In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas

by Daniel Schaeffer

Every year we resolve to get into the "real" Christmas spirit. Yet Christmas seasons come and go, leaving us with vague pangs of regret. Why does it seem so hard? What are we missing? Familiarity can blind us to the unique power and glory of Christmas. Dan Schaeffer takes us beyond traditional trappings and into the wonder of the best gift of the season - the essence of Christmas. He offers a new lens of insightful observations about the first Christmas, adressess burnout in contemporary Christmas preparations, and gets beyond the story of Christmas to help us experience the spirit of Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Christian Non Fiction, Christian

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars because I wanted Bible verses to both back this all up, but also concrete it. Without the Bible verses, there were some, just not enough, it left me feeling rather dry.

[Maria Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book a lot and will read it again next Christmas. It gave me new insights and ideas into the scriptural account of Jesus' birth and the time surrounding that. I was surprised by, and particularly appreciated that the author was able to share insights about the first Christmas in ways that I can apply to my life today. A spiritually challenging and very good read.

[Lucy Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to read just before Christmas this year.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this an excellent Christmas devotional. There were many new ideas and ways to look at Christmas. I plan to pass this book on to my pastor.

[Jasmine Shadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very well written with wonderful thoughts and suggestions. He takes a different approach to each member of the story of the first Christmas, and he brings out some different thoughts for us to dwell on. His style of writing is very personable and engaging. I will read this book again next season. I recommend this book to those looking for writing that does not just tell the story again and add more activities to your already overwhelmed schedule. He has suggestions that will are more for some thoughts and quiet moments. Do yourself a favor and read this one.

[Naoma Hoten emmendorfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it really makes you think! ❤️

[C.H. Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Schaeffer comes at Christmas with a freshness, approaching the story with a careful-but-not-academic look at the biblical text, and mixing in anecdotes of his experiences as a pastor. There are exercises at the back of each chapter that might help individuals and families center themselves on the spiritual realities of Christmas. Well worth reading.

[Alayna Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how every chapter focused on different aspects of Christmas and how we all celebrate it and anticipate it as well as focusing on different parts of THE Christmas story and different points of views of witnesses of the very first Christmas.

[Autumn Rybin]

12/18/2022 DNF at 25%.