Crystal Stine
About the Author

Crystal is passionate about cultivating a community where faith, fitness, and friendship come together. Author of “Creative Basics: 30 Days to Awesome Social Media Art,” Crystal is a writer, speaker, host of the Write 31 Days challenge, and coach who shares encouragement at her blog, crystalstine.me. Connect with her on...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Crystal,
    First, I love the family pic 🙂 I also love your word “savor” for this Advent season. Like you said though…savor doesn’t mean just take it all in, it also means give it out in the form of being a light and blessing to others. Great ideas on your list. Having been, at one time, a single mom with kids, I might add invite people who are single (with or without kids) to join in your family celebration. The holidays can be really hard when you’re in that situation and it’s so nice to feel like you are welcomed somewhere. Loved this…
    Blessings,
    Bev

  2. What a thoughtful post Crystal and sweet picture,

    I really like Bev’s idea as well. I’ll add a few more, Donate food, blankets or toys to an animal shelter or look out for strays. Someone suggested to my daughter to pack extra back packs (if you have them hanging around ) with useful items like kleenex, cough drops, mitts, hats, hand wipes, snacks, etc. and leave it for someone who might need it, You could include a little note too. My son wants to make star ornaments to give to elderly neighbors (you could add a plate of cookies or otherwise). Those little packages of hot chocolate have a saying on them “If you need a hug.” that could be offered as well.

    ‘To be light for others’, love this. Thank-you Crystal.

    Penny

  3. This was so good Crystal! Thanks for the ideas how to bless people tangibly. It’s easy to forget but so important.

  4. At Advent we usually make a paper chain. Each link has a name of someone or a group of people written on it. We take down a link each night of Advent and pray especially for that person or group. Last year we didn’t get to making the chain and so each night we chose a Christmas card that we had received and prayed especially for that person or family. Both ways have been meaningful to us and we have often found out later that the prayers blessed that person or family–that they had a special need that God met.

  5. Crystal, I love that your word this year has been Savor. I can imagine all that God showed you as you meditated on this word. 🙂

    I loved your family picture. So fun! I’m not sure I could ever get my husband to wear striped pajama pants. 🙂

    And, I loved your suggestions for Advent. I’ve been thinking about ways our family can be a blessing to others. I’m definitely going to implement at least a couple of them. And, I’m going to cut and paste this list so I can be more ready for next year.

  6. Crystal,
    Great post and ideas. Loved the family pic and I know for sure my hubby would never wear striped pajamas!! Last year I made cookies for my two elderly neighbors. I thought they would enjoy them!! For many years I have done a Salvation Army tree child. It is so fun to shop for the children and pray over the gifts. Another good idea is to visit nursing homes and sing songs to them. Out church goes caroling each year. I know the residents like this. This year I’m spending Dec. 18 at an Assisted Living/nursing home. Santa will come and bring gifts for everyone-plus they get their pictures taken with him!
    Blessings:)

  7. Beautiful post…thanks for reminding us to savor the season and to bless others as Christ has blessed us!

  8. This Christmas God is reminding me of simplicity and servanthood. Yesterday I baked 60 pumpkin chocolate chips muffins and delivered them while they were still warm to faculty/staff midafternoon at the local college. It was a God-gift to see how a small item blessed people so much. I was prayerful and tried to be sensitive to where the Holy Spirit would have me deliver them one by one. It reminded me that a random act of kindess can go a long way on a God-ordained day.