As the year draws to a close and winter settles quietly around us, we turn our hearts once again toward the humble stable in Bethlehem—toward the moment when eternity stepped into time. December reminds us that even in the darkest nights, God’s light shines brightest.
This month may your home be filled with the warmth of Christ’s love, the stillness of His peace, and the joy that comes from knowing He is with us—Emmanuel.
Luke 2:10–11 (KJV)
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Devotional Thought: “Good Tidings for All People”
The angel didn’t appear to kings, scholars, or the rich—it appeared to shepherds. Common, overlooked, ordinary people. And yet heaven’s announcement came first to them.
What a reminder that God sees us.
He meets us in the fields of our everyday lives.
He whispers hope into ordinary moments.
He offers salvation and joy to all people—without exception.
This Christmas, may we carry that same message outward: joy, peace, compassion, kindness, and the good news that Jesus still saves.
Hymn Spotlight: “Silent Night”
Few songs capture the tender holiness of Christ’s birth like Silent Night.
As you sing or listen this year, picture the quiet glow of the manger,
Mary’s gentle wonder, and the miraculous stillness of heaven touching earth.
December Comfort Corner
Here are a few simple ways to invite warmth into your home this season:
- Light a candle and read Luke 2 aloud with your family
- Pray over those who are grieving or lonely this Christmas
- Bake something warm to share with a neighbor
- Write a card to someone who needs encouragement
- Set out a small nativity set and reflect on each piece
A Prayer for December
Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son.
As we move through this season, help our hearts stay soft, grateful, and full of wonder.
Let our homes shine with Your peace.
Let our words carry Your love.
Let our lives reflect Your light.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Closing Thoughts
May your December be filled with joy, gentle moments, and reminders of God’s goodness. Like sunflowers lifting their faces toward the light, may we lift our hearts toward Christ—our Savior, our hope, our everlasting Light.
A Devotional Moment With Clara
“And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” — Galatians 6:9
Clara Barnes wakes early most mornings in Sunflowers Still Bloom—long before the rest of the house stirs. She moves quietly through familiar rooms, letting God meet her in the stillness.
Some mornings, she prays over her daughters.
Some mornings, she thinks of her late sister, Margaret.
And some mornings, she simply sits at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and lets her heart rest.
December reminds me of Clara—not because of her circumstances, but because of her spirit. She is the kind of woman who keeps going, keeps loving, keeps serving… even when life feels heavy or uncertain.
Her story teaches us:
- Faith doesn’t have to be loud to be strong.
- Love is often expressed in quiet, everyday acts.
- God uses gentle souls to show fierce courage.
- Healing happens in layers, not all at once.
As we move through December, may we carry a bit of Clara’s heart with us—steady, hopeful, and always turning toward the light.
And may we remember that even in winter, God is preparing our next season of blooming.
A Gentle Welcome Into the World of the Sunflower Series
If you’re new to my writing or you’ve just heard about the Sunflower series, welcome. I’m grateful you’re here, and I’d love to introduce you to the heart behind these stories.
Book One: Ashes and Sunflowers
This is where the Barnes family’s journey begins. When Mary Hope arrives unexpectedly—carrying a faded Polaroid and an old cassette tape—she brings with her a piece of Clara’s past that opens long-closed doors. The story follows Clara, Amber, Ashley, and Thomas as old memories rise, family bonds tighten, and God gently restores what was once broken.
Readers describe this book as:
- Tender
- Faith-filled
- Emotional
- Warm
- Healing
It explores grief, rediscovery, memory, and the surprising ways God brings people together in His timing.
Book Two: Sunflowers Still Bloom
Set in late summer in the cozy town of Sycamore Hill, this next book deepens the family’s story. Clara is balancing healing with everyday life; Amber is growing in her innocence and joy; Ashley brings her wisdom and light; Mary Hope is finding her place in the family and attending art school; and the sweet presence of Nana and Howard adds warmth to every chapter.
The book is full of:
- Family traditions
- Faith woven through everyday moments
- Gentle humor
- Hometown charm
- Emotional honesty
- New events, new challenges, and new surprises
The central message?
Hope grows in every season, even the ones that surprise us.
If Ashes and Sunflowers is about learning to heal, Sunflowers Still Bloom is about learning to live again—with joy, faith, and a heart open to God’s quiet miracles.
Whether you’re joining now or have been part of the journey from the beginning, I pray these stories touch your heart the way they’ve touched mine.
A Sunflower Christmas: Light, Love, and the Miracle of Belonging
Christmas looks different in every home. Some families fill the house with music and laughter; others celebrate quietly, with soft lights and simple traditions. But no matter how we gather, Christmas has a way of settling into the heart like a warm blanket—reminding us that God stepped into our world in the most humble and beautiful way.
As I write Sunflowers Still Bloom, I’ve found myself thinking about the Barnes family and how they would celebrate Christmas in Sycamore Hill.
I imagine Clara humming along to carols while she finishes a batch of cookies. Amber excitedly placing her favorite orange socks by the tree “so they stay warm.” Ashley arriving with gifts wrapped far too neatly. Thomas pretending not to notice the ribbon sticking to his shoe.
Mary Hope sketching ornaments by the fire.
Nana and Howard telling stories that make everyone laugh.
Their kind of Christmas isn’t fancy—but it is full of love.
Just like Ashes and Sunflowers, the heart of the season is togetherness, faith, forgiveness, and the kind of hope that blooms quietly and unexpectedly. And as Sunflowers Still Bloom continues their story, I’m reminded that God’s greatest gifts often come softly, just as the Christ child came softly into the world.
This Christmas, my prayer for you is simple:
- May peace settle gently over your home.
- May laughter lift your spirits.
- May memories warm your heart.
- And may God’s love remind you that He is always near guiding, comforting, and lighting your way.
No matter the season, no matter the weather, hope still rises. Grace still whispers. And sunflowers still bloom.
Merry Christmas, dear friends.
