It’s Giving Tuesday! Big thank you’s to all of my followers who have ever supported my ministry financially, but especially to those of you who so generously send in your support on an ongoing basis!
Today, people will be supporting all sorts of charities, many of which stand in opposition to the Word of God. If you’d like to support the spread of sound doctrine to Christian women, I’d be most grateful if you’d click here and donate.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
This article will be pinned to the top of the blog until closer to Christmas so you can easily locate it for shopping. If you’re looking for my most recent article, keep scrolling. It immediately follows this one.
It’s (almost) Black Friday! Time to shop til you drop…into your favorite comfy chair, fire up ye olde internet, and check out the deals at these businesses owned by some of your brothers and sisters in Christ.
There’s nothing wrong with shopping at a big box store that’s advertising great deals or supporting the mom and pop shop down the street, but if you see something you like for a good price at one of these online stores, why not throw a little business to family? Galatians 6:10 says:
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
See an opportunity? Grab it and do good to someone in the household of faith.
🎄 Here’s how this list came about: Every year, I put out a general call on social media and the blog asking people to recommend Christian-owned businesses for this article. Well, you know how things on social media get shared around to a friend of a friend and aunt Myrtle’s third cousin’s step-nephew’s veterinarian. So what I’m saying is, while the people who recommended or own these businesses say that these are Christian-owned businesses, I can’t vouch for the actual, day to day spiritual state of any of the recommenders or owners. I’ve checked out each business website as best I can to make sure none of them promote anything unbiblical (giving the benefit of the doubt when possible – these are gifts, not sermons), but I can’t tell you whether or not Stan of “Stan’s Snow Shovels” is a faithful member of his local church.
•If the theology of the business owner is extremely important to you, I urge you to contact him/her directly to inquire before making your purchase.
•I would strongly encourage you to thoroughly vet the theology of any Christian author or musician listed below whose book, music, or other materials you’re considering purchasing.
•If you do see something blatantly unbiblical (for example: support of homosexuality, abortion, clear heresy, promotion of false teachers, etc.) on one of these sites (or on the business owner’s social media), it’s possible I missed it or it was added after I vetted the site. Please let me know and I’ll check it out.
🎄 These are Christian-owned businesses, but the products they make are not all necessarily “Christian” (i.e. they don’t all have Bible verses or Christian sayings on them).
🎄 Take the category listings below loosely. If you’re looking for something specific, take a look at as many of these businesses as you can, because most of them carry more than one type of product (ex: jewelry and wall art, apparel and home decor). I’ve tried to categorize them according to the main product type they sell, but many are quite eclectic. You might find the coffee mug you’re looking for under the “apparel” category.
🎄 Most of these businesses are carried over from last year’s article. A few of them seem as though they may have taken a hiatus (i.e. no social media posts for months). Check with the owner to make sure she’s still in business, and if you find out that she’s definitely not, please let me know so I can remove the business.
🎄 Some of these businesses are based outside the U.S. Be aware of this with regard to shipping costs, time, etc. when ordering.
🎄 Some of these businesses may be having Cyber Monday sales instead of Black Friday sales. Check with each business to get the best deals!
(specific authors/topics and general retailers
See also “Christian Books, Apparel, & Gifts”)
Untold Secrets of Planet Earth
(See “Music and Audio” category for Christian music and audio.)
Jonathan Park Audio Adventures
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
🎄 Check the comments section of this article to see if my readers have posted any new suggestions.
🎄 Want to explore more Christian businesses? Try the Christian Business Referral Network for a wide variety of products and services.
What’s your favorite Christian-owned
online business for Christmas gifts?
Comment below (please include the business’ website)
and maybe it will be included on next year’s list.
(No multi-level marketing or personal sales businesses
– ex: Pampered Chef, essential oils, Tupperware – please.)
Is your family getting ready for Advent? Loosely defined, Advent is the period of time leading up to Christmas when we commemorate Christ’s first coming and anticipate His second coming. And what better way to do so than by making Bible study and worship part of your family tradition? Here are some awesome Advent resources1 for young and old alike. Most of them are free, but the ones that aren’t, I’ve marked with a 💰.
December Advent!– Here’s an advent calendar, craft, and devotional all rolled into one! Naomi’s Table is a women’s Bible study resource that I highly recommend for sound doctrine and right handling of God’s Word. Have a listen to their daily Advent podcasts and make the Advent calendar that goes with them!
Need a good Advent playlist? I’ve created one on YouTube. Your favorite Advent (not Christmas) song isn’t included? Leave a comment and I’ll add it if appropriate.
From the Realms of Endless Day by Dr. Tom Ascol. “This little book is meant to be used as a daily devotional guide throughout the Christmas season. It is broken into five sections of five devotions. Each section focuses on one passage of Scripture that is considered verse-by-verse.” Designed for family or individual use, with Scripture memory passages in each section and study questions at the end of each of the 25 lessons. Encouraging Christmas poetry from Dr. Tom Nettles is also sprinkled throughout the book.💰
The Promise of Christmas by John MacArthur. “…What would it have been like to be in Bethlehem for the very first Christmas? Would you have been waiting for Jesus? What would you have been anticipating? Would you have expected the Savior, King, and deliverer promised in Scripture to arrive unheralded by men—born in a lowly stable, surrounded by animals and society’s outcasts?…In The Promise of Christmas, John MacArthur answers those questions and more as he takes you back in time to first-century Israel.” A series of six sermons.
Is observing Advent new for your family? Children are often “hands on” learners, and this Advent wreath craft could be a great way to explain the significance of Advent, the wreath, and each candle as they create it. Follow the step-by-step instructions here, using your own design, or subscribe to the email list to download the free printables.
The Gospel According to Christmas by Allen Nelson. In a world where Christmas is often reduced to twinkling lights and fleeting sentiments, The Gospel According to Christmas is a clarion call to rediscover the holiday’s true heartbeat: the gospel of Jesus Christ. With pastoral warmth, Allen Nelson IV guides readers through 1 Peter 2:24 to unveil the staggering reality of Christ’s incarnation and sacrifice…Read it, share it, and let it rekindle your love for the Christ of Christmas. Reflection questions in each chapter make this book a perfect fit for group study or family devotions.”💰
The Jesse Tree– A charming precursor to the Advent calendar, the Jesse tree traces the story of Jesus from Creation to His birth. Using your Christmas tree or a crafted tree, hang an ornament each day that represents the Bible story for that day. This site has a free Jesse Tree tool kit with ideas for making your own Jesse Tree, the Scripture references for each day, and printable ornaments. (They also offer a family devotional and a individual devotional. If you’re considering using them, please do so carefully and discerningly. I read several of the family devotions and they seemed OK, but the Reformed Church in America {which sponsors this site} appears to have struggled with progressivism in their theology.)
Manger in Danger– This charming family devotional and game centering on the incarnation of Christ was created by Pastor Grant Castleberry and his wife, GraceAnna. “Manger in Danger is a fun, interactive family tradition that brings the Christmas story from the Bible to life in 25 days of family devotionals!”💰
I thought this was a cute idea – an Advent Countdown Candle. Just grab a taper, make 25 marks down the side of it, and each night burn away one more day. Simple! You might even like to read one of these Advent Scriptures…
…every night by candlelight. Or use my Advent playlist above, and sing one of the hymns there as each day burns away.
How about combining Advent and prayer with an Advent Prayer Calendar? Choose from dozens of designs, print out the one you like best, and color, decorate, or fancy it up any way you like. Each day, simply fill in the name of the person or ministry you’re praying for and spend a few minutes interceding for them. It’s a great way to start a habit of family prayer and count down to Christmas at the same time!
(This is a site1 where you’ll want to grab only the printable and leave everything else behind.)
Christmas Messages by R.C. Sproul- “In this set of Christmas sermons, Dr. R.C. Sproul examines the account of the Magi in the gospel according to Matthew and the relationship of David and Saul in order to unfold the significance of Christmas and the incarnation of Christ. With theological insight and attention to scriptural detail, Dr. Sproul demonstrates how these events and relationships contribute to our understanding of the person and role of Christ.”
Waiting for the Promise from Answers in Genesis. “As you reflect through this devotional on the promises of God for 4,000 years before the birth of Christ, be reminded of his great love for you that he would send his only Son to offer salvation for sinners!”💰(Free sample chapters available)
Happy holidays! The three big ones – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s – are right around the corner, and it’s time to celebrate- even here on the blog! So just to give you a heads up, here’s what that’s going to look like as I trade my regular blog schedule for a holiday schedule…
🦃 Starting next week and continuing through Thanksgiving, I’ll mainly be featuring articles to help you get into an attitude of gratitude. God has been so gracious to us. How can we limit the giving of thanks to Him to one day?
🕯 Looking for Advent devotionals and resources? Keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks for Have Yourself an Awesome Little Advent, my annual curation of awesome Advent activities, adornments, and adoration accessories, many of which are free!
🛍 If you’re a Black Friday shopper, stop by the blog on Thanksgiving evening (27th) before you hit the stores and check out my annual article, Holy Holidays: Christian-Owned Businesses to Support while You Christmas Shop. Last year I listed 142 businesses to shop. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be busily updating and adding even more shopping options for 2025! Why fight the lines and the traffic when you can curl up by the fire, shop online, and support your brothers and sisters in Christ?
If you know of a doctrinally sound Christian-owned business (they don’t have to sell Christian-themed items) you’d like to suggest for the list, please let me know (no MLMs like essential oils, Avon, Pampered Chef, etc., please). The business must have an online presence, and shoppers must be able to purchase gift items from the business’ site. If you were on the list last year, you’ll remain on this year’s list, so there’s no need to resubmit.
🎄December 1-24 – Merry Christmas!* I have so much to share with you that we’ll be going back to a 5 day per week blog schedule during the Christmas season! I’ll be featuring Christmas-themed articles – some old, some new, and, hopefully, some from you!
*I know there are a few of you who don’t like Christmas and don’t celebrate it for a variety of reasons. That is absolutely fine. You have the Christian liberty to do that and I’m not going to allow anyone on any of my platforms to judge you or cast aspersions on you for your choice… Please click here.
Got a Christmas-related question for The Mailbag? Comment below, or drop me a message on social media or via e-mail.
Were you saved at Christmas time or at a Christmas event? Did God answer a prayer, do something amazing in your life, or teach you something unforgettable during the Christmas season? How about writing it up for By the Word of Their Testimony? Drop me an e-mail and let’s chat about it.
Want to write a Christmas-related guest post? It would need to center on the Scriptures dealing with Jesus’ birth or discuss a “Christian living” type topic that has something to do with Christmas. (No anti-Christmas articles, please.) Drop me an e-mail and let’s chat about it.
(December is fast approaching, so keep in mind you’ll need to be able to write quickly.)
🎉 If Bible reading plans are your thing, ring in the New Year with my annual round up list! It’ll publish shortly after Christmas to give you plenty of time to consider your options and choose the plan that’s best for you so you can jump right in on January 1.
🎉 Between Christmas and New Year’s I’ll have some articles for you that look ahead to the new year. Then, depending on any holiday travel plans I might make, we should be back to a regular blog schedule sometime in early January.
Happy holidays – all of them!
Reformation Day is tomorrow, October 31.
Tomorrow is Reformation Day! Here are two great movies to show at your Reformation Day party or church fellowship. Or, just snuggle up on the couch and enjoy!
Get in the spirit with the wonderful Ligonier documentary, Luther: The Life and Legacy of the German Reformer.
Next up, here’s 1953’s Martin Luther.
