The Advent Jesus Challenge: Your Peaceful Alternative to the Stressful Holiday Rut
I’m very excited to announce: the Advent Jesus Challenge is officially here and open for registration! 🥳
Starting on December 1st, this limited-edition Advent challenge adds a special twist on our traditional Jesus Challenge. It’s designed to practically help you break away from the stress and overwhelm of the holidays and settle into a soul-nourishing, authentic, intimate experience with Jesus Christ.
While Christmas is a special time, it’s also the time when our relationship with Jesus gets moved to the back burner to make room for, well... everything and everyone else.
(Sound like a familiar Bethlehem birth story? 🫣)
It’s no secret we quickly pack our schedules with shopping, wrapping, concerts, baking, Christmas light shows, and a fair amount of panicking in between (just me?).
And while you’ve taken the family to see three live nativities, it settles weird in your soul that you’ve barely spent any time with Jesus Himself.
All those carols talk about a peaceful, stress-free Christmas. If only that were real life.
💭 Frosty mornings and silent evenings relishing God’s welcoming presence.
💭 Hands wrapped around a warm mug, free and unburdened to really hear God speak.
💭 Consistent time alone to detox your mind from all the craziness.
But all our desires screech to a halt at the same question: HOW?? 🤷
Well, my friend. THIS YEAR, we figured it out!
I specifically designed the virtual Advent Jesus Challenge for busy, overcommitted people just like you and me! It’s simple, completely doable with a busy December schedule, and it feeds your soul real meat from God’s Word.
✅ This is the year you prove and model to your family that your cute Christmas decor is true: Jesus really IS the whole reason for this season.
✅ This is the year God guards your heart in perfect peace as you steep your soul in intimacy with Jesus.
✅ This is the year you don’t miss Him in the throngs of activity and people.
Let’s get into the details! 👇
How Does the Advent Jesus Challenge Work?
The beauty of the Advent Jesus Challenge is its simplicity, so you won’t abandon it by December 6th. 😅
Starting on December 1st until Christmas Day, you will:
-
Walk or run one mile. You can do this outside in the fresh, crunchy snow or on an indoor treadmill or track. And if you’re a busy mom like me, sometimes it looks like putting on fuzzy socks and dodging Legos down the hallways of your house. The goal is to move your body with intention and create space to hear God.
-
Read a passage of Scripture during your walk. To avoid the extra mental load none of us need this season, these passages are pre-assigned and short. They focus entirely on the Christmas story and the life of Jesus.
-
Complete one intentional challenge to apply what you read. This small but mighty step is the key to translating Scripture into your everyday life. The challenges are simple, practical, and not cheesy.
Who Is The Advent Challenge For?
It’s for busy, real-life humans like you and me who don’t have the margin to add stress to their season, but who crave a truly meaningful Christmas with Jesus.
This virtual Advent Jesus Challenge is for you if you:
-
Long for intimacy with Jesus, but your calendar and commitments always get in the way.
-
Want to slow down this Christmas and focus on a heart-level connection with Jesus.
-
Desire a shared family experience where your kids can grow in their love for God alongside you.
-
Need a simple, practical Bible study tool, not another lecture or all-consuming devotional.
-
Want to feel better in your body by losing weight, strengthening your heart, and helping your joints move without pain.
-
Aren’t a believer OR have walked with God for years! No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, this challenge helps you reach a new spiritual depth.
How Much Time Does The Advent Jesus Challenge Take?
Ah, the question I know you’ve been wondering.
The answer varies depending on your walking or running speed, but a typical 1-mile walk takes 20 minutes.
If your immediate thought is, “Oh, I don’t have 20 minutes to give everyday," then I say this lovingly: you might just need this intentional time with Jesus more than anyone. 🫶
Consider some of these options:
-
Waking up 20 minutes earlier
-
Swapping out screen time for the Advent Jesus Challenge
-
Blocking out 20 minutes in your calendar and protecting that time like it’s a PTA meeting
-
Turning your phone on do not disturb
-
Asking a friend to hold you accountable
Is This Advent Challenge Worth Your Time and Effort?
At the end of the day, there will always, ALWAYS be a reason to not spend time with the Lord.
But God does NOT motivate through guilt or shame! 🙅🏻 He motivates us by opening our eyes to see His worthiness and glory.
He is WORTHY of every minute of our days.
🤲 He is worthy of saying "No," even to family events.
🤲 He is worthy of losing sleep.
🤲 He is worthy of sacrificing morning coffee runs.
🤲 He is worthy of leaving the house a mess.
🤲 He is worthy of discomfort.
I encourage you to ask God to open your eyes to see Him as He truly is. And when He reveals Himself to you, you won’t want to do anything BUT relish His presence. 🥹 That's a guarantee.
If you’re struggling to decide whether your committed time with Jesus is worth it, honestly ask yourself, which would you rather experience this Christmas season:
-
Scramble to find Instagram-worthy decor OR nurture your heart in gratitude and awe of Christ’s presence?
-
Stress over cooking holiday meals OR savor quiet, intentional minutes with Jesus and join the family grounded and joyful instead of drained?
-
Stand in crowded lines at the mall OR let God’s Word quiet your mind and frazzled nerves?
-
Juggle an overcommitted calendar OR enjoy freedom and peace from all the hubbub by prioritizing what matters most?
-
Rehash family tensions OR fill your tank with the fruit of the Spirit, responding with patience, gentleness, and lightheartedness?
Each “sacrifice” of your typical holiday opens up tangible closeness in your relationship with Jesus this Christmas.
Breaking out of the cultural and traditional mold requires courage and commitment. And when you boldly obey what God says and prioritize Jesus FIRST, it changes the whole pattern and sets a new tone for you, your family, and your community.
What Are the Benefits for Me and My Family?
There are tons of advent devos out there, and you don’t have time or energy to waste on something that’s not legitimately helpful. You need to know exactly what to expect from this virtual Advent Jesus Challenge.
Here are some real, tangible benefits you’ll notice when you take this journey:
-
Draw closer to God every day. As you spend intentional, focused time in God’s Word, you’ll notice His presence and guidance stabilizing you in the holiday chaos.
-
Model prioritizing God and health for your family. Actions speak louder than words, and this is your chance to teach your kids how to practically keep God as the #1 priority.
-
Reduce stress. That daily mile and Scripture reading serve as a mind, heart, and body reset that impacts your whole family.
-
Create meaningful family conversations and experiences. Walking, talking, and reflecting on God’s Word together builds core memories and traditions your little ones will carry with them the rest of their lives.
-
Build a steady habit of time with God. After 25 days, your body and spirit get used to this rhythm, and you won’t want to go back!
This Advent Jesus Challenge breaks you out of the typical holiday rut you see everyone stuck in to make space for the only One that really matters. And it leads to a harvest of immeasurable joy and depth with the Lord and your loved ones. 🫂
What’s Included in the Advent Jesus Challenge Kit?
Ok, let’s talk about the goodies that make this challenge extra special! I want to make your experience fun and festive! 🎉
Here’s what comes with your limited-edition 2025 Advent Challenge kit:
-
Custom 2025 Forty Forty Challenge Advent Ornament 🎄 – Hang it on the tree as a daily reminder to stop what you’re doing and spend time with Jesus.
-
25 Tear-Off Sticky Notes 📝 – One for every day of the challenge, featuring your Scripture passage, the mini-challenge, and a mile tracker for your walk.
-
Cozy Forty Forty Challenge Beanie ❄️ – This extra special treat keeps your ears warm and comfortable while you crunch around in the cool weather.
-
Bookmark 🔖 – Helps keep your place in Scripture or in your journal.
-
Printable Journal PDF ✍️ – Extra space if you want to jot down more thoughts or prayers
Will You Break Out of the Rut and Join the Advent Jesus Challenge?
You’ve seen plenty of Advent devotionals and Bible studies. So why this one? What sets it apart?
Well, the Advent Jesus Challenge is MUCH simpler and more feasible than most devos you’ll find. It also gets you moving regularly, highlighting physical health as an act of worship alongside your spiritual growth.
Here are a few other distinct elements:
-
It’s designed for busy people, giving you a tangible experience of Christ without unrealistic expectations.
-
It’s fully guided. Every day is prepared for you, and you never have to flounder for the next step.
-
It’s family-friendly, the perfect activity to invite your spouse, kids, and friends to join you.
-
It runs on grace. If you miss a day, that’s ok! We all do. Just hop back in it the next day and release that perfectionist mindset.
-
You’re not alone. The Advent Jesus Challenge comes with a built-in community: a vibrant, active Facebook community of other people just like you completing the challenge and encouraging each other every step of the way.
So it’s up to you! 🫵 Will this Christmas be a deep, meaningful experience with God, or will it slip back into the usual pattern of busyness and overwhelming activity?
Remember, this is a limited-edition Jesus challenge. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. So grab your kit today, snag one for someone else (they make GREAT early Christmas presents!), and join us virtually on December 1st.
I’m excited to see a Christ-focused Christmas spring up all across our country this year!