hi friends,

I don’t mean to sound like sound like the Advent version of Mariah Carey defrosting every November… but did you know Advent begins two weeks from Sunday and I have a devotional for that? This somewhat out-of-character email from me, Reb has landed in your inbox because once upon a time you very kindly purchased my devotional and for that I am wildly honoured. I’m popping in to ask if this year you would consider telling a friend about my little Advent eBook, or better yet, gifting it to them! Last year she had a glow up with beautiful printables, a banging playlist, kidsize devotions, colouring sheets AND FYI it’s cheaper than a Starbies Christmas coffee!

I’m aware there are approximately one billion Advent resources out there and honestly, every time I return to this devotional, I expect to feel absolutely scundered. I expect it to land in the wrong places. I expect the words to feel immature or trite. I expect to eye roll at younger me, at her hope, at her faith, at her Jesus. And yes, there is some writing I wish I could improve but actually, every single time I return to this devotional I feel myself collapsing into the arms of Jesus, maybe for the first time in a long time. This little eBook baby is the product of an Advent year in my life, a year of waiting that brought to my knees; and I’m so glad I wrote it. It’s for the doubter and the depressed. The one limping to the end of the year with personal pain in one hand, and the public chaos of the world in the other. It’s for those of us struggling to believe we are really held in the palm of the promise keeper’s hand. 

In chapter 1 Luke portrays the people of Israel as stranded and wandering in an empty, howling expanse of wilderness. The darkness is thick to touch. Rocks of fear trip their feet and the weight of hopelessness slows them down. A black sky presses down on them. They cannot bear to take one more step. But then, a glint of colour on the horizon. The dawn of hope—the Rising Sun.

Sometimes my heart is so sore and disillusioned, I can’t even bear to look at the light. But I think that’s the beauty of Advent–no one is rushing us to get it together. After December 25th we live in an every day Advent, longing for Jesus to come back and make this bin-fire of a world right again. He has risen, friends. And someday we will rise with Him. But until then, we wait. 

You can purchase the Advent eBook here or feel free to forward this email to a friend. In the past there have been a couple of group chats for people to join if they would like some friends to walk through the devotional and season with—I’m happy to set that up. And if anyone is in the market for a hold-in-your-hands book for Advent, I also have a few recs up my sleeve–just shoot me a reply (but they’re a lot more expensive than mine, just saying 🤪).

Finally, all year round you can find my essays and life catch-ups on Substack at Thin Places. If you’re wondering whether you’d like it over there, you should know I believe raw, gutsy storytelling has the power to push back the darkness of this world. I believe in telling the truth—sometimes straight and spicy, sometimes lyrical and tender. I believe writing is how I see God in my life. I believe in the healing therapy of Cinnamon Buns, writing alone in the car with drive-thru coffee, pilgrimages to TK Maxx, and the confetti spray of monstrous ocean waves. And I believe you will feel held by my words.

All my love,

Reb x

(Last year’s photo below but this is the jumper I fully intend to wear every day for the next 6 weeks.)