Overview

Connect with what truly matters this holiday season In the hustle and bustle of the season's endless to-dos, it can be difficult to truly connect with what matters--honoring beloved traditions with family and friends, being present in our communities, and experiencing God in the celebration of Jesus' birth. In Comfort and Joy, authors Sherah-Leigh Gerber and Gwen Lantz offer a unique blend of thoughtful reflections and inspiring spiritual practices grounded in noticing the sacred amid the ordinary. Two friends who forged a friendship and a blog through a shared love of writing, together they bring fresh insight, warmth, and opportunities for spiritual nurture and growth. In these pages, you'll find ways to engage more deeply with favorite traditions and cultivate creative space for new ones. With readings to walk through the Advent and Christmas season, the weekly offerings include a variety of devotional meditations and invitations. Scripture texts drawn from A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church by Wilda C. Gafney accompany reflections, journal prompts, and spiritual practices to help us slow down and savor this meaningful and holy Advent journey.

Full Product Details

9781513813271

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""Comfort and Joy is much more than 'readings and practices for Advent.' It's a celebration of family and friendship and stories of days past and present, with reflections on Scripture, recipes, poetry, and prayers of blessing that start with Advent and take us through Christmas all the way to Epiphany. Reading this book was a gift to me, and I'm happy to recommend it as a gift of grace for the Advent and Christmas season."" --APRIL YAMASAKI, pastor and author of Sacred Pauses and Four Gifts ""Comfort and Joy is the perfect Advent devotional for busy readers who yearn to experience anew the wonder and joy of Christmas. Through a weekly rhythm of reflections and questions, practices and prayers, readings and recipes, Sherah-Leigh Gerber and Gwen Lantz guide our hearts and minds into a fresh encounter with the profound miracle of Jesus' birth--God with us. Beautifully written, with relatable stories from two down-to-earth authors, Comfort and Joy is one of those rare books I plan to reread year after year."" --JASON PORTERFIELD, author of Fight Like Jesus ""Filled with meaningful rhythms, fresh perspectives, and steal-away moments, Comfort and Joy meets us in the pull between hustle and longing. This cozy companion slows the tempo, steadying our hearts for the abundance of Christmas and the promised arrival of Emmanuel."" --SHANNAN MARTIN, author of Start with Hello and The Ministry of Ordinary Places ""If you're anything like me, you want to prepare well for the coming of Jesus during the season of Advent. And--if you're like me--you know that everything else gets in the way. The authors of Comfort and Joy are the guides I need. They know what my life is like. Living with the same challenges of being human that I face, their words gently usher me out of the chaos and into what's holy."" --MARGOT STARBUCK, author of Small Things with Great Love ""In the rush and frenzy of the Christmas season, Comfort and Joy is a breath of fresh air that helps readers pause and ground themselves in the joy, goodness, and blessings of the season. This is a delightful book of story, reflection, and practical rhythms for individuals, families, and churches!"" --BRENDA L. YODER, author of Uncomplicated"

""Comfort and Joy is much more than 'readings and practices for Advent.' It's a celebration of family and friendship and stories of days past and present, with reflections on Scripture, recipes, poetry, and prayers of blessing that start with Advent and take us through Christmas all the way to Epiphany. Reading this book was a gift to me, and I'm happy to recommend it as a gift of grace for the Advent and Christmas season."" --APRIL YAMASAKI, pastor and author of Sacred Pauses and Four Gifts ""Comfort and Joy is the perfect Advent devotional for busy readers who yearn to experience anew the wonder and joy of Christmas. Through a weekly rhythm of reflections and questions, practices and prayers, readings and recipes, Sherah-Leigh Gerber and Gwen Lantz guide our hearts and minds into a fresh encounter with the profound miracle of Jesus' birth--God with us. Beautifully written, with relatable stories from two down-to-earth authors, Comfort and Joy is one of those rare books I plan to reread year after year."" --JASON PORTERFIELD, author of Fight Like Jesus ""Filled with meaningful rhythms, fresh perspectives, and steal-away moments, Comfort and Joy meets us in the pull between hustle and longing. This cozy companion slows the tempo, steadying our hearts for the abundance of Christmas and the promised arrival of Emmanuel."" --SHANNAN MARTIN, author of Start with Hello and The Ministry of Ordinary Places ""If you're anything like me, you want to prepare well for the coming of Jesus during the season of Advent. And--if you're like me--you know that everything else gets in the way. The authors of Comfort and Joy are the guides I need. They know what my life is like. Living with the same challenges of being human that I face, their words gently usher me out of the chaos and into what's holy."" --MARGOT STARBUCK, author of Small Things with Great Love ""In the rush and frenzy of the Christmas season, Comfort and Joy is a breath of fresh air that helps readers pause and ground themselves in the joy, goodness, and blessings of the season. This is a delightful book of story, reflection, and practical rhythms for individuals, families, and churches!"" --BRENDA L. YODER, author of Uncomplicated

Author Information

Sherah-Leigh Gerber is a spiritual director and caregiver coach in northeastern Ohio. An ordained minister in Mennonite Church USA, Sherah-Leigh has served as a pastor in addition to working in other nonprofit leadership roles. She lives with her husband and two middle school-age children on a fifth-generation farm, which provides many opportunities to find the sacred in the ordinary. You can learn more about her work at SherGerber.com. Gwen Lantz holds several part-time jobs, including bookkeeper, elementary school librarian, and writer. She also has a master's in education with a specialty in school library science. Gwen lives with her husband and two children in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and is a lifelong member of the Mennonite Church. She enjoys engaging with her church community and pursuing personal spiritual growth amid everyday life. You can see more of her writing at BakeBookItBe.WordPress.com.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available