Celebrating Christmas with Creative Art Journaling

Christmas is one the favorite times of year for those of us here at Bible Buying Guide (and I’m sure most of our readers as well).

It is a hectic time full of shopping, extra activities, and cooking special dishes. It is also a time to slow down and reflect on God’s miraculous gift of salvation that was made possible by His first coming to a manager years ago and then to look forward to His second coming with a renewed sense of hope and joy. This wonderful season of goodwill to all men frequently gives us opportunities to tell others about Christ that we don’t get the rest of the year. Taking time to read and meditate on God’s Word (and possibly journal in words or pictures) will help us stay calmer and able to give others the best this season has to offer.

To help you find verses quickly (especially if you are squeezing a few minutes of journaling in) here are a few good Christmas entries I found in the various creative art journaling Bibles.

Links in the main text are to our reviews of the Bibles where available. Some of the remaining links including those in the list at the end are affiliate links.

Old Testament

The Old Testament contains a lot of great verses prophesying the coming of Jesus, many of which of found in the book of Isaiah.

This illustrated version of the word Immanuel is found in the NLT Inspire Praise Bible next to Isaiah 7:14 where we are promised: “the Lord himself will give us a sign”.

The ESV Illuminated Bible, Art Journaling Edition has a beautiful version of Isaiah 9:6. This is one of my all-time favorite verses that is frequently found in Christmas verse lists.

The NIV Beautiful Word Bible and NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible both have a more Christmasy illustration for the first half of this powerful verse.

New Testament

The New Testament is of course where we look for the story of Christ’s birth. Matthew 1:23 (which refers back to Isaiah 7:14) is a frequently quoted verse from the account of Mary and Joseph being told of God’s plan.

Here it is illustrated in the NLT Inspire Large Print Bible.

And here’s another version found in the ESV My Creative Bible for Girls. I love the star ornaments on this and am planning to borrow the idea for a couple of other journal entries this December.

The Wise Men are many peoples favorite part of Matthew’s account of the Nativity. This illustration of them can be found in the MEV Promises of God Creative Journaling Bible.

And this version is found in the HCSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible with room under it for lettering a favorite verse or writing your thoughts.

The angel’s message of “good tidings of great joy” from Luke 2 is a verse that many who don’t attend church or only rarely go are still familiar with. The KJV My Promise Bible has this beautiful full page version of it.

I also found this simpler but still lovely version in the KJV My Creative Bible.

While John doesn’t contain the Nativity story it still has lots of powerful scriptures about why God came. This hand-lettered version of John 1:14 can be found in the ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal (available in a New Testament Set or individual books: review coming later this week)

More Resources

Often we want to journal on our own at that is great but if you find yourself wanting to connect with others for encouragement or inspiration here are a few places to look. Since this post is going up a little later than I originally intended all of these groups have already started their Christmas devotional and journaling programs but they are always glad to welcome newcomers at any point.

Jann Gray has a seasonal study workshop called An Uncommon Gift An Advent Journaling Series The focus of the series is a daily devotional (that will be sent to your email) and she shares her Bible journaling along with the devotional. Throughout the month there will also be special video tutorials and a unique set of Advent Click Prints that are available only to series participants. If you decide not to join the group other sets of Click Prints (traceable artwork with Christmas and other themes) are also available individually or by subscription on her website.

While not focused on art journaling She Reads Truth does great Bible studies that would give you lots of inspiration for your own Bible journaling. They have several ways for you to participate; downloading their app, participating online, receiving daily emails, or even purchasing a study book. Their 29-day plan titled “Advent 2018: Until the Son of God Appears” runs from 12/2/18 to 12/30/18 but they make it easy to start in the middle and go back and see the days you’ve missed if you want. They have a few advent products still available online but if you want the Advent study book you might need to check your local Lifeway bookstore.

The Illustrated Faith community is continuing to work through the 100 Days of Grace & Gratitude Devotional Journal over the Advent season. You can join in without the book and they always do a lot of sharing of ideas and artwork on Instagram and Facebook. They have journaling materials purchasable through Dayspring and the Illustrated Faith Print and Pray Shop has lots of beautiful Christmas themed printables to download including a few brought back from previous years. There’s even an Advent Freebie (pictured above) available from Illustrated Faith.

If you are looking for a slightly quieter place to share your work and be inspired check out the newly launched MyCreativeBible.com. Christian Art Gifts believes Bible journaling is about reading and studying the Word while creatively expressing your thoughts, prayers, and emotions through coloring, drawing, and writing. They started this website to be a place where you can share your Bible Journaling designs, ideas, and help grow God’s Kingdom.

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Do you have a different favorite Christmas passage? Have you done any Advent or Christmas entries you’d like to share? or found any pre-done artwork I missed you’d like other readers to know about? How do you fit time for Bible study and journaling into your December schedule? Let us know in the comments.

Whatever form it takes I hope all of you have enough chances to slow down and remember the real reason for the season. I wish all of you a blessed holiday season and a Merry Christmas.

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Links above are to our reviews for more information about the Bibles featured. Most of these Bibles should be available at your local Bible bookstore or at many online retailers. The following are affiliate links to find them on Amazon.