The Wonder of Christmas: A Journey Through Advent in the Psalms with Melinda Estabrooks
By guest writer Helena Smrcek
There is something profoundly grounding about Advent—a season that invites us to slow down, breathe deeply, and remember why Christmas matters in the first place. Only a few people speak about Advent with as much warmth, clarity, and courage as Melinda Estabrooks, host and executive producer of the national television show See Hear Love.
Recently, I had the gift of sitting down with Melinda and talking about life, faith, and her newest Advent resource, The Wonder of Christmas: A Guide Through Advent in the Psalms. What unfolded was a conversation rich with truth, tenderness, and the unmistakable presence of God’s grace.
A Mission Rooted in Story and Hope
When asked about her mission in life, Melinda doesn’t hesitate: “Loving God and loving others. It sounds simple, but it's a lot. Love God with all you've got, with everything that you are. But what does that look like?” Melinda pauses before she answers her own question. “It’s the way that you live and follow Jesus. It determines your actions, your words, what you do, how you serve.”
Whether she’s hosting on-air conversations, producing faith-filled content, or gathering women around a table, her heart beats for authenticity. “See Hear Love is about encouraging women to create safe spaces of belonging. When you think about past generations, did they talk about mental health challenges? Perimenopause and menopause? Trauma, family origin, issues in the marriage? No. The church wasn’t the space to talk about those things. It was the place to come in, look great, shiny and happy, and present a perfect life. “So,” Melinda asks, “what does it mean to really see others, hear others, love others?”
Melinda’s mission flows naturally into her vision for the Canadian church—especially for women. She longs to see a movement of Christian women who are courageous, rooted, and deeply known. Women who don’t apologize for their voice, their calling, or God-given gifts, but instead lift one another rather than compete. “Let's be authentic in our own struggles, hopes, dreams, and challenges. Let's journey together, so nobody's alone, othered, marginalized, or isolated. That’s my vision for the church in Canada.”
Creating a Culture of Sisterhood
If you’ve spent any time around See Hear Love, you’ve felt it—this sense of sisterhood, belonging, and genuine welcome. It’s not accidental.
“Since I was really little,” Melinda shares, “I always wanted people to be a part of the party. Even when I was in kindergarten and my mom asked who I was inviting to the birthday party, I said, my entire class. Why would you choose somebody and not choose another person? I didn't want anybody to be left out, to feel othered. That's something within me. I don't know if that was Jesus’ special way of depositing that in me. I love a party. I love celebrating, gathering, introducing people to other great people.” From radio, podcast, and TV to social media and live events, Melinda’s heartbeat remains the same: You belong here. You are loved. God’s story for your life is not finished.
The Wonder of Christmas: An Advent Guide Rooted in the Psalms
“So many people had never heard of Advent—bringing it to the show felt like a gift.” This year, Melinda’s heart for including others is beautifully woven through See Hear Love’s Advent calendar, The Wonder of Christmas: A Guide Through Adventn the Psalms.
Designed as a four-week journey, this guide gently leads readers through Psalms that illuminate the themes of Advent—hope, peace, joy, and love. “We’ve lost the beauty of waiting and anticipation; Advent teaches us to pause again.” And, in a sense, it is also an invitation to the greatest birthday party ever, offering a daily Scripture reading, a reflection, and a simple practice or prayer to anchor the heart, in the anticipation of Jesus’ arrival on Christmas Day.
“Advent invites us to slow down, exhale, and be thoughtful about what hope truly means,” Melinda explains. Christmas can be chaotic, but the Psalms remind us who God is—our refuge, our shepherd, our strong tower, our joy.
The Advent calendar isn’t about checking boxes or adding pressure. It’s about making room for the Savior in small, quiet moments like lighting a candle, whispering a prayer, or remembering that the God who came down as a child is the same God who meets us now. “I'm thrilled that, because of the support of our donors, we made the Advent study free so everyone can access the wonder of Christ at Christmas,” Melinda adds with a smile.
A Season to Remember
Talking with Melinda is like receiving a warm blanket of comfort and joy. Her life, her mission, and this Advent guide all point to the same message: Christmas is wonder—God with us, God for us, God coming near. And in a world that feels increasingly hurried and fractured, her invitation to slow down with the Psalms feels like exactly what we need.
Get your free copy of The Wonder of Christmas: A Guide Through Advent in the Psalms please click here.
