The Fear Nots of Christmas: Enjoying Hope, Joy, Love & Peace During Advent

By Debbie Short

“Do not be afraid” was the message brought by angels to four people, while telling them life-altering news. Anxiety would be any humans response to protecting themselves from hopes being dashed again, a dramatic change of plans, dreams being crushed or feeling exposed—no longer able to hide the truth.

The lives of Zacharias, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds from 2000 years ago will show you that even though the packages of life may appear barren, God is indeed a gracious giver, that He comes to save lives, not destroy them—for he is a Savior and a dream re-maker. You are one of His favorites, and He can come into the darkest of lives, flooding them with brilliant beauty and grace. The messages are rock solid even for you today, ready to hold you steady, going forward with hope, joy, love and peace when you, too, fear what next might happen.

Daily worship songs and activities will lead you to live loved as you are beloved, and the study questions are perfect for individual use, groups, or family devotions. You will find a page to journal on each day as well as full color photos to accompany the activities, a few recipes, and gift ideas that will help you make joyful traditions in your own family for generations to come.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781973694366

Debbie Short

Debbie Short is happy wife to Bob Short and Mom of 3 precious children, and 1 Son-in-law. She has loved her job as mom, celebrating each season as it comes, finding the word of God as a constant encouragement and source of comfort.

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Copyright © 2020 Debbie Short.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Interior Image Credit: Debbie Short

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9435-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9436-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020911675

WestBow Press rev. date: 08/12/2020

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To My Lord Jesus Christ,

Thank you for coming.

I hope you have a very Happy Birthday!

I am honored to be able to celebrate you. I love you!

Merry Christmas

Contents

Introduction

1—Hope—Devotional

2—Joy—Devotional

3—Love—Devotional

4—Peace—Devotional

Favorite Gifting recipes

Favorite Brunch Recipes

Things I love- Get to Know Me Sheet

Suggested Song list from this book:

Epilogue:

Introduction

Changes have stirred up the dust of fear, like the dirt on our dry gravel road when wheels spin at high speeds, flinging it from its quiet resting place. It clouds the vision of those around, filling the air with grit that no one wants around.

I didn’t know that changes were on the horizon for me when I first started searching for how one could replace fear with the joy and gladness offered by an angel to Zacharias, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds, when their days were interrupted by Gods messenger, telling them not to be afraid.

Storms continue to brew, making it easy for my mind to become a storm chaser. But I am learning to have joy and gladness rather than fear through the four amazing stories at the heart of this book, even when the steering wheel in my hands gives me very little control over the vehicle of life which is carrying me at high speeds. As the numbers increase on the roadway of life, I can have joy and gladness even though the scenery changes quicker than seasons in a year. Fear threatens to creep slowly back in, but now I know, that even when life comes wrapped in barren looking packages, when fully unwrapped, we will see that God is a gracious giver. When the gift He gives seems too large for us to carry, He lets us know that His strength doesn’t fail. Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1: 37). And I’m learning not to give up when dreams seem crushed, as our God is a dream re-maker. The stories of these four amazing people who lived 2000 years ago, help settle the dust and bring out the light of who God is, helping me to face yet another day with joy and courage. Through their example of handling unanticipated change, I’m learning to live loved, and hope you do as well.

Almost all the activities contained in this little book have been part of our family’s story for a number of years, providing practical, fun ideas, as well as worshipful activities meant to fill you with refreshment. A devotional will start off each of the four weeks of advent, leading you into daily Bible study questions, with a journaling page, daily activities, suggested song titles for worship and a few favorite recipes along the way—including our family’s secret cinnamon roll recipe. Many of the activities are flexible enough to include your children or grandchildren, so they too can celebrate the coming of Jesus birthday each year, with you.

The weekly Discussion question in the 1st day of every week’s activity, is perfect for you, your family, or your Bible study group, to help you celebrate the season. It will