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In this special holiday edition, Leading Hearts explores the extraordinary miracles woven throughout the Christmas season—from the grand mystery of the Incarnation to the quiet wonders of everyday grace.

Discover heartwarming stories of God’s supernatural intervention: a desperate search for a lost rocking horse that ends in unexpected provision, a near-death experience that offers a breathtaking glimpse of heaven, and a chart-topping worship leader who found healing through song while caring for her dying father.

Beyond the glitter and pressure of Pinterest-perfect holidays, this issue invites you to experience the three-dimensional beauty of Christ’s presence. Learn how to pray your way through holiday heartbreak, walk alongside those struggling with depression, and transform your online presence into a mission field that reaches the world.

From practical wisdom on supporting the hurting to inspiring reminders that miracles surround us daily—in snowflakes, answered prayers, and divine appointments—this issue helps you reclaim the wonder of the season. Contributors share how prayer becomes the gift that keeps on giving, why curiosity and questions deepen rather than diminish faith, and how to find joy when grief threatens to overshadow celebration.

This is more than a magazine—it’s an invitation to slow down, look up, and remember that the same Jesus who arrived in a manger walks with you into every tomorrow. May you experience afresh the miracle that never grows old: Emmanuel, God with us.

Perfect for women seeking authentic faith, practical encouragement, and hope-filled inspiration during the most wonderful—and sometimes most difficult—time of the year.In This Issue

From the Heart

Publisher’s Letter: A Prayer of Blessing
Linda Evans Shepherd invites you to pause in the hushed wonder of Christmas, offering a heartfelt blessing for the season and the year ahead.

Editor’s Letter: Getting Beyond Pinterest Christmas
Amber Weigand-Buckley challenges us to experience the three-dimensional beauty of the season rather than getting trapped in one-dimensional perfection.

Faith & Wonder

Expect the Wonder
Joy Dunlap reminds us that miracles happen all around us—from snowflakes to divine encounters—when we cultivate anticipation and awe.

The Symphony and the Sears Wishbook of Dreams
Amber Weigand-Buckley shares seven ways to unwrap the presents in God’s presence, discovering wonder in everyday life.

The Gift That Can’t Stay Wrapped
Janet McHenry reveals how prayer is the greatest gift we can give—one that keeps giving to both the recipient and the giver, bringing us into God’s nearness, perspective, peace, and partnership.

Glimpse into Glory
Pam Farrel shares her miraculous near-death experience during a medical crisis, offering a stunning glimpse of heaven and the peace that sustained both her and her husband through the impossible.

Stories of Miracles

The Rocking Horse Miracle
Penelope Carlevato tells the heartwarming story of how a garage sale mistake became a Christmas miracle, reminding us that God restores what was lost.

Singing Through the Struggle
Jamie MacDonald’s journey from caregiver to chart-topping Christian artist reveals how music became medicine and worship became healing.

Praying Your Way Out of the Holiday Blues
Linda Evans Shepherd offers prayer strategies for those facing heartbreak during the holidays, sharing from her own journey of loss and God’s faithful comfort.

Navigating the Season

The Silent Struggle of the Holidays: 7 Ways to Help the Hurting
Dr. Michelle Bengtson provides practical do’s and don’ts for walking alongside someone battling depression during Christmas.

From Receipt Chaos to Christmas Joy
Rhonda Rhea turns the mundane frustration of shopping receipts into a joyful reminder of the eternal “receipt” we have in Christ—the proof of purchase that never expires.

Ministry & Purpose

The Miracle of Online Ministry: Embracing Your Call as a Media Missionary
Edie Melson challenges us to see social media not as a burden but as an unprecedented mission field where we can reach the world from our kitchen tables.

Featured Contributors: Linda Evans Shepherd, Amber Weigand-Buckley, Janet McHenry, Pam Farrel, Joy Dunlap, Penelope Carlevato, Dr. Michelle Bengtson, Rhonda Rhea, Edie Melson, Cynthia L. Simmons, and Jennifer Taylor