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Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas: Seven Holiday Traditions to Bring You Closer to the Savior
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 an opportunity to escape from the frantic busyness of the Christmas season to spend time reflecting on the Savior and the miracle of His birth.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
44 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Emily Belle Freeman
43 books272 followersEmily Freeman and Simon Dewey collaborated on the bestselling book The Ten Virgins. For nearly 20 years, Emily has addressed groups of women as a writer, songwriter, and motivational speaker. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a strong desire to find their application in modern-day life. Emily and her husband, Greg, are the parents of four children and live in Lehi, Utah.
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December 26, 2018
This is a great little book that helps remind us of the most important parts of Christmas. It's full of scriptures and stories that point to Christ. It focuses particularly on seven pieces of the nativity and lessons we can learn from each one: Mary (ponder), Joseph (serve), Angels (share the joy), Shepherds (testify), The Wise Men (journey another way), The Lamb (and Simeon and Anna) - give thanks, and finally, The Christ Child (believe). I love the lessons and insights the author shares and think that the stories she begins and ends the book with are particularly profound--lessons taught by children that remind us to keep Jesus at the center of our celebrations and hearts and lives.
Here are a few quotes I liked and thoughts that stuck out to me:
"'Mom...I believe in Santa Claus, and you believe in Jesus Christ (p. 1).'"
"Since that moment, our home has been transferred into a home that believes. Not only in the magic of Santa, but also in the reality of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the true reason behind our celebration (p. 2)."
"'What we have is enough...and what we are giving is small. We are keeping the precious things...our testimonies of the Gospel, this great stone house built by your grandfather, our love for one another, happy memories of what has been, hope for good things that are to come...All this is ours to keep. These few gifts we have gathered are ours to share (p. 10).'"
"These small, sacred moments in the midst of our celebrations--moments I hope my children will forever remember. I love these pondering moments (p. 13)."
"At the very end of the first chapter of Luke we are given a rare privilege--we have the opportunity to hear Mary's unwavering testimony, pure and strong, straight from her heart. Mary said, 'My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour...for he that is might hath done to me great things; and holy is his name (p. 13).'"
"Mary was a remarkable woman who magnified the Lord and who rejoiced in her knowledge of the Savior. She recognized the tender mercies and the great things that filled her life. She knew God's strength and His holiness. She testified of the good things that come from devotion to Him (p. 14)."
"Mary spent the first Christmas doing what every mother does--she pondered (p. 14)."
"I imagine Mary's heart was full to almost bursting on that night. Thoughts of wonder, contentment, and gratitude must have warmed her heart--celebration for the moment, anticipation for what lay ahead. The blessing. The burden. The responsibility. The gift (p. 15)."
"When I think of Mary, I think of her heart. That thought has led to a Christmas tradition that focuses on the importance of heartfelt pondering. It is a tradition that allows me to set aside my reflections over the details, the arrangements, and the planning of the holiday, and spend an evening just like Mary did, pondering the night of Christ's birth (p. 17)."
"If you had been there on the night of Christ's birth, who would you have wanted to be, and why (p. 18)?"
"Take a moment to consider what Mary might have pondered in her heart (p. 19)."
"It seems that the young couple did not just stop at one place to find shelter, but were turned away over and over again with the words that must have become discouragingly familiar, 'no room (p. 24).'"
"In the midst of the traffic's roar, Ursula heard the cheerful tinkle of a bell...she was eventually led to someone who needed what she had to give. If we choose, we too can hear the silent promptings amidst the holiday confusion--whispers of what we might do to share an act of kindness with someone this season (p. 34)."
"Spend some time this week opening your heart to hear the quiet promptings.... The service might require you to journey out of your way, but I have found that often the journey that accompanies the giving of these heartfelt gifts becomes one of my most precious Christmas memories (p. 37)."
"I like to think that if i had been in Bethlehem on that first Christmas night I would have brought a warm meal and a handmade blanket in celebration of the new birth (p. 38)."
"When our gift requires a great sacrifice it becomes more precious, both to the giver and to the one who receives (p. 39)."
"What would you have offered Joseph and his family if you had been there (p. 40)?"
"A magical moment when 'heaven and earth seemed to mingle (p. 46).'"
"I love the thought of voices we know well, telling each other of the night of Christ's birth. Isn't that what we do when we gather together to sing as friends, families, or congregations? It is one of the sacred ways we testify to each other of the birth of the Savior. Throughout our neighborhoods, from home to home and door to door, voices we know well spread great joy and good tidings with melodies that fill our homes and hearts with the Spirit (p. 47)."
"Carolers are heaven-sent angels at Christmastime, gathering together to repeat the sounding joy, encouraging every heart to prepare Him room, and echoing the wish nestled inside each of our hearts: 'Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay, close by me forever, and love me, I pray.'.... The humble invitation of the carolers calls out to each of us: 'Come to Bethlehem and see,... Come adore on bended knee (p. 48).'"
"On that night, over two thousand years ago, the hosts of heaven gathered. Filled with awe and excitement and bursting with emotion, they came to celebrate the moment that had been anticipated since the world began (p. 49)."
"Remember the importance of the angels on that first Christmas night and the sweet message they brought to the earth. They came to spread great joy, to give good tidings (p. 52)."
"What was the great joy and good tidings that the angels brought? What would the news have meant to you if you were there? What does it mean to you today (p. 53)?"
"The angel is a reminder that the anticipation of good things to come should fill our hearts with warmth overflowing (p. 55)."
"Did [the shepherds] procrastinate their search for Jesus.... Where and how should we begin this search for Jesus (p. 59)?"
"I love the words now and with haste. It is as if the scriptures are telling us that in their excitement to see the Lord the shepherds went immediately--they could not wait. I like to hope that is what I would have done if I had been there.... How often is my response now and with haste (p. 60)?"
"I also find great counsel in the part of the scripture that says, 'the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go...' Those are the kind of friends I want to surround myself with, ones that will encourage me to go where the Savior is, and who want to accompany me there (p. 61)."
"'And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.' I love that the shepherds did not keep the joy to themselves--instead they shared it! And not just with a few people, the scriptures use the word all (p. 61)."
"Just as the shepherds made known abroad their testimonies concerning the Lord, we too must find opportunities where we can share what our knowledge of the Savior means to us (p. 62)."
"The shepherd is a reminder for us to come closer to the Lord, now and with haste, and then to share our testimony with others (p. 67)."
"On Christmas morning each of my children receives a gift from Santa, and then three other gifts of the Magi--one that is joyful, one that is needful, and one that is meaningful. This gift-giving idea has simplified our Christmas mornings and allowed us to really focus on what we are giving and why (p. 70)."
"I cannot remember a Christmas morning when opening our gifts has not sparked a reminder of Him. Choosing to do things another way helped us to discover Christ (p. 71)."
"From the Wise Men, we learn the importance of understanding the prophecies in the scriptures and being willing to watch carefully for signs of the Savior.... we are led to understand the importance of always searching to know the Lord (p. 71)."
"The Wise Men remind us of our search to know the Lord, and how sometimes we have to journey another way to come closer to Him (p. 72)."
"Discover a way to protect your belief in the Savior (p. 73)."
"The Christmas story is filled with gratitude and thanksgiving.... [and] more than one fall-to-your-knees moment (p. 78)."
"We can become true followers of the Good Shepherd...we need to...prepare our hearts to recognize Him (p. 79)."
"Service, prayer, and fasting had prepared [Anna's] heart to receive the Lord. On that day, filled with inspiration, she, like Simeon, was able to recognize the Lord, and 'in that instant gave thanks (p. 80).'"
"Find...ways to add more gratitude to your Christmas traditions this year (p. 82)."
"'Remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men...and ponder it in your hearts (p. 82).'"
"The Good Shepherd is aware of us, and He has great blessings in store for us. None of us will be forgotten by the Lord; each of us will have the opportunity to experience miracles from Him. As we look back over our lives, we should remember those fall-to-your-knees moments with graitude (p. 83)."
"Although the figures of Simeon and Anna are not found in any nativity sets, use the lamb to represent Simeon and Anna, who recognized the Shepherd and followed Him with grateful hearts (p. 84)."
"What are some ways that would help to make our recognition instant and gratitude immediate? How does becoming a true follower of Christ help us to become one of His sheep (p. 85)?"
"Prepare our hearts to recognize the hand of the Lord in our life, and then, in that instant...give thanks (p. 89)."
"'Do you remember that you're not supposed to touch Mommy's manger?' I asked... 'Yes.' 'Then why did you touch it?' I questioned. 'Because they can't see Jesus,' was his simple reply.... Crowded into the small stable, each had a perfect view of the baby. Everyone could see Jesus.... The most important figure had become the focus. Where is your focus this Christmas season? Can you see Jesus (p. 93)?"
Here are a few quotes I liked and thoughts that stuck out to me:
"'Mom...I believe in Santa Claus, and you believe in Jesus Christ (p. 1).'"
"Since that moment, our home has been transferred into a home that believes. Not only in the magic of Santa, but also in the reality of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the true reason behind our celebration (p. 2)."
"'What we have is enough...and what we are giving is small. We are keeping the precious things...our testimonies of the Gospel, this great stone house built by your grandfather, our love for one another, happy memories of what has been, hope for good things that are to come...All this is ours to keep. These few gifts we have gathered are ours to share (p. 10).'"
"These small, sacred moments in the midst of our celebrations--moments I hope my children will forever remember. I love these pondering moments (p. 13)."
"At the very end of the first chapter of Luke we are given a rare privilege--we have the opportunity to hear Mary's unwavering testimony, pure and strong, straight from her heart. Mary said, 'My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour...for he that is might hath done to me great things; and holy is his name (p. 13).'"
"Mary was a remarkable woman who magnified the Lord and who rejoiced in her knowledge of the Savior. She recognized the tender mercies and the great things that filled her life. She knew God's strength and His holiness. She testified of the good things that come from devotion to Him (p. 14)."
"Mary spent the first Christmas doing what every mother does--she pondered (p. 14)."
"I imagine Mary's heart was full to almost bursting on that night. Thoughts of wonder, contentment, and gratitude must have warmed her heart--celebration for the moment, anticipation for what lay ahead. The blessing. The burden. The responsibility. The gift (p. 15)."
"When I think of Mary, I think of her heart. That thought has led to a Christmas tradition that focuses on the importance of heartfelt pondering. It is a tradition that allows me to set aside my reflections over the details, the arrangements, and the planning of the holiday, and spend an evening just like Mary did, pondering the night of Christ's birth (p. 17)."
"If you had been there on the night of Christ's birth, who would you have wanted to be, and why (p. 18)?"
"Take a moment to consider what Mary might have pondered in her heart (p. 19)."
"It seems that the young couple did not just stop at one place to find shelter, but were turned away over and over again with the words that must have become discouragingly familiar, 'no room (p. 24).'"
"In the midst of the traffic's roar, Ursula heard the cheerful tinkle of a bell...she was eventually led to someone who needed what she had to give. If we choose, we too can hear the silent promptings amidst the holiday confusion--whispers of what we might do to share an act of kindness with someone this season (p. 34)."
"Spend some time this week opening your heart to hear the quiet promptings.... The service might require you to journey out of your way, but I have found that often the journey that accompanies the giving of these heartfelt gifts becomes one of my most precious Christmas memories (p. 37)."
"I like to think that if i had been in Bethlehem on that first Christmas night I would have brought a warm meal and a handmade blanket in celebration of the new birth (p. 38)."
"When our gift requires a great sacrifice it becomes more precious, both to the giver and to the one who receives (p. 39)."
"What would you have offered Joseph and his family if you had been there (p. 40)?"
"A magical moment when 'heaven and earth seemed to mingle (p. 46).'"
"I love the thought of voices we know well, telling each other of the night of Christ's birth. Isn't that what we do when we gather together to sing as friends, families, or congregations? It is one of the sacred ways we testify to each other of the birth of the Savior. Throughout our neighborhoods, from home to home and door to door, voices we know well spread great joy and good tidings with melodies that fill our homes and hearts with the Spirit (p. 47)."
"Carolers are heaven-sent angels at Christmastime, gathering together to repeat the sounding joy, encouraging every heart to prepare Him room, and echoing the wish nestled inside each of our hearts: 'Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay, close by me forever, and love me, I pray.'.... The humble invitation of the carolers calls out to each of us: 'Come to Bethlehem and see,... Come adore on bended knee (p. 48).'"
"On that night, over two thousand years ago, the hosts of heaven gathered. Filled with awe and excitement and bursting with emotion, they came to celebrate the moment that had been anticipated since the world began (p. 49)."
"Remember the importance of the angels on that first Christmas night and the sweet message they brought to the earth. They came to spread great joy, to give good tidings (p. 52)."
"What was the great joy and good tidings that the angels brought? What would the news have meant to you if you were there? What does it mean to you today (p. 53)?"
"The angel is a reminder that the anticipation of good things to come should fill our hearts with warmth overflowing (p. 55)."
"Did [the shepherds] procrastinate their search for Jesus.... Where and how should we begin this search for Jesus (p. 59)?"
"I love the words now and with haste. It is as if the scriptures are telling us that in their excitement to see the Lord the shepherds went immediately--they could not wait. I like to hope that is what I would have done if I had been there.... How often is my response now and with haste (p. 60)?"
"I also find great counsel in the part of the scripture that says, 'the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go...' Those are the kind of friends I want to surround myself with, ones that will encourage me to go where the Savior is, and who want to accompany me there (p. 61)."
"'And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.' I love that the shepherds did not keep the joy to themselves--instead they shared it! And not just with a few people, the scriptures use the word all (p. 61)."
"Just as the shepherds made known abroad their testimonies concerning the Lord, we too must find opportunities where we can share what our knowledge of the Savior means to us (p. 62)."
"The shepherd is a reminder for us to come closer to the Lord, now and with haste, and then to share our testimony with others (p. 67)."
"On Christmas morning each of my children receives a gift from Santa, and then three other gifts of the Magi--one that is joyful, one that is needful, and one that is meaningful. This gift-giving idea has simplified our Christmas mornings and allowed us to really focus on what we are giving and why (p. 70)."
"I cannot remember a Christmas morning when opening our gifts has not sparked a reminder of Him. Choosing to do things another way helped us to discover Christ (p. 71)."
"From the Wise Men, we learn the importance of understanding the prophecies in the scriptures and being willing to watch carefully for signs of the Savior.... we are led to understand the importance of always searching to know the Lord (p. 71)."
"The Wise Men remind us of our search to know the Lord, and how sometimes we have to journey another way to come closer to Him (p. 72)."
"Discover a way to protect your belief in the Savior (p. 73)."
"The Christmas story is filled with gratitude and thanksgiving.... [and] more than one fall-to-your-knees moment (p. 78)."
"We can become true followers of the Good Shepherd...we need to...prepare our hearts to recognize Him (p. 79)."
"Service, prayer, and fasting had prepared [Anna's] heart to receive the Lord. On that day, filled with inspiration, she, like Simeon, was able to recognize the Lord, and 'in that instant gave thanks (p. 80).'"
"Find...ways to add more gratitude to your Christmas traditions this year (p. 82)."
"'Remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men...and ponder it in your hearts (p. 82).'"
"The Good Shepherd is aware of us, and He has great blessings in store for us. None of us will be forgotten by the Lord; each of us will have the opportunity to experience miracles from Him. As we look back over our lives, we should remember those fall-to-your-knees moments with graitude (p. 83)."
"Although the figures of Simeon and Anna are not found in any nativity sets, use the lamb to represent Simeon and Anna, who recognized the Shepherd and followed Him with grateful hearts (p. 84)."
"What are some ways that would help to make our recognition instant and gratitude immediate? How does becoming a true follower of Christ help us to become one of His sheep (p. 85)?"
"Prepare our hearts to recognize the hand of the Lord in our life, and then, in that instant...give thanks (p. 89)."
"'Do you remember that you're not supposed to touch Mommy's manger?' I asked... 'Yes.' 'Then why did you touch it?' I questioned. 'Because they can't see Jesus,' was his simple reply.... Crowded into the small stable, each had a perfect view of the baby. Everyone could see Jesus.... The most important figure had become the focus. Where is your focus this Christmas season? Can you see Jesus (p. 93)?"
December 2, 2025
Loved the introduction. Sisters Freeman immediately takes any holiday guilt away and says these are ideas to add in or replace but not to overwhelm! Lots of great ideas. Definitely a helpful mind shift for the holiday season.
December 5, 2018
I liked this book so much I went out and bought it. Mrs Freeman discusses Christmas traditions that she practiced in her home with her children that focused the Christmas season more on Christ. Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, the wiseman, the sheep, and the baby Jesus each teach different lessons, and have unique traditions, that you can do in a day or over the course of a week or two. While this book is geared more toward families with teenagers I know she has made a simplified version for families with little kids as well.
December 19, 2017
Although this book could best be utilized by families with young children, I learned so many new insights into the Nativity and the Spirit of Christmas. I intend to pass along these traditions to my children and their families to bring the focus of Christmas back to CHRIST! It is a wonderful book full of practical, easy ideas to use with your family to have a more Christ-centered Christmas.
November 23, 2019
A short and beautiful book about how you can make Jesus Christ the center of your Christmas celebrations. Inspired by the different pieces of the nativity, it focuses on a different piece of the nativity, which leads to an activity and lesson you can learn that will bring you and your family closer to Christ.
I loved the simple and wonderful ideas, and I love having Christ be the center of Christmas celebrations (something we have always tried to do in our home). I enjoyed her ideas, and I think I will use a few of them and add them to our traditions.
I loved the simple and wonderful ideas, and I love having Christ be the center of Christmas celebrations (something we have always tried to do in our home). I enjoyed her ideas, and I think I will use a few of them and add them to our traditions.
January 17, 2021
I loved this one. It talks about Christ centered traditions for Christmas. I wish I had this when my kids were little. Some were so creative. I loved it. So 5 stars. And I would read this again.
December 22, 2023
There isn't a whole lot here, but it's a nice, short little book of ideas for how a Christian can further imbue their family's celebration of Christmas with the true living spirit of Christ. There is, as one would expect, much recourse to certain biblical passages, and sequential reflection upon the individuals involved with the Nativity - the Christ Child, Our Lady, Saint Joseph, the Three Magi, even the animals of the manger. But these were all nicely elaborated, uplifting and at times appropriately thought-provoking. It's a perfect book for new parents to read, if they want to establish meaningful spiritual rituals around this holy time of year.
I certainly remember, with great fondness, how enchanting and magical Christmas was to me as a child, growing up in a Catholic family that was very passionate about the season, both in its festive, quasi-pagan/secular sense, and in the deeper, Christian spirit through which those who still hear the tinkling of that mystical bell most joyfully celebrate.
As a sidenote, this also happens to be a milestone for me as my 400th audiobook.
I certainly remember, with great fondness, how enchanting and magical Christmas was to me as a child, growing up in a Catholic family that was very passionate about the season, both in its festive, quasi-pagan/secular sense, and in the deeper, Christian spirit through which those who still hear the tinkling of that mystical bell most joyfully celebrate.
As a sidenote, this also happens to be a milestone for me as my 400th audiobook.
November 23, 2010
My husband and I had been discussing that we wanted to do something for Christmas this year to make it special. Our kids are getting a little older and only the youngest still believes in Santa Claus. We really wanted to focus less on getting and more on giving to others this year.
I have heard Emily Freeman speak at Time Out for Women and think she is a wonderful speaker and author so I was excited when I received a copy of her book A Christ-Centered Christmas to review. As I started reading this book I realized this was the answer to what we needed to do to make this Christmas special.
We have a nativity we set up each year but I opted to go purchase a new small nativity set that my children could handle without breaking to use in conjunction with this book. There are 7 figures from the Christmas story that are used in this book. Mary, Joseph, the Angel, the Lamb, the Shepard, the Wise Men & the Baby Jesus. With each figure there is a song, story and activity/tradition to do to help keep the focus of the season on Christ. The activities are simple and things that could easily be done or adapted to work in most families.
We started tonight by talking about Mary. Our 5 children were very receptive. We now have a small nativity sitting on top of our TV with a the lone figure of Mary. When we were done our 5 year old wanted to jump right in and start on the next figurine.
I'm looking forward to spending a little time each week from now until Christmas focusing on the Savior and the true meaning of Christmas
I have heard Emily Freeman speak at Time Out for Women and think she is a wonderful speaker and author so I was excited when I received a copy of her book A Christ-Centered Christmas to review. As I started reading this book I realized this was the answer to what we needed to do to make this Christmas special.
We have a nativity we set up each year but I opted to go purchase a new small nativity set that my children could handle without breaking to use in conjunction with this book. There are 7 figures from the Christmas story that are used in this book. Mary, Joseph, the Angel, the Lamb, the Shepard, the Wise Men & the Baby Jesus. With each figure there is a song, story and activity/tradition to do to help keep the focus of the season on Christ. The activities are simple and things that could easily be done or adapted to work in most families.
We started tonight by talking about Mary. Our 5 children were very receptive. We now have a small nativity sitting on top of our TV with a the lone figure of Mary. When we were done our 5 year old wanted to jump right in and start on the next figurine.
I'm looking forward to spending a little time each week from now until Christmas focusing on the Savior and the true meaning of Christmas
April 23, 2015
I got this with a nativity set at Christmas. Though I'm not usually inclined to read books that start off with the assumption I need help re-centering my own life (I'm too arrogant, apparently), I actually didn't get the "holier than thou" impression from this book that those kinds of books can give off. Instead, I found a fairly simple, and yet profound guide to pondering the figures in a typical nativity set. I enjoyed the brief personal stories and the songs and scriptures the author compiled to round out her ideas. Each figure represents a lovely aspect from which to ponder the Christmas season.
December 10, 2021
This popped up as one of Audible's free books when I did a Christmas search. I've spent a lot of time reading about, trying out, and filling our December with Christ-centered Christmas activities. Each year is a little different as we figure out what works for our family as the kids get older.
I wasn't sure, going in, that we had any more room for more new Christmas activities, but am always up for reading about more of them. Freeman's basic idea is to set out one piece of the nativity set each day for seven days, with an activity that relates to each one. I didn't find all of her activities meaningful (and have zero intention of adding more Things To Do to our December), but I really like the idea of a short study of each of the figures in the nativity set as we decorate.
I wasn't sure, going in, that we had any more room for more new Christmas activities, but am always up for reading about more of them. Freeman's basic idea is to set out one piece of the nativity set each day for seven days, with an activity that relates to each one. I didn't find all of her activities meaningful (and have zero intention of adding more Things To Do to our December), but I really like the idea of a short study of each of the figures in the nativity set as we decorate.
December 9, 2019
Freeman’s suggestions for Christ-centered traditions surrounding Christmas are pretty easily executed and fairly universal in their nature, which sets them apart from some of the traditions suggested in other books of hers that I’ve read. Even the ones that are less universal are easily adapted and simplified for individual families. Definitely want to give this a shot in the future.
January 2, 2021
A quick read with some really good ideas of how to bring the account of Christ’s birth to the forefront of Christmas celebrations. This is a book I will revisit for future Christmases.
November 12, 2014
How do you start Christ-centered family traditions if you didn't grow up with very many? You need Celebrating A Christ-Centered Christmas by Emily Belle Freeman! She has 7 awesome traditions that are centered on Christ that she shares with you. Each tradition is focused on one of the members in the nativity. She shares stories, songs to sing, scriptures from the Bible to read, and activities to do with your family. I love that this book is really for family of all ages. You can adjust the activities so they fit the ages of your children. It's also a great book for anyone who believes in Christ.
Celebrating A Christ-Centered Christmas is a quick read that is full of great ideas! I love the feelings I felt while reading this book. It has really gotten me motivated to make sure that our family traditions are more focused on Christ with Santa still there, but just not the main focus.
Celebrating A Christ-Centered Christmas is a quick read that is full of great ideas! I love the feelings I felt while reading this book. It has really gotten me motivated to make sure that our family traditions are more focused on Christ with Santa still there, but just not the main focus.
November 11, 2014
I was excited to review this book with the holiday season upon us. Even more so, to take the time to reflect on and read a lovely book centered on Christ and Christmas. I really appreciated the author's introduction and what inspired her to write this book. I loved how each chapter started with a verse of scripture, and ended with a summary of each tradition with suggestions how to incorporate it in your life. As well as a sweet paragraph describing the tradition. The author's heart-felt stories and ideas make this book all the more enjoyable. I can't wait to start some of these and add to our own family Christmas traditions.
November 9, 2018
I read this because one of my counselors at church chose a condensed version of this for the Christmas lesson for the young women this year. A quick, simple read. It really was thought provoking. I find myself evaluating what we do during the Christmas season and if there's too much Santa and not enough Christ. I love that the author doesn't try to get rid of Santa completely, he's still an important, fun part of it! But it's really not his holiday.
I loved this book. I look forward to implementing this, or something like it, this year with my family.
I loved this book. I look forward to implementing this, or something like it, this year with my family.
December 8, 2014
My bestest friend gave us this book for Christmas last year and I finally got around to reading it. I don't know if I'm just extra weepy this year but the thoughts in this book really touched my heart and I cried through almost the whole thing, especially the section about Mary. I'm hoping to implement at least a few of the ideas this year and try to change our focus to the real reason for the season; our Savior Jesus Christ.
October 5, 2015
We are definitely doing all of this as a family for Christmas this year. If you've been searching for a simple way to make Christmas more meanigful, pick up this slim little gem.
December 24, 2019
Some absolutley fabulous ideas that I am going to employ in my Christmas celebrating from here on out.
January 1, 2023
"If you had been there on the night of Christ's birth, who would you have wanted to be, and why?" pg 18
"There seemed to be nothing she could add to all the material things we already had. And so she offered something of far greater value: a gift from the heart, an act of kindness carried out in our name." pg 34
"They gathered together at the beginning of December with all of the children and grandchildren and extended an invitation to each family member to participate in a secret act of service. Then they sent an e-mail to their parents and told them to watch for an e-mail form each of their children and grandchildren, with instructions that they weren't to open the e-mails until Christmas morning." pg 38
"When a gift requires great sacrifice, it becomes more precious, both to the giver and to the one who receives." pg 39
"If our hearts are filled with the desire to come closer to Christ, it will motivate our actions for good." pg 61
"Inspired by the knowledge that the Christ child received just three gifts--gold, frankincense, and myrrh... she began by researching the meaning behind the three gifts. Gold was a gift for a king, celebrating the baby's royalty. Myrrh, a common incense used for cleaning and for burial, was given in remembrance of His humanity and foreshadowed the importance of His death. Frankincense, an incense used in the temple, represented His divinity... On Christmas morning each of my children receives a gift form Santa, and then three other gifts inspired from the gifts of the Magi--one that is joyful, one that is needful, and one that is meaningful." pg 69-70
"I don't think it is a coincidence that Thanksgiving comes before Christmas on the calendar. I believe that a season of gratitude always precedes a season of giving. Gratitude prepares our hearts. Within the memory of our blessings, we begin to realize how much we truly have to give." pg 82
"As Christ becomes our focus, we will begin to realize that Christmas is more than a date on the calendar--it is a way of living. Our hearts can be filled with Christmas every day if we would give as He would have us give, if we would live as He would have us live." pg 94
The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman
"There seemed to be nothing she could add to all the material things we already had. And so she offered something of far greater value: a gift from the heart, an act of kindness carried out in our name." pg 34
"They gathered together at the beginning of December with all of the children and grandchildren and extended an invitation to each family member to participate in a secret act of service. Then they sent an e-mail to their parents and told them to watch for an e-mail form each of their children and grandchildren, with instructions that they weren't to open the e-mails until Christmas morning." pg 38
"When a gift requires great sacrifice, it becomes more precious, both to the giver and to the one who receives." pg 39
"If our hearts are filled with the desire to come closer to Christ, it will motivate our actions for good." pg 61
"Inspired by the knowledge that the Christ child received just three gifts--gold, frankincense, and myrrh... she began by researching the meaning behind the three gifts. Gold was a gift for a king, celebrating the baby's royalty. Myrrh, a common incense used for cleaning and for burial, was given in remembrance of His humanity and foreshadowed the importance of His death. Frankincense, an incense used in the temple, represented His divinity... On Christmas morning each of my children receives a gift form Santa, and then three other gifts inspired from the gifts of the Magi--one that is joyful, one that is needful, and one that is meaningful." pg 69-70
"I don't think it is a coincidence that Thanksgiving comes before Christmas on the calendar. I believe that a season of gratitude always precedes a season of giving. Gratitude prepares our hearts. Within the memory of our blessings, we begin to realize how much we truly have to give." pg 82
"As Christ becomes our focus, we will begin to realize that Christmas is more than a date on the calendar--it is a way of living. Our hearts can be filled with Christmas every day if we would give as He would have us give, if we would live as He would have us live." pg 94
The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman
December 24, 2021
Emily Belle Freeman (2015) CELEBRATING A CHRIST-CENTERED CHRISTMAS: SEVEN TRADITIONS TO LEAD US CLOSER TO THE SAVIOR (AUDIOBOOK)
Audible - Blackstone Audio, Inc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "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 an opportunity to escape from the frantic busyness of the Christmas season to spend time reflecting on the Savior and the miracle of his birth."
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Really thought provoking (in a good way) and I'm not even religious.
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#EmilyBelleFreeman #CelebratingAChristCenteredChristmas #SevenTraditionsToLeadUsCloserToTheSavior #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Audible
Audible - Blackstone Audio, Inc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "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 an opportunity to escape from the frantic busyness of the Christmas season to spend time reflecting on the Savior and the miracle of his birth."
=====
Really thought provoking (in a good way) and I'm not even religious.
=====
#EmilyBelleFreeman #CelebratingAChristCenteredChristmas #SevenTraditionsToLeadUsCloserToTheSavior #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Audible
December 25, 2018
We love this book. There are some beautiful tradition ideas to keep your focus on the Savior throughout the Christmas season and I like them all. I also like the idea of beginning to decorate for Christmas on November 1st. I may do that next year. :)
I have the book and nativity set. This year, we “delivered” each piece of the nativity secretly to our children throughout December and would read the chapter associated with the piece when it “arrived.” It has been a fun, simple way to help our children stay a little more focused on Christ this month. The chapters are not too long for my older two (ages 6 & 8) and they have enjoyed the stories Freeman shares, as well as most of the traditions (the only one they are not fond of is one of the suggestions for the Wise Men). We have enjoyed doing this with our children so much, that I think we may do it for another family next year.
I have the book and nativity set. This year, we “delivered” each piece of the nativity secretly to our children throughout December and would read the chapter associated with the piece when it “arrived.” It has been a fun, simple way to help our children stay a little more focused on Christ this month. The chapters are not too long for my older two (ages 6 & 8) and they have enjoyed the stories Freeman shares, as well as most of the traditions (the only one they are not fond of is one of the suggestions for the Wise Men). We have enjoyed doing this with our children so much, that I think we may do it for another family next year.
December 17, 2017
It's a book about studying one figure from the nativity a week or a month through the Christmas season and building traditions to focus on the reason for the season. It's good. You can use it as an open, read, do, lesson book.
I expected to like this book more than I did. I don't know if it's because I was listening instead of reading it. I'm reading her Christ centered home one and really like it. I just felt like there weren't as many nuggets in this one. And I felt like I could take the idea and make it my own with my synopsis above rather than listening for 90 minutes.
I expected to like this book more than I did. I don't know if it's because I was listening instead of reading it. I'm reading her Christ centered home one and really like it. I just felt like there weren't as many nuggets in this one. And I felt like I could take the idea and make it my own with my synopsis above rather than listening for 90 minutes.
January 11, 2021
I have had this for a long as a friend had recommended it as a way to be more deliberate about Christmas traditions. It's actually a suggested collection of traditions (per the title) as opposed to an open ended discussion of how to adapt your own traditions. I'm not really looking for a different set of traditions at this point, but I might adapt some of them. This would be a great read for a Christian newlywed couple as they are deciding their traditions.
December 12, 2025
This is a short book, and easy to read. The stories are great- it is a way to divide your lessons for the family into 7 meetings and then bring the true spirit of Christmas into your home by worshiping the Savior. It was powerful and simple. It was a great lesson in how to change your attitude of traditions at Christmas to more correct ways to show the Savior you love him. I Highly recommend this book to all.
December 26, 2017
I love the sweet and simple ideas presented for adding meaning to family Christmas traditions. I shared many with my husband and hope to include some in future years. The explanation of the roles of each figure in the nativity will stay with me and help me remember their importance in the birth of our Savior.
January 3, 2021
Some good nuggets and insights about the nativity and applying those to our family traditions. I didn’t love this book and couldn’t get past the “mother of the year” award even being a thing. That alone tainted the whole book for me, but I still gleaned some good quotes and ideas that I’d like to incorporate.
December 28, 2023
This was a fantastic book describing feelings, emotions and possible thoughts of each person in the Nativity scene and how that might/should affect us as we work our way to Dec 25 and celebrate the birth of our Savior. I gained a new perspective regarding the Nativity scene and a new tradition. Thank you Sis. Freeman.
April 23, 2019
This was a quick read about Christmas and the symbolic meanings of all of the characters in the story of the nativity. It would make a great Christmas gift, but related enough to the Savior that it didn't feel like it was just a Christmas book.
December 5, 2019
This has some amazing ideas on how to focus on the Savior at Christmas time. It has clear, well-explained traditions and stories you can share with your family that are really meaningful. I’ve already started incorporating some of them. 5 stars!
January 25, 2020
Listened to part and read part, but decided there was enough for me in the children's version. We tried this approach to Christmas this last year and enjoyed focusing each day on one person from the nativity story. We plan to repeat it again next year.
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