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🎄 Christmas 2026 🎄

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Authentic Christmas

Welcome to Authentic Christmas!

The tinkering sound of sleigh bells…. the delicious aroma of gingerbread cookies…. the site of my mother’s gorgeous Christmas tree in the foyer, lit up like the Rockefeller Center… the joyous sound of familiar Christmas songs and carols wafting all about… reading “A Christmas Carol” or “Little Women” for the umpteenth time…  

Is there anything really better than Christmas?

If you’re anything like me, you look forward to the joys of Christmas all year long! There’s just something about Christmastime that makes my soul warm up and melt like the little white marshmallows in my hot cocoa by the fire… [Read More]

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” -Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol”

Relaxing by the fire at Christmas w/ socks

8 Ways to Slow Down This Christmas

Slowing down at Christmas is a hard thing to do.

That’s because our culture encourages us to speed up, do more, shop more, and consume more during the holiday season.

It’s all about more, more, more!

Trying to practice a “slowing living Christmas” feels like going against the current of a raging river. It’s countercultural. It’s strange. It’s different.

And oh-so rewarding. [Read More]

Read heartwarming words of encouragement this Christmas season. Subscribe today!

Latest Posts

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    As an animal and pet lover myself, I love that animals were likely present when Jesus was born. Pets can be one of the most delightful parts of the holiday season! Animals are included in the original Christmas story in… Continue reading

    10 Ways to Celebrate Your Pets at Christmas!

  • The Hidden History of the Christmas Tree

    Every December the Christmas tree is a holiday staple in nearly every home, and a favorite in nearly every heart. Who doesn’t love the sight of a beautiful Christmas tree, sparkling in the night, offering glittering hope through cheerful windows… Continue reading

    The Hidden History of the Christmas Tree

  • 49 Creative Ideas for Decorating Your Mantle for Christmas

    If you’re looking for Christmas mantle decorations ideas, creative inspiration, or simply ways to refresh your Christmas mantle this year, I’ve got some wonderful ideas to help you celebrate the season! Did you know there are plenty of creative ways… Continue reading

    49 Creative Ideas for Decorating Your Mantle for Christmas

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What does “Advent” mean at Christmas? When I was growing up, the word “Advent” was rarely used in our home, if ever. In fact, I first heard the word many years later in my twenties while working at a large Methodist church. Though I’ve grown up in church all my life (and I’m very grateful for it), I had to look that word up at the time to understand what it meant in the Church calendar. What does “Advent” mean at Christmas? When I was growing up, the word “Advent” was rarely used in our home, if ever. In fact, I first heard the word many years later in my twenties while working at a large Methodist church. Though I’ve grown up in church all my life (and I’m very grateful for it), I had to look that word up at the time to understand what it meant in the Church calendar. What does “Advent” mean at Christmas? When I was growing up, the word “Advent” was rarely used in our home, if ever. In fact, I first heard the word many years later in my twenties while working at a large Methodist church. Though I’ve grown up in church all my life (and I’m very grateful for it), I had to look that word up at the time to understand what it meant in the Church calendar. Have you ever struggled to decide what to buy someone for Christmas? For many children, the best part about Christmas is the pile of Christmas gifts waiting under the tree on Christmas morning. For many adults, Christmas gifts are their favorite part too! Have you ever struggled to decide what to buy someone for Christmas? For many children, the best part about Christmas is the pile of Christmas gifts waiting under the tree on Christmas morning. For many adults, Christmas gifts are their favorite part too! Have you ever struggled to decide what to buy someone for Christmas? For many children, the best part about Christmas is the pile of Christmas gifts waiting under the tree on Christmas morning. For many adults, Christmas gifts are their favorite part too!

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