What is the True Meaning of Christmas? | Jesus Is More Than a Baby

Christmas is about more than traditions. Christmas is about Jesus coming down to earth, chasing after us, and providing us with exactly what we needed. Christmas is about more than just a baby - Christmas is about sacrifice, love, and joy. Though we do celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas, we are also celebrating the sacrifice Jesus made to save us from our sins. Christmas is about all that Jesus has done, not just His birth.

I've been having so much fun lately with the Christmas lights, the happy overload of both Christmas cookies and Christmas music, and the wonderfully bad, low-budget Christmas movies. I am officially in Kristin-Christmas-Tradition-Heaven.

It's such a great feeling to truly enjoy all of the holiday scents, tastes, noises, and sights. I get warm-fuzzies every time I think about it. And even though I'm thankful for those things, at some point, the warm-fuzzies have to take a backseat, because at the core what we really need is a deep reflection on the true meaning of Christmas.

It is entirely possible to embrace tradition and reflect on the deeper things of life at the same time. In my pondering and celebrating the real meaning of Christmas, I will still be eating just as many cookies, singing just as many songs, and watching just as many Christmas movies. But while doing this, I will make sure that the more important things in life come first and are not replaced by the things that matter much less.

Jesus Is the Reason for the Season | What Does That Really Mean?

It's true that Jesus is the reason for the season. But I'm sure you've heard that phrase a million times and you may be thinking, "Yeah, but what does that really mean?"

The story of Jesus' birth is found in Luke 2 in the Bible. If you've never read it, or you need a refresher, you can read it here.

A lot of people "know" that Christmas is about Jesus - a little baby who was called the son of God, and born in a stable. Great. But many people don't go past that.

The thing is though, it's when you go past the basics that you truly begin to understand the meaning of Christmas. Go past the fact that Jesus was born to a young girl who had never had sex. Go past what you know about wise men, bright stars, and a feeding trough for a bed. Then you will start to see the point of this beautiful holiday season!

Guilt and Love | Why Jesus Came

From the very beginning of our lives, we are sinful people. We aren't innocent. We aren't good enough. We make mistakes every day that pull us further and further away from God.

But since God loves us, He wanted to bring us back to Him. However, He is a holy God and He couldn't just act like our sin was acceptable - because it's not. He needed a perfect person to take the punishment we deserved: death and eternal separation from God.

God knew that if He didn't step in, our sin would keep us from Him, from His love, and from experiencing his goodness and glory for all of eternity. But thankfully, our God isn't helpless. Our God wasn't scrambling around trying to figure out what to do. He already had a plan. He already had the perfect solution to our soul-devouring sin. He had His Son.

Complete Perfection | Jesus Is the Perfect Response to Sin

As baby Jesus grew up, He never sinned. He was human, and yet He was God at the very same time. He stood firm against the sins that we give into. He was the only perfect person.

So when the Jews decided to kill Jesus, they were killing a perfect, spotless man.

God planned the death of Jesus as a sacrifice for all sin. Jesus took our death sentence and He served it Himself. Since Jesus is God in the flesh, He was actually able to defeat the death sentence He was serving for us.

Death, which was meant to be an irreversible and final event, was defeated and conquered. It was for us. It was for me. And it was for you.

We no longer have to pay the penalty of sin - Jesus already did.

God did all of the work. The only thing He requires of us is that we believe and trust in Jesus as the savior - that His death paid the full penalty of our sins just like God said it did. All we have to do is trust in Jesus and His blood as the saving grace we desperately need.

That is the gospel in a nutshell, and the gospel is what Christmas is all about.

It's not about how many wise men went to see Jesus when He was born. It's not even about the fact that Jesus' mom was a virgin (though that is important). Christmas is about a Savior - the only Savior - who came to live, die, and defeat death for us. Christmas is about God's goodness, despite our utter and constant failure. Christmas is about the cross.

Check Your Response | Is Your Heart Focused on Christ?

Christmas is a humbling experience. I don't like being told that I am a sinner, but I know it's true.

I look out for myself instead of others. I care far too much about my weight, my curves, my personality, and other people's opinions. I try to appear better than I actually am. I complain about nearly everything that doesn't go my way.

And chances are, you do the same things, because you are a sinner too. You and I are imperfect people, in need of a Savior.

So check your response. Don't be mad that God confronts you and your sin. Instead, be thankful that you don't have to serve your death sentence. Accept Jesus as the Savior He is. Spend Christmas with new-found joy that you don't have to be handcuffed to your sin anymore.

Christmas is about praising God because He gave us what we needed. God is love. That is what Christmas is really about!

What Is Christmas Really About?

• Christmas is about sin
• Christmas is about death
• Christmas is about redemption and salvation
• Christmas is about God's love for us
• Christmas is about God's glory
• Christmas is about the sacrifice Jesus made for us
• Christmas is about God

How to Deal with Difficult Family During the Holidays

Are the holidays a stressful time because you have a dysfunctional or dramatic family? Do you know how to deal with difficult family members during the holidays? Learn how to deal with your difficult family over the holidays in a Biblical, Christ-like way.

I'm extremely thankful (for many reasons) that I have a really good family with far less drama than most people I know. I am well-aware that if I was in a more dysfunctional situation, I would be tempted to get myself into all sorts of trouble.

But what if you are in a volatile situation? What if you have a mother who closely rivals Emily Gilmore? (guess what I've been watching...). What if it's even worse than that? I am so thankful that the holidays are a fun time for me and my family, but for many, the holidays are the most terrible time of the year.

So in that situation, how does a person manage to be a light for their family? How does someone remain Christlike when dealing with difficult people? Are there biblical principles to follow?

Why We Should Be Thankful for the Good Things

Well hello there, friends! We are just one day away from Thanksgiving and I can't quite believe it. Where has 2016 gone? Wasn't it JUST May, and wasn't I JUST complaining that I was missing the beach during the Summer heat?!
But flying by or not, I still love this time of year. Taylor and I will be in South Carolina at my family's farm for all the Thanksgiving festivities and I am so excited. This is the first Thanksgiving out there! Woot woot!

If you've been following along for a while, you know that Mondays and Fridays on The Peculiar Treasure are usually themed. Typically we have Mug-spiration Mondays and then Coffee Sips and Lovely Links on Fridays. But during the next few weeks, I am going to vary a little bit from my normal series. I want to get the holiday spirit going and get as many festive posts into the mix as possible.

So today, I am continuing with the theme of "thankfulness". If you read Friday's post, you'll know that I am a believer in being thankful for the "bad" things that happen to us in life. But of course, there are still the happy things, which obviously deserve thankfulness too.

It seems obvious to make that statement, but I wonder how often we think of why the "good things" in our life are actually good things. What makes them that way? And is there anything deeper that good things in our life can reveal to us?

Why You Should Be Thankful for the Bad Things

It's that time of year, friends! The time for everyone to share what they are thankful for, and a time for everyone to try just a little bit harder to be nice. People who are typically brusk and temperamental can even be found making the tinsiest bit more effort. Maybe it's the weather, or the excuse for cozy blankets. Maybe it's the copious amounts and turkey and pie that they anxiously await, but whatever it is, it helps.

I am definitely a fan of the human race being kinder and more festive. Believe me- this time of year lifts my spirits just as much as the next gal. But I have to wonder: in all our giving thanks, do we ever give thanks for the things in our lives that are difficult? Are we ever thankful for our physical ailment or our emotional trauma? Do we thank God for our car accident or for that time we were embarrassed in front of our friends?

Waiting Out the Storm ( A Guest Post by Julie Moore)

Happy humpday, friends! Today I have a special treat for you! One of my favorite blogging friends has kindly agreed to be a guest here at The Peculiar Treasure. So please welcome Julie Moore and let her sweet spirit and awesome take on life fill your hearts today!

My family and I sat in the car facing the vast Pacific Ocean, taking in the intense lightning storm playing out in front of our windshield.  The brilliant display crackling out from the darkness was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

Earlier in the day, Jon, the spark plugs, and I had driven to the coast for one of our beloved family drives.  Having eaten dinner in the car while watching the sun set over the water, we had been about to head home when a threatening storm suddenly unleashed its fury.  Rather than risk driving home in perilous conditions, we chose instead to wait out the rain and lightning before leaving.

And in doing so, we inadvertently became spectators to one of God’s breathtaking displays of His power.  In an odd way, it was more comfortable to sit through the storm than it was to try to get away from it.

Had we not simply waited out the storm, not only would we have put ourselves at needless risk, but we also would have missed the amazing beauty of the lightning bolts striking through the darkness down to the water.  We would have missed this unexpected blessing.

Look for God's Hand

All too often, I want to rush through the storms in life.  My only goal is to get through them as quickly as possible so that I can get back to a comfortable place again.

But after witnessing the storm that night, I began to wonder - by simply trying to survive my life’s hardships, am I missing opportunities to see God’s hand at work?  

What points of beauty, areas of spiritual growth, and lessons from the Lord am I losing by not embracing and fully living through my trials when they come?

When my son Turbo was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, it was one of the hardest things I’ve gone through to date.  And yet, it was also one of the times when I most clearly saw the Lord at work.  While I’d never choose to go through another experience like that, I also don’t want to miss out on the beauty of those kinds of hardships, either.  

Life is full of waiting, hardship, and struggle.  But for the Christian, there can also be comfort, both despite and because of those trials.

Let’s embrace the storm together.  We never know when we’ll get to witness another brilliant display of God’s glory!

Meet Julie!

Julie Moore is wife to Jon and homeschooling mommy to four spark plugs, one of whom has Type 1 Diabetes.  She blogs at The Hallway Initiative, where she encourages Christian ladies to praise the Lord during times of waiting and hardship.  Her mini email series, "Savoring the Savior (Even if You Don't Feel Like Celebrating)" begins November 15th. Be sure to check that out, along with her Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram accounts.

Why I Start Celebrating Christmas Before Thanksgiving (and a FREE playlist)

It was 79 degrees outside and the leaves were all still bright green. Most people were in shorts and flip-flops- myself included. But it was October and I was craving the cold. I was craving warm sweaters, crunchy leaves, chilly evenings, and soup. Lots and lots of soup.

I also had a great desire for something to lift my spirits, brighten my day, and make me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. And that's when I knew- it was time to crank up my A/C, wrap up in my snuggie, and play all my favorite Christmas tunes.

But every year when I start to feel that ache, I always know that people will act as if I had just murdered someone for listening to "Winter Wonderland" or "Mary Did You Know" before Black Friday. You'd think I had just told them I had kidnapped someone's child or something.

But there are two main reasons why I celebrate Christmas early, and I'd love to get the chance to explain myself. 😉

Swoon Worthy Reads for Your Weekend (Coffee Sips and Lovely Links)

Happy Friday, friends! I am immensely grateful that the weekend is here. It has been an exhausting week and I am sure many of you feel the same way.

So as I type this post, I am listening to my Christmas playlist (with the current song belonging to N*sync- because they are awesome!). And I am trying to be a relaxed person but I have never been very good at that, so we'll see how that goes ;)

The only thing I'd like to say to you is that no matter who you are, no matter who you voted for, and no matter what you believe about life- I love you. And more importantly, God loves you. So don't let this week (or any week) get you down. Run to God and be at peace. Believe me- I'm preaching to the choir over here!

Why We Can Rest Easy About the Presidential Election (Mug-spiration Monday)

So, tomorrow is election day. Like many Americans, I am dreading it. Yet, I am so ready for it all to be over. I'm tired of all the political ads and propaganda on all sides. I'm tired of having to avoid even mentioning the names of the presidential candidates to some of my family members and friends. No matter who you are, I'm pretty sure you've experienced at least one of these feelings.

But today, on this fine "Mug-spiration Monday", I want you to all know- regardless of who you voted for- that it's going to be ok. Whether you love Trump, Hilary, Johnson, Stein, McMullin, or someone that I've never even heard of, and no matter where you are on the political spectrum, if you know Jesus everything will truly be fine.

We may go through a time of turmoil. We may feel like we ended up with the worst possible president of all time. But IT WILL BE OKAY.

A few reasons it will all be ok:

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for us. (Psalm 138:8)

The Lord fights for His children. (Exodus 14:14)

The Lord knows what we need always. (Luke 12:22-34)

Nothing can stop God's plans for our lives. (Isaiah 14:27)

ALL things work together for the good of those who love God. (Romans 8:28)

God understands the entire picture- we just see the here and now. (Psalm 147:5)


The thing about it is, you can't just find comfort in these verses when it's convenient for you. They are either true or not true. So when you read those and see that God has a purpose for you that no one can hinder, it's not only true when it fits your political sentiments. It's true now and always, in all things.

God had a plan for this election when you were born. He had a plan for THIS election before George Washington became our first president. God had a plan for this election from the beginning. He isn't sitting in Heaven, scratching His head or pacing around. He isn't worried. He isn't panicked. He isn't scared.

So friends, please take heart. No matter who our president is, no matter what disaster they may create, and no matter how disgusting we feel they are- God is in control. God has a plan. God's got this. Just do your part and vote for who you feel would be the best candidate. In the end, God is taking care of us, and we should not fear.

This election, in my opinion, is the epitome of cringe-worthy. But in the end I know that I serve a God who has a plan that cannot be thwarted by any person- including our new president.

Helpful Tips for Fall and Thanksgiving

Are you feeling overwhelmed about the holidays already? Are you hoping to have a fun, laid-back, and stress-free Thanksgiving with your family and friends? Learn how to have a fantastic Thanksgiving with the help of these tips and resources.

Happy Friday, lovelies! This has been a very busy week with lot's of tasks on my to-do list. Lot's of candles to make (praise God for business!), lots of blogging goals to meet, and most pressing has been getting ready for our joint yard sale with my mom.

Despite all the busyness going on around the Cook house though, I have really been feeling good about my blog lately. There's a lot I haven't accomplished yet, but there's also a lot that I have been proud of. I'll take it! 😁

And if you saw my November Goals post on Wednesday, you know that I am trying really hard to accomplish the things that are important to me, without missing the blessings that are right in front of me- I'm calling it my contented hustle. I think it sounds like the newest dance...buuuut, maybe that's just me.

I guess I could stop yammering on, because I know you are ready for your Friday links to read with your coffee. I don't really blame you. There's some pretty awesome stuff in there 😎

A Contented Hustle: November Goals

November? Really? How is it already November? In Charlotte, the weather is still in the low 80s, the leaves keep dancing back and forth between remaining green and going ahead and throwing themselves off the trees prematurely. I've got to tell you, it's turning me into a crazy person. Every day I wake up hoping the weather man was wrong, and that today will finally be the day that North Carolina wakes up and smells the Pumpkin Lattes. Maybe today it will be Fall.

But as much as I wish the weather would turn crisp and the leaves would change colors, I've still had a very good Fall. October was birthday month for me and Taylor and we both managed to surprise each other with the birthday festivities we planned for one another. And I actually made myself proud because I have already checked off half of the items on my Fall Bucket List!

What's left on the list?

• Roast pumpkin seeds
• Go to a bonfire
• Carve or Decorate a Pumpkin (I may not do this one- I'm enjoying my plain pumpkins. #fulldisclosure ;)
• Take lots of pictures (I will once the leaves change)
• Take a walk in the park (I've already done this but I'd like to do it a few more times).

I'd like to use November as the time to check those items off the list. It would make me feel really good if I was able to do them all. But even if I can't, at least I know that I have already had a very full Fall filled with pumpkin patches, pumpkin parties, and apple orchard fun (see full list).

Focusing on One Main Thing

November is going to be a ridiculously busy month for Taylor and I. He will be coming into crunch time for his school work, and I will be making a really large candle order (praise God!) on top of work and blogging. I also have several guest post deadlines and some posts I would love to create for the upcoming holiday seasons. It will be a month of hustling for sure.

But something I want to focus on this month is being content in the season I'm in. The Bible says that godliness with contentment is of great gain ( 1 Timothy 6:6) but I often (like, very often) find myself waiting for "that thing" that I feel will make me happy. I put so much focus on what I hope will one day be, that I forget to enjoy today.

Don't misunderstand- there's nothing wrong with a good goal, and you should work really hard for your dreams and what you are called to, but when hustle replaces our ability to be content, we've got a problem.

So in November, I want to learn to "hustle contentedly". I want to learn the art of being completely happy with this day, even if the leaves don't change color, and even if it's 85 degrees. I want to be so thankful and joyful about the blessings of this day, that I don't complain, I don't focus on "one day", but instead I live well TODAY. And yet, I want to learn how to do all those things, and still be working persistently, wisely, and passionately towards my dreams and goals-towards the "tomorrow" I look forward to.

I Need Help

Honestly, that sounds impossible to me right now. I have no idea how to do both. I tend to be a woman of extremes. I can either focus on contentedness OR I can focus on passionately pursuing my dreams... I don't know how to focus on both. But since I believe that the two being combined is actually what's best, what's ideal, and what's intended, there must be a way. This is where the prayer and trusting God part comes in. I cannot- no way, no how- do this on my own. 

I know though, that God is pleased with my wanting to learn to do both of these things. It's really just a matter of kicking my own butt into gear. God will help me on this journey, but I have to make sure that I am also willing to put in the work. I can't sit around thinking about how sad I am that I haven't met ______ goal yet. But I also can't sit around all day sighing happy sighs because I am just so dang content. I still have to hustle- just in the right way.

Do you have any goals for the month, my friend? Do you find balance to be hard for you in the areas of contentment and pursuing your goals? Comment below- I'd love to hear about it!