THE 2019
CHRISTMAS GUIDE
MERRY CHRISTMAS, DEAR FRIEND! It’s that time of year again when we pull out the holiday boxes that have dusted over the past year and search through decorations to fill our homes. Maybe the dust on those boxes is a bit like the dust that has settled over your soul? Maybe this year has been harder than you expected and your walk with Jesus has become... dusted over. Or maybe you’ve had a year that has flourished and you’ve seen vibrant spiritual growth and pulling out those Christmas boxes is another way to celebrate? No matter what your year has been like—whether your faith is a bit dusty or it’s as vibrant as ever, the Light of the world HAS come to blow away the dust and reveal new life. So come, warm yourself by the fire of His Word. Allow the chilly air of fall and winter to blow over you, reminding you that His Word is fresh and the Savior has come and is always worth celebrating. Pull out the boxes and blow away the dust. There is beauty here.
The King has come and is coming again. May we remember this every year, every day, every moment. Christ is King, He is the Risen Lamb, and He is the Greatest Gift. Each year we put together a “Well-Watered Christmas Gift Guide” to point you to intentional ways to give gifts of life and hope each year around the holidays. But we would be remiss if we did not begin this guide by telling you that you don’t need presents in the first place, for the ultimate Gift has already been given from God above. Cherish Him first before you receive or give gifts. And may cherishing CHRIST be the wind that glows away the dust on your hearts and stirs up a vibrant love for Him! Let’s give because we have received the Greatest Gift, Jesus. WA R M I N G M Y S E L F B Y T H E F I R E O F H I S W O R D , GRETCHEN
O U R A N N UA L T H A N K S G I V I N G S A L E IT’S OUR BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR NOV EMBER 2 5 - DECEMBER 2
3 5 % O F F E V E R Y D AY
20% OFF STUDIES
2 5 % O F F A P PA R E L
3 0 % O F F D R I N K WA R E
15% OFF JOURNALS
F O R T H E W E L L- WAT E R E D WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE S H O P.W E L L WAT E R E D W O M E N . C O M
Looking for a way to stay in the Word consistently? We created the Give Me Jesus Journal to equip you to study God’s Word each day! With its structured format and simplicity, you’ll be able to study any passage of Scripture. The Simplified Version of FREE MAGNET (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)
the Give Me Jesus Journal is our newest version of this journal and is a great Christmas gift or journal to snag for the New Year.
Do you struggle with anxiety, fear, and worry? The Unshaken Faith prayer journal was made to be a space for you to come to God in prayer during hard times. This journal can be used at any time, by anyone in any season. If you know of someone who is walking through a season of suffering, this is the perfect journal to give!
One of the most important things you could do each day is hide the Truth of God’s Word in your heart. Our Word Before
World
Scripture
memory journal can be taken with you anywhere and is customizable as you fill out each card with a verse to memorize. We also have packs of verse cards that make great stocking stuffers or gifts for your small group!
WORD BEFORE WORLD TEES
R E J O I C E A L WAY S S W E AT S H I R T
PA U S E P R AY P R A I S E MARBLE MUG
JESUS + NOTHING GLASS MUG
AND GIFTS FOR FRIENDS
FOR THE
12 WEEK STUDY ON S P I R I T UA L DISCIPLINES
BE STILL & KNOW STUDIES OF PA S S A G E S
WA L K I N G R A C E STUDIES THROUGH SCRIPTURE
FOR THE
a. redefined study on identity b. Word before world sticky notes c. unshaken verse cards d. pause, pray, praise mug
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a. dear mama 31-day devotional b. risen motherhood book c. rejoice always sweatshirt d. grumpy mom takes a holiday
Y O U W I L L WA L K AWAY F R O M U S I N G T H E S E BIBLE STUDY TOOLS LOVING JESUS MORE!
H O S A N N A R E V I VA L Hosanna Revival has Bibles for women and men with the most beautiful covers you’ve ever seen, plus many more helpful resources for your faith.
C U L T I VAT E W H AT M AT T E R S If you are looking for intentional ways to set goals and live an intentional year, we recommend using the PowerSheets for encouragement along the way!
WOVEN TOGETHER Our friend Olivia creates beautiful, unique, handmade earrings. They’re the perfect pop of color to any outfit! She also creates stunning weavings that bring personality to any space.
GRACELACED SHOPPE We love this set of “BE” assorted notecards, but Gracelaced Shoppe is full of pieces that will point your heart to Christ. Ruth’s artwork combined with Scripture is truly one-of-a-kind!
DEAR MUSHKA Each piece of jewelry from Dear Mushka is based on a Scripture. This “Laden” necklace is a reminder of Matthew 11:28 to wear around your neck.
SCRIPTURE TYPE These four wooden coasters featuring four different Scripture Type designs of hymns are a great gift for just about anyone you know! The artwork is beautiful and the practicality is thoughtful.
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a. Naomi Paper Co. Kingdom Notepad b. Val Marie Paper 2020 Yearly Prayer Journal c. Tiny Theologians ABC’s of Theology d. Deeply Rooted Magazines
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e. Emily Jeffords Morning Song Art Print f. Lindsay Letters It Is Well Canvas g. Dustmade Seasons Necklace
unrealistic expectations at Christmastime
I’ve always struggled with having unrealistic expectations. Even before I got married, I placed expectations on myself, my family, friends, and my plans that were set up to disappoint because they left little room for God’s grace to be displayed through the unexpected. Now that I am married and have two children, the unrealistic expectations list has expanded! But I’ve been learning that life will disappoint when we place too much of our hope in temporary things or people. We weren’t meant to find joy and satisfaction in this world because it wasn’t meant to satisfy! It was meant to point us to the One who satisfies. The truth that we need to know is this: Jesus never disappoints. We can’t place unrealistic expectations on Him because He far surpasses any expectations our souls could ever make! He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is the Giver of all good things and the Writer of our stories. He has rewritten history through His shed blood and offered us a part in His plan of redemption. People will disappoint, circumstances will disappoint, and we will even disappoint ourselves! But Jesus, He never will. And He lives in us, giving us the greatest expectations that will be met—the hope of salvation. Whatever your unrealistic expectations are—whether you’ve placed them on this Christmas season, on your husband, your family, your child, or yourself—lay them down at Jesus who never disappoints. Because when we look to Him for our ultimate satisfaction, He takes our circumstances and makes them into something beautiful that puts the spotlight on His grace.
-Gretchen
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gifts for men
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a. hosanna revival bibles for men b. steadfast love enamel mug c. val marie paper undated prayer journal d. something needs to change by david platt e. indigo moleskins from scripturetype f. moleskin journals
gifts for kids
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a. write the word for kids from cultivate what matters b. val marie paper undated prayer journal for kids c. tiny theologians abcs of the names of God d. kids read truth I will worship you scripture + art journal
a. hosanna revival psalms + stamps calendar b. gracelaced practicing praise psalms calendar c. salt stains 12 joy verses calendar d. val marie paper family prayer calendar
calendars
in the Christmas Chaos
I know the holidays are busy and time alone with Jesus is hard to come by…but that doesn’t mean we have to go through the holidays far from Him. We’ve got to fight for time with Him, and be flexible with what that looks like each day. Here are a few ways I fight for time with Jesus when life gets busy: 1. WRITE TRUTH ON YOUR HAND. Pick one verse to continually meditate on and write it on your hand or on a card to take with you as a reminder of His faithfulness, right before your eyes. 2. STEAL AWAY QUIET MOMENTS WITH JESUS. It might be at an odd time or in an odd place, (yep, I’ve had my quiet time in the bathroom before if it was the only place to be alone!) but Jesus is the same wherever you meet with Him! Look for opportunities to sneak away and open the Word. 3. PUT TRUTH ON YOUR PHONE. Pull up the Bible app when you are traveling. Set your lock screen to a verse of encouragement–we’ve got a ton of those on our website! Keep Truth before your eyes. 4. PRAY, REJOICE, AND COMMUNE WITH JESUS AS YOU GO. Keep talking to Him…even in the chaos. Talk ABOUT Him with friends and family. Let gratitude flavor your speech and your thoughts. We don’t have to go through the holidays with empty hearts. Let’s make Christ our priority, and fight for moments with Him. Bring Him your empty cup, and watch Him fill it up to overflowing. How will you fight for time with Jesus this season?
-Gretchen
five ways to W y c l i ff e B i b l e Translation
this Christmas
Compassion International Operation Christmas Child
IMB Missionaries
Kupendwa Ministries Did you know a portion of every purchase from the Well-Watered Women Shop benefits Kupendwa Ministries in Uganda? This women’s and children’s home was founded by our friend Amy Washington. They seek to care for the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of young women who find themselves expecting a child and in need of support.
fi n d t h e s e s t u d i e s i n t h e well-watered shop today
a. Esther: the Fingerprints of God | 6 weeks b. Redefined: Defining Identity Through the Mirror of God’s Word | 6 weeks c. Flourish: digging into the fruit of the Spirit | 8 weeks
a. Planted: digging into the spiritual disciplines | 12 weeks b. Breathe: 40 days of prayer through the Psalms | 40 days c. Gospel of Grace: a study through the book of Ruth | 4 weeks d. Dear Mama: a 31-day devotional for moms | 31 days e. Dear College Girl: a 31-day devotional for college girls | 31 days f. Walk in Grace Galatians: a guided journal through Galatians | 8 weeks g. Walk in Grace Philippians: a guided journal through Philippians| 6 weeks h. Walk in Grace Ephesians: a guided journal through Ephesians | 8 weeks i. Walk in Grace Colossians: a guided journal through Colossians | 5 weeks j. Walk in Grace Bundle: save 10% when you bundle all four WIG Journals k. Be Still and Know: Romans 12:9-21 | 13 days l. Be Still and Know: Ephesians 4:17-32 | 16 days
you don’t have to Each year, when December comes around, I immediately feel an unprecedented pressure to have a “perfect” Christmas. If I am not careful, I quickly set my hopes on the festivities of the season and miss out on savoring Jesus. When plans don’t happen exactly how I had hoped, or when I don’t get the fuzzy feelings I longed for, I am often left disappointed on December 26th. When I enter this season without preparing my heart to celebrate Jesus, I find myself completely missing Him amongst the busyness, schedules, and activities. A few years ago I was introduced to the concept of Advent and its purpose in preparing our hearts for Christmas. Advent has long been a pattern of the church to intentionally set aside time to prepare our hearts for Christmas and remember all that God has done for us through Jesus. It’s purpose is to impress in our hearts an awareness of God’s grace in sending Christ, His Son, to be born in the likeness of man and die a substitutionary death in our place. Advent essentially causes us to pause and praise our King. This practice is an incredible gift in our busy culture. However, if we approach Advent with a “doer” mentality or as something else to check off our list, we have missed the point. I have spent far too many Decembers getting caught up in all the “to-dos” of the season that I missed celebrating Jesus in the midst of it all. You probably know exactly what it feels like to have a calendar that is bursting at the seams, lists that are never-ending, and the desire to do it all in order to truly celebrate this season. With a plethora of Advent devotionals, countdown Christmas calendars, books to read, and daily activities to participate in, it can be easy to take our focus off of Christ and place it on what we do to celebrate the season. The past few years I’ve come to December with my “must-do” list that I have conjured up (often with the help of Pinterest and various blogs) in order to have a “perfect” Advent season. The problem comes in when my heart starts worshipping lists, activities, and decorations more than I worship Jesus.
For the woman who tends toward being an overachiever (like myself), Pinterest and Instagram can be our worst enemy in this season! There are countless ways we can celebrate Christmas and participate in Advent activities and readings, but it is impossible to do everything. I know my own heart tends towards the “doer” mentality in my Christian walk, but over and over in Scripture I am reminded that it’s not about what I do that brings me satisfaction, it’s about what Christ has done. My actions should flow the directly from the cross. When I put my hope in a “perfect” Advent and Christmas, I am let down. When I place my hope in my perfect Savior, I am set free. There will be moments that will disappoint in this season, days you might miss your Advent readings, times when plans just don’t look like you hoped they would, and mornings when you wake up with complaints rather than praises. During this season, we have to keep at the forefront of our minds and hearts that true worship is fostered by preaching the gospel to our hearts and reminding ourselves that apart from Jesus, we are nothing. Each December, we come to remember and worship our perfect Savior who was born in a humble manger, died on a splintered cross made of wood, and rose again as the King and Conqueror of death. It’s all about what HE did, not what we could ever do. That’s the purpose of Advent, friends. It’s not about checking off a to-do list, making gingerbread houses, seeing Christmas lights, drinking from a Starbucks red cup, hosting holiday parties, hanging decorations, wrapping presents, sitting by crackling fires, or making hot cocoa. All of those things are gifts of God’s grace to us and ways that we can worship Him, but ultimately they aren’t the purpose for this season. If you miss making a gingerbread house this year, you haven’t missed Christmas. Sometimes we simply need to step back and take a long look at the cross to see that we have permission that we don’t have to do it “all”. Remember, it’s not about what you do, it’s about all that He has already done.
If you are feeling the “Christmas pressure” to do it “all”, release all your “must-do’s” before the manger and simply adore Jesus as you go. If you build a gingerbread house with your children, put together each piece knowing Jesus holds you together and laugh hard, enjoying the moment for His glory. As you drive around listening to Christmas music and admiring Christmas lights, remember that Jesus is the light of the world and that He has gifted you with these small, surreal moments on earth to point to the glory of Heaven to come. As you drink from your red cup, remember that Jesus gives us living water so that we never have to thirst again. It’s not about what we do, but we can certainly worship our Savior as we celebrate Advent. Remember, you don’t have to do it “all”, because He already did it all. Celebrate Advent for His glory, but remember that it’s ultimately about our Savior. Walk with Him, talk with Him, and come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
creator & founder of We l l -Wa t e r e d Wo m e n