There’s a wonderful program to help women get into the true spirit of the Christmas season:  Advent by Candlelight.

It’s an evening event for prayer, music, fellowship and reflection on the meaning of the season.  Simple to host, the event is wildly popular and at many churches has grown every year. 

For more details on how to host an event, visit these websites:

WELS Women’s Ministry

Morning Star Church

And, I highly recommend this speaker for your event! 

A Great Christmas Surprise! from Maria Rodgers O'Rourke on Vimeo.

Fans of this site know that I love Christmas just about as much as Amy Grant does!  Her music is an essential part of my family’s holiday celebrations, and her songs have been featured and reviewed on this site.

So I wanted to be sure you heard about her new song.  It has a powerful message for us when life’s trials seem to be too much:  God loves us just as much in our pain as he does in our joy.  Maybe we think we have to get it all together before we can talk to God, like the only face God wants to see is a happy one.  “Better than a Hallelujah” assures us that no matter what we’re feeling, God loves us and throws his arms open to us anytime we turn to him–in laughter or in tears.

Amy Grant’s Her music often finds that hidden spot in my heart, heals the pain, and helps me feel God’s great love once again. Her new song and video tell a bittersweet story; maybe some of the words will touch your heart, too.