Putting God Back in the Holidays

It is so easy to get distracted during the holidays and lose focus of what counts. How many times have you sat in the aftermath of the holidays and a part of you felt it was shallow or even empty? Holidays can often times be characterized as stress-filled, money-draining and joyless time where we just "want to get through it." That is  exactly why I enjoyed this timely book sent to me by Moody Publishers for review--Putting God Back in the Holidays by Bill and Penny Thrasher--Bill Thrasher is professor of Bible and Theology at the Moody Graduate School of Chicago’s Moody Bible Institute and has much to say and help us to getting our focus back on the Lord during this special time.

Just in time for the onslaught of holidays festivities, this book provides an indepth look at how to celebrate the holidays and other special occasions with purposeful meaning. The spirit of the book helps us focus on the Lord and what really matters while the author's having done all the footwork of planning out purposeful activities to make our celebrations more meaningful and special--something I really appreciate since half the work of celebrating is planning--or sometimes agonizing, if you will--on  how to make it special!

As a busy mom of eight children, I appreciate that the book is chock full of ideas fun activities providing a way for my family  to be able to discuss, pray and actively do things together that will make a difference during these holidays enriching our lives and those around us.

"So much has been written about how to celebrate Christmas that it can be overwhelming! They key in my life has been to play way ahead in gift purchasing and to stay as rested as possible during this busy season. Rest has been key in helping me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading in reaching out to thers and encouraging a joyful, peaceful, worshipful atmosphere in our home. Believe me, I've not always been successful; the full calendar can easily become a heavy burden instead of a joyous celebration of Christ's emptying Himself to live a perfect life among us. May this not be true of our homes! May God grant us His wisdom and grace to walk in the preordained good works He has for us."-Penny Thrasher

This book does not just cover Christmas, it also covers other holidays as well such as:

Thanksgiving

Easter and Good Friday

Birthdays

New Year's

Valentine's Day

President's Day

Mothers and Father's Day and much more...

...so it is the perfect book to have year around. Now Moody Publishers has generously given me two extra books to giveaway to two of my special readers---all you have to do is leave a comment with your email to enter!

(U.S. participants only please!)

I also have another post coming up to share with you some things you can do during Christmas to bring more meaning into it AND teach your children servanthood that you will  not want to miss later this week...