🦃Thanksgiving… then Black Friday… then Advent? 🎄

Aghhhhh!

We all know the drill—Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and before you’ve polished off the last bite of pie, you’ll be facing the biggest shopping day of the year.

No pressure, right?

But while the world is speeding up into a frenzied dash of deals, decorations, and to-do lists, this Sunday quietly ushers in Advent: the season designed to help us slow down, anticipate, and make room for Christ.

Let’s be honest: If we don’t plan now to bring Christ front and center, Christmas will be over before we’ve even caught our breath—and we’ll miss the real miracle of the season.

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✨ It’s the Most Distracted Time of the Year…

Christmas is supposed to be the season of “peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” Yet most days, it feels more like “chaos on earth, Pinterest-fails in the kitchen, and a to-do list longer than the line for door busters at Best Buy on Black Friday.”

Sound familiar?

Swept up in the busyness—presents, parties, decorating, the adorable matching pajamas—it’s all too easy to lose sight of what Christmas is truly about: the arrival of Christ.

But what if there was a simple, beautiful way to bring your family back to the heart of Christmas—without adding to your December chaos?

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🌟 Special Guest: Megan Alexander

In the latest episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, I sat down with someone who has created a simple resource to help center Christmas on Christ. Meet Megan Alexander: CBS television host, bestselling author, actress, mom of three, and creator of the stunning Advent book, The True Gifts of Christmas: Unwrapping the Meaning of Our Most Cherished Traditions.

Megan’s book isn’t just another holiday devotional—it’s a treasure trove of Christian history, fun facts, mouthwatering recipes, and simple activities that make Advent deeply meaningful yet totally doable. (It’s so gorgeous, it doubles as a coffee table book!)

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🎁Key Highlights from This Episode:

• Why Advent Matters: Megan explains how Advent invites families to “slow down and focus”—preparing our hearts for Jesus, not just another round of sugar cookies.
• The Surprising Christian Roots of Traditions: Discover the faith-filled origins behind favorites like candy canes, gingerbread, poinsettias, bells, and even the Nutcracker!
• Visual Faith Lessons for Kids: Learn how pairing spiritual truths with fun traditions and simple visual cues (like the story behind a candy cane or a snowflake) makes faith come alive for your kids.
• Honoring Loved Ones: Megan shares a touching way to use candles in the window to remember family members who have passed and connect your children with their heritage.
• Recipes & Real Memories: Family traditions don’t have to be elaborate or expensive—Megan shares her family’s famous cinnamon rolls, Christmas punch, and gingerbread with a side of meaningful conversation.
• A Book to Share With ANYONE: Whether you’re a lifelong Christian or just love Christmas, this book is an invitation—not a sermon—to discover the deeper meaning behind everything you love about the season.
• Hope When the Holidays Hurt: Not every Christmas is merry and bright, but the traditions we share can be small anchors of hope, pointing us back to Christ’s love even in seasons of loss or pain.

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 🎧 Listen to This Episode:

Don’t miss the full episode—”Unwrapping Advent –Finding Christ in Our Most Cherished Traditions.” 🔗 LISTEN HERE on Life Audio 👉

Or find CP/CW on  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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💬 A Quote to Reflect On

“So many of the things that we take for granted,
stockings, red cardinals, candles and windows,
many of our favorite Christmas songs
have deep spiritual roots.”
~Megan Alexander

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🌲 Make Christmas Matter—Starting This Sunday

Parents, this isn’t about doing more. It’s about experiencing more: more wonder, more connection, more of the true meaning behind Christmas. Wherever you find yourself this weekend—buried in Christmas decorations or washing dishes in the kitchen (listen while you wash!)—this episode will inspire you to bring Christ right into the center of every tradition.

Don’t let December sweep you away!Listen now for the gentle reset your holiday season needs, and prepare to celebrate Advent in a way your kids will never forget.

Happy Thanksgiving!

EPISODE RESOURCES:

About the guest:
Megan Alexander is a national TV correspondent, producer, and author. Her book, The True Gifts of Christmas: Unwrapping the Meaning of Our Most Cherished Traditions, is a heartfelt guide to making Advent meaningful for families. She is also a mom of three and an outspoken believer who brings decades of experience bridging faith and the mainstream entertainment industry.

Call to Action:
What tradition could you reclaim this Christmas to make Christ the focus? How can you use a simple story, object, or moment to share the reason for the season with your children? Tune in, unwrap these ideas, and start a new tradition that keeps Jesus at the heart of your family’s celebration!

Resources:

The True Gifts of Christmas: Unwrapping the Meaning of Our Most Cherished Traditions by Megan Alexander

Megan’s Website & Instagram