in the box for that day and run off to do it. Some of the jobs are longer, others shorter. Some are better for the older kids and some for the younger. If we finish all the chores that day, then we try to do a few of the weekly jobs. If some get missed, we pick those up first thing tomorrow.

This system has worked so great for us for a few reasons. First of all, I’m not consistent and this allows for missed days or slow days. Second, I don’t love doing the same things every day and this list allows the kids to switch it up each day as they want to. Also, it encourages them to come pick their job quickly and get started before someone else gets the job they want. 🙂

I’m sure I haven’t done a perfect job explaining this. I plan to write up a full post when I go live with the completed product. For now, please leave any questions in the comments and I’d love to answer them. 🙂 I’d also love any feedback on how to make this easier to use and what you think of it!

Oh… one more thing! This system is great for a large family such as mine, but I think it would work great for any sized family!

Download yours here for a limited time!

Legal stuff: please don’t claim it as your own or distribute it.

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You can find me gathering here.

Chicken Christmas Cards

I feel like I’m in full fledged Christmas gear these days, at least in my shop. I’ve spent the whole week getting as many new products created and listed as possible. (Sometimes it feels like I’m moving in slow motion though!) After my Mistletoe Bundle, I jumped into Christmas cards! In addition to all the new, I’m also working on bringing new life to some of the “older” items in the shop already with new photos and videos in my listings (still learning here!) It’s been a week of late nights and crazy days! 🙂

I’ve had chicken cards dancing around in my head for weeks, but with Peru on the calendar for October, there wasn’t much time for designing! Since we’ve been back (after the bulk of the unpacking and laundry were done anyway), I’ve been working in every little bit of time I can find.

I just had to start with my truck. I hope you aren’t getting tired of it, but I love this little truck! I love the simplicity of the white and the snowflakes, the boldness of the red and the tall skinny font.

This is actually the first card of the set I created. I had this one mostly done in September, before things got too busy. I grabbed the chicken coop from my clipart set and converted it to the black and white line drawing I have here. Then I just had to add some lights! 🙂 These lights make me happy too. I hope you like them, because here they are again!

My “Let your lights shine” card was inspired by the Christian children’s song, “This Little Light of Mine”. The chicken brings more live and fun to it, I think.

Which card is your favorite? Are you a chicken fan? I’ll take any input you have!

I have some other non-chicken cards in my shop as well. Right now they are all 50% off in my shop! Just for a few days, so come over quickly!

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Mistletoe Gifts and Decor

I love mistletoe! Am I the only one? Somehow I never have any hanging in my home, but I gravitate to all the cute mistletoe signs on Pinterest and I’ve taken to painting and designing products with it over the past 4-5 years now.

Several years ago I designed this wall art, but as Christmas is approaching, I wanted to do something more with it.

In this new bundle you can get cards, tags, bookmarks, stickers and clipart in various styles. Click over to see details of what’s included at my shop!

Gift Tags: "A good book at bedtime is like a kiss good-night."

Here’s my favorite part… with my cards in the past, and even with the card I have in this set, I always felt like I was restricting things to couples… romance. That leaves a whole lot of people out! I don’t like leaving people out! I Know a lot of people who might already feel left out at Christmas and I don’t want to be responsible for that! I love how these bookmarks and tags open things up a little.

Bookmarks: "A good book at bedtime is like a kiss good-night."

I can see these being gifted to all the members in a book club! Or to that friend who loves to read! Or stuck in a stocking! Or tags tied to a book on Christmas morning! Or maybe it’s for you!

Speaking of you… I still have my “In this house we do mistletoe!” wall art. Don’t want is this big??? Print it out any size you want and set it on a shelf or mantle. Or gift them to your mistletoe loving friend! The set also includes this as a PNG file with a transparent background! Put it on a mug… I did and it’s so cute (hmmm… a pic of that would be great right now!)

There you go… right in the middle of this pic from last year’s Christmas Market (how did I never blog about that???). My mistletoe mug! I just love it! I give you permission to have it put on a mug! (for personal use… please don’t sell anything you buy from me. If you are interested in that, we can talk about a commercial license!)

Where were we? Ah, yes… mistletoe. Don’t think I’m against romance and actual kissing! (Have you seen my bedroom wall art? That should be back in my shop soon. If you want it now, message me and I’ll get it done!) I’ve still got a cute card you can slip in to husband’s lunch or into the mail for that love far away! Come over to see my updated Mistletoe Bundle. I can’t wait to hear how you are going to use these!!

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2024 Mini Chicken Calendars

My chicken calendars are here and I just love them! Like my Truck Calendars and my Doodle Calendars, they are seasonal and petite! A small (Hobby Lobby) easel will hold them in a little corner of your home. These little cuties are just 3.5 inches tall!

Mini Chicken Calendars | mamasbrush

Cute illustrated desk calendars that fit on an easel. 12 Seasonal Monthly Calendars. Cute Chicken illustrations.

You’ll find a little illustration marking special holidays on most months. A snowflake for New Years, for instance, and a sunflower for 4th of July. I decided to match the illustration at the top this year instead of the actual holiday. I love the little pile of raked up leaves on Thanksgiving Day!

Come over to my Etsy Shop to see the rest of the illustrations for each month! And to celebrate *finally* getting these done, I’ve put all my calendars on sale for 50% off till the end of October! Come be the first to get them!

What’s your favorite month? Tell me in the comments!

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New and Improved Thanksgiving Wreath

I’ve added some new products to my pumpkin wreath. I love this little design, but I wasn’t happy with my listing on Etsy. I wanted more for it… so today I took the time to make it what I wanted it to be! And gave it a face lift in my shop too!

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Wreath | mamasbrush

I guess it started this past winter when I began coming out with my little bundles for various holidays, but this one was still just wall art. Prints for framing. Like I said, I love mine, but I wanted more for this little guy… more for all of you!

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Wreath Bundle | mamasbrush

So now, in addition to the 16×20 wall art prints you can put on your Thanksgiving mantle and the 8×10 frames you can place on your holiday shelf, you can also send Thanksgiving cards, gift bookmarks, and tie on little wreath tags to your hostess gifts and around silverware on your Thanksgiving table!

This Thanksgiving Wreath Bundle and my other fall products are still on sale for 50% off in my shop this week if you want to grab yours for Thanksgiving! Come on over!

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Fall Blow-out

I can’t believe October is almost over! Let’s have an Etsy sale! My family and I were at a fall bon fire tonight where we cooked hot dogs and s’mores over a fire and enjoyed some great fellowship! Colorful leaves and hay rides made the perfect evening! Sitting at home now I just had to share fall with you in the way of a sale! I’ve got a hand full of pumpkin items on sale for 50% off!

One of my favorite fall decorations, especially for Thanksgiving, is this pumpkin wreath!

These cupcake toppers are an adorable addition to gatherings or a festive family night!

Grab the whole baby shower bundle or head over to grab individual items! (Ask me if you don’t see what you want!)

Pumpkin greeting cards to bring a smile to any occasion!

If you’ve been around a while, you’ll know this 50% off sale isn’t something I do often, but I’m getting ready to count down to Christmas. Check in at my shop or here at the blog to see what is on sale each week. I’m planning at least 50% off on select items through November and December!