Every year I PROMISE myself that I’m going to make the most of Christmas. I’m going to start preparations WAY ahead of time, so that I never once feel rushed–the whole month of December. I’m going to spend quality time with my daughters, instilling in them the hope and true meaning of Christmas. I’m ONLY going to purchase gifts that are meaningful and fraught with eternal value (not to mention economical). I will NOT succumb to the horrors of last-minute shopping. I’m going to bake, bake, bake and give, give, give. Our home will be filled with greenery and candles and nativity scenes and music and people and laughter and a variety of delicious soups simmering in the Crock-pot.
It never happens.
The Advent Calendar, the Joshua Tree (okay, Jesse Tree–see what I mean?), the caroling around our neighborhood bearing homemade goods? Never happens.
So, this year? I have no lofty expectations. And keep this on the down-low, but I’m thinking that this might be the year that BIG things happen.
It’s already started. I got this book in the mail a few days ago and read it in no time flat.
And promptly wrote an Amazon review.
Touching Wonder by John Blase
Many of us have heard the Christmas Story a bazillion times. It quickly becomes impersonal, just some plastic story about people who aren’t even real. The last few Christmases, I’ve tried hard to put myself in the story as much as possible. To imagine the characters–Mary, Joseph, shepherds–as normal people just like me. People with feelings, weaknesses, fears. I love reading historical fiction accounts that help me empathize, relate, appreciate. (Two from Galilee and the Nativity Story are favorites.) I love how Touching Wonder takes actual Scripture (mainly from the raw, poetic Message Version of the Bible) and then extrapolates on those verses with poignant narration from each of the main players (and some “extras” as well). I’m adding this book to my collection of books that help me truly experience the Christ in Christmas.
I don’t know the author personally, but I feel like I know his wife after reading her blog and chatting with her online a bit. Meredith lost her daddy a little over a month ago to pancreatic cancer (the same thing Patrick Swayze had), and her post yesterday about him really touched my heart. Sending prayers and hugs out West to you, Meredith!
John has graciously offered to let me keep my own copy of the book (woohoo!), and he’s going to send the winner their very own personally autographed copy! And he said he’d sign any name you want. For example: To Krista, Christmas Blessings! Yours–Max Lucado. Seriously, he said he could do that.
So, for a chance to win Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas, tell me one thing you’d like to do this season to make Christmas meaningful. I’ll draw a winner randomly at noon on Friday. And John’s giving away a few copies on his blog as well.
For an additional entry in the give-away, all you have to do is dress up like Santa today and walk up and down the streets of your city/town wishing people a Merry Christmas.
Happy Wednesday, friends!
I’d like to spend a night in a stable.
Not really. I just want the book.
We want to sing for older people, and also have our children play their violins for them this year. We want to keep it simple, and really keep the reason for the season in mind, there are many hurting out there. Let’s share Jesus with them.
If it were possible I would love it if every single person, including our soldiers, could be home with their families for an old fashioned country holiday.
Could we have a hiatus from all the commercialism, for once, and focus on how much we love Jesus and each other?
Helping a friend who works with the homeless downtown this Christmas.
get my family & extended family to give to a family in need rather than each other…
I would love for Rock to pray over his boys….for us to pray with each other individuallly and over the grandkids….and sit in the presence of God…before the “presents”.
This will be our second Christmas without our oldest daughter. Last year we didn’t do anything new because we were still rather numb and just wanted to get through it for the younger kids (we have three children remaining at home). I’d like to focus a lot more on GIVING with them — work on some projects together that we can give to our neighbors or take to the homeless ministry our church is serving at. But I haven’t figured out any details yet.
I haven’t really thought about it. I’ve mostly been thinking about how we’re traveling to PA to visit my husband’s grandparents. We’ve done that each year we’ve been married except last year…And most of the family will be there.
I’ve baked bread and given cards to neighbors in the past, so I’ll probably do the same.
As far as what to do for our children, I think a LOT of talking about Jesus being the reason for the season. “Do you know WHY we give and receive gifts for Christmas??”…
I would really like to just slow down this season. I feel like we rush through everything, especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Not this year. I want to enjoy my family’s annual CE get-together and CD with my kiddos.
This technically isn’t my first Christmas with a baby yet, but it feels like it is. I want to cherish this Christmas more than ever before because of the little baby GIRL (!) in my belly.
It’ll be a time of joy and change, and I absolutely cannot wait for it! I love Christmas!!!
About 2 1/2 years ago, my husband and I moved to Colorado. Since then we have had two amazing kiddos. We are in the process of moving back to Arizona where all of my family is (and some of his family). This year, to make the holidays extra special, we will be spending time with family!!! It will be our first time all being together!
I want to slow down and take in every day. Whether or not my house is perfectly decorated (which it won’t be with my two little ones) is not as important as taking in each day of the season. I have a book about how to take a day at a time, and I actually want to remember to read it every day.
Please don’t enter me in the giveaway, Marla. Just wanted to stop by and say that Meredith and her husband, John, are the real deal. Good Folks. Godly. Prayerful and thoughtful! Praying that whomever wins will be truly blessed!
PS I love that he said he’d sign Max Lucado’s name. Hilarious!
I want to do the same thing we did last year. We gave each of our fully grown children $100 each at Thanksgiving and they had from then until Christmas eve to make a difference in someone’s life w/that money and on Christmas day we got to hear all their stories….
That book sounds like it would be a great read! You should have a made it a requirement that anyone that puts on a Santa suit and strolls down the street sends you a picture. I’d love to see that – awesome!
This year we’ll actually be home for Christmas, I’d love to start some traditions with our daughter. Not sure what that would be yet, but I have time to think on it. Also want to think of ways to reach out to others neighbors on our street. I want it to be more about serving and giving and Jesus this year than meaningless gift buying and stress.
This year, I’d like to write a very special Christmas letter to my children, explaining in their terms, why Christ’s coming was such an extraordinary gift of grace.
And I can’t find my Santa suit. Darn.