Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom's Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays: A Devotional

by Tama Fortner

Thirty-one encouraging devotions to help busy moms pause and ponder the true miracles of the Christmas season--the wonder of a Savior who would leave heaven to save us and the love of those who share our home.

Between holiday baking, hunting for the perfect tree, decorating, preparing for visiting relatives, and making sure everyone gets the ideal gift, Christmas can be anything but peaceful for a busy mom. Too often, the stress and busyness of the season make it difficult to find time to just sit and reflect on the wonder of the Savior's birth.

If this sounds familiar, allow Simply Christmas to be your personal invitation to slow down and savor the beauty of the manger this year. These thirty-one devotions are not dated, so you're welcome to begin reading anytime--whether that's on December 1, Christmas Eve, the day after Thanksgiving, or the middle of July--without even a smidgen of guilt or shame.

Accompanied by seasonally inspired full-color photographs, this thirty-one-day devotional brings a bit of calm to each day through a short reflection and Scripture, together with points to ponder and fun ideas for simplifying your Christmas traditions.

Genres: Christmas, Devotional, Nonfiction, Inspirational

128 pages, Hardcover

Published October 26, 2021

About the author

TAMA FORTNER is an ECPA award-winning author with more than sixty titles to her credit, including Prayers for Each Moment, Everyday Joys, God, I Feel Sad, Easter Is Coming!, and more. She is the writer behind the million-selling Indescribable for Kids series with Louie Giglio, as well as a number of books in the Jesus Calling children’s line, including the wildly successful Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids. Tama has collaborated with such well-known authors as Max Lucado, Sadie Robertson-Huff, and Levi Lusko to create inspirational books for all ages.

Tama and her husband have two children who have grown up much too fast for their mama’s liking. They live on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee with two feisty pups who are convinced they are people too.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful devotional for busy moms!

Looking for a sweet and simple devotional this Advent? This book is a perfect fit for busy women who only have a few moments to spend in God's presence during this busy season. Beautiful photos and calming devotions will help you draw close to God in this season. It's a new, delightful book in my Advent collection, and I'm grateful for it!

I received a preview copy from the publisher.

[Missy Eversole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It's the perfect reminder to slow down and find the peace that God wants us to have during the Christmas season.

[Jill Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, quick read for the crazy Christmas season. I love the beautiful mixture of scripture, the story, and the connecting it to the chaos of our lives. It offers simple common ways to reclaim Christmas, the meaning of Christmas without wearing ourselves out. Beautiful book. I highly recommend this.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Tama Fortner’s Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom's Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays: A Devotional to be a good, faith filled, handy little book to read. It is broken down into 31 days. Each day is only about four pages long and includes scripture, devotion, colorful photograph with an inspiring message, and section called “Reclaiming Christmas” that I found to be thought provoking. I liked reading this book and found it to be handy to have during the upcoming Christmas season.

I am giving Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom's Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays: A Devotional five stars. I recommend it for those overwhelmed mamas out there that are looking for inspiration during this Holiday season.

I received a digital copy of Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom's Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays: A Devotional from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming devotional that is perfect for the holidays. This little guide has 31 devotionals, psalms, and prayers and if you start on the first of December, this devotional will see you through the busiest month of the year. It also has gorgeous holiday photos accompanying each page. It's down to earth, hopeful, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading a little each day. I plan on using this again next December!

[Deborah Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, encouraging, practical and profound.

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written inspirational and encouraging book. The author reminds us to seek the true meaning of Christmas. Scripture and everyday life experiences encourage the reader. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

[Danielle Turko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is busy at any time of the year, but when you throw in the holidays it's hard to get anything done, so much else pops up. Tama Fortner gives you 31 devotions to help remind you to relax, and includes some hacks to help relieve some of the stress that seems to crop up. While it is a devotional centered around Christmas, it is merely dated as Day one, Day 2, Day 3 etc, so you could do it literally whenever you want. Each day includes a scripture reference where they say what would have happened in biblical times. She reflects on things like traveling by donkey for multiple days while pregnant, giving birth in a barn, the women that are included in Jesus' lineage, and what must have been going the minds of people like Simeon and Anna. Each day ends with a 'Reclaiming Christmas' Section, where she gives a hack to help survive the season. The hacks include things like only decorating with the things your family likes, not what you feel obligated; or when you put things away label it clearly where you keep things so you can pull out boxes for one room a day so the decorating feels less overwhelming. She even says if your gingerbread house is only for display use hot glue guns to assemble! One warning she does give is to make sure your plans are sound, so if you want to bring the elaborate dessert once, you'll probably become known as the person who always has to bring that after
As someone who is not a mom, not all these devotions apply to me. It did at times apply to me though. For example, I brought cinnamon buns to a family meal once, and now it's expected every time and my younger brother won't let me hear the end of it if I don't bring them. I do feel like I could get more out of it if I was a mom, but anybody can be busy during the holidays so this devotional is a good reminder for all to take a breath and enjoy the season

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This devotional is a good one for busy moms. The devotions themselves are short and can be read in just a few minutes. I like how Fortner reminds us to let go of appearances and the pressure to live up to others' expectations. I like her suggesting we snatch quiet moments and that we collect treasures in our hearts, like Mary. Taking a hot chocolate break is a fun suggestion. My favorite devotion was encouragement for when we mess up and lose out temper.

There are practical tips included to help simplify the season and keep the focus on Jesus. We are given permission to not consider decorations a competition but rather bundle up the kids and take a drive to see the effort and time others have put into their decorations. My favorite tip was the grandparents giving reasonable gifts, the rest of the money going into a college fund. Another great tip was how to survive those Christmas parties.

This is a good collection of devotions helping us keep our focus on the reason and meaning of Christmas. There are a few good tips to keep the season simple as well.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Christmas by Tama Fortner is subtitled A Busy Mom’s Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays, but this beautiful little devotional is for more than moms. It’s for any woman who is feeling overwhelmed and run down by the constant expectations and commitments of the holidays.

Fortner’s combination of reflections on the true meaning of Christmas—our savior who came to the earth as an innocent and vulnerable child and all the wonders surrounding his birth—with helpful suggestions to take away some of the stress of the holidays will leave readers feeling like they are not alone in some of the overwhelming expectations while settling your spirit in pure joy of God’s love for us.

It’s okay not to dig out every decoration and put it up this year. It’s okay to make bake and slice cookies instead of starting from scratch. And it’s okay to take time for yourself in this season of giving. And packaged in a hard-bound book with delightful holiday-themed photographs, you are given permission to let go and enjoy this Christmas.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I enjoy during the holiday season is a good Advent devotional. Tama Fortner provides busy moms with a bit of peace in the midst of their busy day. Each day she introduces a theme and ties it to a Scripture passage. She continues with a short devotional and prayer. There is a point to remember that is in the corner of a beautiful Christmas photograph. Each day closes with a suggestion on how to reclaim Christmas.
I really like the fact that this Advent devotional doesn’t end with Christmas day but goes the whole month. Many families have to celebrate on days other than Christmas due to in-law or work schedules and having this book go for the whole month means there is a better chance of everyone’s Christmas celebration day being included.
If you are looking for a Christmas devotional - Simply Christmas deserves consideration.
I received a complimentary copy of Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom’s Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays. This is my honest review.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great devotional! I may not be a mom, but I still appreciated both the read and the recommended activities. We all have kids in our lives to varying degrees, and I think any of us could benefit from the read.

Every year it seems the hols get more commercialized, and _Simply Christmas_ helps me to remember what (or, I should say, _who_!) the true reason for the season is--along with easy ways to truly enjoy Christmas, both in relation to the Christmas story itself and the celebration of it. My favorite suggestion Fortner includes is to go look at Christmas lights, something I've made a point to do as the days get darker that much earlier; my afternoon walks often see lights start to twinkle on!

Beautifully photographed and produced;, as well. One I'd be proud to have on the bookshelf and pull out every year.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. #waterbrookmultnomahpartner

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title alone is meant for me. Especially the last few years. And I know there are other women that would love this book as well. Christmas has become a crazy busy holiday with expectations, things to do, places to be. And we get lost in the thick of it coming out tired, grumpy and missing the joy of the season.

This beautiful little book has daily thoughts, tips, ideas, reminders that simple is 100 percent ok and Christmas will be the better for it. The whole family will. It’s ok to slow down, simplify and go back to the basics when it comes to enjoying the holiday season.

I loved the layout of the book with the daily thoughts. You can use it throughout the whole month, or jump in later and just enjoy the beautiful thoughts, be inspired, and reclaim Christmas in your heart and home.

[LA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A busy Mom’s guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays is a fitting summary of this new devotional. An undated thirty day devotional to handling the holidays in a way that allows mothers to slow down and enjoy the moments is a perfect gift.

The author begins by expressing there’s no pressure to stay on top of the readings each day. There’s a verse, a summary about that verse, and an idea to implement for the holidays. This is a lovely gift book with colourful photos suitable for the Christmas season. The devotions don’t go deep, and there’s a lot of creative license taken, but it’s still engaging and food for thought.

Any busy mom would appreciate the gift.

I received an ecopy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Annette Whipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Christmas is a Christmas blessing.

Author Tama Fortner slows the reader down to really think about the story of Jesus' beginnings. Each devotion packs in biblical truth, practical faith-related wisdom, Bible verse, prayer, as well as a practical way to intentionally keep Christmas simple.

I expected to appreciate this book because I've focused on the simple Christmas before, but I was surprised at just how much each reading stuck with me. Thank you Tama Fortner for writing practical, livable truth for moms like me.

This book makes the perfect gift--or the perfect annual read every December. (I started late but was definitely motivated to finish it in January. Honestly, it can be read year-round!)

[Debbie Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a gem for me. Every page I read gave me more peace and joy. It is like it's named, simple and short, so it doesn't take much time, but the after-effects have been lasting. The first time I read it, one day's devotional was not enough, so I continued to read through two days at a time. I love the pictures and the way it's laid out. It really adds to the words.

I thought so much of this book, I had to share it with each of my daughters-in-law. I started reading it in November, so I'm rereading it now during the month of December. It's a book that doesn't have to be read just in December. The message is timeless. I highly recommend this book.

[Sally Mander · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, Slow down, enjoy your family during the holidays

SIMPLY CHRISTMAS: A BUSY MOM'S GUIDE TO RECLAIMING THE PEACE OF THE HOLIDAYS
by Tama Fortner

This is a cute little devotional, that encourages anyone, but especially Mom's to slow down and enjoy their family and friends during the holidays. It has 31 daily devotionals that are not dated, so you can use them at any time that you need a break.

It's a great inspirational devotion paired with beautiful Christmas-themed artwork.

I received a complimentary copy of #simplychristmas from #inkandwillow I was under no obligation to post a review. #inspirationalbooks #devotional #busymoms

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treasure for moms! Each day is quite short but includes a scripture and a short prayer, along with the devotion (not even a full page), a reminder/take away point, and an idea to “reclaim Christmas”. Even moms with the least amount of time can do this devotional.

It’s absolutely beautiful with illustrations and photos that will brighten your day. If you wanted more, you could always do a few days at once but each day will take less than 5 minutes.

Many thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it within 40 minutes for a quick read while I was waiting to go pick up my son at a birthday party. It says to not read it like that, but to read a passage one a day. It would have been better that way. But, I was reading it in February and not around Christmas like it was originally intended. Fortunately, it was still a good quick read about keeping Christ in Christmas and in your own daily life. It’s about keeping it simple during the holiday season. Do what you can and remember why we celebrate Christmas.
I liked it.

[Sharon Weinschreider · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good thoughts for moms of young children. For me, it was overly simplistic, focusing not on the spirituality of the Christmas season, but on pinterest-y advice about how to survive long car trips, food gifts to give neighbors, etc.

My least favorite part of the book is that it chose "design" over readability. All of the pages have tiny text surrounded by lots of white space. I'm sure that aesthetically, it's a design choice some people enjoy but I'd rather have a book with text big enough to read.

[Liesl Baart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little devotional. The way it's set up with a scripture verse, a short devotional passage, a reminder for the season, and a short suggestion for keeping the holiday season under control was just the right amount of reading each day during the Christmas season. The devotional passages were brief but deep and gave me a lot to think about. Most of the tips were very relevant to my life right now and were also well crafted to fit mamas in various life stages. I also enjoyed the beautiful photography. I look forward to reading this devotional year after year!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet Advent devotional for Christian mothers. (I didn't actually know that was the target audience when I ordered it in from my library).
I loved the aesthetic of this book. The little devotionals are short, but some are surprisingly profound and each daily reading is followed by a practical tip to simplify Christmas.
I read this book in one sitting (so not daily during advent, as I only got it late December), but I will plan to order it in again next year.
Don't expect anything too spiritually deep, but it's engaging, and the right level of relaxed inspiration.

[Patricia Jaracz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom’s Guide to Reclaiming Christmas offers moms 31 seasonal short musings based on 1-2 Scripture verses followed by a closing prayer. The full color photographs with an inspiring Remember thought are a visual delight. Each day’s reading also includes a Reclaiming Christmas tip to move your celebration into something simpler and Christ-honoring. I enjoyed this devotional because it can be read over morning coffee and the tip practiced that day or night!

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Christmas - A Busy Moms Guide to Reclaim the Peace of the Holidays

Simply Christmas offers thirty-one encouraging devotions directed at busy Mom's during the Christmas season. Sometimes we get so caught up with the busyness of the season we forget to reflect on the birth of the Savior. Simply Christmas is a short Scripture, a story and a simple way to reclaim peace and the true miracle of the Christmas season. There are full-color delightful photographs that enhance the book.

[WhatRachelsReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is a hidden gem! I loved opening up this darling book to each day of the month through December. Tama always had a wonderful journal pointing us to Christ during the Christmas season and ended with a fun way of “Reclaiming Christmas” to live out. The month of December can be so busy and chaotic so having a simple devotion to read was really nice this year. I will definitely get it back out next year and read it again!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a devotional for the holidays, this is an amazing high quality, must have!

The graphics are beautiful. There are personal stories and daily scripture. This carefully curated and written devotional has just what you need to dive deeper and find the true meaning of the season.

Thank you to Ink and Willow for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Janet Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice daily devotional book for the days leading up to Christmas. For each day there is a short devotional to help refocus on the reason for the season as well as practical tips to slow down, simplify the holidays, and create meaningful experiences for you and your family. I would definitely read it again!

[Laura Sassi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this delightful devotional last Christmas and was inspired each and every day to let go of the busy-ness of mama holiday preparations. I found it to be just the right blend of scriptural grounding and relatable application. I plan to pass along my copy to a friend this year. (Note: received a copy from the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own.)

[Natalie Scherck · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books to read as a daily devotional each day leading up to Christmas (and usually New Years, but I just kept reading and finished early). I love the scriptures she uses and the beautiful applications geared towards mothers. It's a great way to refocus my vision on Christ each day of the Christmas season.

[Belinda Grimbeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so enjoying this women’s Christmas devotional…

To put it simply: it’s like sipping on a cup of warm hot chocolate (as depicted on the cover of the book). I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the ‘sweet’ insights and excited for tomorrow’s ‘treat’.