When I was a kid, I read many-a book that was recommended by my mama, who is a reading teacher. I especially liked when she recommended a book that had been turned into a movie, so that I could later watch it and see how it lined up with the image I had in my own head.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is one of the books that I simply loved reading as a child (and the movie definitely did not disappoint either).
In this book, we are invited to follow along as a church prepares for their annual Christmas pageant, as an unexpected family joins in. This family, the Herdman’s, is from the proverbial wrong side of the tracks, and no one is quite sure what to make of them joining in the church’s annual celebration.
Of course, over the season of preparation, the people in the church change. The Herdman’s change. And Christmas is just a little more special that year.
When I cracked open Experience Christmas by Christine Trevino, I was instantly in the world of preparing for a Christmas pageant. I was in the pages of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and even at every single Christmas program I was a part of as a kid.
And even though this book isn’t a recipe or a how-to on having a Christmas pageant, it is an awesome look at how preparing our hearts, just like we would for a pageant, can make Christmas just a little more special.
Christine wrote and worked on annual Christmas pageants and you can really see that come through in the preparations and the heart of what she has to say to encourage each of her readers as they prepare their own hearts for Christmas.
Christine’s style of her devotion is beautiful – each day comes with a song (available on a playlist), a reading or short vignette, and closes with questions to consider, and a prayer. To me what this says is “Come, sit down, slow your pace and see what we learn today. Stay for a moment or stay all day. Just come.” I like that style. It’s just how I want to feel with a good book or a good friend.
Experience Christmas was just released at the beginning of October, giving us ample time to get it and get into it before the rush of the holiday season. I invite you to check out this lovely devotion and to take some time this year to prepare for Christmas, for God putting skin on and walking among us, in a little bit of a different way this year.
You know, I like the idea of approaching this Christmas season like the Herdman’s – a little dirty and dusty, not quite sure what to expect, but with a heart wide open to see God’s precious gift and what it means for the world.
I encourage you to try something new or continue with your own Christmas heart preparation traditions. I would LOVE to hear what it is! Please share your Christmas heart preparation ideas in the comments below!
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**I received a free copy of Experience Christmas from the author so that I could write a review. The opinions expressed here are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy.**
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