Merry Christmas, friends! Today I’m sharing a few of my favorite things. These are mostly small and seasonal sparks of beauty in my life. They matter because they point me toward the Creator of all things beautiful — the greatest of which we celebrate this season: Jesus. . . Emmanuel. . . God with us.

Christmas music, surely one of the joys of the season. While our family’s master playlist delivers an eclectic variety, I am partial to this old-time crooner, this contemporary one, and this collection of sacred classics. Oh, and this sentimental favorite, to which my family rolls their eyes.

Christmas movies. A handful we always watch for tradition’s sake: our favorite version of A Christmas Carol. And A Wonderful Life, because Jimmy Stewart. And this fan fave, just for fun.

#GivingTuesday (or anytime). From the time the kids were little, we allowed them a budget and the chance to choose what they liked from the World Vision gift catalog to give children in need something special. My daughter always chooses a goat and two chickens, but my son likes to mix things up, although for the last two years he has chosen a bicycle for a girl . Regardless, we know they’re providing tangible goods or services to other kids and their communities, affecting change that makes a difference far beyond the Christmas season.

Books to prepare my heart and still my soul. The three I return to again and again for Advent and beyond:

• Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation by Luci Shaw. Beginning with the annunciation, this renowned poet leads readers through the life of Jesus, from birth and life, to death and resurrection. I love the lens each poem provides for viewing both the ordinary and extraordinary through the eyes of a true artist.
• Jesus Calling for Christmas by Sarah Young. While I always feel enriched by the compilation of meditations drawn from Scripture that employ the author’s “baptized imagination” (as C.S. Lewis would call it), the real draw here is the beauty of the book. I enjoy simply lingering over each page of exquisite seasonal imagery.
• The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp. Her prose reads like poetry, ethereal yet accessible, combining the perfect Christmas blend of Scripture, reflections, quotes, and daily objectives to help make readers’ passage through Advent more meaningful.

And you — what are your favorites of the season? I’d love to hear!