December 17, 2025 • 5 mins
Christmas moves quickly — even sacred moments can pass by unnoticed. In today’s Commonplace Minute: Christmas Edition, we pause for a gentle reflection inspired by Luke 2:19, where Mary treasures and ponders the quiet moments of Christ’s birth. You’ll learn: What a commonplace book is How reflection helps us notice what truly matters One simple journaling prompt you can use this Christmas This short episode is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and keep the words and moments you don’t want to forget. ✨ Take one quiet minute. 📓 Write what matters. 🎄 Treasure the season.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast
Slow Beauty, Skincare and Self Care for Women forty plus. Hi,
I'm Carrie Sharf, your host. Today, we're diving into some
really thoughtful topics that aim to inspire and uplift you.
We'll start by exploring the concept of a commonplace book
and why it could be a meaningful addition to your life.
Then I'll share some words that you might want to
(00:24):
jot down yourself. After that, we'll reflect on the beautiful
act of treasuring moments, much like what Mary did in
her own special way. And since it's the holiday season,
I'll also provide a gentle writing prompt to help you
cherish this time even more. Finally, we'll wrap up with
some closing thoughts on noticing those quiet gifts from God.
So stay tuned you won't want to miss it. So
(00:49):
let's start by talking about something called a commonplace book.
You might be wondering what exactly is that. Well, a
commonplace book isn't a diary or a journal where you
re cord daily events or emotions. Instead, it's a collection
of meaningful things that you come across in your life.
Think of it as a personal anthology of ideas, quotes, scriptures, prayers,
(01:10):
or any sentences that really resonate with you. It's about
gathering those nuggets of wisdom that strike a chord with
your spirit. For instance, you might jot down a beautiful
scripture passage that brought you peace, a quote that challenged
your thinking, a prayer that you found particularly moving, or
even just a sentence that captured a moment perfectly. Essentially,
it's about putting a little bit of intention behind noticing
(01:32):
and keeping those small but significant moments. During this Christmas season,
it's especially important to pay attention to those precious times
and thoughts. As we go through the hustle and bustle,
remember to pause and make note of what truly touches
your heart. Trust me, you'll find these collections to be
incredibly enriching, serving as reminders of what matters most now.
(01:53):
I encourage you to take a moment to write down
a verse, or even just a single word that feels
significant to you. For example, from Luke chapter two, verse nineteen,
we read, but Mary treasured up all these things and
pondered them in her heart. Let's focus on those keywords treasured, pondered, heart.
Each of these words carry so much depth and meaning.
(02:15):
Treasured speaks to the value we place on special moments
and thoughts pondered suggests. Taking the time to reflect and
meditate on those treasures and heart reminds us of where
we store these invaluable treasures. Even writing one word that
resonates with you can be enough to capture its essence
and keep it close. So take a moment today to
(02:36):
jot down that word or verse that stands out to you.
You'll be surprised at how powerful this simple act can be. Now,
let's transition to a powerful act that is often overlooked, reflection.
I want to share how Mary, instead of rushing to
explain her experiences, chose to pause and reflect. There's something
deeply meaningful in holding moments gently and truly paying attention
(02:58):
to them. When we take the time to reflect, we
allow these moments to form us quietly and deeply. Reflection
is God's way of shaping us through the ordinary, everyday
moments that we might otherwise rush through. It's about being
present in the here and now and letting those small
but significant moments sink into our hearts. This Christmas season,
(03:21):
I invite you to consider the moments you are being
invited to treasure. Are there experiences, words, or even silences
that you feel called to hold on to a little longer.
Maybe it's a conversation with a loved one, a serene
walk in nature, or a simple act of kindness you've witnessed.
Take a moment to reflect and identify these treasures in
your life. By doing so, you allow these precious moments
(03:44):
to shape and enrich you in ways that are often
beyond immediate understanding. And now I have a gentle prompt
for you to engage with the spirit of this holiday season.
Grab a pen and a piece of paper, or even
just the notesapp on your phone, and write down one
simple line this Christmas I want to remember. Allow yourself
to jot down whatever comes to mind. It doesn't have
(04:06):
to be a complete sentence or a fully formed thought.
It could be a feeling, a prayer, or even a
small moment you want to hold on. To keep it
simple and open, Remember everything you write down belongs and
holds value. There are no wrong answers here, only personal
truths that will help you savor this special time of year.
By allowing yourself to capture these fleeting thoughts, you're giving
(04:28):
them space to grow and enrich your experience of the season.
As we wind down today's episode, let's take a moment
to appreciate the quiet gifts from God that we often overlook.
These subtle, yet profound moments are scattered throughout our days,
waiting to be noticed and treasured. It's in these small,
seemingly insignificant instances that we often find the deepest sense
(04:49):
of peace and connection. I encourage you to take these
gifts as they come, without the need for explanation or justification.
Allow them to touch your heart and shape your spirit
in their own unique way. If you've enjoyed today's discussion
and found it meaningful, consider subscribing to our Slow Beauty,
Skincare and Self Care for Women forty plus newsletter to
(05:11):
stay updated with inspiring content and thoughtful reflections. You won't
want to miss future issues filled with more insights and
prompts to enrich your life. Thank you for joining me today.
I'm Carrie Sharp and it's been a pleasure sharing these
moments with you. Until next time, keep cherishing those quiet
gifts and take care of yourselves. Goodbye for now.
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast
Slow Beauty, Skincare and Self Care for Women forty plus. Hi,
I'm Carrie Sharf, your host. Today, we're diving into some
really thoughtful topics that aim to inspire and uplift you.
We'll start by exploring the concept of a commonplace book
and why it could be a meaningful addition to your life.
Then I'll share some words that you might want to
(00:24):
jot down yourself. After that, we'll reflect on the beautiful
act of treasuring moments, much like what Mary did in
her own special way. And since it's the holiday season,
I'll also provide a gentle writing prompt to help you
cherish this time even more. Finally, we'll wrap up with
some closing thoughts on noticing those quiet gifts from God.
So stay tuned you won't want to miss it. So
(00:49):
let's start by talking about something called a commonplace book.
You might be wondering what exactly is that. Well, a
commonplace book isn't a diary or a journal where you
re cord daily events or emotions. Instead, it's a collection
of meaningful things that you come across in your life.
Think of it as a personal anthology of ideas, quotes, scriptures, prayers,
(01:10):
or any sentences that really resonate with you. It's about
gathering those nuggets of wisdom that strike a chord with
your spirit. For instance, you might jot down a beautiful
scripture passage that brought you peace, a quote that challenged
your thinking, a prayer that you found particularly moving, or
even just a sentence that captured a moment perfectly. Essentially,
it's about putting a little bit of intention behind noticing
(01:32):
and keeping those small but significant moments. During this Christmas season,
it's especially important to pay attention to those precious times
and thoughts. As we go through the hustle and bustle,
remember to pause and make note of what truly touches
your heart. Trust me, you'll find these collections to be
incredibly enriching, serving as reminders of what matters most now.
(01:53):
I encourage you to take a moment to write down
a verse, or even just a single word that feels
significant to you. For example, from Luke chapter two, verse nineteen,
we read, but Mary treasured up all these things and
pondered them in her heart. Let's focus on those keywords treasured, pondered, heart.
Each of these words carry so much depth and meaning.
(02:15):
Treasured speaks to the value we place on special moments
and thoughts pondered suggests. Taking the time to reflect and
meditate on those treasures and heart reminds us of where
we store these invaluable treasures. Even writing one word that
resonates with you can be enough to capture its essence
and keep it close. So take a moment today to
(02:36):
jot down that word or verse that stands out to you.
You'll be surprised at how powerful this simple act can be. Now,
let's transition to a powerful act that is often overlooked, reflection.
I want to share how Mary, instead of rushing to
explain her experiences, chose to pause and reflect. There's something
deeply meaningful in holding moments gently and truly paying attention
(02:58):
to them. When we take the time to reflect, we
allow these moments to form us quietly and deeply. Reflection
is God's way of shaping us through the ordinary, everyday
moments that we might otherwise rush through. It's about being
present in the here and now and letting those small
but significant moments sink into our hearts. This Christmas season,
(03:21):
I invite you to consider the moments you are being
invited to treasure. Are there experiences, words, or even silences
that you feel called to hold on to a little longer.
Maybe it's a conversation with a loved one, a serene
walk in nature, or a simple act of kindness you've witnessed.
Take a moment to reflect and identify these treasures in
your life. By doing so, you allow these precious moments
(03:44):
to shape and enrich you in ways that are often
beyond immediate understanding. And now I have a gentle prompt
for you to engage with the spirit of this holiday season.
Grab a pen and a piece of paper, or even
just the notesapp on your phone, and write down one
simple line this Christmas I want to remember. Allow yourself
to jot down whatever comes to mind. It doesn't have
(04:06):
to be a complete sentence or a fully formed thought.
It could be a feeling, a prayer, or even a
small moment you want to hold on. To keep it
simple and open, Remember everything you write down belongs and
holds value. There are no wrong answers here, only personal
truths that will help you savor this special time of year.
By allowing yourself to capture these fleeting thoughts, you're giving
(04:28):
them space to grow and enrich your experience of the season.
As we wind down today's episode, let's take a moment
to appreciate the quiet gifts from God that we often overlook.
These subtle, yet profound moments are scattered throughout our days,
waiting to be noticed and treasured. It's in these small,
seemingly insignificant instances that we often find the deepest sense
(04:49):
of peace and connection. I encourage you to take these
gifts as they come, without the need for explanation or justification.
Allow them to touch your heart and shape your spirit
in their own unique way. If you've enjoyed today's discussion
and found it meaningful, consider subscribing to our Slow Beauty,
Skincare and Self Care for Women forty plus newsletter to
(05:11):
stay updated with inspiring content and thoughtful reflections. You won't
want to miss future issues filled with more insights and
prompts to enrich your life. Thank you for joining me today.
I'm Carrie Sharp and it's been a pleasure sharing these
moments with you. Until next time, keep cherishing those quiet
gifts and take care of yourselves. Goodbye for now.
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