We live in a culture that is so abundant in material possessions  that it’s not unusual to hear a radio advertisement asking the listener, “what do you get for the person who has everything?”. This is a phrase that convinces a customer to buy and helps a business survive – and possibly thrive.

But the reality is, many of us are using credit to do our shopping and our bills do not leave us with much for savings.

Personally, I LOVE Christmas shopping.  I love buying people Christmas gifts.  Somehow, even as a poor college student, I always managed to buy presents for family and close friends.  It is something that has brought me joy as long as I can remember.

This year, the budget is super tight.  This week in particular reminded me of that.  My husband’s car was inspected and needed almost $1,000 of work (and that was just to pass inspection); our oven broke and our heat up stairs stopped working.  What a week – for any time of year.  But it’s Christmas time, so it’s an extra reminder to me that our finances are limited.

However, that doesn’t change how much I really like to Christmas shop.  One thing I look forward to each year is purchasing a gift for our parish giving tree so that a needy child will have one more thing to open Christmas morning.  I reached out to the woman who runs the toy drive and asked “what age group needs gifts?”

I knew the answer before she responded.  Those tween years are tough.  Sure enough, I was informed – both boys and girls ages 10-13.

I have a special place in my heart for the average 13 year old girl.  I remember vividly how challenging that time was – and I often choose that age when I shop for a gift to donate.

But . . . how can I justify buying another thing?

Then a phrase that has been a voice inside my mind once before returned:

God will provide.

And He did.  I found coupon for Staples (an office supply/stationary store) for $10.00 off a purchase of $10.00 or more.  So basically . . . $10.00 appeared.

$10.00 is not going to get the most amazing gift . .. but it enabled me to get some colored pens and two adorable notebooks.  Hopefully that humble gift will bring a young girl a smile and some joy.

Although ten dollars is a small gift from above, I have seen God provide in much bigger ways.

The fact that I went to college, lived there and graduated in four years is a huge testament to the value financial aid, hard work at humbling part-time jobs and divine intervention.

But that phrase:
“God will provide” was particularly loud and persistent about four years ago . . . when, after years of praying, my husband and I finally became parents.

As a teacher in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Secondary Schools, I knew that once we became parents, I would stay home for a year.  That was a benefit I saw many other teachers I worked with enjoy, I had planned to do the same.

That year went by so quickly . . . and my husband really felt that I needed to go back to work so that we could stay afloat financially.

But, all I kept hearing inside my own head was . . . “God will provide”.

Our son was born with some health challenges, and my life as a teacher had me working on lesson plans and grading almost every waking hour that I wasn’t instructing students in the classroom.  I had tried to change that “system” many times; but then I would be teaching content I wasn’t familiar with or something else would be thrown in the mix.

I couldn’t be both a good mom and a good teacher.  I knew this in my heart.

I assured my husband, “God will provide”.

And He did.  From secondary insurance, to part-time work as an SAT reader, to more babysitting jobs I had in high school, God provided.  And He didn’t stop there.  My husband has earned two promotions since we have become parents.

We certainly do not live extravagantly, and there is a list of things that need attention, but we are okay.  Our heat is on, and we are not hungry.

God provides us with what we need.  He loves us.  Sometimes I need the reminder that what those who I love most don’t need an extra gift, but extra love, extra listening, extra attention, extra prayers and extra forgiveness.

If you are worried about balancing your checkbook, remember, God will provide.

Sometimes, He just wants to remind us to close our checkbooks and open our hearts.

May the Lord give you a very, very, Merry Christmas!

The post How God Provides appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Don’t get me wrong, I am super excited to Christmas shop, and fully embrace the season of secular madness.  I’m a big kid and I love it.

But this year, I am seeing a lot of Catholic bloggers talking about Advent – and that has been a wake up call for me.  I need to think about what Advent is, and why Christians established it as a season.

Lucky for me, I am the parent to incredible four year old, and I am eager to go on this journey with him.  If you are not a parent, or your children has grown, perhaps find a niece, nephew or grandchild to embrace this season.  Their innocence is inspiring and really brings the joy and excitement of the season to life.

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Mark 10:13-16

I’m going to need some help on this journey, so here are a few items I may purchase to help me.  If you purchase these, I make a small percentage – so thank you very much!

The Shepherd on the Search- Advent Activity Set

I LOVE this alternative to the “Elf on the Shelf”.  DaySpring has created this book set so that during the Advent season, families can read the story of the shepherd’s timeless journey in a beautifully illustrated interactive children’s book, and let the fun begin every day as they hide the shepherd and children find him in a new place along the search!

Click here to purchase: The Shepherd on the Search Advent Set

A Christian Themed Advent Calendar

Click here to purchase: Nativity Advent Calendar

Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set

This toy Nativity Set was such a great investment for our family. Above is a picture of my son two years ago . . . he made the angel kiss the baby Jesus! Such a great way to talk and teach about what Christmas is and why we celebrate it.  I love that these Little People are durable enough to be played with by very young children, but still enjoyed by the older ones!  We have a beautiful “adult” Nativity Set, but the past couple years we have simply put out this one.  When members of the scene fall, nothing breaks.  That is truly an added bonus! Click here to purchase: Little People Nativity Set

The Legend of the Poinsettia

We see these plants almost as much as we see Christmas trees this time of year.  What a wonderful way to talk about the season with your child by reading this book together. In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao  which means flower of the Holy Night. This Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl’s unselfish gift to the Christ Child.  I have seen many moms showing excitement for a new tradition of wrapping 24 books before Christmas and reading one a night.  This would be an excellent story to include in that tradition! Click here to purchase: The Legend Of the Poinsettia Book

Advent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta: Daily Meditations

Although I am going to love embracing the season with my son, I will need some time alone with the Lord . . . and my coffee.  These daily meditations are just the right size for me.  I can read it with my coffee, or take it with me to adoration (and if I can only stay for 10 or 15 minutes, this is the perfect way to guide that time in prayer).  The Scripture quotes will also inspire me to pull out my prayer journal and enjoy my prayer time and rare times of quiet reflection. Click here to purchase: Daily Meditations with Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Tis the Season Devotional Kit

Reserving time to prayer journal has been quite tough for me.  I really want to do it and I know it makes my soul happy!  This devotional kit is just what I need to motivate and jumpstart my personal prayer time.  DaySpring has many illustrated faith kits,  and this one is brand new! Click here to purchase: Tis the Season Devotional Kit

Chocolate Santa Pops

Saint Nicholas Day is December 6th and this is the perfect sweet to put inside the shoes that are left out for the Jolly Saint’s visit  Plus, purchasing this product helps support The Nuns at Mount St. Mary’s.  They are a cloistered order and making their candies is how they sustain their community.  To support the Sisters, and to enjoy some incredible chocolate, click here to purchase! Trappistine Quality Candy

How are you getting ready? I’d love to hear!

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The post Getting Ready For Advent and Christmas! appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Only how many days until Christmas??  It’s crunch time!  Here are some gift ideas if you feel stuck!

1.  A soft, comfy, throw blanket.  I bought one for myself the first time I went Christmas shopping this year.  My mother-in-law bought me one last year and it’s the softest blanket ever! I have slept with it every night this year!  I have gotten throw blankets for my husband in the past, and he says that I “always get the softest blankets”.  I got one for my grandmother last year.  One size fits all!  And look – here’s one on sale on Amazon – and Prime shipping! 
2. A whole lot of Lottery tickets! My grandmother LOVES the scratch off lottery tickets.  So this year, I bought her a bunch of them, and I am using clothes pins to “hang” them on a piece of yarn.  I will wrap the string of yarn in a box and I’m pretty sure it will be her favorite present.  I certainly hopes she wins big!
3. GIFT CARDS – I feel like we love to get them, but don’t love giving them.  We fear that it looks lazy.  But who doesn’t LOVE a gift card?  There’s always something we wish we had gotten, but didn’t.  With a gift card, we can go get it.  Visa gift cards are great, but so are “store” specific ones.  I love a Barnes and Nobles gift card.  If I get one, I have an excuse to walk around that store for an hour – by myself.  I might even finish a whole cup of coffee while it’s hot.  And if you are shopping for a woman, and know where she gets her hair done – JACKPOT.  Get her a gift certificate to her salon.  Getting your hair done is so expensive – but we all get it done!  T.J Maxx . . .another store that is so fun to shop at . . . I could go on.  I will suggest some “add ons” next if you feel like you can’t just give a gift card.
4. Gift Card with some “add ons” – For men, skip the tie and tools.  If the man likes tools, give him a gift card to Home Depot.  I feel like giving a man tools is like giving a woman make up.  They’re not all the same, let them pick it out.  However, a nice add on for a man is a scarf, coffee (if they have a Keurig, k-cups are awesome gifts), and chocolate.  Also, if a man loves to golf, find out where they golf the most and get them a gift certificate for that course!  Add ons for women can include socks (as add ons, please don’t give this as a gift and that’s all)!  We all have the sock problem – we can’t find matches!  I’m wearing socks that don’t match as I type!  Other add ons are of course wine, and chocolate.  Add a Christmas ornament to hang on the wine bottle – one that reminds you of that person to make the gift personal.  And remember, if you would like it, most likely someone else would too!
5. A photo album with pictures in it – The dollar store sells the little ones that fit in a pocket book! You can also get bigger, nicer albums on amazon (still time for 2-day shipping).  People love pictures of themselves – the selfie stick is a thing – need I say more??  If you are on Facebook, you can easily get pics of you and this certain someone.  Go to your friend’s page, click the 3 dots next to “message” and click “see friendship”.  You’ll then see a bunch of pics that you are both tagged in!  Most places will let you print pictures out from Facebook (CVS, Target, Walgreens, etc.).
6. An experience –  This can be written in a card, no prep work has to be done (besides, you’ll have to find a date that works best for both of you).  Write in the card that you would love to spend a day together, so you’ll pay for lunch and a movie.  You can probably think of many other ideas, but here are a few:* wine tasting; *a live show; * shopping; *out for coffee and lunch,*do something “touristy”; paint and drink wine night; hike; etc.
7. Anything Fair Trade – These gifts are mainly crafts, coffee and chocolate – but with an added bonus of doing a good deed for those in need.  Bread for Life is another fair trade organization that offers many gift options and expedited shipping, since time is running out!

What did I miss?  If you have an idea, please comment!  There are people reading this that need help !  Remember to stay Merry and Jolly!!!

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