• Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Media
  • Blog
    • Devotions
    • Get Ready
    • Book Reviews
    • Writing
    • Homeschool
  • Books
  • Speaking
    • Families
    • For Women
    • Get Ready
    • Homeschoooling
    • Writing
  • Courses
  • Services
    • Writing Services
    • Editorial Services

Susan K. Stewart

Serving God by Serving Others

Prepare for Peace

Get Ready

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
This post contains some affiliate links. Please see my disclosure statementPlease see my disclosure statement.

Prepare for peace
“Are you ready for Christmas?”

“I’m usually have everything ready around January 19.”

Yes, I’ve often answered this way. There was a time that I didn’t really feel ready for Christmas. Maybe my idea of being prepared for the holiday has changed because my children are now grown with homes of their own. Or maybe it’s the wisdom that God says come with growing older. But it has changed.

There was a time being ready for Christmas meant a pile of gifts cleverly wrapped with homemade bows, a perfectly brown turkey and gravy without lumps, and sparkling decorations neatly placed throughout the house. Oh, that’s not even to mention the large full living tree.

Now being prepared means getting my heart ready for the Advent: the coming of a notable person, Jesus. Being ready is having a quiet spirit, rather than a frenzy of activities. I now prepare for the peace of the season. Is it possible to have this kind of Christmas with children and the entire family coming for dinner? I think so.

    • Pray. I confess. One of the reasons I wasn’t really ready for Christmas each year is I didn’t begin at the beginning: at the foot of the throne of God. The shepherds and wise men bowed before a manger. We have the privilege of bowing before the throne. Ask God for His advice about your plans for Christmas. Invite Him to take part with you. (Subscribe to Practical Inspirations News and receive “25 Advent Prayers for Your Child.”)
    • Praise. Our school day didn’t start without Bible reading. We definitely read all the Gospel stories of Christ’s birth. I think, though, specific devotional readings prepare the heart for this season of worship.



    • Presents. Yes, we all talk about the best gift being Jesus. But do we show it? No matter how we talk about presents with our children we need to emphasize giving over getting. This is the best time to teach, “God so loved the world He gave…. “
    • Potluck. The tradition in our family was everyone brought some portion of the meal. The person hosting only had to prepare the meat. The meal was served buffet style. It took the pressure off having perfect mashed potatoes, making Aunt Harriet’s molded salad just right, and worrying about having the silverware lined up properly at each plate. Sharing is another form of giving and it is so much more fun and peaceful.
    • Peace. Create peace in your household by taking the entire month off from homeschooling, limit events away from home (choose only THE one event that fits your family best), have quiet nights, or just keep to your family’s normal routine. We destroy the peace of the season by rushing here and there and everywhere. After all, it might be better to visit family friends through the year, rather than in the few weeks in December.

    You may be able to only make one change this year. It’s a start. Each year, instead of planning a myriad of activities, do one more thing that gets you and your family ready for the Advent. It doesn’t matter how, just prepare for a peaceful time with the Prince of Peace.

    (Originally published at Life of a Homeschool Mom, December 7, 2015.)

December 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Previous Post: « Do we need Worldwide Day of Play?
Next Post: Kindle Create – Not Ready for Prime Time »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Stay up to date

Get the latest book news and more from Susan K. Stewart.

Privacy Policy

By subscribing to my newsletter, you consent to receive emails from Susan K. Stewart.

Latest on Instagram

susankstewart

View

Mar 20

Open
Like the farmers, we wait patiently for our risen Lord. He is coming. #spring  #ressurection #easter

Like the farmers, we wait patiently for our risen Lord. He is coming. #spring #ressurection #easter ...

3 0

susankstewart

View

Mar 7

Open
Stop by Karin Berry's "Write Now Edits" to see my interview "How I Write"  and learn why I have a picture with my #donkeys http://writenowedits.com/2022/03/how-i-write-susan-k-stewart/#writer #books #bookstagram

Stop by Karin Berry`s "Write Now Edits" to see my interview "How I Write" and learn why I have a picture with my #donkeys http://writenowedits.com/2022/03/how-i-write-susan-k-stewart/#writer #books #bookstagram ...

2 0

susankstewart

View

Mar 5

Open
Do you ever hold onto when you should let go? Here's what happened when Hubby and I decided to not to let go. #devo #donkey #lifelessons #letgo https://www.lorettaeidson.com/life-lessons-let-go-by-susan-k-stewart/

Do you ever hold onto when you should let go? Here`s what happened when Hubby and I decided to not to let go. #devo #donkey #lifelessons #letgo https://www.lorettaeidson.com/life-lessons-let-go-by-susan-k-stewart/ ...

2 0

susankstewart

View

Mar 4

Open
I chatted with Laine Lawson Craft this week about talking with God. More specifically, God talking to me through my donkeys. #devotion  #donkey #talktogod https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnTz4A5PQ_0

I chatted with Laine Lawson Craft this week about talking with God. More specifically, God talking to me through my donkeys. #devotion #donkey #talktogod https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnTz4A5PQ_0 ...

3 0

susankstewart

View

Mar 2

Open
Most of my life I misunderstood Lent. I thought it was for a specific group of people, rules to follow, and things to give up. I've learned there's more to lent than a checklist. It's a time to prepare ourselves and hearts for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. https://www.susankstewart.com/what-about-lent-what-is-it-exactly/

Most of my life I misunderstood Lent. I thought it was for a specific group of people, rules to follow, and things to give up. I`ve learned there`s more to lent than a checklist. It`s a time to prepare ourselves and hearts for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. https://www.susankstewart.com/what-about-lent-what-is-it-exactly/ ...

0 0
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: Access Token is not valid or has expired. Feed will not update.

Harried Homeschoolers Handbook

Harried Homeschoolers Handbook
Buy This Book Online
Buy Direct
Harried Homeschoolers Handbook
Buy now!

What are you looking for?

Bible Blog Children Christmas coping Devotions donkey e-book e-publishing encouragement faith family Feature Fiction formatting goals God's Plan Historical History holidays homeschool Hope Kindle lifestyle learning mom nativity Parents peace planning play Prayer preparation Preschool priorities Reading religion share Stages of Dealing Stigma Study TGBT thanksgiving to-do lists winter worship

Follow @SusanKStewart on Instagram

susankstewart

View

Mar 20

Open
Like the farmers, we wait patiently for our risen Lord. He is coming. #spring  #ressurection #easter
3 0

susankstewart

View

Mar 7

Open
Stop by Karin Berry's "Write Now Edits" to see my interview "How I Write"  and learn why I have a picture with my #donkeys http://writenowedits.com/2022/03/how-i-write-susan-k-stewart/#writer #books #bookstagram
2 0

susankstewart

View

Mar 5

Open
Do you ever hold onto when you should let go? Here's what happened when Hubby and I decided to not to let go. #devo #donkey #lifelessons #letgo https://www.lorettaeidson.com/life-lessons-let-go-by-susan-k-stewart/
2 0

susankstewart

View

Mar 4

Open
I chatted with Laine Lawson Craft this week about talking with God. More specifically, God talking to me through my donkeys. #devotion  #donkey #talktogod https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnTz4A5PQ_0
3 0

susankstewart

View

Mar 2

Open
Most of my life I misunderstood Lent. I thought it was for a specific group of people, rules to follow, and things to give up. I've learned there's more to lent than a checklist. It's a time to prepare ourselves and hearts for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. https://www.susankstewart.com/what-about-lent-what-is-it-exactly/
0 0
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: Access Token is not valid or has expired. Feed will not update.
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosures

Copyright © 2025 Susan K. Stewart ·