It’s nearly that time of year again. Already there are vast tubs of chocolates on special offer in our local supermarket, catalogues with gift suggestions dropping through the letterbox, questions about where we will spend Christmas this year.

There.

I’ve said it.

Christmas.

How will it be for you? And are you nearly ready?

Well, perhaps not quite yet. But there is one thing you can do to get ready which will be of huge benefit to you.

Get a copy of Lucy Rycroft’s “Redeeming Advent.”

Lucy, aka Desertmum, has given us this daily devotional to help us through the crazily busy time leading up to Christmas Day. Advent, the time of preparation or, as she calls it, ‘a small representation of the journey we’re on to draw closer to the Babe in a manger.’

It’s also the time when every year I plan to do something special to prepare to celebrate the birth of the Saviour, Emmanuel – God with Us.

And the time when nearly every year I get too pre-occupied with other things.

But here is a book that’s easily readable, in short daily chapters, yet with profound truths and penetrating and thought-provoking questions to ponder. Lucy is a busy mum of young children (some her own, some adopted) and she relates her own adventures in preparing madly for Christmas and then applies what she learns along to the way, to Advent.

"Advent, like adoption, tells us that the tragedies of this life are not supposed to bring us down, but to make us look up, waiting and hoping more desperately for a future in which destruction, lies, corruption, ill-health and death don't exist."

It’s light hearted and easily readable, at one level; yet it’s not afraid to tackle big issues such as should we teach our children about Santa and reindeer? Should we follow the guidelines on the back of the wrapping paper? How does the fact of Christmas impact our everyday lives? What is it in particular that makes you stop and think about the incarnation and all it offers? And gift lists – what if you don’t get what you asked for?

Each day has a short story or reflection about some area of Christmas preparation, that’s related to a short Bible verse or story, followed by questions to ponder and think about through the day, and a brief prayer to end. It’s really do-able, even for the extra-busy or stressed person!

“Whatever you are holding in life right now, however precariously it feels, God is holding you - and so, He's holding everything you hold.”

I loved being able to take the thought or question into the day with me and ponder, just as Mary pondered in her heart (Lk 2)

Are you preparing for Christmas? And – OR - or both - are you preparing to have Christ in your life? To transform your life and you?

Although I was reading this in September ( as part of Lucy’s prelaunch team) it was still very helpful on a daily basis. Now I shall read it again in Advent, as intended.

Will you do it too – we could compare notes?

My book, “Walking Back to Happiness” will be published in early November. Sign up here to be the first to know and have the email slip into your inbox. And when you sign up you’ll get a free download too on how to connect with God while you walk, however long, short or muddy your walk may be!