Has Christmas Started to Feel... Too Familiar?
I think one of the greatest dangers of Christmas isn't that we're too busy.
It's that we've heard the story so many times, we stop letting it change us.
We know the names. We know the manger. We know the shepherds and the wise men. But what if we slowed down long enough to see the people behind the story and the God who was working through every moment?
What if Mary's humility, Joseph's obedience, the shepherds' praise, and the wise men's belief weren't just part of the Christmas story... but an invitation for our own lives?
And what if, through it all, we were reminded that God still sees us, hears us, has a plan, guides our steps, uses ordinary people, and His timing is still perfect?
That's my prayer for this year's Artistic Advent.
Not that we'll simply remember the Christmas story... But that we'll let the character of Christmas become part of our own.
I can't wait to create with you.
Kim
What Will The Character of Christmas Do for You?
Shape your character—not just your December
Explore humility, selflessness, purpose, obedience, praise, and belief through the people God chose to be part of the Christmas story—and consider what their examples can teach you about the person you want to become.
See the Christmas story as an example for your own walk
Move beyond simply knowing what happened and begin asking what it means for you. What can Mary's obedience teach you about saying yes? What does belief look like when you don't have all the answers? How can praise, humility, and purpose become part of your everyday faith?
Create your response to God's Word
Learn inspiring mixed media techniques from Christian artists as you turn what you're reading, noticing, and learning into meaningful journal pages. The goal isn't simply to make Christmas art—it's to creatively respond to what God is showing you through His Word.
Know His character so you can trust Him more
The Christmas story reveals a God who sees and hears His people, has a plan, guides, does the impossible, uses the ordinary, and works in His perfect timing. Explore what those truths meant then, and what they mean when you're trusting Him with your own life today.
Leave with a record of what God taught you
Your handmade Advent journal will hold more than twelve pieces of artwork. Page by page, it will become a record of the truths that challenged you, encouraged you, and reminded you of who God is and who you want to be in response to Him.
Carry the character of Christmas into the other 364 days
Christmas gives us more than a beautiful story to celebrate once a year. It gives us examples to follow, truths to hold onto, and a Savior whose coming changes the way we live. Return to these lessons whenever you need the reminder: Christmas isn't just a season we celebrate. It's a story we get to live in response to.
Here are just a few techniques you’ll learn in this course:
You don’t need to be an experienced artist to join us! This course is all about simple, approachable techniques that make Scripture come alive on the page. With step-by-step guidance, you’ll discover new ways to create, play, and express your faith through art journaling.
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Simple starts: creating templates and collage pieces to build your pages
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Adding texture & depth: stenciling, layering watercolor, and color mixing
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Creative backgrounds: using oil pastel resist, acrylic with gesso, and “push-back” negative space painting
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Interactive elements: adding tags, texture, hidden journaling, and accordion folds
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Mixed media explorations: India ink washes, Mod Podge layering (and fixing mistakes), and textile or collage accents
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Special touches: faux postage stamps, embossing powders, image transfers, and creative use of paint pens
Discover the Character of Christmas.
A creative journey through the people, the promises, and the character of God revealed in the Christmas story.
$ 37 early bird pricing $67
Register HereABOUT THIS COURSE
Christmas is a story many of us have heard our entire lives. We know the manger, the shepherds, the angels and the wise men. We know Mary said yes. We know Joseph stayed. We know the baby in the manger is Jesus.
But there is still so much here to notice.
Artistic Advent 2026: The Character of Christmas is a 12-lesson faith-filled art journaling journey that invites you to slow down and look at the Christmas story through a slightly different lens.
Together, we'll explore the character of the people God chose to be part of this incredible story - humility, selflessness, purpose, obedience, praise and belief - and then turn our attention toward what Christmas reveals about the character of God.
He hears and sees us. He has a plan. He will guide us. He makes the impossible possible. He uses the ordinary. His timing is perfect.
Seven teachers will bring these themes to life through their own creative styles, Scripture, stories and art journaling. You'll also receive a bonus journal-making and cover-painting lesson, along with The Character of Christmas handbook to help you dig deeper, reflect and make this journey your own.
This isn't about adding one more thing to your Christmas to-do list.
It's an invitation to spend a little time with a familiar story and discover that maybe there is still something new waiting for you there.
Don't just remember Christmas. Let it change you.
Christmas reveals God's character so it can shape ours.
Be A Part of Artistic Advent Today
Details of Course:
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Immediate access to welcome and bonus materials.
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Full Course Access begins November 3rd, 2026
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You'll find the course in your personal library on KimPepper.com, once you sign up and log in.
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This opportunity to purchase this course goes in the "vault" December 3, 2026, so grab it while you can (once you buy, you'll have lifetime access)
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Lessons: 12 faith art journaling lessons.
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BONUS journal creation lesson
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BONUS printable Companion Journal for additional study
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Approximately 7 hours of video lesson content
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Exclusive Downloads
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Course Community
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$67 $37 (early bird pricing) Course Fee
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Multiple instructors, meet them below!
Meet Your Teachers
I encourage you to go follow them on social media and bring some holiday cheer to your scrolling!
Caroline Stoltzfus
Caroline is a Biblical soul care coach, Bible teacher, and artist who loves helping women experience the renewing work of God in everyday life. She believes creativity offers a space to process, reflect, and meditate on the truths of God's Word. Whether she's teaching the Bible, coaching women or sharing a creative project, her hope is that every woman feels welcomed, encouraged, and inspired to abide more deeply in Christ.
Christine Durrant
Christine gives pre-loved bibles a new lease of life by hand-painting the covers, making them a joy to own. She loves the idea of a bible carrying on its journey and enhancing a new life. She also creates bold vibrant fine art, concentrating mainly on florals, finding beauty from God's creation.
Jenna Burne
Jenna lives in Stroud, UK, and is passionate about helping people encounter God through mixed media art journaling. She teaches at retreat centres, in schools, churches, festivals, and events, and also online through Youtube and her online course, Wild Art, Deep Faith.
Kim Pepper
Kim Pepper is a faith artist, teacher, and the founder of Kim Pepper Creative, where she helps women deepen their relationship with God through art journaling, mixed media, and creative Bible study. After years as a successful DIY and home décor creator, Kim discovered that creativity could become an act of worship, and she's been inviting women into that journey ever since. Through online courses, workshops, and the Creative Faith Club, she encourages women to slow down, notice God's presence, and create with purpose. Kim lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband, Ladd, and her three children, Mae, Hank, and Sadler.
Maria Lyons
Maria is a follower of Christ, wife, mother, and faith based junk-journaler. She created Prayers on Paper with the goal of helping women slow down and connect with Jesus through creative journaling. Her desire is to encourage women to invite Him into every corner of their hearts, allowing God to renew their minds, refresh their spirits, and gently transform the way they live and serve.
Rhonda Elder
Rhonda Elder is a Texas girl who wears the joy of Jesus with a big smile. She adores family gatherings and creating. Her favorite form of learning God's word is listening hard, note taking, pondering and journaling with collage and paint. She has led women's ministries for over 40 years. During that season she has written Bible studies, illustrated books, photographed magazine covers, as well as hosted retreats. She draws inspiration from God's little wonders in His beauty. She also enjoys teaching the word of God or art at women's events. Her life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 because trusting God is vital in her spiritual walk.
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman is an artist and creative mentor who encourages women to embrace their God-given gift of creativity as a meaningful form of self-care. She believes creativity can be more than something we make—it can be a way to navigate the emotions of everyday life. Through her creative classes in My Art Sisters, podcast, and the Tiny Village Post mail club, she helps women slow down, manage emotions, ease everyday stress, and create space for reflection, encouragement, and connection with God.
Do I need any prior experience?
Will my journal look the same as the one in the course?
What materials will I need?
What Is Faith Journaling?
When does the course start?
What is The Character of Christmas handbook?
How Do I Access The Course?
Are There Additional Fees?
Do I have to make the journal shown in the course?
Is this a Bible study or an art course?
Additional FAQ'S
COME CREATE CHRISTMAS WITH US
You already know the Christmas story.
But maybe this is the year to slow down and really see it.
To notice Mary's obedience. The praise of the angels. The belief of those who followed. The ordinary people God chose for an extraordinary story.
And through all of it, to notice Him.
The God who sees. The God who guides. The God who has a plan. The God who does the impossible, uses ordinary people and is never late.
Gather your paint, paper, favorite supplies and an expectant heart.
Join us for Artistic Advent 2026: The Character of Christmas.
Don't just remember Christmas. Let it change you.
Join Artistic Advent