Christmas in July is over, but a quiet church in Copenhagen reminded me what Christmas is really about

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Christmas in July... and a Quiet Reminder of Christ

As “Christmas in July” wrapped up—with all the feel-good chick-flicks and snow-covered love stories—I found myself reflecting on the true spirit of Christmas.

Over the years, as we’ve traveled with our kids across different countries, we’ve visited churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples. And while each faith and culture has its unique expressions of devotion, there’s one beautiful common thread: people gathering to worship something bigger than themselves.

Whether through whispered prayers, sacred music, incense, or silence, reverence fills these spaces. There's a sacred stillness in all of them—a feeling that connects humanity across borders and beliefs.

As a Christian, I’ve had the privilege of visiting many historic places of worship—from the Basílica de Guadalupe in Mexico City to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, from the majestic Salt Lake Temple to countless cathedrals across Europe. One thing I’ve often noticed is how Christ is most frequently depicted on the cross—a powerful and somber symbol of His suffering and sacrifice.

But there’s a small church in Copenhagen, Denmark that captured my heart for a different reason.

The Church of Our Lady

A beautiful little church, known locally as Vor Frue Kirke, was on my travel bucket list because it houses the stunning marble statues of Christ and His apostles, sculpted by the famous Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen.

When we visited, we arrived at just the right time—no tour groups, just my husband, our kids, and a quiet, sacred stillness. The peace was palpable.

Each apostle is portrayed with incredible detail, representing their stories from the Bible. But what took my breath away was Thorvaldsen’s statue of the Christus.

Unlike many other representations—where Christ is either crucified or standing in authority—this Christus is resurrected, standing with open arms, gently inviting and ready to receive anyone who comes to Him. https://www.domkirken.dk/

A Toddler’s Embrace

Years ago, my mother had a small replica of this Christus statue in her home. She kept it in a spot low enough, that it could be reached by little hands. One day, when my daughter was about two years old, she saw the statue, arms extended toward her... and she walked over and hugged it.

That moment has stayed with me for years.
It was so simple. So pure.
And to me, so symbolic of the message of Christmas—a God who reaches for us, and a child who embraces Him back.

Whether it’s July or December, Christ is the reason for the season. And this magnificent statue in Copenhagen reminded me that His arms are always open—inviting, not imposing; loving, not demanding.

That’s the image I carry with me.
That’s the spirit of Christmas I want to hold onto—all year long.

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Copenhagen, Denmark – A Surprisingly Sensory-Friendly Gem

Denmark is such a beautiful place, and I highly recommend Copenhagen as a sensory-friendly destination! It was the starting and ending point of our Scandinavian cruise, and I had the joy of planning the trip for 18 family members.

We all stayed in different hotels near Copenhagen Central Station, which was the perfect hub. A direct train from the airport drops you off there, and from Central Station you can easily connect to the rest of the city. While trains, buses, and taxis are all options, keep in mind: bikes rule the road in Copenhagen! There are thousands of them—so be cautious when crossing streets and always check for bike traffic.

One spot we didn’t visit was The Tube inside Central Station. It's not sensory friendly, with flashing lights and sound stimulation. It looks fun and interactive, though, and may work for some families. You can check their FAQ here to decide for yourself: The Tube Copenhagen

Our Highlights:

🌟 The Church of Our Lady
On my bucket list—and absolutely worth it! More info

🚤 Canal Boat Ride
A relaxing and beautiful way to see the city—including those famous colorful houses by the water.

🌸 Tivoli Gardens
Near Central Station, we thought we were visiting gardens—but were delighted to discover a charming 19th-century amusement park! With food, rides, and live entertainment, Tivoli is a must-see. It’s surprisingly manageable even for those with sensory sensitivities. More info

📸 The Little Mermaid
It’s one of the top recommended attractions online… but honestly? Skip it. You might catch a glimpse during the boat tour, and that’s plenty!

Other Family-Friendly Options

Though we didn’t have time to visit, Copenhagen also has a zoo, an aquarium, and a children’s museum, all of which look fantastic for families.

For more sensory-friendly tips and travel ideas in the city, check out Visit Copenhagen.

Back-to-School for Moms: Wise Time

“Use your time wisely.”
It’s a phrase I’ve said to my kids for years.

But not long ago, I heard something that really stuck with me:
👉 “You can’t manage time—but you can manage you.”

We all get the same 24 hours in a day… yet some people seem to accomplish more in one day than others do in a lifetime. So what’s the secret?

It turns out, what we call “time management” is really an executive functioning skill—our brain’s ability to plan, prioritize, and execute tasks efficiently. No wonder phrases like “use your time wisely” can be confusing for someone with Autism or ADHD. What does that even mean?

So let’s talk about you, Mom.

You’re an entrepreneur, a volunteer, a mom, a wife, a taxi driver, a personal assistant… the list goes on. How do you keep it all together? How do you plan, prioritize, and execute the millions of things on your plate?

Here are a few time-wise tips that might help you—and maybe even your kids too:

🕒 Timers are your friend
Use them for chores, laundry, reading, homework, or focused work time.
Personally, I do 30 minutes of housework, then set a timer for 90 minutes of office work. Even my reading gets 15 minutes—timed—to help me stay focused and distraction-free.

📅 Time Blocking
Try dividing your day into blocks.
If chores are worth 1 “block,” and building your home business is worth 10, ask yourself:
What do I need to do first to build a strong foundation?
Use this mindset to prioritize what truly matters.

🎁 Reward Yourself
Manage yourself well? Treat yourself!
A 25-minute nap, a quick call to a friend, or something you love—then back to your goals.
Small rewards keep your momentum going.

🙅‍♀️ Learn to Say No
This one’s hard, I know.
But if something fun distracts you from your main goal—say no.
Don’t answer every call. Don’t bake those extra cookies if it derails your day.
Say no to time-stealers so you can say YES to what truly matters.

Here’s the truth:
Your kids are watching you. They mirror what you do more than what you say.
So when you show them how you use time wisely, you’re giving them a real-life model of self-management—and that’s more powerful than any lecture.

I actually wrote all this before I stumbled on this great video from one of my favorite personal development coaches—Jim Rohn. So it must be true! 😊

👉 [Watch the video here] (insert video link)

To all you powerhouse moms—you’ve got this.
Use your time wisely… not for perfection, but for purpose.

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