The Christmas season is nearly upon us and it’s time to start planning and celebrating in earnest. Oh, and shopping. Lots of shopping. At least it feels that way if you watch TV, read the paper or listen to the radio. It makes it seem that this season is all about gifts and parties and shopping. Sometimes my calendar and my bank account feel that way too.
Christmas is about Jesus Christ. That should be a no-brainer. The name itself comes from worship of Christ. So how do we refocus the holiday on Christ?
Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas by Emily Belle Freeman gives us some ideas to do just that.
This little book (102 pages, including the index) offers seven traditions for Christmas that can lead us closer to the Savior.
The traditions and stories that Emily offers are based on the figures in her Nativity set and are designed to be shared and taught with family. You could offer these seven traditions in different ways, whether implementing one each week leading up to Christmas, or one each day of the week before Christmas. There is no specific order to the chapters—you can arrange them, use one or use all, as best meets the needs of your family.
Each chapter is set up in lesson format. It first begins with a story, Emily’s thoughts on the tradition. Following that, there is a suggested hymn, a scripture passage and then an activity (called “The Moment of Celebration”) to help illustrate the tradition and principle. The activities can be adapted for younger or older children, individuals or couples.
Whether you follow Emily’s ideas closely or use this book as an inspiration and jumping off point to create your own Christ-centered Christmas traditions this little book is a welcome addition to any Christmas library (yes, I do have a Christmas library, don’t you?).
So, before you head out in the commercial craziness of Christmas this year, put this book on the top of your list so you and your family can focus your celebration on the real reason for the season this year.
About the Author:
Emily Belle Freeman is a coach’s wife, mother to four children and a few others who have found refuge in her home, and sought-after inspirational speaker. She finds great joy in studying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a desire to find their application in everyday life. For a few minutes every day Emily forgets about the laundry, leaves the dishes in the sink, and writes. She is the coauthor of The Peter Potential: Discover the Life You Were Meant to Live and coauthors a blog that is a stopping place for hearts seeking all that is good: www.multiplygoodness.com.
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