Advent Abundance

Or minimalism—whatever you need

I found out this week that The Holy Labor made it into the top 25 of Substack newsletters on Faith & Spirituality. I’m delighted to have many new folks reading along, and I’m grateful for those of you who have been here for a while! 

To learn more about my work, visit my author page. Here at Substack I share an original essay one week and a round-up of others’ work the next week. If you like what you read, I’d love to invite you to join as a paid subscriber starting at only $5/month.

To help you celebrate Advent, I wrote this Prayer for Overwhelmed Parents (actually all of us). We’re also sharing free & easy ways to celebrate Advent each week at Mothering Spirit.

Give Us This Day is sponsoring our writers at Mothering Spirit this week, and you can get 50% off a subscription right now. Their recent reflection from Deacon J. Peter Nixon is one of the most profound statements on prayer I’ve ever read.

For your gift-giving inspiration: Ave Maria Press just put out a beautiful new Living the Word Bible for women. You can use code LIVINGWORD52 for $5 off plus free shipping. 

7 great ideas for gifts for kids that don’t cost money.

Have you/your beloveds been coughing/hacking/feverish clouds of sickness for 4, 5, 6 weeks? Here, too. I returned to these wise words from Jessica Mathisen on families & illness in between doling out doses of Dimetapp this week.

Ryan McQuade’s free Christmas card downloads are stunning. Pretty sure there’s no way we’re getting cards out till New Year’s, but you should check these out.

If you read nothing else this Advent, let it be Oscar Romero: Advent Readings from a Modern Martyr.

A colleague shared this delightful poem about decorating the Christmas tree (thank you, Jessie!): “We Cannot Reach the Cold Night Stars” by Ann Pedersen.

If you’re praying the St. Andrew Christmas Novena, you’ll love this art from Brick House in the City (might be my current phone wallpaper as a reminder; might also end my time on this earth without ever having finished a novena).

Another gorgeous poem, for a parent or anyone caught up in awe on this spinning planet: “Each Self” by Andrea Potos.

Paul Zach’s new Christmas album is balm for the soul.

For those who asked after laughing at my Advent-in-the-chaos reel, here’s the fabric Advent calendar, the storybook calendar, and a few Jesse Tree options here and here. Our favorite Advent & Christmas books for kids are all here, too.

Giveaway

I have two new children’s books to give away, thanks to Emmaus Road Publishing. The Shepherd at the Crib and the Cross made me weep, a tender story about a shepherd whose story intersects with Jesus’ life at two pivotal moments. Beloved Son: Joseph and Jesus is the latest in a series (of which our family has enjoyed all the rest) about typology: how all of Scripture prepares the way for Christ’s coming. If you’d like to win a copy of either book, leave a comment and I’ll choose a winner on December 9th.

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