Tips to Spend Time in God's Word This Holiday Season {+ A Look Inside Illustrated Faith's November Grace & Gratitude Kit}

** Devotional kit received as part of Dayspring's Bible Journaling Launch Team. Post contains affiliate links, I will receive a small commission for any purchases made through these links. All thoughts are my own.

'Tis the season to be... BUSY!

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it's so secret that it's also the busiest. Every day it seems we have something else on our never-ending to do list. There is shopping to be done. Parties to attend. Cookies to be made. Letters to Santa to be written. Sometimes in the midst of it all, it can be really hard to find the time to spend in God's word.

But isn't that kind of missing the point?  This is the season in which we celebrate the birth of Christ, the ultimate Christmas gift... so, how in this busy season can we make sure to keep Him in the center of it all?



Today, I'm sharing a few simple tips for spending more time in God's word during this busy holiday season.

Schedule It In.
I don't know about you, but I've found if I've marked something on my to do list, it's more likely to get done. So, adding reading/journaling in your Bible to your list? It just makes sense. It doesn't have to be anything too long for fancy... even 15 minutes while you're enjoying your morning coffee can make such a difference in our day.

Incorporate It Into Your Festivities.
Christmas is all about tradition, and there are many great ways that we can incorporate time in the word into those traditions. Perhaps it's reading some scripture with the family each night as part of your advent activities. Doing Elf on the Shelf? Let him grab out some craft supplies, and encourage your kids to do their own scripture art while you squeeze in some Bible journaling time too! As you journal, talk to your kids about what you're journaling and talk about the scriptures. I have found I have gotten much more time to journal in my Bible when I allow my daughter to join me rather than try to find alone time instead.

Listen To It.
We may not have as much time to sit down and spend time READING or journaling in the Word this season as we would like... but there are plenty of opportunities in which we can listen. Alternate our favorite Christmas hymns with an audio Bible--- allowing you to spend time in God's Word while you're sitting in holiday traffic, baking your cookies or wrapping your gifts.


Journal Through Advent with the Grace & Gratitude Devotions.
In addition to actually scheduling that time, I have found that having a specific direction in which to journal helps to keep me focused and on track, giving me much better use of my time. The second Illustrated Faith Grace and Gratitude kit is the perfect way to journal your way through this advent season. Let's take a look:

Discover more of Jesus leading up to His birthday, as you join Shanna on a journey of Advent with this November Illustrated Faith 'Grace & Gratitude devotional kit.  To help celebrate the hope, joy, love, and peace Jesus brings during the four weeks leading up to Christmas, this 'Grace & Gratitude' November kit includes four devotionals, as well as six prompts and Scriptures for each devo. Also, you may follow along in the 100 Days of Grace and Gratitude devotional journal (days 31 through 55) for more inspiration. "It can be hard to commit to the time it takes to focus on the Word during the holiday season, so let's do this together and make the true meaning of Christmas shine through in our hearts!" —Shanna Noel

The kit will include: 4 devotionals, 24 hole punched Scripture prompt cards on key ring, 1 sheet of Christmas stickers, 1 buffalo check washi tape, 1 4x6 clear stamp set, 2 sheets of Christmas tabs, 1 Grace & Gratitude sticker, 1 surprise from Shanna, 1 thank you card from Shanna. This is the basic kit, but you can also purchase with add-on alpha stickers that coordinate perfectly!



This kit is packed full of Christmas spirit, and I absolutely love it. The first thing I noticed were the adorable stickers... perfect for the holiday season! And those stamps? I can't get enough! Not only are they perfect for all of your holiday journaling this year and in years to come, they will also be perfect in other holiday crafting and cardmaking. Seriously, how adorable would these images be on some homemade ornaments with rustic wood slices!? I'm already planning ahead to next year! But the best part of all? The buffalo plaid washi! I am OBSESSED. In fact, my tree this year happens to be the black and white plaid! This has got to be my favorite washi EVER. This kit also perfectly coordinate's with last year's Advent collection that you may already have in your collection (and still available at Dayspring).

Like the previous Grace & Gratitude kit, this one also lines up with the 100 Days of Grace & Gratitude journal for more in depth daily devotionals. It also features the cute scripture prompts. As much as I loved this in the previous kit, I love it even MORE through Advent. Like I said, the holidays are busy enough but this gives us one simple scripture to focus on each day making it easy to follow along. I truly cannot think of a better way to spend time preparing our hearts this holiday season!

Will you join me? Grace and Gratitude November Kit is available to purchase at Dayspring today!

And right now, you can save on your kit and more! Use the code FRIDAY18 for 30% off sitewide (excludes Willow Tree and Illustrating Bible). This offer expires November 25th. 



(Helpful Hint: Last month's kit sold out in record time, and it is expected that this one could too! Have to have it? Don't wait, order today so you don't miss out!)