“He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
Philippians 2:7 NIV
Every time it snows, I wait for my opportunity. When the house is quiet and dark, I tiptoe into the living room and curl up mesmerized in the big front window to watch the flakes fall silently — blanketing the ground, trees, and houses — muting the world. Is that a rabbit peering from the edge of the trees?
These are sacred moments. The blue light of my phone and the voices competing for my attention are traded for the yellow light of the moon and hushed white clusters streaming to the earth. I sigh in relief.
I feel small, and I remember One who made Himself small. Jesus, who, “became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14 NIV). I can hear Him better sitting in this stillness. I wait in anticipation.
In the quiet, I realize, and maybe you do too, that I have become full. And not in a good way. Full of expectations for this season, full of plans and pulls. Full of Facebook and Instagram — I just can’t seem to put them down. Full of myself and what I want. I’m so filled up that I can’t put anything else in.
When I feel like this, I know what I need to do, but sometimes I need someone else to confirm it. So if you need confirmation, too, you have it from me. I have to empty myself of me and make room for Jesus. I must turn off the distractions, even some good ones, so I can focus on the One who is ultimately the most important.
I pour it all out on paper — confess what’s been swirling around in my head, plaguing me. Maybe it’s not paper for you — maybe you talk out loud or play the guitar or paint — but our prayers of confession come out. I ask for forgiveness and He gives it.
And I ask Him to come: Emmanuel, God with Us, come fill this season and my heart. I’m sweeping out the clutter — setting my phone notifications to “Off” and logging out of all those accounts that distract me from what is important.
I want to hear Him so I can be like Him.
I want to be like Him this Advent.
Less of me and more of Him.
Less looking at my phone and more looking at my family’s eyes.
Less “what I want” and more “how can I serve?”
It all begins in the stillness.
This article is by Lauren DeVries from the archives and featured in the Simply Jesus Christmas Magazine.
DaySpring has a special keepsake holiday magazine called Simply Jesus: The Heart of Christmas, and it’s a beautiful resource for holiday inspiration and soul encouragement. You will find a collection of powerful Scriptures, inspiring prayers, and heartfelt articles.
Deepen your faith during this sacred season and help your family celebrate Christmas together in new and exciting ways.
Pick up your copy of Simply Jesus: The Heart of Christmas wherever magazines are sold and at DaySpring.com. We aim to inspire you with heartfelt stories and uplifting articles, Christmas traditions, family celebrations, Advent observances, and ways to keep Christ at the center of it all. With every page, we hope to warm your heart, strengthen your faith, and reignite the Christmas spirit in your home.
This article is just one of many featured in the Simply Jesus keepsake Christmas magazine, which, by the way, is perfect for gifting to a friend, Bible study sister, Sunday School teacher, or neighbor. And to help you do just that, we’re giving away FIVE sets of magazines — one for each winner and one for them to give to a friend!
Leave a comment telling us to whom you’d gift a copy!
We’ll draw five winners to notify by email*.
I’d give one to my daughter
To my daughter
I would give a copy to my widow friend Ann. Her husband passed away about 4 years ago at Christmas time. We attempt to get together at least twice a month; I think she feels safe reminiscing about this man who I, too, knew and admired.
Beautiful special article, thank you!
I’d gift the magazine to my friend Sandy who is the kindest, most thoughtful person I’ve ever known.
I’d gift the magazine to my friend Sandy who is the kindest, most thoughtful person I’ve ever known.
I would gift a copy to the granddaughter of a very godly woman at church who recently went to glory. She misses her so much. She has written poems of remembrance, but you can really hear her pain.
What a beautiful magazine! I would gift it to a church friend.
I would gift a copy to my daughter.
I got a copy from day spring. In would gift it to the lay leader at church.
Thank you so much for this opportunity! I would gift the copy to my roommate. I think it would bless her richly. Thanks for all you do. Sharon A
This is the 1st I’ve heard of your magazine. I would gift it to my best friend, who lives states away from me. She’s going thru a tough year, misses her Mom who passed a couple years ago and dealing w her daughter’s mental issues right now. She told me she is not putting up a tree this year, but is going to focus instead on Jesus and what Christmas is really about. This would be a perfect gift!
Thanks for the chance!
Thank you for the opportunity to win. I would gift my extra copy to my pastor’s wife.
Thank you! My dear, sweet friend Lauri would receive the copy
I would give one to my daughters. My neighbor and friend that I fo bible study with. They have been such a great inspiration I. The storm that I am currently in.
This is beautiful… so MANY I would love to share with… thank you for the opportunity. Emmanuel, come Lord Jesus we wait in awe of you/for you! Less of me, more of YOU!
I would love to share this magazine with others in a world of complexity! Simplicity is the key to happiness in my opinion!
I’d gift one to my daughter and her sweet children (my grands).
I would give a copy to my friend Beth.
I would give a copy to my dear younger sister, who has courageously faced mental illness over the last 30 years through remaining a faith filled, selfless person, kind hearted person, and bearing her cross well.
I would gift a friend who feels alone right now.
I would give a copy to my best friend! I pick up the DaySpring magazines at church (homelife and mature living) and read then pass them to her. I also grab us each a Journey devotional (love my journey!). So this would be a great way to share this magazine with her also!
I would give copy to my Bible study leader and my daughter for Christmas.
Just what I need for the Advent season!
It’s hard to choose, I have 2 daughters, one daughter in-law and one who I consider a daughter, the mother of my only great granddaughter.
I choose Katy Eckstein, my 3rd born child. Katy’s had two children out of wedlock and with that there has been consequences in her walk with the Lord, that she is blind to.
My first born daughter, Jessica, made a profession of faith as a teen. She has fallen away from the Lord and the gap between us is ever widening.
My son’s wife, Heather, is saved, I’m not confident that my son is. They have a large family of 8. Their first born was conceived out of wedlock and they married
My great granddaughter Evie’s mother, Joella, I don’t know well and only see infrequently. Evie’s my first born grandson’s daughter and both my grandson, David, and his daughter were conceived out of wedlock. There’s been addiction in both of their lives that they’ve struggled with.
Thank you for your servant’s heart for the lost and desire to bring encouragement to the body of Christ. May god bless!
I would gift one to my good friend, Rose.
In Courage,
It is soo true that we have to shut out ALL the noise & distractions to truly hear God. I have a lighted pumpkin & a twinkling snowman that are in the bathroom. If able I turn them on during my shower-no overhead lights. It feels peaceful & I use that time to pray about & for people. Lately my biggest prayer has been Micah Tyler’s song “Different. Read the words & you will see why.
I don’t wanna hear anymore, teach me to listen
I don’t wanna see anymore, give me a vision
That you could move this heart, to be set apart
I don’t need to recognize, the man in the mirror
And I don’t wanna trade Your plan, for something familiar
I can’t waste a day, I can’t stay the same
I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
In me
And I don’t wanna spend my life, stuck in a pattern
And I don’t wanna gain this world but lose what matters
And so I’m giving up, everything because
I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different, oh
I know that I am far from perfect (oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)
But through You, the cross still says I’m worth it (oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)
So take this beating in my heart and
Come and finish what You started
When they see me, let them see You
‘Cause I just wanna be different, yeah
I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Ooh, is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
I just wanna be different
So could You be different
In me
Blessings 🙂
Beautiful words! I would probably give one to my mom, dad, neighbor and grandma.
My best friend as she continues to navigate the storms of caring for an aging parent with dementia. While she is such an inspiration, I think this could help as a reminder to continue to turn to The One who our hearts and minds were created to worship, especially during the Christmas season.
I’d give one to each of my sisters! There are 5 of us.
Would love to gift this to a friend who lost a loved one this year. Thank you.
My best friend Courtney
Emmanuel, God with Us, Come fill our HEART this Season…”THANK YOU” in-courage team for daily filling our hearts with encouragement, love, joy, wisdom, etc.. that SHINES thru our Savior. We are truly grateful for sharing your gifts as we pass it forward to others to be blessed. I would love to give a copy to my oldest daughter who is a 3rd grade teacher so she could put a copy in her elementary school to encourage our teachers. The other copy I would put in our small church library so all ages would be able to take the time to relax & enjoy! (of course, I would be so excited to take time to read these inspiring article, up-lifting stories & heart-felt prayers before I pass the JOY unto others. TRUSTING Him, as we SHINE our LIGHT, Lori P.S. “Happy Thanksgiving Weekend Everyone”
To my daughter who needs to remember.
To my mom and sister who needs God’s love and grace. They both inspire me to love Jesus more every day and I’m so thankful for my family and friends. But more thankful that God loves me even when I don’t.
I would gift a copy to my sister.
Hi:
There are so many people that I would love to give a copy to so many people. A person that comes to mind is my cousin Carolyn who is going through a difficult time. She needs “extra” love and care, especially during this season. Blessings always.
I lost my husband 11 months ago. Since that time, I have done much changing, growing though not happily. I am alone now and must be resposible for myself. This article gave me new perce[ption about what is important and for the first time, I feel as though I have a direction to follow. The Jesus iss constantly with me and I pray to Him many timeas a day. But I have not considered what was siad in this article. Thank you.
I would share this with a woman who is like a sister to me, who has been with me every step and whose faith in our Lord is as great as mine.
I’d share a copy with the ladies in my PTA and my elderly neighbor. They are all such a blessing.
I would gift a copy to my daughter-in-law and my sisters. This would be an extension of my card ministry to encourage and uplift others. Jesus is the reason for the season. He is with us always. Thank you for this opportunity. Be blessed,
Thank you for your always timely posts.
I would give this magazine to a neighbor, who is a shut-in, my daughter and her family, my mother in law, and a close friend. Thank you.
Thank you! Less of me and more of Him! Amen!
I would gift a copy to my sister who is under a lot of stress.