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
Recent Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. “There is a deep heart work done in the waiting.” Love your shared thoughts this morning as a reminder that there is always more to the story. I love remembering that God is always up to more than just one thing and the Christmas story is a perfect example of that truth. Be blessed today!

  2. Thank you for sharing this message from God. Words He has obviously imprinted on your life through experiences. I do agree that much of my growth, like Josrph, comes in the “waiting “. It’s one of my challenges. God bless you and may His light of JOY shine on you!

  3. Karina,
    You are very wise for your understanding of the meaning. I still struggle with trying to figure it all out. But I do know it’s only possible because God made it to be that way.Thank-you for reminding us not to clutter our lives with what doesn’t matter, so that we can focus on what does, “God With Us”. Like in yesterday’s post these three words bring a great deal of comfort.

    I hope that you have a blessed Christmas, you would be more than welcome to spend it at our home,

    Penny

  4. Karina,
    What a beautiful reminder that Christ comes to us. We, lowly sinners….He doesn’t leave us to clean up our own mess. He knows we can’t…and so HE COMES!!! If how Christ comes to us doesn’t totally blow our minds, then perhaps we are taking it too much for granted. For God so loved/loves us that He sent His only son in the form of an innocent babe to eventually be the sacrificial lamb…when I REALLY think about this, I can’t help but be blown away by His love and His power. Thank you Karina for helping us take an up close and personal look at what God did for us…for you…for me. Praise for what an awesome God we have! Now that’s reason to celebrate!!
    Advent blessing to you sweet sister,
    Bev xx

    • Thank you Bev! I want to spend this whole season with my mind being blown by the greatness and goodness of our Father. I want to steadily be in AWE of Christ’s sacrifice. He is all that matters today and everyday!

      Blessings to you as well!

  5. As my first Christmas in a new place ever and not being able to have Christmas for my 5 children due to financial hardship, I find myself slipping. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually tired. I feel as if I’m at my breaking point and then remember I HAVE to hold onto God’s promises and the greatest gift ever of sending his Son as the savior. Thank you for this timely and truthfilled message!

    • Ronda, thank you for sharing!

      Father, You are the God of miracles. You make crooked places straight. You make a way where there is no way. Holy Spirit come and move as only You can in her situation. Overwhelm Ronda with you love, peace, joy and grace during this time. May she tangibly feel your presence around her. Uphold her. Be her strength. Exchange your easy burden for her heavy one. Speak words of life and hope to her spirit. May she have an open heart to receive from You!

      In Jesus’ Name.

  6. Thank you Karina for sharing the true meaning of Christmas. As I get older, I find the hoopla to be pervasive for the wrong reasons. Jesus was born! That’s it. Drop the mic. The joy of our Saviour should be the “reason for the season”. Period. God be with you and continue to show his grace and mercy in your life. I love your posts. Be well.

  7. Karina,
    You have written a beautiful message of hope and love in Christ Jesus. He is the reason we live each day. He was sent to save a dying world filled with sin; so that we would be reconciled to God the Father. Yes, Jesus is the miracle! He loves us
    in ways we cannot even imagine. He completes us. There is no person on this earth or any one thing that matters more than Him.
    I am grateful for your message. You did well!
    Sending love, ❤️
    Dee

  8. These deep truths and waiting times go perfectly with my favorite scripture, “Be still and know I am God.” Resting in all of his attributes….lots to ponder in nice easy thoughts!

  9. Karina,
    This is so encouraging, this is where we build our faith (what happens in between? In the waiting God could change hearts, so Ronda be encouraged in this new place we are in, I believe change will come during our waited. Thank you for this message.

      • Karina, personally I am fine – I am older than most incourage readers and have traveled a long road to get to this place of contentment – there will be empty places at our table but God has a plan and His plan is that my children walk in Truth. It may take a bit longer. God bless you.

  10. This is so beautifully written – so much powerful truth – thank you for using your God-given words to pen something I will save and enjoy reading over and over. I have the same feelings of wanting the fullness of the Word to permeate my heart this season and beyond. I love that both our hearts desire the same thing though our family circumstances are different.

    • Thank you SO much Karen!!! You have blessed me beyond words!!!!

      Praying that God overwhelms you with His love and joy this season. May He make Himself ever so present in your day to day. May He surround you with spiritual family.

      Be blessed sister!

  11. He does do deep heart work. And waiting is hard. I love the phrase, “wrapped in flesh “. So many people don’t understand the work or gifts of the Spirit. I just wrapped up an article called the Carpenter’s Son, I hope to get it on my blog. I think we all need to rethink Christmas and Christ. Come let us adore Him.

  12. Karina,

    Your post is spot on! I feel to many people have forgotten the Nativity story. They know it so well they repeat it by rote. They truly don’t “know” it and understand the implications. Think of a young 13 yr old becoming pregnant without “having known a man”. The shame she would be bearing from others, etc. Yet she willingly said “thy will be done”.

    This reminds me of a song “Leaving Heaven” by Matthew West.

    Well, it’s been real nice living way up here
    In paradise, over the atmosphere
    But I can’t stay long, gotta make my way
    I’m leaving Heaven today
    You see the world is dark and it needs a light
    I’m gonna hang a star in the eastern sky
    So everybody’s gonna know where I touch down
    I’m leaving Heaven right now
    I’m gonna walk around that broken Earth
    Trading in these streets of gold
    So if you ever wonder how much you’re worth
    You should know
    That you’re the reason why I’m leaving Heaven
    Ain’t gonna be no kingdom, ain’t gonna be no crown
    Just a little old manger, in a little old town
    But it’ll do just fine for this humble King
    I’m leaving Heaven let all the angels sing
    I’m gonna walk around that broken Earth
    Trading in these streets of gold
    So if you ever wonder how much you’re worth
    You should know
    You’re the reason why I’m leaving Heaven
    And when my time comes to an end
    I’ll lay down my life like a truest friend
    And when I get back home, I’m gonna make some room
    So, don’t you worry, ‘cause I’m coming back for you
    And you will say goodbye to that broken Earth
    You’re gonna walk on streets of gold
    And if you ever wonder what my love is worth
    Well you should know
    That I’m the reason you’ll be seeing Heaven
    Oh, you’re the reason why I’m leaving Heaven
    I’m leaving Heaven

    Have a blessed & Christ-filled Christmas everyone Blessings 🙂

  13. God was acquainted with all our sorrows. He sent His only Son to be born, live among us, be crucified, died and then on the third day rose from death for Our Salvation. Thank you that as I receive radiotherapy for cancer during this Christmas I am assured of His constant Presence and have Hope and His Peace which transcends all human understanding. God Bless you Karina this Christmas and thank you for such an encouraging, honest and inspiring word.

    • Thank you Julie for sharing!

      Father, I thank You for Julie’s life. She is Your beloved daughter. She is loved by You with an everlasting love. Your plans for her are good and holy. I speak healing over her body. I speak life. She will live and die. She will have a long life that flourishes and honors You. I speak to every cell in Julie’s body to align itself with the purposes of God and to function the way they were designed to function. We thank You for the healing. We declare Your truth over her life and the life of her family. We love You and give You all honor and glory!

      In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

      • Thank you Karina, God has sustained me through radiotherapy and all the awful side-effects. I have only 2 more external radiotherapy treatments before being admitted to hospital for my 1st of 2 Internal Radiotherapy Procedures, which I fear. Please pray for protection of my bowl, bladder and pelvic bones as this is high risk and for me to endure through it. After this I have recovery time before my final results and I believe I will receive my complete healing, in Jesus’s Name.

  14. Christmas has been a hard time for many years. Being a single mom, it’s hard to see happy families together. I need to get out of my slump and embrace the real meaning of Christmas and that my kids will see it too.