The Bookbag * Angela & I chat about her just published Advent companion

A unique devotional memoir written by my crazy-about-Christmas & deeply-in-love-with-Jesus friend

‘Infiltrating my life more than two decades ago, Advent rearranged Christmas as I knew and celebrated it. When my kids were young and I was knee-deep in all things American and Christian Christmas, I found myself confronted with yuletide doubts. To consider that there might be another way - one to answer the question I prayed, “Jesus, does any of this mean anything to you?” - and get the answer, “Try Advent” was to prove both mind-blowing and life-changing.’
Angela Burtis, Wonder in the Waiting: An Advent Devotional
- page 33

I’m so excited to introduce you to my friend Angela who’s just published a sparkling new book, Wonder in the Waiting: An Advent Devotional. There’s something uniquely compelling about Angela because the girl loves all things Christmas - the shopping, the traditions, the decorating, the gatherings, the music, the kitchen, the movies, the gifts.

All . the . things.

And she also has a deeply vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

She’s living proof that yes, you can embrace both at the same time.

Angela bubbles over with contagious joy as she shares how she creates a grand homespun holiday season even as she takes special care to prioritize and nurture her faith and devotional life.

Let me tell you she’s the real deal.

Tim and I have spent lovely holiday moments with Angela and her husband in their tiny Adirondack home. Just being in her presence is energizing, but soaking in the sights and sounds, scent and tastes of Christmas at their place was like experiencing a winter wonderland. The captivating atmosphere of enchantingly decorated trees, the scents of cinnamon and pine, charming winter decor, carols playing in the background, the whimsy of Christmas goodies tucked into every cozy corner.

I’m thinking that her enthusiasm for the holiday is incredibly contagious because her faith in Jesus is so very much alive that it impacts every facet of who she is.

Yes, her book is a devotional companion but it is also memoir as she gives us a peek into her well-established Christmas traditions. This lovely ode to Advent is an enjoyable daily read that’s compelling in creativity and humor, yet deeply personal and profoundly spiritual. A delightful peek into building well-established Christmas traditions and a vibrant guide to nurturing a life of faith during this beloved season.

Can you tell I’m a fan?

Here we go …

LS: Angela, I'm so glad to talk with you!  Why this book?  Why now? 

AB: Hello Linda! I'm thrilled to be here with your blog friends as I am one of them. This book has been brewing in my heart for many years. It came to be written and printed this year when an opportunity to speak at a women's event this fall came to me with an invitation to fill a table with anything I've published available to sell. I guess it was the motivation I needed to bring my dream to reality and a very good friend moved me from stuck to action with one simple list of bullet points to work through. 

LS: You write, ‘I have a Christmas thought every day.  That's right.  Every. Day. All. Year. Long.’ How does this play out in practical ways?

AB: I love this question! I truly do think about Christmas or Advent every day even if it is just for a fleeting moment. Sometimes it's about snow or the weather that I love so much. It might be a gift idea for someone I love - that I can purchase (often I grab it and stash it) or make myself. Other times it might be a sweet memory or an idea for a new memory to make. Still other thoughts might include a family trait of year-round quoting of favorite Christmas movie lines that fit anytime.

LS: I love the idea of Pre-Christmas gifts.  What's your favorite to give ... and receive?

AB: Another awesome question! Well, an Advent devotional of course; something that the receiver can have throughout the month to delight them and help them enjoy the season. I've begun to give my adult children and their families (my grands) an Advent box right after Thanksgiving. I usually buy a beautiful box and fill it with the Advent devotional we will read together as a family, a fragrant candle, maybe a blanket, some chocolates, a movie, anything that might enhance and promote spending time reflecting on the story of Jesus and His entry into the world as a baby (including some age-appropriate whimsy things for the littles).

LS: More than a few of us have somehow survived what you call a 'three-year winter.'  How has that tough season impacted who you are now as a woman in ministry, a writer, a wife, mom, and grandma?

AB: I believe that season deepened my faith and trust in the Lord and His constant care for me. I often say we thought we were living by faith until we entered our winter, then we realized previous to that we were just practicing. Though at times, our perception of God's silence and possible indifference to us was excruciating, I wouldn't trade the experience because we learned things about our loving Father that we could only learn this way. Nothing is wasted. It's all for God's glory, our good and the benefit of everyone watching. He saw us through, was with us all the way and brought us out of that season with abundance - just like His word promises. And now I have to tell everyone!!

LS: You write, 'Often our attention and affection is our most extravagant commodity and could be a receiver's most favorite gift.'  Can you elaborate?

AB: I think at times we can offer a gift bought with money and think that's an adequate expression of our affection when the receiver actually wants a portion of us. I also believe there are times when we simply don't have the means to be as extravagant or generous to buy the gift that best expresses our love.  What do we do then?

This is when the gift of time and presence are far more intentional and appreciated - and cost us nothing monetarily. We can give our most precious gift - our time to those who value it, we can make a phone call (Facetime, anyone?), we can offer to do a household chore for one who needs a hand, or we can write a letter with pen and paper! There are so many ways to give of ourselves, that can't be wrapped in a bow or stuffed in a gift bag and often I believe these can be the most meaningful and memorable gifts.

LS:  You talk about creative ways to make Bible study (gasp!) fun.  Do tell.

AB: I love this question because I love studying the Bible. I imagine Jesus and His Father and the Spirit who authored this ancient, living text, pushing it in front of us with eager expressions, almost daring us to open it, like they have hidden all this treasure behind a curtain, saying, "Come and see! We have so much to show you!" I picture their grins as we discover all they have created for us and revealed for the purpose to know Him.

I've even sort of renamed it (is this ok?) to the Book of Truth and Wonder. It's the best book ever written - all genres, adventure, comedy, drama, love and more - pointing to the main character Jesus who is everything we could ever dream of wanting, and He wants us!

LS: What's your best advice for those who end up with the dreaded post-Christmas blues?

AB: Don't rush ending the season. As I study the Church calendar that has sort of been lost on this generation (Advent to Christmas to Epiphany to Ordinary Time to Lent to Easter to Pentecost to Ordinary Time and back to Advent again), I have learned that Christmas is actually meant to start on Christmas Day and last 12 days - through to Epiphany. I love this! And it makes a lot of sense. I could go on and on about this and urge your readers to look into it. 

For me, I take my time easing out of the Bible passages, Christmas music and decorations. I keep them all up and going long into January. What else is there to take their place? They bring too much joy, and the season is much too short to rush through. 

It helps to keep our focus on giving and others and joy heading into the new year.

LS: Your love and commitment to Jesus is woven into each page, Angela.  As you wrote this book, did He surprise you in any way?  Or invite you into something deeper in your life with Him?

AB: I think learning to observe Advent over two decades has deepened my awareness and observation of the Big Story God is writing throughout history and taking up my place in it. My awe of God's plan and Jesus' willingness to live out His main character portion of it has skyrocketed as I continue to learn and obsess over the sacred holidays.

Also, He has challenged me to use my gift of writing (the dream He's put in my heart to write) to fulfill part of His big dream of sharing the Gospel with every generation.

LS: Angela, thank you for taking the time to put your feet up with us and for hanging out in the comments section for a bit. I am so excited to be sharing your labor of love here at Grace & Space.

My friends, head right on over to angelaburtis.com to order your personalized copy of Wonder in the Waiting. You can also order from Amazon, as well. But don’t wait because the Advent readings begin on December 1st.

This is a meaningful gift to bring to your loved ones at Thanksgiving, to give to your small group people, or to become your signature hostess gift this year.

Is there a friend you'd like to make space for in this sacred season?  To share Scripture and thoughts and prayer?  It can't hurt to ask.  My faithful Advent Buddy and I will be immersing ourselves in this little guidebook this year. (Find out why you need an Advent Buddy and how to go about it.)

I invite you to reach out to Angela in the comment section with any thoughts and questions!

Advent blessings to you and yours,
Linda

• A number of you have told me you were looking at / buying the candles we talked about last week! Thanks to those of you who support my work by clicking on the Amazon links here and then doing your regular shopping.  It means so much to me. No hidden fees!

• sharing my work with Anne . Paula . Andrew . Joanne  . Maree