About the Author

Karina Allen is devoted to helping women live out their unique calling and building authentic community through the practical application of Scripture in an approachable, winsome manner.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Karina,
    Hope, Faith, Joy, Peace, Christ…He came to give us all of these. Amazing that His birth was prophesied centuries before His lowly arrival. We expected a King on a stallion, but He came as a babe in the manger. He meets us “manger tramps” right in the mire where we stand. Joining with you in taking time and being intentional about preparing my heart for His coming.
    Blessings dear Karina,
    Bev xx

  2. Thank you Karina for speaking right to my heart and echoing God’s calling over me the past few days as we transition from one holiday to the next. I am finding so much joy and peace in slowing down and I greatly appreciate how you incorporated the 4 weeks of Advent and what they (can) mean. I reject the rush with you and am delighting in the wonder! Let’s hold fast to this.

  3. Every year, I look forward to celebrating Advent with my family and in quiet moments of contemplation. My idealized version of this always sputters out by December 15th, but the reality of intention–to make Jesus real, to stay awake to the coming of Light and Life in big and small ways–always makes the season special in unexpected ways that I could never have planned for.
    Blessings to you in this season of hope, peace, and joy!

    • I love that Michele! I love seeing His unexpected surprises during this season!

      Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁

  4. I’ve experienced a few years of Christmas plans that were interrupted by cancer or surgeries or tragedy. I realize now that this season can be a time of hope, peace and joy even without my “must haves” to make Christmas special.
    Sending cards, baking cookies, decorating my house and shopping for the perfect gifts are merely fun add-ons. The meaning of our celebration and sharing it with others is truly the “must have. “

  5. I truly understand this season. Its all about Jesus and God in a body so He can walk among us. He has cared for people from creation. Christmas is over commercialized. Black Fridays are ridiculous. We live right behind an outlet mall that’s big. So many people on late thanksgiving and Friday. Sales….same. I just stay home. I do feel disappointed in all the bad things that have happened this year. We need to continue to spread the light of Jesus to every little corner of our community. Live like we’ve been taught throughout Scripture. Be Bold. Be the Beacon of Jesus!!!

  6. Thank you for this. I love this one. I’ve been thinking a lot lately that I want to celebrate the holidays based on what their true meaning is. Family members keep asking me what I want for Christmas. The truth is, I don’t want anything other than time with family remembering that we already have the best gift given to us….Jesus.

    • That is beautiful Megan! May you have the sweetest times with all of your family!

      Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁

  7. This devotion touch my heart. I really like your descriptions. If the candles. Years ago when my children were young we did the advent wreath with the candles. But I didn’t know the names of each candle. I so excited to share this with my grand children. I will be putting an advent wreath & candles on my table tomorrow and sharing this story.
    Blessings, Angie

    • Angela! That melts my heart! Thank you for reading and sharing!!! Tell me about how your time with your grand kids went!

      Sorry this took so long! I have been sick since the day my post went live. 🙁

  8. Karina,

    God doesn’t conform to society’s norms. Society says we have to rush from Halloween to Christmas. That way people can buy buy buy all sorts of gifts for everyone. While giving gifts isn’t wrong-it’s not the real reason for Christmas. It is about the birth of a Savior. We should sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Gifts should be given to Him like our selves wholeheartedly following Him. Being obedient to the word of God & letting Him rule in our hearts, minds & souls. I don’t fall into the rush rush rush trap of Christmas. I may buy a few gifts for those I care about. My main focus is on the birth of Christ. People tend to say Happy Holidays because they don’t want to leave anyone out-& they don’t want to say Christmas. If sending a card out I look for those that point the way to Jesus. I have two songs that are near & dear to me. One is “Leaving Heaven” by Matthew West. It speaks of Jesus leaving the splendor of Heaven to come down to broken Earth to save us. That’s how much we are worth. The other is “It’s Called Christmas with a Capital C” by Go Fish. It mentions how society treats Christmas. The chorus is “it’s called Christmas what more can I say? It’s about the birth of Christ & you can’t take that away. You can call it something else, but that’s not what it’ll be It’s called Christmas with a Capital C.”

    Blessings 🙂