Hey there! I’m Alicia Hunter, one of your study leaders, and I can’t wait to start Week 2 with you.

I LOVE the Christmas season –– time with family, baking cookies, singing carols, snow in the forecast, decorating the tree, finding THE perfect gift. But if I’m honest, all of that also causes me STRESS, and I end up burning my proverbial Yankee "Christmas Cookie" Candle at both ends. I can feel utterly exhausted heading into the home stretch of the Christmas season! Do you know what I mean?

In this week’s video, Melissa Taylor and Kendra Schwarz talk with Max Lucado about dealing with anxiety on a daily basis and what the Christmas story has to stay about it. Let’s see what they have to say.

Need instructions to access closed captioning or the video transcript? No problem!

Wow! That was so good.

As we dig in further this week, we're going to be learning that when we feel anxious or even like everything is falling apart, it’s never too late to turn to God for help. But before we start reading chapters 4-6, let’s talk about our study resources.

Memory Verse:
If we want peace in the midst of chaos, we’ve got to tuck God’s Word in our hearts and minds, so let’s get to memorizing this week’s memory verse:

“Because there were no rooms left in the inn, she wrapped the baby with pieces of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough.” Luke 2:7 (NCV)

Study at a Glance:
It’s a planning girl’s dream! The Study at a Glance is a calendar of events - blog posts, videos, OBS Today –– basically everything needed to keep you on track for the study. If you haven’t already, be sure to download this helpful resource and refer to it often.

STUDY AT A GLANCE

Let’s have a great week!
Alicia

Let’s Chat:

Memorizing Scripture helps us stay calm in stressful situations. How are you hiding this week’s verse in your heart? Share your favorite way to remember Scripture in the comments below so we can all learn from each other.

Giveaway!
All comments on this week’s blogs will enter you for a chance to win an exciting study bundle of books and DVDs –– Made to Crave, I Know His Name, I Know His Name (DVD), and Seamless. ONE Winner will be selected and notified next Monday (November 25) via a reply to their comment.