Receive 15% off with the discount code ‘MERRYGOLDEN’ valid 12/7-12/10
Like all good things, my BFF introduced me to She Reads Truth about three years ago right after my first daughter was born. It was perfect timing. I wasn’t ready to sign up for any new commitments like a women’s bible study, but I really needed to be reading the Bible daily, meeting and finding Jesus Christ, and spending time reflecting in community.
I signed up for the email alerts and eventually purchased the various studies through the SRT (She Reads Truth) App on my iPhone. During these tiring young-mothering years, sometimes I need things simply pushed my way when I’m too tired to seek out on my own.
The bible study emails would come to my inbox and I could read a devotion and scripture straight from the App. While nursing or a few stolen moments during nap time, I was able to be in meet with Jesus. The SRT studies are manageable. And when I miss a day or two, I can also easily catch up. I think this is a key point: you don’t need to read mountains of scripture in order for it to “count”. It’s what the scripture leads to that is important: meeting with the Saviour, Jesus Christ.
There are two study packs that I like to buy hard copies of each year. The Lent (Easter) study guide and the Advent (Christmas) pack. This Advent and Christmas season, I’ve been enjoying the SRT advent pack called, “Christ was Born for This”.
“Join us this Advent season as we celebrate the nearness of our God, who stepped out of eternity and into time to bring us salvation. God sent a baby, His Son, to be our perfect Prophet, Priest, and King. In Jesus Christ, our Prophet became the message, our Priest became the sacrifice, and our King became the servant of all. The baby in the manger was Immanuel, God with us. Christ was born for this!” – SRT, Advent 2016
We have the “family” bundle, which includes a She Reads Truth book, He Reads Truth book and Kids Read truth table cards. It’s been fun to share in this time with the entire family. Obviously my 14-month-old doesn’t understand, and we’ve had to simplify the table promptings for my three year old, but this study has created an environment of focus and intention this Christmas. It has also created habit with a purpose and even tradition.
As a lover of photography, well-crafted layouts, baking inspiration and hymns, the She Reads Truth study packs have an appealing and attractive design. When I was younger, I used to think “Why does ‘Christian’ stuff have to be so darn ugly?!” Not these books, friends. Not these books.
Both books include:
- Weekly introductions to the roles of prophet, priest, and king, and Christ’s perfect fulfillment of those roles, plus a Christmas week introduction to Luke’s narrative of Jesus’ birth
- Full Scripture readings for every day—right there in the book
- Space for personal reflection and notes to encourage deeper interaction with Truth
- Five Christmas hymns, with sheet music for playing or singing along
- 5 Scripture mini-cards perforated in the back of the book to aid in memorization of Weekly Truth verses
… And my readers will receive 15% off with the discount code ‘MERRYGOLDEN’ valid 12/7-12/10.
Mid-Advent, I’m taking time to reflect on the trued meaning of this season. This year, that means no cookie baking, no advent calendars for the girls, no extra rushing about for gifts for EVERYONE and their dog. It means less spending. Less busy. It’s a season of no. I don’t know when I thought that once your kid turns one year, you better have it all together and resume “normal” life again. It’s a lie. There is no normal anymore. I’m learning new normals. This Advent, we will be intentional. Hazel and I are doing “Truth in The Tinsel” crafts, Dan and I are taking time to pray together in the evenings, and we’re also enjoying cozy after dinner moments dancing to obnoxious Germany Christmas music around our self-chopped tree.
In the words of Shauna Niequest in her book ‘Bread and Wine’,
“Either I can be here, fully here, my imperfect, messy, tired but wholly present self, or I can miss it – this moment, this conversation, this time around the table, whatever it is – because I’m trying, and failing, to be perfect, keep the house perfect, make the meal perfect, ensure the gift is perfect. I’m just trying to show up, every time, with honesty and attentiveness.
The irony, of course, must not be lost on us: a season that is, at its heart, a love story – a story about faith and fragility, angels, a baby, a star – that sweet, simply beautiful story gets lost so easily in a jarring, toxic tangle of sugar and shopping bags and rushing and parking lots and expectations. “
A few SRT favourites: