Reclaiming Christmas
How to Creatively Celebrate the Season That Has Become Excessmas
by
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Why Change Our Celebrations?
“We’ve always done it that way,” is a familiar saying that has been used over the centuries as an excuse to remain steadfast in our habits and traditions. There are some things that should remain as entrenched as a mole in his tunnel but other traditions, from time to time, cry for reexamination.
Perhaps you have, since you were young, followed certain Christmas traditions because you were raised to religiously carry them out year after year. You’ve never considered not doing them. They may or may not enhance your family’s enjoyment of the season, your ability to get the most satisfaction from the holy season with a minimum of stress and hassle.
I believe that most families of faith have real concerns about the commercialism that has come to dominate the Christmas season. We have been blindly wooed by the glitter and gift-giving demands that have become woven tightly into our festivities. We feel compelled to keep pace with these customs because “it is expected of us.” By whom, I wonder? What would happen if we reassessed our Christmas celebrations and put down our collective feet, refusing to ride the tidal wave of materialistic surfing? Would we be accused of being the Grinch who stole Christmas? I think not!
I invite you to take a hard look at the season we call holy and do an honest appraisal of your personal and family traditions. You just might find some ways to make changes in the way you invest your talents, your time and your money during the Christmas season. Perhaps you will find some good reasons to make some significant changes, ones that will be more satisfying, memorable, family centered and most importantly, more honoring to the Savior whose birth we commemorate.
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About the Book
Are you tired of the materialistic craziness of Christmas celebrations? Instead of relishing the wonder and joy of the holy holiday, we stumble through in a commercial haze, feeling exhausted and ready for it all to be mercifully finished.
Is there an alternative to this commercial dilemma? Happily there is! What we need is not only permission to reclaim our sacred season, but also creative ideas for peace-filled, stress-free, and meaningful celebrations.
A plethora of delightful and diverse ideas can help your family not only to anticipate the season but also to grow closer through Advent and enjoy the holy season in a more meaningful, other-centered way.
About the Author
Ginger Jurries graduated from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, with a major in English. She attended Western Theological Seminary and spent sixteen days of intensive study in Israel with Ray VanderLaan. She has passionately researched alternative Christmas celebrations for many years.
Ginger has coauthored two books with Karen Mulder—Fun Ideas for Family Devotions and bestseller The Compassionate Congregation: A Handbook for People who Care.
The author resides in Holland, Michigan, but escapes to the warmth of Naples, Florida, for the winter months.
Her interests include spending time with her husband of forty-nine years, Jim; her grown children, Kristin and Steve; and dear friends, as well as reading and Bible study.