 |
| See the Tour Page! |
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Christmas
Book Description: Discover how each figure of the nativity can lead your family closer to Christ this Christmas season. Learn the tradition of the tinkling bell, whip up a batch of French cocoa, create a tender mercy tree, and find ways to make your gift-giving more meaningful as Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas guides you through seven meaningful traditions inspired by the nativity setting. These simple experiences will give you and opportunity to escape from the frantic busyness of the Christmas season to spend time reflecting on the Savior and the miracle of His birth.
My thoughts: I knew from the first page of the introduction that this would be a book with a great message. Emily Belle Freeman relates an experience with her daughter. Her daughter said that she believed in Santa Clause, while Emily believed in Jesus.
This is a small book that focuses on seven characters in the nativity. Using the New Testament books of Matthew and Luke, the figures in the nativity are described and the significance they have in the Christmas Story. You can tell that Emily Freeman has given a lot of thought to each member and how they can help us remember Christ.
She also related an experience that I found particularly touching. She told of her young son rearranging the nativity so that each figure could see the baby Jesus. Kids are teachers without realizing what they are doing!
I loved the idea of taking seven weeks before Christmas and spending a week learning about, emulating, and pondering their place in the nativity. I love the idea of setting aside at least one evening a week as a family and thinking about the Savior. We will be starting this in my home this year!
I am grateful that I had the opportunity to read the book. It is well written and thought provoking.
* 
About the Author: EMILY BELLE FREEMAN is a coach’s wife, a mother to four children and a few others who have found refuge in her home, author of several bestselling books, and sought-after inspirational speaker. Her days are spent watching over teenagers, her flock of pampered chickens, and a rabbit that she adores. 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 coauthors a blog that is a stopping place for hearts seeking all that is good: www. multiplygoodness.com.
Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas) is a Christian saint, so there should be no conflict between him and Jesus. Do some people take the materialism of December holidays to ridiculous proportions? Yes. Is there a conspiracy to take Christ out of Christmas? No. Many traditions now associated with Christmas (mistletoe, tannenbaum, saturnalia) pre-date it by hundreds or thousands of years and derive from numerous pagan cultures. Do they pose any threat to modern Christianity or detract from its message? I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteThis book doesn't say that Christmas traditions shouldn't be celebrated. It is simply about focusing on Christ. I'm sorry if you felt that my review or the content of the book is aimed at pointing a finger at society, or detracting from common Holiday Traditions. That is not my intent. I love the book and the message. However, Santa will still show up at my door, I have a Christmas tree, etc. The traditions are a fun part of the holiday season. There is room for people of all faiths, traditions, etc to have an enjoyable Holiday Season, celebrating as they see fit and they are comfortable with.
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful book and a great way to spend some time as a family this holiday season, remembering the true meaning of Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThis is a tour I wanted on but missed because when the invite came I was in the middle of a ton of stuff and got to it late. I'm so glad you liked it. I'll have to go grab a copy because I think this would be great to do with my kids.
ReplyDelete