Before Cary resident knew it, she'd written a devotional book

Lisa Sigler never set out to write a book, and every time her gaze falls on the newly published devotional with her name on the cover, she still can hardly believe it.

And yet, there it is.

"It's fun, but it doesn't even feel real yet," said the Cary resident, whose book is called "Living Waters."

"I still can't believe it's happened. You think nobody's ever going to publish it."

Tate Publishing, a Christian publishing house in Oklahoma that specializes in first-time authors, released the book nationwide; it's also available on CD.

Sigler has her husband, Jorge, to thank for motivating her to do the project when he was a youth pastor in Wheeling.

Jorge had asked Lisa to write short, Bible-based exercises for the kids in the ministry they shared.

She gave it a whirl, and the students found her devotions meaningful. Friends began asking for them, and Jorge encouraged her again.

"He kept saying, 'You really should get this published,' because I would keep making copies of it," Sigler said.

"Living Waters" is a 12-week study, one page per day, of verses from the Old and New Testaments.

Each page includes a little something about that day's verse -- an explanation, some historical background -- along with questions to get you thinking, and space for journaling.

"You could spend 2 minutes, or you could spend 20 minutes," Sigler said. "It depends on how much time you want to put into it."

A part-time staff member at Cary Grove Evangelical Free Church, Sigler is already working on a follow-up project -- another devotional, based solely on the Psalms.

The second book has the same purpose as the first.

"My goal has always been to help people to know God better," said Sigler, a former missionary to the Netherlands, "and that's what I'm hoping the book will do."

If "Living Waters" sounds like the perfect gift for someone on your Christmas list -- or even for yourself -- check out the local Christian bookstores, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com or orders@tatepublishing.com.

Holiday music: Nothing says Christmas cheer like a good holiday concert.

If you can't imagine the season without a little "fa la la la la," you'll want to know about upcoming events at two area churches.

First Congregational Church of Dundee hosts the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage in "Jingle Jazz" at 7 p.m. Friday in the sanctuary.

Nationally recognized, YJED has played the Essentially Ellington high school jazz festival in New York with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis.

These kids know how to put on a show, and First Congregational, 900 S. Eighth St. in West Dundee, will surely enjoy celebrating the holidays with them.

You can, too -- admission is free, but a free-will offering will be taken.

If madrigals are more to your liking, Church in the Word offers another special treat -- the Madrigal Singers from Jacobs High School in a 6 p.m. Dec. 16 concert at the church. For $2, you can get the same show as guests at Jacobs' very popular Madrigal Dinners, but without the meal.

Buy advance tickets by calling the church office at (847) 658-8888, or get your tickets at the door.

This is the first time Church in the Word, 430 Airport Road, Elgin, has invited the choir to perform, said Noeleen Neubauer, event coordinator.

One of the Madrigal Singers attends the church, Neubauer said, "and we knew that they do a phenomenal job."

If your Christmas isn't complete without a yummy plate of cookies (or two), you can skip the baking and head for the annual Cookie Walk Dec. 15, also at West Dundee's First Congregational Church (900 S. Eighth St.).

Homemade cookies and candies will be sold by the weight, and the church's latest cookbook, "A Taste of Heaven," will be available.

Proceeds will be donated to charities that help the hungry, homeless and others in need. Shopping is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Feeling blue? For some people, the joys of Christmas are overshadowed by the trials of life.

Perhaps a loved one has died or is dying, maybe there's been a job loss, divorce or devastating illness.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St. in Elgin, wants to wrap its arms around people who find it hard to share in the season's merriment.

Regardless of church background, all who wish to come are invited to a Blue Christmas service at 7 p.m. Dec. 19.

"What we're hoping to do is just bring them all together and have a quiet, simple service of Christmas carols and lighting candles in memory of people who have died," said Sandy Simonson, executive assistant and program coordinator.

"The sermon will address painful things and let people know it's OK to be sad this time of year," she said.

"You don't have to go along with all the hoopla at the malls."

Hanukkah is here: Did you know today is the 25th of Kislev?

That's the ninth month in the Jewish calendar, which means today (last night, technically) is the first day of Hanukkah.

To those who are celebrating, Happy Hanukkah!

• What's going on at your church or synagogue? Do you have a special program, new staff, big plans? Someone who deserves recognition or something a little out of the ordinary? Contact "In the spirit" at cmchojnacki@yahoo.com.