Tag: Christmas

When Strivings Cease

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)

Even though I would like for life to slow down at Christmastime, it rarely does. In fact, it usually speeds up. With plays and parties, baking and decorating, Bible studies and special church services, it seems there’s more to do than at any other time of the year.

I don’t know how your Christmas season has been, but my plans for a quiet month of rest and reflection disappeared quickly as I spent long days, nights, and weekends working; dealing with a COVID scare (thankfully, I tested negative, but it canceled several of my activities); and walking beside friends who are going through some really hard things. Continue reading “When Strivings Cease” →

Be the Light

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Can you believe it’s less than two weeks till Christmas? Before we know it, the clock will strike midnight, and 2022 will be upon us. Are you ready?

One of my favorite things to do at Christmastime is drive around and look at the lights. From city parks to downtown Oklahoma City to local neighborhoods, I like to explore and see them all. Continue reading “Be the Light” →

Staci’s Super Stocking Stuffer Giveaway

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Congratulations to Maggie S. from Traverse City, Michigan, the winner of this giveaway!

Stockings are a tradition in my family, and each time new members join our family, they get their own Christmas stocking made just for them. Each Christmas morning of my childhood, my brother and I would run into the living room to find what Santa had left under the tree. Then we turned to our stockings, which were overflowing with goodies ranging from toothbrushes to small toys to socks to books to gift cards.

I still have that stocking and hang it up every year. My little Yorkie companion, Lilly, has one of her own too, and I stuff it with fun things like dog treats, toys, and a new collar and leash.

This Christmas season, I’m joining The Kids Did It blog and The Mommy Island blog to participate in the Super Stocking Stuffer Giveaway Hop, which runs from November 9, 2021, to November 30, 2021. The winner will receive a signed copy of Death by Dice: A Bunco Club Mystery (my new Christian cozy mystery) and a $15 Amazon gift card.

Continue reading “Staci’s Super Stocking Stuffer Giveaway” →

Christmas Memories: The Gift of Laughter

Posted on by Staci Mauney

This blog post was originally published on December 15, 2019.

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’” (Ps 126:2)

In 1983, Santa brought me the most coveted of all Christmas gifts that year—a Cabbage Patch doll. She had brown yarn for hair, a plastic head with the sweetest dimples, and a fabric body.

I was six years old and beside myself with excitement. I couldn’t wait to show my grandma. Every year, Grandma gave her stamp of approval on the gifts my brother and I received.

When we arrived at Grandma’s, I clambered out of the car and ran into the house. I bounced on my toes, holding my baby doll out for inspection.

“Look! See what Santa brought me!”

Grandma scrunched up her face. “Well, isn’t she ugly?”

She must have seen the devastation on my face because she quickly added, “I mean, she’s so ugly, she’s cute!”

And then she laughed.

Grandma’s laugh was contagious, and I laughed, too, immediately overlooking the offense that I knew she hadn’t intended. I didn’t really know what “she’s so ugly, she’s cute” meant, but what I did know was that I had Grandma’s approval.

“She’s so ugly, she’s cute” became a running joke between Grandma and me—an inside joke that we enjoyed well into my adult years. Sharing this with my grandma made me feel special. To be honest, Grandma had a way of making everyone in her life feel special, whether we shared an inside joke with her or not.

Most of my favorite memories—Christmas and otherwise—revolve around my grandma.

As a child, we all gathered at my grandparents’ house before Christmas so that each family unit could spend Christmas Day together. My grandparents had six kids, and all but two lived close enough to participate. I remember playing with my cousins, listening to the grownups’ stories, and hearing my grandma’s laugh.

My grandma has been gone for many years now, but what I remember most is her laugh and the joy she brought to everyone around her.

Dear Jesus, thank you for so many good memories from my childhood. Thank you for my grandma’s loving, generous heart, her friendship, and her legacy. Amen.

Silent Night, Holy Night

Posted on by Staci Mauney

This blog post was originally published on December 22, 2012.

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them…” (Luke 2:6-7)

Two thousand years ago, Jesus came to earth in the most unobtrusive, unexpected of ways…as a baby. Our Savior chose to come quietly to be born of humble parents – one a young virgin, the other, a carpenter – even though he could have come with great fanfare to sit high upon an earthly throne, surrounded by riches. Continue reading “Silent Night, Holy Night” →