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Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose
In the bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to get swept up in all of the things to do. But it’s important to pause and remember that our priority should be to spend time celebrating Christ’s birth and not forget to invite Jesus to his own party.
Christmas is far more than a celebration of an event from long ago or a modern holiday centered around shopping. Mindfully take time to listen to how God continues to speak through the Christmas story as the Gospel narratives centered around the birth of Jesus provide encouragement and revelation concerning the love of God and his wisdom for us today.
In Total Christmas Makeover , author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical approach for you and your family to turn your attention toward God’s grace day-by-day as you prepare for Christmas. This 31-day devotional presents key scriptures, ideas to implement with each reading, and questions for reflection to guide you in rediscovering rituals, relationship, and rest to connect you more deeply with Christ this holiday season.
Christmas is far more than a celebration of an event from long ago or a modern holiday centered around shopping. Mindfully take time to listen to how God continues to speak through the Christmas story as the Gospel narratives centered around the birth of Jesus provide encouragement and revelation concerning the love of God and his wisdom for us today.
In Total Christmas Makeover , author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical approach for you and your family to turn your attention toward God’s grace day-by-day as you prepare for Christmas. This 31-day devotional presents key scriptures, ideas to implement with each reading, and questions for reflection to guide you in rediscovering rituals, relationship, and rest to connect you more deeply with Christ this holiday season.
208 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2017
4 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Spoelstra
39 books113 followersMelissa Spoelstra is a popular women’s conference speaker, Bible teacher, and writer who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping women of all ages to seek Christ and know Him more intimately through serious Bible study. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and enjoys teaching God's Word to diverse groups and churches within the body of Christ. She is the author of Joseph: The Journey to Forgiveness, Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World, and the forthcoming Total Family Makeover: 8 Steps to Making Disciples at Home. She lives in Dublin, Ohio, with her pastor husband and four kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 22, 2017
I was hooked on this little-but-meaningful devotional right from the introduction. In the first 2 pages, Spoelstra briefly examines the characteristics of the biblical celebrations God initiated. As she says, “He loves a good party!” She noticed three elements common to these festivities – ritual, relationships, and rest – and therefore has divided Total Christmas Makeover into those three sections. I don’t know about y’all but I’m tempted to skip ahead to the section on ‘rest’ (Ummm, confession: I did.)
Each day’s reading is also divided into three sections – a devotional reading, questions for reflection and some practical suggestions for application. The readings are centered on Scripture, as well as being personal and engaging. The reflection questions give us the chance to pause even further and examine our own hearts and the way we ‘do’ Christmas. The ‘practical approach’ section varies in length but has thoughtful and accessible suggestions to make this Christmas the most meaningful (and restful) holiday we’ve ever had.
Bottom Line: Total Christmas Makeover by Melissa Spoelstra is the perfect choice to keep us focused on the Reason for the Christmas season. With short devotions and thought-provoking questions & applications, Spoelstra reminds us to remember what God has done for us through ritual, invest in our relationships even through the busyness of the holidays, and be intentional about rest. This is a book I will re-read every Christmas to recenter myself on what matters most.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
Each day’s reading is also divided into three sections – a devotional reading, questions for reflection and some practical suggestions for application. The readings are centered on Scripture, as well as being personal and engaging. The reflection questions give us the chance to pause even further and examine our own hearts and the way we ‘do’ Christmas. The ‘practical approach’ section varies in length but has thoughtful and accessible suggestions to make this Christmas the most meaningful (and restful) holiday we’ve ever had.
Bottom Line: Total Christmas Makeover by Melissa Spoelstra is the perfect choice to keep us focused on the Reason for the Christmas season. With short devotions and thought-provoking questions & applications, Spoelstra reminds us to remember what God has done for us through ritual, invest in our relationships even through the busyness of the holidays, and be intentional about rest. This is a book I will re-read every Christmas to recenter myself on what matters most.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
October 23, 2017
An awesome little book that is both user friendly and thought-provoking and quite possibly life-changing for those feeling overwhelmed by all the bustle of the season. The author asks a pretty probing question at the beginning of the book: "Do you find that you too have been caught up in the 'have-to's instead of the God-centered-love-to's?" (p.2) She's referencing the way we celebrate Christmas and how easy it is to get caught in the trap of activities and shopping and insane busyness.
I love how she approaches the biblical example of celebration which involves Ritual, Relationship and Rest.That last one is probably the trickiest to embrace during the holiday season! This devotional is the perfect guide to help readers bring a new, refreshing perspective -- and it releases early enough to actual read it before the craziness begins!
I also love the Questions for Reflections and A Practical Approach sections at the end of each devotional. They made a world of difference for me as they helped me distinguish my love-to's from my have-to's and identify practical ways to keep my focus on Jesus this season. Tons of creative ideas for any type of family including single, senior and empty nester households. If you're looking for A Total Christmas Makeover consider this book as the first step.
Book provided courtesy of Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity Group.
http://litfusegroup.com/author/MSpoel...
I love how she approaches the biblical example of celebration which involves Ritual, Relationship and Rest.That last one is probably the trickiest to embrace during the holiday season! This devotional is the perfect guide to help readers bring a new, refreshing perspective -- and it releases early enough to actual read it before the craziness begins!
I also love the Questions for Reflections and A Practical Approach sections at the end of each devotional. They made a world of difference for me as they helped me distinguish my love-to's from my have-to's and identify practical ways to keep my focus on Jesus this season. Tons of creative ideas for any type of family including single, senior and empty nester households. If you're looking for A Total Christmas Makeover consider this book as the first step.
Book provided courtesy of Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity Group.
http://litfusegroup.com/author/MSpoel...
October 13, 2017
TOTAL CHRISTMAS MAKEOVER is a devotional to start around Thanksgiving. It includes some verses, thoughts about the verses -- which is set around a theme, such as light to the world, worship, traditions, etc -- a prayer, and three or four questions for reflection. You will need a notebook for writing your answers if you don't like to mark up books. There is also an application.
The way it is designed makes me think it is designed for a women's small group or once a week Bible study, where you would read and discuss as a group. It is ideal for that. I can also be done alone, but I think it'd be more fun as a group, where maybe you could even plan to do some of the applications as a group.
This is a more indepth devotional that will take more than a minute or two of your time. You will want to take the time to study the verses, read the story (maybe a couple of times, pray, make plans for the application, and put some thought into the questions.
I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.
The way it is designed makes me think it is designed for a women's small group or once a week Bible study, where you would read and discuss as a group. It is ideal for that. I can also be done alone, but I think it'd be more fun as a group, where maybe you could even plan to do some of the applications as a group.
This is a more indepth devotional that will take more than a minute or two of your time. You will want to take the time to study the verses, read the story (maybe a couple of times, pray, make plans for the application, and put some thought into the questions.
I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.
October 23, 2017
The Christmas season can leave you feeling rushed and frazzled. While a lot of the things we fill our season with are important, we can easily become distracted and lose the focus of why we celebrate the season. The author has written a devotional that will redirect the reader in the direction of celebrating Christ during the holiday season. The book is divided up into three sections - Ritual, Relationships, and Rest. Each devotional consists of the author's thoughts on the topic of the day. At the end are question for reflection and an idea on how to put the thoughts into a practical application.
Each day is short enough to allow for some quick reading. But the questions and application part make for a meaningful, thought provoking devotional. I really enjoyed the practical application. This devotional would make an excellent gift for the holiday season. But I think everyone should get their own copy.
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Each day is short enough to allow for some quick reading. But the questions and application part make for a meaningful, thought provoking devotional. I really enjoyed the practical application. This devotional would make an excellent gift for the holiday season. But I think everyone should get their own copy.
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity. All thoughts expressed are my own.
December 31, 2017
Are you looking to "makeover" your Christmas? Maybe you're like me and you weren't really sure what that means, but you know your busyness this Christmas isn't healthy? Either way, this book is the answer.
Melissa Spoelstra set's out to help us "makeover" our Christmas in this 31 day devotional that is perfect to read before, during, or after Christmas with an eye toward assessing our traditions and why we hold to them.
Going in to this book I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved that it said "practical approach" on the back cover. To me, there's nothing better than assessing something practically. Our lives are too bogged down as they are with what Christmas is "supposed" to look like. Lots of busyness, expensive gift purchasing, and a commercialized approach to the season, but Melissa gives another way.
Her suggestions, broken down into easily readable devotional chapters, are both heartwarming and actionable. She talks about how we can assess the things we currently do for the holiday's and focuses in on the fact that the traditions that stay should be those that honor Christ and the true meaning of the season.
I love that at the end of each section there are questions to help you think through what had been said and then a section called "A Practical Approach" at the end of each devotion.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking to dig deep into the reasons behind their traditions and business this season. It's an easy read and worth the time to readjust your focus to the One who truly is the reason for the season.
_______________
I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
Melissa Spoelstra set's out to help us "makeover" our Christmas in this 31 day devotional that is perfect to read before, during, or after Christmas with an eye toward assessing our traditions and why we hold to them.
Going in to this book I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved that it said "practical approach" on the back cover. To me, there's nothing better than assessing something practically. Our lives are too bogged down as they are with what Christmas is "supposed" to look like. Lots of busyness, expensive gift purchasing, and a commercialized approach to the season, but Melissa gives another way.
Her suggestions, broken down into easily readable devotional chapters, are both heartwarming and actionable. She talks about how we can assess the things we currently do for the holiday's and focuses in on the fact that the traditions that stay should be those that honor Christ and the true meaning of the season.
I love that at the end of each section there are questions to help you think through what had been said and then a section called "A Practical Approach" at the end of each devotion.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking to dig deep into the reasons behind their traditions and business this season. It's an easy read and worth the time to readjust your focus to the One who truly is the reason for the season.
_______________
I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
November 4, 2017
Makeover is a wonderful adventure book. It starts to daily with scripture. Goes into telling you a story , but what I truly appreciate about this one it isn't a hit and run story , it is a few pages worth . It is a wonderful joyful lesson story book. Then it has questions for you to go over and think over. It then has reflections it gives you a practical approach as well . This is so worth it to do with the family or it is also for those of you who do it alone . I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christiaanlybookreviewers.blogspot.com
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christiaanlybookreviewers.blogspot.com
November 5, 2017
FTC disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Normally I don't care for devotionals. I went to a Christian college, so I have quite extensive Bible knowledge. Also, I have been through a lot in life, and it seems often devotionals that are so fluffy it is like they are reminding women that God loves them even on a bad hair day. If I can find one that is just right for me, then the picking up the book, reading one devotional, bookmarking it, setting it back down, and then having to find it the next day often seems a little too much trouble. (Thankfully this is now remedied with e-books.)
But Christmas. I have always loved Christmas. I don't have kids, plus very little family. The last few years I have just spent Christmas Day by myself, taking a nap, reading a book, or even working. My husband gets time and a half on Christmas and we live too far from any family to be able to visit, so the last few years, Christmas has been like any other day to us.
But I remember how fun it was to choose gifts for people. I remember when I was about 6, I asked Mom for some money. She gave me a little to buy gifts for everyone. I didn't budget it and figure out how much I had for each person. When it came to Papaw, I only had about 50 cents left, and the only thing I could find him in that price range was a sample of coffee from the grocery store. But, it was something that was laughed about for many years, and I even often bought him coffee (increasing in size) as I got older because everyone loved that story so much.
But I hated how busy I was during December when I was in college. Finals were coming up, and there were so many great activities to celebrate the season. I think back to that time and I would guess the business I had then are much like many women feel now. It's easy to get caught up in all the traditions, gift buying, decorating, and every other must do item on our lists.
This is a great book to help take a short break from the chaos that often surrounds Christmas and just rest for five minutes. There are 31 devotionals in three categories: Ritual, Relationships, Rest. Each devotional contains the reading, questions for reflection, and a practical approach.
I would have loved this book in the years I had more to do in the month of December, but even though I haven't even put up a Christmas tree in four years, it reminds me of so many great memories and the memories I hope to create in the future. (We hope to move closer to family so we can spend holidays with them and no longer be alone every single holiday.) Just because my parents are gone, I don't want Christmas to be any less special. I recently found some family, and the thought I can give some small thoughtful gifts and gag gifts again just thrills me.
So I'll re-read this soon, and happily anticipate the future. I highly recommend this devotional, and I hope you will love it too.
Normally I don't care for devotionals. I went to a Christian college, so I have quite extensive Bible knowledge. Also, I have been through a lot in life, and it seems often devotionals that are so fluffy it is like they are reminding women that God loves them even on a bad hair day. If I can find one that is just right for me, then the picking up the book, reading one devotional, bookmarking it, setting it back down, and then having to find it the next day often seems a little too much trouble. (Thankfully this is now remedied with e-books.)
But Christmas. I have always loved Christmas. I don't have kids, plus very little family. The last few years I have just spent Christmas Day by myself, taking a nap, reading a book, or even working. My husband gets time and a half on Christmas and we live too far from any family to be able to visit, so the last few years, Christmas has been like any other day to us.
But I remember how fun it was to choose gifts for people. I remember when I was about 6, I asked Mom for some money. She gave me a little to buy gifts for everyone. I didn't budget it and figure out how much I had for each person. When it came to Papaw, I only had about 50 cents left, and the only thing I could find him in that price range was a sample of coffee from the grocery store. But, it was something that was laughed about for many years, and I even often bought him coffee (increasing in size) as I got older because everyone loved that story so much.
But I hated how busy I was during December when I was in college. Finals were coming up, and there were so many great activities to celebrate the season. I think back to that time and I would guess the business I had then are much like many women feel now. It's easy to get caught up in all the traditions, gift buying, decorating, and every other must do item on our lists.
This is a great book to help take a short break from the chaos that often surrounds Christmas and just rest for five minutes. There are 31 devotionals in three categories: Ritual, Relationships, Rest. Each devotional contains the reading, questions for reflection, and a practical approach.
I would have loved this book in the years I had more to do in the month of December, but even though I haven't even put up a Christmas tree in four years, it reminds me of so many great memories and the memories I hope to create in the future. (We hope to move closer to family so we can spend holidays with them and no longer be alone every single holiday.) Just because my parents are gone, I don't want Christmas to be any less special. I recently found some family, and the thought I can give some small thoughtful gifts and gag gifts again just thrills me.
So I'll re-read this soon, and happily anticipate the future. I highly recommend this devotional, and I hope you will love it too.
November 4, 2017
When I received the opportunity to be on the blog tour for Melissa Spoelstra's latest book, Total Christmas Makeover, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I had never heard of Melissa before but the concept of her advent devotional sounded practical and applicable to me and I've really enjoyed it so far.
Spolestra introduces the book by explaining that it is organized into three sections titled, Ritual, Relationship and Rest. There are a total of 30 devotions to read through, making this the perfect supplement to regular Scripture reading in preparation for celebrating Christmas. I appreciate that each devotion is full of Scripture not only in the intro but in the content itself. Melissa ends each devotion with Questions for Reflection and practical suggestions for families with children of varying ages (personally, I'm looking forward to trying the Jesse Tree suggestion as my daughter grows older).
What I appreciate most about this book is that Melissa encourages readers to study the heart behind why they do what they do when it comes to Christmas traditions and each devotion pushes readers to redeem the season by making it Christ centered. I liked some of the practical ideas she included in the book such as using Christmas light viewing as a means for reminding our children and ourselves that Jesus is the light. Regarding making the Christmas season purposeful, Spoelstra wrote,
"If we put up a tree, we can remind ourselves and our family that Jesus came as a baby but died on a tree. As we string up lights or go look at them, let's focus on Jesus's statement that He is the Light of the world. When we make wreaths, decorate our mantle or get our special holiday dishes, we can remember we do things differently for a purpose. We change the look of our surroundings as a ritual to celebrate something great. God loves us. His plan was to redeem us through Christ," (pg. 32).
In the Day 3 devotion on Prayer, I was so encouraged by Spoelstra's words, "Every time I actually take the time to pray, I am blessed and so glad that I did it. I can never remember regretting time spent with the Lord in prayer," (pg. 20).
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Total Christmas Makeover and look forward to reading more from Spoelstra in the future. I highly recommend this book for women who are looking for unique and purposeful ways to redeem the Christmas season.
I received Total Christmas Makeover compliments of Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.
Spolestra introduces the book by explaining that it is organized into three sections titled, Ritual, Relationship and Rest. There are a total of 30 devotions to read through, making this the perfect supplement to regular Scripture reading in preparation for celebrating Christmas. I appreciate that each devotion is full of Scripture not only in the intro but in the content itself. Melissa ends each devotion with Questions for Reflection and practical suggestions for families with children of varying ages (personally, I'm looking forward to trying the Jesse Tree suggestion as my daughter grows older).
What I appreciate most about this book is that Melissa encourages readers to study the heart behind why they do what they do when it comes to Christmas traditions and each devotion pushes readers to redeem the season by making it Christ centered. I liked some of the practical ideas she included in the book such as using Christmas light viewing as a means for reminding our children and ourselves that Jesus is the light. Regarding making the Christmas season purposeful, Spoelstra wrote,
"If we put up a tree, we can remind ourselves and our family that Jesus came as a baby but died on a tree. As we string up lights or go look at them, let's focus on Jesus's statement that He is the Light of the world. When we make wreaths, decorate our mantle or get our special holiday dishes, we can remember we do things differently for a purpose. We change the look of our surroundings as a ritual to celebrate something great. God loves us. His plan was to redeem us through Christ," (pg. 32).
In the Day 3 devotion on Prayer, I was so encouraged by Spoelstra's words, "Every time I actually take the time to pray, I am blessed and so glad that I did it. I can never remember regretting time spent with the Lord in prayer," (pg. 20).
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Total Christmas Makeover and look forward to reading more from Spoelstra in the future. I highly recommend this book for women who are looking for unique and purposeful ways to redeem the Christmas season.
I received Total Christmas Makeover compliments of Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.
November 7, 2017
I collect devotional books and I love Christmas so I was excited to review this book. During Christmas season, do you feel like flustered Martha (in the Bible)...having too much to do and not enough time to get it all done? Let's not get swept up in the hustle and bustle. Instead, may we prepare our hearts to celebrate this Christmas with joy and purpose. Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ; it's not about perfect planning or fantastic festivities! Pause and become more like Mary who focused on Jesus. Mary sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said while Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. Jesus said to Martha,"You are worried and upset about many things, but only ONE thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42) Total Christmas Makeover has 31 devotions that will help you pause and prioritize, ponder and pray. The book is divided into 3 sections: Ritual (Day 1 to Day 10), Relationships (Day 11 to Day 20), and Rest (Day 21 to Day 31). Each devotion starts with Bible verses and ends with a prayer, questions for reflection, and practical ideas. The author shares her own family Christmas experiences, including what works and what doesn't work. She shows how to incorporate Biblical meanings into traditions; she helps readers think why they do what they do. The book covers many important topics such as giving, serving, forgiveness, humility, patience, love languages, spiritual gifts, worship, balance, obedience, gratitude, and more. I've enjoyed reading this book and will continue to read as Christmas approaches. Total Christmas Makeover is a Christ-centered, gospel-focused, grace-filled devotional that will help you and your families enjoy a meaningful celebration this Christmas. May the activities we do help us remember what God has done for us, may the people we interact with be blessed and touched by Christ's love, and may we learn to rest in our Lord and reflect on what, Whom, and why we celebrate Christmas!
~I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
~I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 7, 2017
This is a wonderful book for getting back to what Christmas is all about - Christ.
This is a 31 day devotional that focuses on the Christmas season. I would definitely start this book on December 1st to keep my focus on the important parts of Christmas. Each day is a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas and how that looks when we make that belief a part of our holiday season.
Each day is a focus on how we can live for the Lord, not only during Christmas, but throughout the year. There are different categories but a couple that really stood out to me were "Withholding" and "Spiritual Gifts". I love what she had to say about withholding and how this can impact our children and those around us. Not expressing our love or forgetting to show how much someone means to us is just one way we can hurt those around us. She shares how important it is to tell and show those around us - especially in our own family - how much they mean to us. We shouldn't assume they already know that. I love the Spiritual gifts section because it helped me to see how God has gifted me and how I can use those gifts to bless others.
Each section has ideas for our lives and then at the end of the chapter are "Questions for Reflection" and the "Practical Approach" section. I love the questions because they really helped me to focus in on what my beliefs are about the subject and how I can make things work for myself and my family to focus on Jesus. The practical approach section gives us ideas on how we can make it happen. They aren't difficult but there are several ideas that we can implement into our lives and pick which one will work best for us.
I like this book because it focuses so much on God's Word and on the Lord. I also like that I didn't come away feeling guilty because of things I have or haven't done. It's a really lovely book that I will definitely be revisiting each Christmas season.
I highly recommend this book for anyone that want to make the Christmas season about the Lord. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group
This is a 31 day devotional that focuses on the Christmas season. I would definitely start this book on December 1st to keep my focus on the important parts of Christmas. Each day is a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas and how that looks when we make that belief a part of our holiday season.
Each day is a focus on how we can live for the Lord, not only during Christmas, but throughout the year. There are different categories but a couple that really stood out to me were "Withholding" and "Spiritual Gifts". I love what she had to say about withholding and how this can impact our children and those around us. Not expressing our love or forgetting to show how much someone means to us is just one way we can hurt those around us. She shares how important it is to tell and show those around us - especially in our own family - how much they mean to us. We shouldn't assume they already know that. I love the Spiritual gifts section because it helped me to see how God has gifted me and how I can use those gifts to bless others.
Each section has ideas for our lives and then at the end of the chapter are "Questions for Reflection" and the "Practical Approach" section. I love the questions because they really helped me to focus in on what my beliefs are about the subject and how I can make things work for myself and my family to focus on Jesus. The practical approach section gives us ideas on how we can make it happen. They aren't difficult but there are several ideas that we can implement into our lives and pick which one will work best for us.
I like this book because it focuses so much on God's Word and on the Lord. I also like that I didn't come away feeling guilty because of things I have or haven't done. It's a really lovely book that I will definitely be revisiting each Christmas season.
I highly recommend this book for anyone that want to make the Christmas season about the Lord. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group
October 9, 2017
About the Book:
In the bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to get swept up in all of the things to do. But it's important to pause and remember that our priority should be to spend time celebrating Christ's birth and not forget to invite Jesus to his own party.
Christmas is far more than a celebration of an event from long ago or a modern holiday centered around shopping. Mindfully take time to listen to how God continues to speak through the Christmas story as the Gospel narratives centered around the birth of Jesus provide encouragement and revelation concerning the love of God and his wisdom for us today.
In Total Christmas Makeover, author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical approach for you and your family to turn your attention toward God's grace day-by-day as you prepare for Christmas. This 31-day devotional presents key scriptures, ideas to implement with each reading, and questions for reflection to guide you in rediscovering rituals, relationship, and rest to connect you more deeply with Christ this holiday season.
My Review:
God always wants to be the center of our lives, all the time and every day--not just during the holidays. But hopefully for those of us that don't include him in our everyday lives we do pause at Christmas in order to give at least some thought as to the one that causes us to even have a Christmas.
So if you are looking for a devotional that is fitting for the holiday season, this one is a good one to pick up. There are 31 devotions in this little booklet. They are short and sweet and straight to the point. We don't have a lot of time during the holidays so this is the perfect devotional for time constraints as well as a perfect holiday devo that will keep us connected to Him and in the holiday spirit.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author. All opinions are my own.
In the bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to get swept up in all of the things to do. But it's important to pause and remember that our priority should be to spend time celebrating Christ's birth and not forget to invite Jesus to his own party.
Christmas is far more than a celebration of an event from long ago or a modern holiday centered around shopping. Mindfully take time to listen to how God continues to speak through the Christmas story as the Gospel narratives centered around the birth of Jesus provide encouragement and revelation concerning the love of God and his wisdom for us today.
In Total Christmas Makeover, author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical approach for you and your family to turn your attention toward God's grace day-by-day as you prepare for Christmas. This 31-day devotional presents key scriptures, ideas to implement with each reading, and questions for reflection to guide you in rediscovering rituals, relationship, and rest to connect you more deeply with Christ this holiday season.
My Review:
God always wants to be the center of our lives, all the time and every day--not just during the holidays. But hopefully for those of us that don't include him in our everyday lives we do pause at Christmas in order to give at least some thought as to the one that causes us to even have a Christmas.
So if you are looking for a devotional that is fitting for the holiday season, this one is a good one to pick up. There are 31 devotions in this little booklet. They are short and sweet and straight to the point. We don't have a lot of time during the holidays so this is the perfect devotional for time constraints as well as a perfect holiday devo that will keep us connected to Him and in the holiday spirit.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author. All opinions are my own.
November 6, 2017
`Total Christmas Makeover` is a devotional by author Melissa Spoelstra. There are 31 devotionals written especially for the Christmas season. The scriptures are taken from several different Bibles: New Living Translation, New International Version, English Standard Version, Holman Christian Standard Bible, and the King James Version.
There are three sections that pertain to the Christmas season: Ritual, Relationships, and Rest. Melissa is quick to tell the reader they don't have to throw out all their rituals. But, reconsider them by prioritizing traditions, rediscover why we prioritize certain traditions and incorporate new traditions. During the Christmas season don't forget to focus on your relationships. With so much to do it's easy to lose track of our relationships. Lastly, remember to rest. This could be any number of ways: stop all ordinary work, gather for holy assembly, complete rest, present the Lord with special gifts, denying self, and make this a solemn occasion.
I found this devotional easy to use and could make a great family or book club selection. It would also be good for individuals. Each day begins with a Bible verse, a short script written by Melissa, and a prayer. At the end of each chapter are Questions for Reflection and A Practical Approach which includes an activity for the family on what that day's devotional was about. I chose this book because of the emphasis on Christmas and because I love the cover.
I would recommend this devotional to families, book clubs, and individuals. The print is easy to read and my overall feeling is I love it.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."
There are three sections that pertain to the Christmas season: Ritual, Relationships, and Rest. Melissa is quick to tell the reader they don't have to throw out all their rituals. But, reconsider them by prioritizing traditions, rediscover why we prioritize certain traditions and incorporate new traditions. During the Christmas season don't forget to focus on your relationships. With so much to do it's easy to lose track of our relationships. Lastly, remember to rest. This could be any number of ways: stop all ordinary work, gather for holy assembly, complete rest, present the Lord with special gifts, denying self, and make this a solemn occasion.
I found this devotional easy to use and could make a great family or book club selection. It would also be good for individuals. Each day begins with a Bible verse, a short script written by Melissa, and a prayer. At the end of each chapter are Questions for Reflection and A Practical Approach which includes an activity for the family on what that day's devotional was about. I chose this book because of the emphasis on Christmas and because I love the cover.
I would recommend this devotional to families, book clubs, and individuals. The print is easy to read and my overall feeling is I love it.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."
November 6, 2017
If you are anything like me, you may dread the coming of Christmas. Oh, not the day itself, but all the things that go with it — shopping, crowds, obligations, and increased stress. In Total Christmas Makeover, Melissa Spoelstra looks at Christmas in a new way. She takes God’s word about sacred celebrations and festivals and applies them to the Christmas activities and traditions within our own families. With emphasis on ritual, relationships, and rest, this 31-day devotional guide will give you a new outlook and a new commitment to putting the focus of the holiday season where it belongs — on God.
Total Christmas Makeover won’t have you throwing out all the things you hold dear about Christmas time, but it will show you a way to streamline, tweak, and refit your traditions and thoughts towards God. Each day begins with scripture, then progresses to the author’s thoughts. She also includes a short prayer to jump start your time with God, along with questions to get you thinking about what should be part of your Christmas activities. Practical tips conclude the short devotional. I especially liked the emphasis the author puts on remembering to honor God in all we do at Christmas, the importance of keeping our relationships strong, and finding the needed rest that God provides to his people. Because there are 31 selections, you can get started on Thanksgiving Day and finish up with the book before Christmas!
So if you long for a way to get rid of distractions that mar the beauty of Christmas, pick up Total Christmas Makeover.
Recommended.
Audience: adults (especially women)
(Thanks to LitFuse for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Total Christmas Makeover won’t have you throwing out all the things you hold dear about Christmas time, but it will show you a way to streamline, tweak, and refit your traditions and thoughts towards God. Each day begins with scripture, then progresses to the author’s thoughts. She also includes a short prayer to jump start your time with God, along with questions to get you thinking about what should be part of your Christmas activities. Practical tips conclude the short devotional. I especially liked the emphasis the author puts on remembering to honor God in all we do at Christmas, the importance of keeping our relationships strong, and finding the needed rest that God provides to his people. Because there are 31 selections, you can get started on Thanksgiving Day and finish up with the book before Christmas!
So if you long for a way to get rid of distractions that mar the beauty of Christmas, pick up Total Christmas Makeover.
Recommended.
Audience: adults (especially women)
(Thanks to LitFuse for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
October 19, 2017
MY THOUGHTS
Surviving during Christmas doesn't have to be an option. Now you can take time to enjoy and celebrate 'the reason for the season! You can still have the family, the get togethers, the fun without all the fuss. It's about making things easier, simpler, less stressful, more fun and getting back to celebrating the reason for Christmas!
Total Christmas Makeover by author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra shows the reader an alternative to the hectic holidays at Christmas time. This time can bring you back to what Christmas really means A time to celebrate Jesus' birth. A time of joy instead of that stressful feeling of having too much to do and not enough time to do it. This book is a devotional for 31 days of the holiday season. It brings back those forgotten traditions that once brought happiness and peacefulness. It gives suggestions on how to make over your traditional hectic Christmas season to make it more enjoyable and rewarding. You may even find time to take a moment for yourself. Wouldn't that be refreshing? The book has three sections, the common three elements of celebrating the bible. Those three elements being, ritual, relationship and rest. We have often forgotten how the Lord speaks to us and how we don't sometimes listen, especially during the blessed holiday season. Learn to bring the LOVE back to the season!
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publishing and the author and voluntarily decided to review it.
Surviving during Christmas doesn't have to be an option. Now you can take time to enjoy and celebrate 'the reason for the season! You can still have the family, the get togethers, the fun without all the fuss. It's about making things easier, simpler, less stressful, more fun and getting back to celebrating the reason for Christmas!
Total Christmas Makeover by author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra shows the reader an alternative to the hectic holidays at Christmas time. This time can bring you back to what Christmas really means A time to celebrate Jesus' birth. A time of joy instead of that stressful feeling of having too much to do and not enough time to do it. This book is a devotional for 31 days of the holiday season. It brings back those forgotten traditions that once brought happiness and peacefulness. It gives suggestions on how to make over your traditional hectic Christmas season to make it more enjoyable and rewarding. You may even find time to take a moment for yourself. Wouldn't that be refreshing? The book has three sections, the common three elements of celebrating the bible. Those three elements being, ritual, relationship and rest. We have often forgotten how the Lord speaks to us and how we don't sometimes listen, especially during the blessed holiday season. Learn to bring the LOVE back to the season!
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publishing and the author and voluntarily decided to review it.
November 28, 2017
This is the first book I’ve read from author Melissa Spoelstra, and it won’t be the last one. I truly enjoyed her practical, down-to-earth stories and suggestions perfect for this time of year. Her book is divided into 31 brief devotions, which you can dive into any time of the holiday season. Melissa offers many ideas for how to prioritize your faith life and minister to others’ needs in this special time of year.
She asks us to focus on three key areas to focus on God’s character and faithfulness:
Ritual
Relationships
Rest
I think she picked three very important areas for focus. Each one is an area where I need improvement this year.
Here are the suggestions I’m using to makeover my Christmas this year:
Go through the alphabet and think of something about God for each letter. Example: A-Alpha and Omega. (Use this in your time of personal praise and worship.)
As Christmas cards are mailed to your home, collect them in a basket. Then at mealtimes, pull out one of the cards and pray for the individual or family who sent it.
We can take a humble posture as we go to holiday gatherings or parties. We can walk in the door prepared to listen with understanding.
If you’re looking for a practical devotional to help you gain balance this Christmas, this book will be a good fit for you, and it will fit into your busy schedule too!
Thank you to Netgalley for a free review copy of this book!
She asks us to focus on three key areas to focus on God’s character and faithfulness:
Ritual
Relationships
Rest
I think she picked three very important areas for focus. Each one is an area where I need improvement this year.
Here are the suggestions I’m using to makeover my Christmas this year:
Go through the alphabet and think of something about God for each letter. Example: A-Alpha and Omega. (Use this in your time of personal praise and worship.)
As Christmas cards are mailed to your home, collect them in a basket. Then at mealtimes, pull out one of the cards and pray for the individual or family who sent it.
We can take a humble posture as we go to holiday gatherings or parties. We can walk in the door prepared to listen with understanding.
If you’re looking for a practical devotional to help you gain balance this Christmas, this book will be a good fit for you, and it will fit into your busy schedule too!
Thank you to Netgalley for a free review copy of this book!
January 14, 2018
If you know me, you know that Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love Christmas! I love everything about Christmas. The decorations, the food, the smells, the crisp air, the church services, the music, giving gifts, and more. I love Christmas books and Christmas devotionals. I was super excited for the opportunity to receive an ARC of Melissa Spoelstra's new book, Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate With Purpose.
I really loved this devotional. With a different devotion for every day of the month from December 1st through New Year's Eve, this book has you covered for the season. The focus of this book is centering and focusing more on Jesus than materialism or "busyness" during the Christmas season. I hate the commercialism of Christmas, so this devotion was a perfect fit for me. Each day has a Scripture, thoughts, a reflection question, some concrete actions you can take, and a prayer for the day. I enjoyed using this devotional each day of the Christmas season. This book really encouraged me to make some family traditions based on Jesus' birth and the true meaning of Christmas. I will definitely be pulling this devotion out in the Christmases to come as well. I highly recommend this book to everyone looking to focus on Jesus this Christmas season.
I received a uncorrected ARC of this book from Litfuse in order to provide an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
I really loved this devotional. With a different devotion for every day of the month from December 1st through New Year's Eve, this book has you covered for the season. The focus of this book is centering and focusing more on Jesus than materialism or "busyness" during the Christmas season. I hate the commercialism of Christmas, so this devotion was a perfect fit for me. Each day has a Scripture, thoughts, a reflection question, some concrete actions you can take, and a prayer for the day. I enjoyed using this devotional each day of the Christmas season. This book really encouraged me to make some family traditions based on Jesus' birth and the true meaning of Christmas. I will definitely be pulling this devotion out in the Christmases to come as well. I highly recommend this book to everyone looking to focus on Jesus this Christmas season.
I received a uncorrected ARC of this book from Litfuse in order to provide an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
October 25, 2017
y Thoughts On The Book: I knew I was hooked from the very beginning. As a pastor and teacher Christmas gets away from me with all the hustle and bustle and activity. I wish I had had this book when my children were small. Thanks to this book I cannot wait to practice my new found Christmas makeover. My goal this year is to make my family Christmas all about Christ. I loved that fact that every entry included Scripture and a space that encouraged reflection in response to questions. As a teacher I am always looking for ways to give my students practical applications for what we just learned and Spoelstra did just that. The book is divided into three categories: ritual, relationships, and rest. Each topic has ten days of devotionals to delve into. I usually share wonderful books with my reader friends. This is one I will have to buy for them because I have written all over my copy and do not want to share. This book is a must to read before the holidays kick off. I promise you it is better than a day at a spa. Loved it!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 1, 2017
I remember the days when I first got married. Each holiday we went to my husband’s parents house for Thanksgiving and Christmas. After each meal, we then had to drive to his aunts house for dessert. I felt like I was gonna burst at the seams. All I wanted to do was go home and forget the holidays. My family didn’t do anything for holidays so it was hard to watch my husband’s family all cheery and bright. I have learned over the years that holidays are only as good as you choose to make them.
I really enjoyed this devotional a lot. I loved the stories she shares and how encouraging it is to know that everything doesn’t have to be perfect. I think about the Norman Rockwell paintings. I will never have the perfect table setting, or the perfect family Christmas photo, but I do have a family that comes together each year to make memories. I thought the authors idea about praying for the family or individual who sent you a Christmas card was awesome. I usually put mine on the mantle when I get them and forget about them being there. Now I can pray for one of them each day and thank God for bringing special people into my life.
On day twenty she talks about patience. That is something I am still working on. It is a great reminder for me to learn to be more patient with others and to thank Him for His patience with me. Make sure you check out the Questions for Reflection and A Practical Approach after each chapter. I loved everything about this book and encourage you to grab a copy.
I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.
I really enjoyed this devotional a lot. I loved the stories she shares and how encouraging it is to know that everything doesn’t have to be perfect. I think about the Norman Rockwell paintings. I will never have the perfect table setting, or the perfect family Christmas photo, but I do have a family that comes together each year to make memories. I thought the authors idea about praying for the family or individual who sent you a Christmas card was awesome. I usually put mine on the mantle when I get them and forget about them being there. Now I can pray for one of them each day and thank God for bringing special people into my life.
On day twenty she talks about patience. That is something I am still working on. It is a great reminder for me to learn to be more patient with others and to thank Him for His patience with me. Make sure you check out the Questions for Reflection and A Practical Approach after each chapter. I loved everything about this book and encourage you to grab a copy.
I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.
November 23, 2017
This cute little devotional is an excellent reminder of what Christmas should be about. I recommend starting this little book around the day after Thanksgiving to start having a more impactful holiday season. It is a quick devotional that doesn't take a lot of time to read each day. Which is a perk for overwhelmed people, mothers, students, or anyone these days!
The devotions revolve around verse that becomes the theme each day. Worship and traditions, being the light in a darkened world were some of my favorites.
The devotion is set up so that there is some reading, a pray, three reflective questions. I would suggest writing in a notebook as the book is small and compact. I like that this makes this book so applicable to daily life.
It can be used individually or in a small group. I think it was fun reading and discussing it with a friend. Although I don't think it could be used solely as a small group resource as the devotions are quick and fast. Of course, you can dive deeper into the verse, meanings, questions, and even make more in-depth plans for personal application.
Overall this is such a cute Christmas/holiday devotions for Christians from all walks of life. It will be something I use for years to come.
Disclaimer: I recieved this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 8, 2017
This 31 day devotional is divided up into 3 sections: Ritual, Relationships and Rest. The author explains as she was looking at biblical celebrations, she noticed those three elements included in the festivities. These three sections and elements will help readers prioritize actions that will draw us nearer to Christ as we celebrate his birth-the true meaning of Christmas.
She goes on to say that as we make small changes during the holiday season, it can bring us closer to knowing our Savior and keeping him in the center of our celebrations. We can spend the next 31 days focusing on Jesus instead of the business and stress of the holidays.
The author suggests that we slow down and think about our holiday activities, rituals and plans by asking:
"Why am I doing this?"
"How will it honor Christ?"
"How will this activity impact my family?"
Each day includes a page or two of reading, scriptures, a prayer, questions for reflection with room to journal responses, and practical approach suggestions. This book was well written and I can't wait to start using it daily as we approach the month of December and prepare for Christmas.
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
She goes on to say that as we make small changes during the holiday season, it can bring us closer to knowing our Savior and keeping him in the center of our celebrations. We can spend the next 31 days focusing on Jesus instead of the business and stress of the holidays.
The author suggests that we slow down and think about our holiday activities, rituals and plans by asking:
"Why am I doing this?"
"How will it honor Christ?"
"How will this activity impact my family?"
Each day includes a page or two of reading, scriptures, a prayer, questions for reflection with room to journal responses, and practical approach suggestions. This book was well written and I can't wait to start using it daily as we approach the month of December and prepare for Christmas.
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
October 28, 2017
With 31 days of reflection, questions and putting Christmas into perspective " Total Christmas Makeover" is the perfect book to take the hustle and bustle of Christmas and help us all put the pause button on Christmas. Rather than focusing on what we didn't do or what we're missing, we instead focus on being, being more intentional about what we are doing and focus on being more intentional with our time, family, friends and attitude. I love thinking about how I'm going to do Christmas differently this year and I how I am going to change my celebrations to a more slower pace. I love the idea of pausing and I love the reflection in each of the days. This book is the perfect book for Christmas for me to throw in my purse to take with me each day to find the true meaning of Christmas and not to get distracted. If you are looking for a slower and more meaningful Christmas that is focused on Christ, I recommend that you pick up this book! I give this book 5/5 stars. A favorable review was not required.
November 4, 2017
I chose to review Total Christmas Makeover because, probably like you, the holiday can overwhelm me. I was hoping to find some inspiration on how to make Christmas more of a blessing than a hectic time. Melissa Spoelstra offers wonderful words that do indeed inspire. Through scripture and her wise words I felt a lift in spirit as I contemplated the coming season. She adds a prayer and I really like her "A Practical Approach" segments. The "Questions for Reflection" helped me slow down and think about what I'd read. I think this book is a priceless tool for those of us who want to bring Christ to the forefront of Christmas. I recommend reading this, beginning in November, to prepare your heart. Along with reading the devotions, give yourself time to reflect and take in the beauty of the season. If you enjoy Christmas music and lights use those as part of your personal time with this gem of a book. I received this book for free.
November 7, 2017
Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary copy of this book by LitFuse Publicity. All thoughts expressed are my own and honest.
I enjoyed reading through Total Christmas Makeover. If you love Christmas like I do and would like to pick up a lite devotional to use this coming season, then I believe this book would be a nice choice. The author has written 31 daily devotions that help inspire us to remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas. She has the book broken down into three categories, Rituals, Relationships, and Rest.
Within each of those categories, Spoelstra has written 10-11 daily topics that are meant to help us center our personal traditions and holiday activities back around Christ instead of losing our focus in the craziness of the busy season. I loved how she offers practical ways to work in the true meaning of the season without letting go of the fun traditions we have formed within our families.
I enjoyed reading through Total Christmas Makeover. If you love Christmas like I do and would like to pick up a lite devotional to use this coming season, then I believe this book would be a nice choice. The author has written 31 daily devotions that help inspire us to remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas. She has the book broken down into three categories, Rituals, Relationships, and Rest.
Within each of those categories, Spoelstra has written 10-11 daily topics that are meant to help us center our personal traditions and holiday activities back around Christ instead of losing our focus in the craziness of the busy season. I loved how she offers practical ways to work in the true meaning of the season without letting go of the fun traditions we have formed within our families.
October 22, 2017
Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose by Melissa Spoelstra is lovely new book for the Advent season. It is a beautiful little book and I am looking forward to spending the Advent season fully immersed in it.
Melissa Spoelstra has divided Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose into three sections: Ritual, Relationships and Rest. She explains in the Introduction that rituals are special activities to remember God, relationships are the time spent with others and rest is time to reflect on God.
Each of the 31 days has a bible reading, a devotion, a prayer, questions to reflect on what we've read and suggestions for a practical approach.
Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose by Melissa Spoelstra is definitely a wonderful book to spend the Advent season with. Highly recommend.
Melissa Spoelstra has divided Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose into three sections: Ritual, Relationships and Rest. She explains in the Introduction that rituals are special activities to remember God, relationships are the time spent with others and rest is time to reflect on God.
Each of the 31 days has a bible reading, a devotion, a prayer, questions to reflect on what we've read and suggestions for a practical approach.
Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose by Melissa Spoelstra is definitely a wonderful book to spend the Advent season with. Highly recommend.
December 13, 2017
I loved this Christmas devotional. Every year I am on the lookout for a new one and I am glad that I read this one. It is broken up into three parts- ritual, relationships, and rest- as these are the elements common to festivities God shows through the Bible. Each part is important to God and as such should be so to us. I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to focus on the true reason for the season.
*Thank you to Melissa Spoelstra, Abingdon Press and Netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
*Thank you to Melissa Spoelstra, Abingdon Press and Netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2017
This is a well thought out book that speaks to the heart. Each day has scripture, a devotional, questions for reflection and a practical approach section. My plan is to official revisit and start this book the day after Thanksgiving so that it will lead me through the most hectic holiday times. My favorite part of this book is the practical approaches. There are many wonderful ideas that any family can incorporate.
*I received a copy of this book for review purposes, all opinions are my own.
*I received a copy of this book for review purposes, all opinions are my own.
December 31, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this devotional book. Each concept is comparmentalized in a way that makes sense and includes applicable Bible verses and examples on ways to apply the ideas or themes. I feel this book had a positive impact on my Christmas experience this year and will for years to come. I would absolutely love to see Ms. Spoelstra write other devotional books in this same format.
December 31, 2017
I've always liked Melissa Spoelstra's Bible study books and that is why when I saw this, I selected it. It really was on her name since I already have a daily devotional routine. It was nice and the last entry was the best and most meaningful for me.
February 7, 2018
What a wonderful book of devotions on celebrating Christmas with a true purpose other than the gifts. Many great ways to have Jesus in the center where he belongs. I will keep this to use for many Christmases to come.
December 22, 2020
Lovely book that helps you celebrate the birth of Jesus. Gives a daily devotional and practical and spiritual ideas to fully experience family customs and find ways to also serve , remembering those we can help. I especially loved the part about sabbath and spiritual rest.
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