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 I’ve had a busy day, I’ve got to start
dinner in an hour or so, but for now, I sit
at the computer to finish this newsletter.
I’ve got Michael Buble singing “Let it Snow”
on the CD player, and it is, indeed, snowing
outside my office window.
I don’t know about you, but I find
December wonderful, but challenging. I want
to slow down, enjoy the season and its true
meaning. But the normal busyness created by
our daily obligations (work, family, friends
and just managing life) ramps up a notch
when you add baking, writing cards, shopping
(although greatly reduced this year),
wrapping and simply planning.
I want to live a sanely-paced,
God-focused life; a Sabbath Simplicity life.
It’s never easy, because our culture keeps
whispering in our ear (okay, sometimes
shouting): “Hurry up, do more!” and the
implication, stated or not, is that our
value lies in what we accomplish. Something
in us wants to protest, but we’re not sure
we believe that we could be valued for who
we are, instead of for what we do.
This month, don’t let holiday
preparations consume you, robbing you of the
joy this season is alleged to represent.
take time to connect with those you love, to
take some time to reflect, to rest.
I believe the holiday season should be a
time of gratitude, hope and wonder. Such
things cannot be experienced in a hurry.
We just returned from a trip to
California to visit family for Thanksgiving.
One of the things we were most thankful for
was the weather out in San Diego—clear,
sunny, unseasonably warm. We returned to
find that winter had moved into Chicago,
coating the trees and ground with several
inches of snow.
While enjoying the California sunshine
was great—we went hiking, waded in the
Pacific, sat out by the pool—it’s good to be
back to what feels like a proper December.
In winter, the natural world responds to
the shorter, cooler days by resting. Beneath
the snow, soil and roots simply receive the
slow watering that this frozen layer
provides. Animals burrow into their nests,
hiding and hibernating. The squirrels who
have been busy gathering seeds and food for
weeks are now tucked into big leafy nests in
the willow tree behind the house. While we
cannot sleep the winter away, we can learn
from nature, and notice—there is a time for
work, and a time for
rest.
Advent has begun. The word itself means
“coming”—we look forward to Jesus’ arrival.
Yet for us, December is often a time of
“going”—we have too many places to go,
hurrying and scurrying to the point where we
are simply tired. We’re too exhausted to be
grateful, too busy to wonder.
Our family lights candles at Advent—one
each Sunday. We work hard all week—kids at
school, Scot and I at our jobs and with all
the holiday preparations. But on Sunday, we
slow down. We worship at church, we gather
at home. We enjoy a meal together. We light
a candle, reminding each other of the
promises the season represents. We get
enough sleep, if only that one night. That
alone inspires gratitude.
Sabbath Simplicity involves taking one
day to rest—which means we spend the other
six fully engaged in the work we must do,
the work we can even enjoy. I find that when
I rest on Sunday—setting aside housework,
keeping the computer turned off, enjoying my
family—I am ready to get things done on
Monday, and much more efficiently.
Retailers often try to boost holiday
sales by telling us, “Don’t just buy things
for others, treat yourself as well. Buy
something for you, too.” Well, okay, but you
still have to pay for whatever you buy. When
you treat yourself, you still get the credit
card bill in January.
Rather than just buying something for
yourself, why not simply receive the gift
that God offers this month? In the midst of
the busyness, stop. Sabbath. The word means
“to cease”—whether our work is done or not.
Simply rest for one day, enjoy God and all
he’s already given you—family, friends. Once
a week, reconnect with the true reason for
the season.
Sabbath is not just a good idea, it can
improve your health. To learn more,
click here to read Keri’s “For Your
Soul” column from the Today’s children’s
Ministry website.
Book Giveaway
We are giving away two books this month. To
win either of the books below, just go to
www.keriwyattkent.com, click on
“contact Keri” and tell us why you’d like
either of the two books below. We’ll select
one name for each title. And check Keri’s
blog at
www.keriwyattkent.com/soul/ this
month and next, because we’ll be giving away
more copies of these and other titles!
 Rest:
Living in Sabbath Simplicity
Keri’s newest book will be in stores by
January 1. Rest is full of
practical advice on how to engage in
Sabbath-keeping as a spiritual practice. It
offers a non-legalistic, joyful way to
receive the gift of Sabbath rest. A number
of readers have already posted reviews on
www.christianbook.com.
Click here to read a few of them.
 Faith
and Doubt by John Ortberg
As usual, John combines deep theological
truth with stories that make you laugh. His
premise in this book is that the most
important word in the phrase “Faith and
Doubt” is the one in the middle. There’s a
tension between faith and doubt, and we
actually need both. With such intriguing
chapter titles as “The Strange Silence of
God” and “The Gift of Uncertainty” this book
is both thought-provoking and encouraging.
So often we feel guilty when we doubt,
but this book assures us that doubts
actually strengthen our faith. He writes,
“Because old Mother Nature is a
dysfunctional parent who keeps sending us
mixed messages, we need both faith and
doubt. The birth of every infant whispers of
a God who loves stories; the death of every
infant calls his existence into question.
Writer Michael Novak says that doubt is not
so much a dividing line that separates
people into different camps as it is a
razor’s edge that runs through every soul.”
If you have ever doubted, or if you think
you never have, this book is for you.
Quotable
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“The people who walked
in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep
shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm
greetings.”
~Isaiah 9:2-3, The Message |
Deeper Connection
I believe the holidays are about
gratitude, hope and wonder. What are you
grateful for? What are you hoping for? What
are you wondering about?
At this time of year, many charities are
asking for donations. Spend some time
praying over any requests that come your
way. Be attentive. What can you do this
holiday season to give to those who may not
be able to return the favor? What is Jesus
prompting you to do?
Connecting with Keri: Speaking
Keri is taking the rest of December off
from speaking.
January 10: Keri will lead a one-day
retreat on “Rest” at Grace Lutheran Church
in Woodstock, IL.
January 14: Keri will be signing books
and giving a short presentation on “Six
Steps to Simplicity” at Spa Avalon in Deer
Park, IL. The spa will be offering free
samples of its services, and refreshments
will be served.
January 25: Keri will be speaking on
“Rest” at Zion Lutheran Church in
Hummelstown, PA.
Connecting with Keri: Web
Check out Keri’s blog,
Deep Breathing for the Soul, at
www.keriwyattkent.com/soul/
You can read Keri’s latest musings on the
connection between faith and real life, you
can post a question about any of her books
or other writings. Also, during January, she
will be giving away several copies of her
new book, Rest: Living in Sabbath
Simplicity.
Print
Pick up the
November/December issue of Today’s Christian
Woman, to read Keri’s article on fighting
sexual trafficking.
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