Advent's Offers a Thrill of Hope While We Wait | sarahdamm.com
Advent Offers a Thrill of Hope While We Wait

Advent Offers a Thrill of Hope While We Wait

This reflection is the third in a four-part series that supplements the free Advent prayer journal I am offering to email subscribers. You may read part one HERE and part two HERE. *** Have you ever felt a little lost? Have you ever wondered what your God-given purpose really is? A year ago, that’s how I was feeling—lost and unsettled about my purpose. Then, an amazing opportunity came my way. It was a dream come true, and I was excited! I was going to…

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Five Simple Ways to Savor the Last 10 Days of Advent | sarahdamm.com
Five Simple Ways to Savor the Last 10 Days of Advent

Five Simple Ways to Savor the Last 10 Days of Advent

Ten more days! Are you feeling overwhelmed about getting it all done? Do you feel like there is still too much to do? Is there an internal struggle between getting things done and remaining prayerful and focused on Jesus? This reminder that there are only 10 days until Christmas Day is not meant to make you more stressed out or anxious than you already feel. No, this reminder is to encourage you (and me) to take a breath, to pause,…

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Celebrating the Feast of St. Lucia | sarahdamm.com
Star Boys and All: Celebrating the Feast of St. Lucia

Star Boys and All: Celebrating the Feast of St. Lucia

Today’s post is part of the #WorthRevisit series and was originally published on the Feast of St. Lucy in 2016. I am also over at CatholicMom.com today, sharing a reflection on one of my favorite Scripture verses, on one of my favorite feast days. For as long as I can remember, December 13 has been an extra-special day in our family. It is the Feast of Saint Lucia, which is my daughter’s name-day. She has loved this day and the…

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Advent's Gift of Silence and Stillness | sarahdamm.com
Advent’s Gift of Silence and Stillness … Open It and Receive

Advent’s Gift of Silence and Stillness … Open It and Receive

Today’s post is the second in a four-part Advent series. To read the first post in the series, click HERE. *** I open my planner and see all of the “to-dos” on my list, many more than usual. Each task, in and of itself, is a delightful privilege to do for my family. As a mom, I know I am instrumental in making the magic of Christmas come alive in our home. What an honor! The joy on my kids’ faces,…

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Waiting and Watching With Mary This Advent | sarahdamm.com
Waiting and Watching With Mary This Advent

Waiting and Watching With Mary This Advent

This article was originally published on the WINE: Women In the New Evangelization blog, as a reflection on the readings for the first Sunday of Advent. Since that was just a few days ago, I thought I would share it here, too, as part of the #WorthRevisit series. Seven years ago, I had the beautiful privilege of being pregnant during the Advent season. I was anticipating a Christmas baby, so I couldn’t help but think a lot about the Blessed…

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Jesus Invites the Weary to Find Rest in Him This Advent | sarahdamm.com
Jesus Invites the Weary to Find Rest in Him This Advent

Jesus Invites the Weary to Find Rest in Him This Advent

This summer, I attended a three-day silent retreat. I entered into the retreat with an agenda! I anticipated receiving very clear direction for the next phase of my life as a wife and mom. You see, my family was about to begin a new school year, and it was going to be the first time in 14 years that all six of my children would be in school. I was going to be a stay-at-home mom with no kids at home, and I…

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Be Still: A FREE Advent Prayer Journal for the Weary Woman | sarahdamm.com
Be Still: A Free Advent Prayer Journal for the Weary Woman

Be Still: A Free Advent Prayer Journal for the Weary Woman

It is midway through this week of limbo. This week that feels like I am on hold. Thanksgiving is over, but Advent hasn’t begun. I wanted this week to be a time to prayerfully consider how I wanted to enter into the four weeks of Advent. But like so often it does, life hijacked that prayerful plan. Some of it was out of my control, like my husband coming down with the flu. But other things were definitely in my control,…

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Advent Book Giveaway Prepares Families for Christmas | sarahdamm.com
Advent Book Giveaway Prepares Families for Christmas

Advent Book Giveaway Prepares Families for Christmas

It’s Black Friday. I am sitting at my computer perusing all of the sales and deals that have appeared in my inbox. I am not one to venture out on this busy day, but I am getting excited to begin the season of Advent and prepare for Christmas. Advent doesn’t begin for over a week, though. Normally, this is the weekend I unpack our Advent wreath, take out our Jesse Tree ornaments, and decorate the house with a few hints…

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Advent Traditions My Family Loves | sarahdamm.com
Advent Traditions My Family Loves

Advent Traditions My Family Loves

With Thanksgiving just two days away, there is a lot to do. My plans include cooking, baking, and cleaning. I have always liked the Thanksgiving holiday. To be with family and friends, to pause in gratitude for God’s abundant blessings. It’s a good day. Often, the Advent season begins the Sunday right after Thanksgiving. We have just a couple of days to transition from pumpkins and fall hues to our Advent wreath of purple and pink. This year, however, Advent…

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How a Little Desk Calendar Made a World of Difference | sarahdamm.com
How a Little Desk Calendar Made a World of Difference

How a Little Desk Calendar Made a World of Difference

It was one of those weeks. Everything was happening within the same seven days, and I didn’t know how I was going to get through it all. In addition to my family’s regular commitments, such as school, work, and errands, I had three deadlines to meet, parent-teacher conferences to attend, and a family party to prepare for. Oh, and two of my daughters and their teams were in volleyball playoff games. I am sure you can relate to the craziness…

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