What do you think?
Rate this book
In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas
Every holiday season you can see the signs, pins, and bumper stickers, “Jesus: The Reason for the Season!” It is so easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamor of the holidays that finding substantive meaning amidst the shopping, the bills, the food, and the busyness is more and more difficult every year.
Why not take a step back with In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas, to examine what it’s all about? It’s filled with heart-felt stories, warm insight, and comfortable helps to make this holiday season your best ever.
Why not take a step back with In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas, to examine what it’s all about? It’s filled with heart-felt stories, warm insight, and comfortable helps to make this holiday season your best ever.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2011
42 people are currently reading
888 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 23, 2024
Sit down, wrap in a blanket and take some moments to enjoy a silemt night of contemplation of the true meaning of Christmas. The author brings points out things that will touch your heart and make your love for Jesus grow.
December 29, 2024
In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas is the perfect Christmas read. With the hustle and bustle of the season, sitting down to read this book brought me back to remember and consider what this season is truly about- the birth and life and sacrifice of Jesus. Included are reflections at the end of each chapter and even ideas to help you get into the REAL holiday spirit. I think this book will now be my yearly Christmas devotional book.
December 25, 2024
I've read more than a few Christmas books this year (over ten, all if not almost all romance) and thought, while I love the humor and romance and absurdity of the books I've read so far, I really should take some time to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. So, I read this book and I am glad I did. It pointed out things I hadn't considered (that the shepherds probably looked nothing like the young men that are carved for nativity scenes, Heaven's perspective of Jesus coming to Earth, and the aftermath of seeing the miracle for everyone involved in that first Christmas, to name a few) and had me thinking about what is really important at this time of year. We get so caught up in decorating, giving gifts, sending cards, etc. that we lose focus that this is the time of year we celebrate when God came to Earth!
I highly recommend this. It's insightful, really makes you think.
I highly recommend this. It's insightful, really makes you think.
January 11, 2024
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ‘CHRISTMAS SPIRIT’
Author Dan Schaeffer wrote in the Introduction to this 2003 book, “what is the SPIRIT of Christmas we hear so much about. Does it exist? And if so, how can we hope to find it? In our attempt to isolate the one and only true Christmas spirit, we try to separate fact from fiction…. Family get-togethers, decorating Christmas trees… opening gifts… and fond memories of Christmases past are … warm influences. And to many, this is what passes for the Christmas spirit. But deep inside, many also wonder if there’s more to it than that. How often does the end of an exhausting Christmas season leave us with a sense of regret?... The problem is that when something becomes too familiar to us, we have trouble seeing it in a new way. That is the purpose of this book: to help you see beyond the familiar and find the true spirit of Christmas---the spirit that is meant to decorate our hearts the way lights decorate a barren tree. So join me now in the quest for the real Christmas spirit.”
He states, “For while we certainly experience joy at remembering the entrance of our Lord into our world, that WASN’T what the angel promised. He didn’t promise that there would be good news just for Christians. The good news was to be ‘for ALL the people.’ But how could the birth of Jesus spell good news for everyone? Any search for the real Christmas spirit requires that we find the truth behind this incredible, angelic promise.” (Pg. 49)
He observes, “Were the shepherds chosen to receive the angelic announcement because they were men of honorable character and spiritual depth? No… What of Mary and Joseph? Were they chosen to be the human parents of Jesus because of their great achievements and the opportunities they could offer him? As we’ve seen, Mary… had not had time to achieve great things in life, and Joseph was a simple, though godly, carpenter. They did not earn the right to become the parents of Christ by virtue of their character or accomplishments; they too were receivers… The obvious spirit of that first Christmas was one of being blessed, of having received mercy and grace from God.” (Pg. 96-97)
He says, “In this phrase [‘Everlasting Father’], Isaiah is not confusing Jesus the Son with God the Father. Instead, Isaiah is describing the nature of the Messiah’s relationship with His people and His relationship with time. This child to be born is eternal, and He is fatherly in His dealings with us.” (Pg. 133)
He states, “When Mary discovered that Herod had murdered all the male babies in Bethlehem, trying to destroy her special child, how do you think she felt? Mary and Joseph were far from family and familiarity and any comfort zone. Somehow the words ‘Merry Christmas’ just don’t fit their experience.” (Pg. 147)
He summarizes, “Preparing for the season is exciting, but parting from it is like saying goodbye to beloved family and friends when they leave after the holidays. We have just had a wonderful experience, and we don’t want it to end. The days and weeks following Christmas slowly steal the wonder of those holy days, and as we look around at a house that now looks strangely bare, we can’t help thinking: Wouldn’t it be great if Christmas could last forever?” (Pg. 180)
This book will interest some looking for perspectives on the Christmas celebration.
Author Dan Schaeffer wrote in the Introduction to this 2003 book, “what is the SPIRIT of Christmas we hear so much about. Does it exist? And if so, how can we hope to find it? In our attempt to isolate the one and only true Christmas spirit, we try to separate fact from fiction…. Family get-togethers, decorating Christmas trees… opening gifts… and fond memories of Christmases past are … warm influences. And to many, this is what passes for the Christmas spirit. But deep inside, many also wonder if there’s more to it than that. How often does the end of an exhausting Christmas season leave us with a sense of regret?... The problem is that when something becomes too familiar to us, we have trouble seeing it in a new way. That is the purpose of this book: to help you see beyond the familiar and find the true spirit of Christmas---the spirit that is meant to decorate our hearts the way lights decorate a barren tree. So join me now in the quest for the real Christmas spirit.”
He states, “For while we certainly experience joy at remembering the entrance of our Lord into our world, that WASN’T what the angel promised. He didn’t promise that there would be good news just for Christians. The good news was to be ‘for ALL the people.’ But how could the birth of Jesus spell good news for everyone? Any search for the real Christmas spirit requires that we find the truth behind this incredible, angelic promise.” (Pg. 49)
He observes, “Were the shepherds chosen to receive the angelic announcement because they were men of honorable character and spiritual depth? No… What of Mary and Joseph? Were they chosen to be the human parents of Jesus because of their great achievements and the opportunities they could offer him? As we’ve seen, Mary… had not had time to achieve great things in life, and Joseph was a simple, though godly, carpenter. They did not earn the right to become the parents of Christ by virtue of their character or accomplishments; they too were receivers… The obvious spirit of that first Christmas was one of being blessed, of having received mercy and grace from God.” (Pg. 96-97)
He says, “In this phrase [‘Everlasting Father’], Isaiah is not confusing Jesus the Son with God the Father. Instead, Isaiah is describing the nature of the Messiah’s relationship with His people and His relationship with time. This child to be born is eternal, and He is fatherly in His dealings with us.” (Pg. 133)
He states, “When Mary discovered that Herod had murdered all the male babies in Bethlehem, trying to destroy her special child, how do you think she felt? Mary and Joseph were far from family and familiarity and any comfort zone. Somehow the words ‘Merry Christmas’ just don’t fit their experience.” (Pg. 147)
He summarizes, “Preparing for the season is exciting, but parting from it is like saying goodbye to beloved family and friends when they leave after the holidays. We have just had a wonderful experience, and we don’t want it to end. The days and weeks following Christmas slowly steal the wonder of those holy days, and as we look around at a house that now looks strangely bare, we can’t help thinking: Wouldn’t it be great if Christmas could last forever?” (Pg. 180)
This book will interest some looking for perspectives on the Christmas celebration.
November 20, 2024
In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas by Dan Schaeffer is a thought provoking look at our traditions and simple thoughts concerning Christmas. An insightful book that encourages the reader to take a deeper look at the meaning of Christmas. There will be no going through the motions or celebrating this holy day without sincere gratitude to Christ. A great reminder of Christ leaving heaven to be born, then to be the sacrifice and living Savior for us. A book to be read every Christmas to find the true peace and joy in Christ during this season.
December 3, 2025
I read this before Christmas and it gave me a different perspective when all of the stress of decorating, shopping, cooking, mailing, cleaning … overwhelmed me. Religiously themed but lighthearted in many ways and made me smile 😊
- [ ] Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
- [ ] Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
December 27, 2018
An amazing insight into the the real meaning of Christmas. All Christians , as well as non believers , should read this book. A book that I will certainly be read again!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews