Weekly Magazine | A Simply Significant Christmas

Your weekly magazine is here—real stories, real faith, real encouragement. Just for you!

Dear Friends,

As Christmas draws near, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season. Yet, the beauty of this time is often found in the simple moments that reflect the heart of Christ. This week, we’re exploring how to embrace a Simply Significant Christmas by focusing on the gifts that truly matter—kindness, faith, and the love of giving ourselves to others, just as Jesus gave Himself for us.

Join us as we reflect on the ultimate Christmas gift—our Savior—and discover practical ways to keep Him at the center of our celebrations. Whether it’s through small acts of kindness, letting go of perfection, or treasuring time with loved ones, may your Christmas season reflect the hope and joy found in Him.

Encouraging you in God’s truth,

Simple Christmas Kindness
Discover how stepping outside ourselves this season mirrors Christ's ultimate gift of love.
Read More

Simply Holy | Fresh Faith for Christmas
Explore practical ways to keep your faith alive and Christ at the center of your celebrations.
Read More

Simply Priceless | The Gift of Giving Yourself
Learn how the simplest gift—your time and presence—can bless others and reflect God’s heart.
Read More

A Simply Significant Christmas Advent Prayer Calendar
Daily prompts for prayer and reflection to help you focus on Christ's profound love.
Read More

Unlock Weekly Joy & Inspiration!

As a free subscriber, you’re just a click away from fully embracing the joy and encouragement our mini-magazine offers EVERY week! Upgrade to a paid subscription and gain access to all articles, exclusive content, and valuable resources designed to uplift your spirit. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to deepen your faith and enrich your life!

Simple Christmas Kindness

By: Becky Keife

While twinkle lights and Christmas music make this time of year all merry and bright, the holiday season can also feel stressful and chaotic. Busy schedules, high expectations, and pain from the past can fill us with more holiday frazzle than festive joy. When this happens, it’s easy to retreat inward. It’s easy to become so preoccupied with our own calendars and to-do’s that we forget to turn our gaze outward and really see the people in front of us.

So how do we resist the holiday hustle and remain intentional? How do we anchor ourselves to the true reason of Christmas in order to experience and share the love of Jesus?

One simple act of kindness at a time.

The simple difference says, I will put on a posture of kindness. I will look for ordinary ways to be the blessing in someone’s day. I will notice others, encourage generously, and serve joyfully out of the abundance of God’s loving grace.

Our small offerings of love, kindness, and encouragement can truly be the difference-maker in someone’s day! So, let’s spread the love of Christ, right where we are and as we go on our way each day.

Try These 20 Simple Ideas of Intentional Holiday Kindness

1. Let someone go ahead of you in line at a store.

2. Send a “just because” greeting card to brighten someone’s day.

3. Volunteer to wrap a busy friend’s Christmas presents.

4. Put a basket of drinks and snacks on your porch to thank delivery workers.

5. Pick up the phone and call the person on your heart.

6. Holidays can be hard. Just sit and make space for someone’s pain or grief.

7. Before you head out to the store, ask a neighbor if you can pick up anything for them.

8. Offer your time to babysit to give a parent a breather.

9. Compliment a stranger.

10. Make a batch of freezer meals and give them away.

11. Shovel snow for a neighbor.

12. Smile when others are angry, panicked, anxious, or rushed.

13. Push stray shopping carts back into the store.

14. Look a service worker in the eye and tell them you appreciate their help.

15. Give a homeless person a gift certificate.

16. Volunteer to sing Christmas carols or read holiday stories at a nursing home.

17. Invite someone to dinner who might be lonely or missing their family.

18. Offer to fold a friend’s laundry or do the dishes.

19. Ask how someone is doing and really listen.

20. Tell a family member why you love them.

The simple difference means living with a posture and prayer that says, “Lord, as I go on my way, have Your way with me. Help me to live with my eyes wide open to the people around me. Empower me to be the blessing in someone’s day.”

Just think what an impact we all could make if we lived with this posture each and every day.

Becky Keife is the community manager for DaySpring’s (in)courage, a popular speaker, and the author of Courageous Kindness and No Better Mom for the Job. She and her husband live near Los Angeles, where they enjoy hiking sunny trails with their three spirited sons. Learn more at BeckyKeife.com.

Read:

• "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Reflect:

• How can I reflect Christ’s ultimate gift of love and kindness this Christmas?

• Who in my life could use a tangible reminder of Christ’s love?

Simply Holy | Fresh Faith for Christmas

By: Ginger Harrington

In the busyness of the season, it’s easy to lose sight of the One we celebrate. By keeping our faith simple and intentional, we can ensure that Christ remains at the center of Christmas. From fresh devotional ideas to inviting God’s presence into each day, discover how to refresh your faith this Advent season.

Simply Priceless | The Gift of Giving Yourself

By: Jill Briscoe

Christmas gifts don’t have to be wrapped in ribbons and bows to be meaningful. Discover how giving your time and presence can create lasting memories and bless others. After all, Jesus came to give Himself to us—the greatest gift of all.

Heavenly Father, this Christmas, help me to embrace simplicity and find significance in the moments that truly matter. Remind me to reflect Your love through kindness, prioritize my faith amidst the busyness, and give of myself to others as You gave to me. Let this season renew my heart and deepen my gratitude for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.

A Simply Significant Christmas | Advent Prayer Calendar

WEEK 1: HOPE IN CHRIST

• Day 1 (Sunday): Isaiah 9:6 — Pray for a heart that anticipates Jesus’ coming. Reflect: How can I celebrate Jesus as my Wonderful Counselor this week?

• Day 2 (Monday): Jeremiah 29:11 — Pray for trust in God’s plans for you. Reflect: Where do I need to place my hope in Him today?

• Day 3 (Tuesday): Romans 15:13 — Pray for joy and peace as you trust in God. Reflect: How can I share hope with someone else this week?

• Day 4 (Wednesday): Psalm 33:20 — Pray for patience in waiting on the Lord. Reflect: What does it look like to hope in God in the busyness of the season?

• Day 5 (Thursday): Micah 7:7 — Pray for steadfastness in hope. Reflect: How can I anchor my hope in God’s promises?

• Day 6 (Friday): Hebrews 6:19 — Pray for confidence in Jesus as your anchor. Reflect: Where do I feel unsteady, and how can I let Christ steady me?

• Day 7 (Saturday): Isaiah 40:31 — Pray for renewal of strength through hope. Reflect: How does waiting on God prepare me to serve Him better?

WEEK 2: PEACE IN CHRIST

• Day 8 (Sunday): John 14:27 – Pray for God’s peace to rule in your heart. Reflect: What distractions can I surrender to experience God’s peace?

• Day 9 (Monday): Philippians 4:7 – Pray for peace that surpasses understanding. Reflect: When has God’s peace carried me through a storm?

• Day 10 (Tuesday): Isaiah 26:3 – Pray for a mind stayed on Christ. Reflect: How can I guard my thoughts to experience greater peace?

• Day 11 (Wednesday): Psalm 29:11 – Pray for God to bless you with His peace. Reflect: How can I be a peacemaker in my relationships this week?

• Day 12 (Thursday): Colossians 3:15 – Pray to let Christ’s peace rule in your heart. Reflect: Where do I need to let go of control and invite God’s peace?

• Day 13 (Friday): Matthew 5:9 – Pray for opportunities to be a peacemaker. Reflect: Who needs encouragement or reconciliation from me this week?

• Day 14 (Saturday): 2 Thessalonians 3:16 – Pray for the Lord’s peace at all times. Reflect: How can I invite God’s peace into my home this Advent?

WEEK 3: JOY IN CHRIST

• Day 15 (Sunday): Luke 2:10-11 – Pray to experience the joy of Christ’s birth. Reflect: What can I do this week to rejoice in my Savior’s love?

• Day 16 (Monday): Psalm 16:11 – Pray for joy in God’s presence. Reflect: How can I intentionally spend time in God’s presence today?

• Day 17 (Tuesday): Nehemiah 8:10 – Pray for the joy of the Lord to strengthen you. Reflect: How does God’s joy strengthen me for challenges?

• Day 18 (Wednesday): Philippians 4:4 – Pray for a rejoicing spirit. Reflect: What blessings can I praise God for today?

• Day 19 (Thursday): Romans 12:12 – Pray to be joyful in hope. Reflect: How can I share joy with someone who needs encouragement?

• Day 20 (Friday): Psalm 98:4 – Pray for boldness in proclaiming joy. Reflect: What joyful noise can I make for the Lord this season?

• Day 21 (Saturday): Habakkuk 3:18 – Pray to rejoice in God despite circumstances. Reflect: How can I model joy in Christ when life feels hard?

WEEK 4: LOVE IN CHRIST

• Day 22 (Sunday): John 3:16 – Pray to rest in God’s unfailing love. Reflect: How can I reflect God’s sacrificial love this week?

• Day 23 (Monday): 1 Corinthians 13:13 – Pray to grow in love for God and others. Reflect: Who needs an extra measure of Christ-like love from me today?

• Day 24 (Tuesday): Romans 5:8 – Pray to remember the depth of God’s love. Reflect: How does knowing Christ died for me change how I live today?

• Day 25 (Wednesday): 1 John 4:19 – Pray to love others because He first loved you. Reflect: What can I do today to show someone Christ’s love?

Dear Reader,

We’re so grateful to have you join us for this week’s free mini-magazine issue! Just Between Us exists to be a friend in faith, providing biblically-based encouragement that helps women around the world find hope, joy, and strength in God’s promises.

Each paid subscription helps us continue creating these uplifting messages and reach more women who long to experience God’s love in their daily lives.

If this content has blessed you, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Not only will you enjoy weekly, full-length issues packed with exclusive articles and resources, but you’ll also be supporting a ministry that’s dedicated to sharing God’s goodness with all who need it.

Together, we can make a difference. God bless you!