Righteous and barren. Honorable and heartbroken. It’s hard to put such words together.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
Luke 1:6–7

Zechariah and Elizabeth loved God and honored Him with their lives, even though their quiet home reminded them daily that God hadn’t come through for them in the way they had hoped.

People of Depth and Conviction

What happens in your heart when God doesn’t give you what you want? Do you loosen your grip on what you know to be true? Do you wander from the very things that keep your soul free and whole? Especially at Christmastime, we tend to gravitate toward indulgence because we prefer to feel a surface level of happiness rather than to acknowledge the pain buried beneath the surface.

Elizabeth and Zechariah were people of depth and conviction. They honored God with their lives even though (it seemed) He hadn’t heard their prayer.

But then one day their story took a turn. 

God ordained it one day for Zechariah to enter the Temple to offer sacrifices.

“For unto us a Child is born” Isaiah 9:6

Has your family started planning meals for your holiday get-togethers? If a charcuterie board is somewhere in your planning, you’re so on-trend.

Three hundred years ago, a great deal of thought was put into meals for a man who was so laser-focused on his work that for almost three weeks, he refused everything prepared for him. He barely slept. Those who brought him food returned many hours later to find it untouched. Day after day. 

Messiah

The task with which the man was so obsessed? Committing to paper what the Holy Spirit was moving him to pen, a masterpiece we now know as Handel’s Messiah. The motivation that kept George Frideric Handel up at night—furiously scribbling so he didn’t miss any nuance—was rooted in what had kept Isaiah the prophet up all night 2,400 years earlier—a voice from heaven speaking into the darkness: 

For unto us a Child is born, 

Unto us a Son is given; 

And the government will be upon His shoulder, 

And His name will be called 

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

My flight was delayed—­again—­and as I’d been sitting for over three hours, I decided to stretch my legs and walk the length of the airport concourse. I saw a woman sitting by herself at an empty gate, and I could tell that she was crying. She had pulled a headscarf down over her face, but her shoulders were shaking. I sat down beside her and waited. After a few moments she lifted her head and looked at me.

“Can I help?” I asked.

Lost and Alone

She shook her head and said something, but it was in a language I didn’t recognize or understand. She was clutching a piece of paper in her right hand, and I touched it, as if to ask if I could see it. Reluctantly, she passed it to me. It was a phone number, so I decided to call the number, hoping whoever was on the other end could help.

When a man answered, I tried to explain what was going on, describing the woman as best I could. He told me it was his mother. I passed the phone to her, and her face lit up.

These stories offer a refreshing mix of tones and settings—some nostalgic and traditional, others lighthearted and modern—but all of them capture the goodness of the season. You’ll find gentle romances, heartfelt family themes, and characters learning to open their hearts to hope again. Historical readers will enjoy stepping back into quieter times filled with charm and seasonal warmth, while contemporary fans will appreciate stories that feel relatable and real, with just the right touch of holiday sparkle.

What ties these books together is the way they slow you down and invite you into a world where kindness matters, relationships are mended, and love has room to grow. Whether the pages take you to a cozy small town, a countryside manor, or a snowy little community preparing for Christmas, each story offers its own sense of comfort.

These novels make wonderful companions throughout the holiday season—perfect for evenings when you want something uplifting, or mornings when you’re easing into a busy day with a warm cup in hand. If you’re looking for books that blend faith, gentle storytelling, and the timeless hope of Christmas, this list has plenty of heartwarming favorites to choose from.

A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen
Regency Historical Romance

Sarah Summers once discouraged the interest of a handsome Scottish widower, but his return stirs up regret.

As the holidays draw near, our calendars begin to fill, our to-do lists grow long, and the days seem to slip by faster than we’d like. It’s easy to get caught up in the preparations —decorating the tree, baking cookies, wrapping gifts —and miss the quiet invitation of the season: to pause, to prepare our hearts, and to make room for Jesus.

Advent is a beautiful opportunity to slow down our pace and refocus our attention on the true meaning of Christmas. It reminds us that long before the rush and noise, there was a silent night, a humble manger, and a Savior who came near. In the midst of all that needs doing, we can still choose to create moments that draw our hearts back to Him.

One simple yet meaningful way to do that is through reading. A good book can help us step away from the hurry and rest our minds on truth and beauty. Whether it’s a devotional that draws us closer to God, a story that sparks joy and gratitude, or a children’s book that helps little hearts understand the wonder of Jesus’ birth, these stories have a way of bringing light and peace into our homes.

Books make wonderful presents, offering inspiration, joy, and a touch of warmth. Here are some fantastic book recommendations that will make great Christmas gifts for everyone on your list. As the Christmas season approaches, it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gifts for the special people in your life.

For the Home:

These books are our favorites from the last year for anyone looking for a book for their kitchen or home. These could be for you or a friend, coworker, or loved one who enjoys time at home cooking, decorating, or snuggling with pets!

The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook, 20th Anniversary Edition by Beverly Lewis – This updated and expanded edition includes over 200 authentic and time-tested recipes, time-saving tips, and personal glimpses into Amish life. It’s perfect for anyone who loves cooking and wants to bring the homespun taste of Amish country to their kitchen.

The Kitchen Devotional – Combining 90 readings and more than 50 recipes, this devotional offers daily servings of faith and encouragement. It covers topics like gathering with family, lessons learned in the kitchen, and the ministry of hospitality. It’s a delightful gift for those who find joy in cooking and sharing meals with loved ones.

Joy is yours this Advent season! Discover how to embrace joy, overcome overwhelm, and delight in your duties with a heart of worship and gratitude.

I don’t know about you, but the Advent and Christmas season is our family’s favorite time of the year. Despite the bitter cold temperatures, shorter days, and a few more sniffles than usual, December is a magical month. But it only happens with yours truly putting in a lot of effort! Truthfully, sometimes, I need an attitude check in this season of comfort and joy. Can you relate? Well, sister, read on because I want to encourage you toward worship the entire month!

Decide to clothe yourself with joy.

Inevitably, our December calendar fills up more than I’d prefer, but it’s all with enjoyable things. I’m not a night owl or an extreme extrovert, so all of the activity, fun though it may be, can wear me out. If I’m not careful, I end up like a cranky two-year-old who needs a nap (and a little discipline). At the beginning of the month, I resolve to clothe myself with joy to nip the temptation to sin by grumbling from the get-go.

Christmas fiction is a great way to cozy up on a cold day with a cuppa something hot. Here are some titles to get you started!

‘Tis the season for Christmas romances full of mistletoe, miracles, and holiday spirit. Don’t miss these brand-new releases and past favorites from bestselling and award-winning authors. These reads are sure to delight those looking for clean romance novels. Pick up one for yourself and gift another this Christmas.

Historical Christmas Fiction

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White 

With a Downton Abbey-esque reimagining of The Nutcracker tale, this charming novella will transport you to a historical world of snow-frosted towns, sweet sugar plums, and prospects of love. 

Plumford Manor is destined to go to Lady Mariah’s estranged childhood friend, a distant relative of her stepfather. When he arrives at the start of the Christmas season, their friendship re-ignites—despite the strong attentions of a certain Danish Lord—and Mariah begins to hope for something more this Christmas season. 

An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen 

Spend a festive Christmas in the English village of Ivy Hill, as divine hope, friendship, and unexpected romance work their magic.

If you’re looking for some advent books to prepare your heart for Christmas this holiday season, here are a few to choose from.

With Advent less than a month away, we are busy trying to decide which devotional we want to read through this year to deepen our experience of Christmas and the Christmas story. Spending time reading through an Advent devotional in this busy season gives us the space to praise God for the gift He gave us at Christmas!

If you find yourself looking for an Advent devotional this year, we recommend four of our favorite options below. 

Devotionals to Help You Rediscover the Meaning of Christmas

To refresh your faith with Scripture and stories of simple Christmases of the past, read The Gifts of Christmas!

If you are looking for an Advent devotional that walks you through the Christmas story in Scripture with insights to help you ponder the miracle of Christmas, read Prepare Him Room.

For biblical and historical insights in the people, places, and events surrounding the nativity, we recommend Star of Wonder.

Finally, for a beautifully designed Advent devotional filled with wisdom and thoughtful prayers illustrated with full-color calligraphy, read Come Discover Christmas.

The holidays can be very hectic and overwhelming. But holiday success is within reach if you focus on the right things.

It’s the holiday season and my Instagram algorithm has been showing me Thanksgiving tablescapes and Christmas mantles since late September. Have you noticed this, too?

The algorithm knows me well because I absolutely love all things holiday-related: exploring the woods to gather greens, planning special tea parties, hosting crafting nights with friends, decorating sugar cookies, enjoying candlelight strolls, Christmas shopping—you name it, I adore it.

However, before I dive into this wonderful season, I’ve learned that it’s wise for me to plan how I will celebrate and prepare for the upcoming festivities. This isn’t just about making a list and checking it twice to ensure everything is Pinterest-perfect. I mean proactively planning how I will conduct myself as a Christian woman who wants to bring glory to God. 

When energy is low and expectations are high, when a jam-packed schedule leaves me with too much sugar and not enough sleep, I need to determine how I will respond. The last thing I want to do is to sin against my family or my God.