T H E
2 0 2 1
WELL-WATERED
Christmas Gift Guide
DEAR SISTER, Last December, I saw an advertisement for a tea towel that had this little quote on it: “Here comes Amazon, here comes Amazon, right down my driveway!” I laughed as the words of this pithy tea towel rolled around in my head on repeat the rest of the day. Due to the global pandemic, I’d declared 2020 the year of online shopping for our Christmas presents, so our house was a frequent stop for Amazon and UPS trucks. On Black Friday, I decided to help my husband out a little and bought my own gift for him to give me—a crossbody handbag I’d been wanting that had finally gone on sale. As I checked my online shopping off my to-do list, I made a pastime of tracking the shipping of items sent to family all over the country and even to our own house. I eagerly waited for gifts to arrive, including the present I bought for myself (I mean, from my husband). Finally, I got the long-anticipated email from the retailer proclaiming my order was fulfilled. I raced to the front door, tore open the package, and held my long-anticipated handbag in my hands. In that moment the excitement jolted through me, but it very quickly fizzled out like a candle wick reaching the bottom of the wax. Today that handbag hangs in my closet heavily marked from constant use. It’s not new anymore, and I certainly don’t feel the same burst of excitement when I sling it over my shoulder like I did last December. This handbag showed me, yet again, that the gifts we give and receive at Christmas were never meant to fulfill our hearts. The satisfaction we receive from getting a brand new gift always wears off. There’s always something newer and better the next day or the next year. While gift giving and receiving might give us a dose of feeling fulfilled, it’s always short-lived and overrated.
The despair we experience, the longing for more, and the frustration that our gifts never last are all means of grace that God uses to point us to the One who truly fulfills our deepest desires and needs—Jesus. When Christ, the promised Messiah, came to earth as God in human flesh, he came to fulfill the promises and prophecies of God. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus explained to the disciples, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (emphasis mine). Christ came to be the satisfaction of our hearts, the joy of our lives, the hope of our days. Jesus fulfilled the law that we could never fulfill to free us from sin’s bondage. He gave his life on the cross to satisfy the wrath of God so we could have everlasting life in him. There is no greater gift than to know and love Jesus and to be loved by him. While we live on earth, the things around us will continue to disappoint. Amazon will continue to drive down our driveways with more packages, promising excitement that proves insufficient when it eventually fades. But we can root our hope not in the temporary excitement of new things, but in our Savior who brings us fulfillment every day. We give and receive gifts not to feel satisfied, but because we are already satisfied in Christ alone. This Christmas, when a package arrives at your front door or when you give a gift you intentionally purchased for a loved one, remember Christ, the greatest gift of all. We are fulfilled in him who fulfilled the law as the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King to give us eternal and abundant life—beginning now.
FULFILLED IN CHRIST,
FOUNDER OF WELL-WATERED WOMEN
FOR EVERY WOMAN Seasons change, but God’s Word remains the same. The goal of this journal set is to encourage you to read the Word in every season. Within these four journals are 365 days of journaling as you read through the Bible chronologically. These journals are undated and meant for you to go at your own pace—you do not have to complete all four in just one year. The point is not to finish them within a certain amount of time, but rather to consistently be reading all of God’s Word with the goal of knowing him more. We pray the In Every Season Journal Set enables you to drink deeply from the Well of God’s unchanging truth. May your eyes be opened to see the threads of redemption that are woven together in every book of the Bible as you read the Word in every season. Our In follows reading podcast
Every Season Journal Set the same chronological plan as The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble,
making them the perfeect pair for identifying God and the gospel throughout the biblical narrative.
SHOP: IN EVERY SEASON JOURNAL SET
in every season “God’s Word isn’t just for the seasons when life is going well; it’s for the seasons when life seems unbearable too. It’s for the times when suffering sucks the joy right out of you. It’s for the times when sorrow steals your passion for life. It’s for the times when loneliness leaves you feeling isolated. It’s for the times when exhaustion leaves you discouraged. It’s for the times when anxiety causes you to tremble in fear and doubt. Miraculously and graciously, God’s Word is the way those unbearable seasons become bearable…because God’s Word bears us up.” –From The Well-Watered Woman by
our
founder,
Gretchen
Saffles. Find signed copies exclusively available in the Well-Watered Co.
SHOP: THE WELL-WATERED WOMAN, SIGNED EDITION
the hospitable H O M E M A K E R IT ABLE H
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Every year when I pull out my red and green storage bins and dig through my Christmas decorations, I assess what I want to use this year and what I haven’t used in a while, making a pile to donate. Inevitably the items I’m ready to pass along are the impulse purchases of previous years: cheap stuff from the deal spot that looks like a mess after ten months in storage, the once-trendy items that will never feel exciting again, and Christmas gimmicks of years gone by. Of course there’s nothing wrong with decorating with such things, but in the past few years, I’ve found myself longing for more meaning behind my home decor. As I sort the contents of my bins, I’m gravitating toward timeless greenery, favorite childhood decorations passed down through generations, and highlighting favorite collections that symbolize the joy and anticipation of this special time of year. I want my Christmas home to be more than a pretty mix of red and green; I want it to reflect the beauty of my Savior. So this year, I’m remembering the theme of Jesus as our Prophet, Priest, and King as I plan my Christmas decorations:
DRIED AND FRESH ORANGES This year, I’m stepping outside the box and decorating for Christmas with fruit to remind our family that Jesus is the Word of God, and God’s Word produces new life. Jesus is the perfect Prophet. He not only preached God’s Word as recorded in the Gospels—he is the very Word of God (John 1:1). God’s Word never comes back void (Isa. 55:11), but trains Christians in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16) that they may bear fruit. Including this theme is as simple as buying oranges and drying them yourself or purchasing a pre-made dried orange garland from a maker-owned business: Citrus and Poppy on Etsy.
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EVERGREENS Christmas trees and greenery are a visual reminder of our Savior, who hung on a tree as the complete and final sacrifice for our sins (Heb. 10:12). While we were still sinners, Christ died on the cross for us (Rom. 5:8)! His blood purifies our consciences, so we may stand before the living God dressed in the righteousness of Christ (Isa. 61:10). He holds fast to this hope as an anchor for our souls (Heb. 6:18–19). Jesus’ work of salvation never grows stale. It should fall fresh on us daily as we remember our sins and look to our perfect Savior. Whether you like fresh greenery and a real tree or prefer the simplicity of keeping your greens from year to year, you shouldn’t need to buy anything extra this year to highlight this theme in your decor.
BRASS AND GOLD Because my heart constantly wants to declare myself the queen of everyone and everything around me, I’m going to remind myself that Christ is not only the King of kings, he is also Lord of my life. I hope using brass and gold accents will remind me that Jesus is crowned with glory and honor (Heb. 2:9), sits on an eternal throne (Heb. 1:8), and rules with uprightness (Heb. 1:8). My own attempts to rule myself and others flounder, but his perfect rule helps us flourish. I’ve used some mixed metal items I’ve had for years and amped it up by thrifting some antique brass candlesticks. If thrifting isn’t for you, try this set of six candlesticks. You might use some of these ideas or come up with some of your own, but I hope that before you unpack the Christmas decorations of years past or purchase new items for this year, you’ll take a moment to consider the focus of your home. Will your decorations point those in your home to the physical blessings and celebrations of this season, or will they serve as reminders of the greater gift? May all we do this Advent season serve as a reminder of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, born clothed in humanity as a child, now seated at the right hand of the Father—our perfect Prophet, Priest, and King. REMEMBERING GOD’S FAITHFULNESS, CONTENT DIRECTOR
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AN INVITATION
to savor
The scent of simmering soup on your stovetop mingles with the aroma of a freshly lit balsam candle as the doorbell rings. Your guests are arriving, and for the first time, you aren’t frantically scurrying through the kitchen, ensuring that every last detail is entirely perfect. Yes, you slightly burnt the fresh bread that you were only rewarming in the oven. No, you didn’t get a chance to finish all the gift wrapping you had planned to do today. Yes, one of your favorite festive plates shattered as you went to set the table, leaving you with a heaping, dangerous mess to clean up. That explains the burnt bread fiasco. But no, you won’t let flippant frustration, worry, or exhaustion overcome you this year. Rather, you rejoice, eager to welcome and feed your family and friends this evening. You’ve prepared a table as best as you could. You’ve cooked a hearty meal, mishaps and masterpieces alike. You’re ready to join them to dine and recline, giving thanks to God in all circumstances, particularly this one. These moments remind us to pause and savor our Savior. Our Father in heaven prepares a table for us (Ps. 23:5). This takes time, care, and intentionality. As we chop vegetables, lay forks out, and invite people in, we image our God, the best host of all. We see Christ relax at the table with both his disciples and the outcasts of the time (Mark 2:15–17). His table wasn’t only for those whom religion deemed worthy. The invitation to savor was extended to all. Come. Sit. Eat. Drink. Know Jesus. Feast on the Word himself. Like Christ, we provide a means of nourishment in both our meals and conversation shared as we commune around the table. When we welcome with a genuine heart, we exude kindness—a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is only through the Holy Spirit that we are able to look so different from the world. Our inner monologue heaps shame: You burnt the bread. This night is ruined. You might as well tell your guests to go home. You’re a terrible host. But the Spirit helps us in our time of need, reminding us that though our circumstances may not be deemed “good” in our sight, God is working all things (yes, even kitchen mishaps!) for our good and for his glory (Rom. 8:28). This Christmas season, get in the kitchen and gather people around your table. This might look like calling some friends up and ordering pizza in or spending the afternoon baking cookies from scratch! Whichever route you take, you aren’t called to make things run smoothly. Likely, they won’t. Ask for help! Call upon the Lord, thanking him for the ability to work with your hands in preparing the table. Ask for eyes that see the eternal perspective in chopping countless onions through crying eyes. Whatever season you’re in, whether you have the ability to host or to attend, the invitation to savor, both given and received, is a way we can gather this Christmas season, tasting and seeing that the Lord is good together (Ps. 34:8). SAVORING CHRIST WITH YOU, DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST
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MISSION
START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT WITH OUR 2022 THIS MOMENT MATTERS CALENDAR!
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1:3
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VALERIE WOERNER’S BOOK ON PRAYER WOULD BE A THOUGHTFUL GIFT FOR ANY FRIEND!
RESURRECT
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your Christmas
TO-DO LIST MATTERS
If you’re like me, you likely keep multiple to-do lists running at all times. One functions as a catch-all list, typically compiled in the Notes app of my cell phone. One is my pen and paper list, which feels more thought out and methodical, but can often feel so unattainable that I become wildly overwhelmed. The third is the never-ending brain train. This list swirls in my mind as I think of the multitude of things I need to get done today, this week, this month, in the next few months, and so on. Truthfully, it’s exhausting, and I desire change. This Christmas, I want my to-do lists to matter. Colossians 3:17 outlines a blueprint for making our everyday moments matter: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” My catch-all lists seem to fall under the “whatever you do” category, but often, they fall short of the latter call—to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. My to-do lists swing self-focused. What do I need to do today to benefit myself? What will make this week go well for me? The heart of the issue here is that in my to-do list-making, I am neglecting to work heartily for the Lord (Col. 3:23). God, help us take our eyes off ourselves this Christmas season and fix our gaze on King Jesus, serving him in all that we do. Whether we eat cookies, drink hot cocoa, go Christmas shopping, decorate our homes, host family gatherings, or spend hours wrapping presents, we get to do these things unto the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31)! As you formulate your to-do lists this Christmas, examine your own heart. Are you self-focused, seeking to make the Christmas season more comfortable than hospitable? Are you highly stressed, forgetting that our peace is found in the Lord and not in our earthly possessions? Come to Jesus with your nothing sister, and receive his everything. He who called you is faithful to sanctify you (1 Thess. 5:23–24). He may just use your Christmas todo list to do it.
FIXING MY GAZE ON JESUS, DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST
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DEEPER IN
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WA L K I N G R A C E J O U R N A L S
This resource is for the woman who is beginning to study the Word for the first time or is looking to dig deeply into a particular book of the Bible.
BIBLE STUDIES
Get one for yourself and a friend to dig into God’s Word in fellowship in 2022!
gifting & G I V I N G One year for Christmas, instead of giving gifts to our family, we chose to make donations to ministries that were meaningful to each person. Our whole family enjoyed the experience, choosing the ministry just as carefully as we would a special gift. Even if you decide to go with traditional gift-giving this year, we encourage you to consider how you might use your resources to spread the gospel this Advent season.
K U P E N D WA
Kupendwa’s motto is “Saving lives…two at a time.” Both mother and baby, physically and eternally. Kupendwa is using physical needs to bring the gospel to countless women, meeting those physical needs, and then showing these precious mothers their spiritual and eternal needs.
HELP THE PERSECUTED
Each day, whether in the office or out in the field, Help the Persecuted strives to help persecuted Christians by addressing their physical and spiritual needs and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Thousands are finding hope in Christ through their ministry.
G O S P E L J O Y I N T E R N AT I O N A L
Gospel Joy creates inductive audio Bible studies for the prevailing audio learners in the African population. These Bible students learn best through traditional conversation styles of questions, discussion, and listening. This innovative approach allows women to study the Bible in a method that is specifically designed for them, without removing solid theology or doctrine.
W Y C L I F F E B I B L E T R A N S L AT O R S
For more than 75 years, Wycliffe has helped people around the world translate the Bible into their own languages.
WE
give & receive GIFTS NOT TO
feel satisfied, BUT BECAUSE WE ARE
already
SATISFIED
in Christ ALONE.
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