Keeping Christ AS Christmas
()
About this ebook
If your plate is full, your money is tight, and your Christmas expectations seem impossible, this book was written for you! Keeping Christ AS Christmas is not another volume of "to do" lists for the holidays. It is a fresh approach to familiar traditions through simple strategies and sanity savers.
With practical and inspirational ideas, information, and instruction, Keeping Christ AS Christmas will help you and your family both seek and find Jesus in every Christmas activity. As you put into practice some of these simple strategies and sanity savers, your Christmas will be meaningful in a new and treasured way.
Keeping Christ AS Christmas: Preparing hearts, households, and homes for PEACE this Christmas season.
Jennifer Crawford Walker
Jennifer is a grateful Christ follower, full time minister's wife, mom, daughter, sister, homemaker, Bible student/teacher, writer, blogger, coffee drinker, chocolate eater, and truster of the Lord. Being the wife of James (a Minister of Education) and the mom of Nathan and Abigail (two teenagers) is Jennifer's full time job. The Walkers live and serve the Lord in a small town in the Mississippi Delta. Jennifer is a popular speaker for retreats and conferences and writes the blog, SmellingCoffee. You can visit with Jennifer on the Smelling Coffee Facebook page. Also, during this holiday season, look for KeepingChrist on Twitter and the hashtag #KeepingChrist for inspirational ideas posted throughout the Christmas season. Share your own ideas for Keeping Christ AS Christmas on the Keeping Christ AS Christmas Facebook page.
Related to Keeping Christ AS Christmas
Related ebooks
Christmas: A Gift for Every Heart Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLet Us Go Now to Bethlehem: Daily Devotions for Advent and Christmas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristmas in the Four Gospel Homes: An Advent Study Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5God Is With Us - [Large Print]: An Advent Study Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHark the Herald Angels Sing; A Christmas Devotional Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKeeping Christmas: Finding Joy in a Season of Excess and Strife Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMore Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Pursuit of God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBe Still My Soul: Soothing Hymn Meditations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFive Questions of Christmas: Unlocking the Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Four Paws from Heaven: Devotions for Dog Lovers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Courage to Go: A Memoir of the Seven Thousand Miles That Healed Me Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristmas: On This Holy Night Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChildren: God's Special Interest Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRobots or Rebels: The Dangers of Growing Up a Legalist, and Biblical Motivations for True Holiness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Christmas: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: An Advent Study for Adults Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBelieve and Rejoice: Joy is the Serious Business of Heaven. -C.S. Lewis Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStones Crying Out: Fulfilling Bible Prophecy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMeet Those Who Met the Master Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Everyday Matters Bible Studies for Women—Stewardship Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSharing Christ With the Dying: Bringing Hope to Those Near the End of Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Reset: Advent Devotions for the Whole Family Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Psalm-Shaped Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAbused Obscure or Misused Scripture Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Christ of Christmas: Readings for Advent Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Not a Silent Night Youth Leader Guide: Mary Looks Back to Bethlehem Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Wonder of Christmas [Large Print]: Once You Believe, Anything Is Possible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJust in Time! Prayers for Advent and Christmas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Baker Book House Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJourney Lesson 31 The Word Became Flesh Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Self-Improvement For You
A Stolen Life: A Memoir Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges: 60 Habit-Forming Programs to Live an Infinitely Better Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Win Friends and Influence People: Updated For the Next Generation of Leaders Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Think and Grow Rich (Illustrated Edition): With linked Table of Contents Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How May I Serve Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Witty Banter: Be Clever, Quick, & Magnetic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mastery of Self: A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall In Love With the Process of Becoming Great Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations on Codependency Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Organizing for the Rest of Us: 100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You're Not Dying You're Just Waking Up Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Keeping Christ AS Christmas
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Keeping Christ AS Christmas - Jennifer Crawford Walker
Dedication
This book is gratefully and lovingly dedicated to
My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Him,
there would be no Christmas, and no life.
My parents, Gilbert and Mary Crawford,
who taught me to know, love, and enjoy the Real Reason for the Season.
My husband and children, James, Nathan, and Abigail Walker,
with whom it is my deepest joy to celebrate Christmas
and every other day of the year.
Preface
Hopefully this is the first of many books to be authored by Jennifer Walker. Jennifer has been known and loved by her family and many friends throughout her life, and she continues to be a positive Christian influence to numerous others through her blog, retreats, special presentations, and Bible teaching. Jennifer is the most well-rounded, gifted, and godly young woman that I have ever personally known. She is an inspiration to all the lives she touches as she practices what she preaches. She is a wonderful Spirit-filled example of how to pray without ceasing, how to study the Scriptures, how to recognize God’s call, how to follow God’s will through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and how to love as Jesus loves. However, she would never accept this praise of herself because she gives God all the glory for every original
idea she presents and implements
Jennifer’s e-book Keeping Christ AS Christmas is filled with ways to live the holidays honoring the real reason for the season – Jesus. The book is informative, inspirational, and entertaining. It has been a privilege to read the book and plan with renewed conviction to have the most Christ AS Christmas
holiday season my family has ever had.
Janie Arnold Allen Bradley, Ph.D.
Contents
Dedication
Preface
Contents
What Can Keeping Christ AS Christmas do for you?
Section 1: Prepare Your Heart
Chapter 1: Placing Jesus at the Center of the Season
Chapter 2: Renewing Your Relationship with Jesus
Chapter 3: 10 Minutes a Morning with Jesus
Chapter 4: Stealth Holiday Quiet Times
Chapter 5: An Attitude Like Mary
Chapter 6: Just Give Me Jesus
Section 2: Prepare Your Household
Chapter 7: What is it That You Really Want?
Chapter 8: Gift Giving to Them as Unto Him
Chapter 9: What are You Giving Jesus This Year?
Chapter 10: Advent
Section 3: Prepare Your Home
Chapter 11: Christmas Traditions that Point to Jesus
Chapter 12: Christmas Cards and Letters
Chapter 13: Using the Names of God In Your Christmas Décor
Chapter 14: Setting the Tone of Your Home
Section 4: Preserve Your Sanity
Chapter 15: Impromptu Gift Ideas for Any Occasion
Chapter 16: When it’s Time to Pack Away the Christmas Décor
Chapter 17: Christ AS Christmas Sanity Savers
Chapter 18: The Extras
Chapter 19: The Days Before Christmas
About The Author
Acknowledgements
What can
Keeping Christ AS Christmas
do for you?
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you Be of good cheer
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
It’s the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It’s the hap- happiest season of all
There’ll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow…
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
There’ll be much mistletoe-ing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Eddie Pola & George Wyle
To me, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. I look forward to it all year long and begin seriously thinking about it in mid October. But I’ll be honest. Sometimes all of those parties for hosting and marshmallows for toasting and caroling and mistletoe-ing leave me exhausted instead of glowing. How about you?
If you’re like me, you know what Christmas means, and you know that you need to slow down enough to soak in the richness of the season. But your plate is full, your money is tight, and your expectations seem impossible.
In the past, just thinking about what needs to be done between now and Christmas used to leave me feeling overwhelmed. Then The Lord revealed some Truth to me as I studied and prayed through His Word.
I’m a natural procrastinator who often enjoys the thrill of the last minute, but God showed me that if I would take the time before the busy Christmas season to prepare my heart, my household, and my home, I would begin to enjoy the Christmases I have always dreamed of.
Years ago, God called me to write this book. A few months ago, He finally said, It is time.
It has been a true joy to sit down with Him and see the things He has placed on my heart come to life in Keeping Christ AS Christmas.
As I write, I am praying for everyone whose hands hold this book:
Dear Jesus, YOU are the Christ of Christmas, the Child born, the Son given, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6). Thank You for Your promise to us in James 1:5 that if we ask you for wisdom, you will give it fully, and not hold it back from us. So in your name, dear Jesus, I ask on behalf of myself and all who come across this book that YOU flow off of every page and pour into every life. Please give us Your Wisdom as we savor this information and listen for You to guide us as we make decisions concerning our hearts, households, and homes. May YOU, who are the One and Only Reason for this Season, ignite these words and bring them to life within each person. Prince of Peace, please reign over each mind, heart, and home represented. Please inspire our hearts with the breath of Your Spirit, and glorify Yourself as we seek to keep You AS Christmas this year. In the beautiful name of Jesus, A men.
To get started, answer these questions as honestly as you can:
• Do you want to get the most enjoyment out of this holiday season?
• Do you put pressure on yourself to create the perfect
Christmas for everyone?
• Does thinking about all that needs to happen during this upcoming holiday season make you wish it were January already?
• Do you get too stressed out and stretched out to enjoy the Reason for the Season?
• Are you missing the joy that you know you should have during this special time of year? (Further, are you experiencing guilt for lack of this joy?)
If you can answer yes
to any of these questions, then this book is for you! In Keeping Christ AS Christmas, you’ll learn practical how to
steps in letting Jesus prepare your hearts, households, and homes for this upcoming Christmas season.
Keeping Christ as Christmas is not another to do
list for the holidays. It is a fresh way of thinking about Christmas and inspired strategies in acting and reacting to this season in a refreshing and peaceful way. Jesus Christ is not merely in Christmas… He IS Christmas. If we keep our focus ON Jesus during these busy days, He will keep Himself AS Christmas in our lives.
This book is divided into four sections: Prepare your Heart, Prepare your Household, Prepare your Home, and Preserve your Sanity. Each section’s content builds on the other. Because I am in the throws of motherhood and family, much of what I share in Prepare your Household is more applicable to a full household. However, even if you live quietly alone, there is something in each section that will meet your needs.
At the end of each chapter is a section for prayer and action called Christ AS Christmas Commitment. The Christ AS Christmas Commitment activities will help you move from head knowledge to heart change. Please don’t skip them. They too, build upon one another.
The Scripture verses quoted in Keeping Christ AS Christmas are from various translations and are linked to BibleGateway.com. Following each verse is an abbreviation of the translation used.
Amp = Amplified Bible
Msg = The Message
NLT = New Living Translation
NIV = New International Version 1984
NCV = New Century Version
I pray that what you gain from this book will impact your Christmases for years to come. I’d love to hear from you about how God used this book in your Christmas celebrations.
Please e-mail me at Jennifer@ChristASChristmas.com. Also, look for KeepingChrist on Twitter and the hashtag #KeepingChrist for inspirational ideas posted throughout the Christmas season. Share your own ideas for Keeping Christ AS Christmas on the Keeping Christ AS Christmas Facebook page. For daily inspiration on faith, family, food, fun, life, love, and living it all through Jesus Christ, visit with me year round on my blog: SmellingCoffee.com.
Thank you for joining me on this journey as we seek to Keep Christ AS Christmas. May He be pleased and glorified through all we do at Christmastime and every other day of the year.
In Jesus’ joy,
Jennifer Crawford Walker
November 2011
And whatever you do,
no matter what it is, in word or deed,
do everything
in the name of the Lord Jesus
and in dependence upon His Person,
giving praise to God the Father
through Him.
Colossians 3:17 (Amp)
Prepare Your
Heart
"The most important part of
Christmas
is the first six letters."
Anonymous
Chapter 1
Placing Jesus at the
Center of the Season
"Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice!
Now ye hear of endless bliss;
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven’s door,
And man is blest forever more.
Christ was born for this,
Christ was born for this!"
Good Christian Men, Rejoice
14th century carol
To many Americans, the word Christmas can be defined by: days off work, time with family and friends, presents, shopping, spending too much money, decorating, cooking, eating too many rich foods, caroling, Hallmark movies, greeting cards, red and green, Santa, staying up too late, lazy days spent in pajamas…
None of these things is bad. In fact, our family enjoys and looks forward to most of them. But these things do not define Christmas. To those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,