Stephanie Rousselle welcomes Lanier Ivester, who embraces life's imperfections to illuminate the beauty of Advent and Christmas. Lanier’s book, "Glad and Golden Hours," invites us to cultivate joy amid sorrow and approach the holiday season with authenticity and grace. By intertwining sensory and spiritual experiences—much like savoring genuine Madagascar Bourbon vanilla—Lanier’s book encourages readers to experience God's goodness through all senses, a practice embedded in her Advent essays.

Advent is a powerful reminder of three "advents": the historical arrival of Christ, His anticipated future return, and His everyday presence in believers' lives. It’s like a delicious cake baking, where the scent alone offers a taste of the joy to come. Advent thus becomes a time not just for reflection, but for anticipating the sweetness of God's promises, even amidst trials.

Lanier introduces the concept of "otium sanctum," or holy leisure, contrasting sharply with the hustle of the typical American lifestyle. By starting the season from a place of acceptance and prioritizing peace, this practice encourages a restful approach to Christmas, embracing a peaceful, sufficient state of existence amidst the chaos.

Through her writing and stories, Lanier has struck a chord with readers from varying backgrounds, resonating deeply with those who've had mixed experiences with Christmas traditions. She encourages readers to adopt meaningful traditions, finding joy and purpose despite previous disappointments, fostering a richer connection to the season.

Grief is the 'great equalizer.' Whether rooted in sudden loss or extended heartache, grief opens a space for deeper intimacy with God. Lanier has navigated personal tragedies, from infertility to family losses, through a truth-centered approach that acknowledges both sorrow and joy, creating an authentic reflection of the Advent season. Lanier learned invaluable lessons about imperfection, and how God meets us in our grief, with the hope of reuniting with loved ones bringing comfort. Lanier’s mother, a beacon of easygoing hospitality, taught her the essence of prioritizing people over perfection—a theme woven into her approach to Christmas.

In this episode, you will experience…

• Living Advent: Lanier dives into Advent as not just a season, but an experience—a time to embrace the historical, present, and future presence of Christ, much like the irresistible scent of a cake baking in the oven.
• Holy Leisure: Ever heard of "otium sanctum"? It's all about finding a peaceful, restful state during the bustling Christmas season. Lanier shares tips on how to set priorities and create a calm oasis amidst the chaos.
• Joy amidst Grief: Lanier opens up about how grief, from infertility to family losses, has deepened her intimacy with God. She brings light to finding beauty and sufficiency in Christ, even in the darkest times.
• Embracing Imperfections: Perfectionists, rejoice! Lanier recounts tales of holiday mishaps, including a high school Christmas craft disaster, and how they taught her the true spirit of hospitality.
• Tradition and Memory: Dive into how Lanier finds solace in memory and tradition, exemplified by her mother’s dining room table—a symbol of love and the Lord’s hospitality.

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You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

Let’s begin.

THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE

Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

So, let’s get started.

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