The Essence of Joy, another Celebrate Lit Book Review for you! I was given a copy to read so I could share my thoughts with you. I was pretty excited myself, about this one!
*Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure here.
About The Essence of Joy
Book Title: The Essence of Joy
Author: Lynn U. Watson
Release Date: October 12, 2017
Genre: Women’s Devotional; Women’s Inspiration; Christmas/Advent Devotional
It’s Christmas in March!
The scents of Christmas invite our imaginations into the holiday season. What emotions flood your heart when the holiday aromas waft your way?
Did you know:
- Many favorite holiday scents like cinnamon, citrus, and frankincense are found in the Bible?
- There is a rich heart connection attached to many of the plant essences found in Scripture?
- Myrrh is such an important essence, we can follow its trail from Genesis to Revelation with many significant stops along the way?
- Women of the Bible have personal encounters with God bringing aromas of His love and joy into their lives?
- Palm branches are an important part of Biblical celebrations beginning in Genesis and ending in the ultimate beach party around the Crystal Sea? (Christmas at the beach, anyone?)
In The Essence of Joy you’ll meet women of the Bible and contemporary women like you and me who will encourage you to discover the refreshing essence of a life lived in the presence of Jesus. Let JOY fill your heart with the aromas of His nativity.
Watch the book trailer here!
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Lynn Watson combines many years’ experience in women’s ministry, love of essential oils, and her passion for God’s word to bring her readers freshly inspired encouragement for their walk with Jesus. Her devotional, The Essence of Courage, was recognized as a ‘must read’ by regional publishing industry leaders. Married since 1973, Lynn and Steve have filled their Bartlett, Tennessee home with handmade treasures and lots of love for family, especially their five beautiful (of course) grandchildren. Aromas of freshly baked bread often fill Lynn’s kitchen. Jasmine, her tuxedo kitty, enjoys sleeping in Lynn’s lap while she writes.
Guest Post from Lynn Watson
A walk down memory lane on a snowy day (today) transported my thoughts to a Christmas shop our children and I visited every year. Open only for the holiday season, rich aromas reached out and drew you into this wonderland. The owners filled the space with unique treasures. A few we chose years ago remain prized member of my Christmas favorites close to four decades later.
My debut encounter with essential oils came many years later. I loved their aromas (including many of those Christmas scents) and studied their aromatic influences and potential benefits. Bible verses jumped to life in new ways. God created all plants and inspired the Biblical authors to include many. The desire to share my discoveries burned in my heart, until God finally released me to publish The Essence of Courage in December 2016. Before I completed the devotional based on Solomon’s locked garden in Song of Solomon 4:12-15, God reminded me just how many aromas and tastes of the Christmas season are found in the pages of His word, too.
Christmas, the Essence of Joy
Cinnamon, cedarwood, mint, citrus, myrrh, frankincense, rose, and figs are found in the pages of Scripture. So, are palms. They may not appear Christmasy unless you favor a tropical holiday, but they are an integral part of celebration in the Bible. The Essence of Joy offers discoveries of connections of all this plant life to Jesus’ nativity.
Looking back a dozen years to my first not-quite-inspired imaginings of a devotional book with aromatic offerings, I’m grateful God chose different timing. He presented me an unusual format for the collection. — one of those things easier experienced than explained. Contemporary women’s very real stories (fictionalized and often combined to create anonymity), stories from very real women living on the pages of Scripture, and a focused look at the botanical and its aromas, flavors, and essences as found in the Bible, are topped off with icing on the cake: ‘Fun Facts” and ‘Your Turn’ to invite the reader to more than read – to participate.
In The Essence of Joy you’ll encounter Scriptures in ways you had not considered before. Your faith will be enriched and stretched as you relate to the ancient women of the Bible and those that may be your next door neighbor today. You’ll be encouraged to breathe in the aromas of Jesus’ nativity, sample goodies from The Coffee Cottage’s specials of the day, and tune in to musical selections welcoming you into a posture of worship. I’m praying you are filled with His joy!
NOTE: Cinnamah-Brosia, the owner of The Coffee Cottage in the fictional stories asks readers at the very beginning of the book to be sure to read the introductory material. It helps set the stage for the book’s character and personality.
Other Great Devotionals:
- Leaving a Legacy of Faith as Christian Moms
- 21 Days of Joy
- The Best Devotionals for Women Who Love Christian Fiction
- But God (3 Devotionals on my 2 favorite words)
My Thoughts on the Essence of Joy
3 Comments on “The Essence of Joy: Practical, Festive and True!”
Sounds like a good read.
Hey Kim, thanks for commenting! 🙂
Christmas in March sounds like a fun way to mix things up.