Sacred Holidays

by Becky Kiser

I’ll admit it: I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays. My efforts to achieve a Norman Rockwell holiday a la Pinterest are integrated into the midst of a mishmash of emotional chaos and wonderful childhood memories. Sacred Holidays caught my eye as I realized Becky Kiser had written a book dealing with some of the issues I and many others have with the holidays. She aptly subtitles her book Less Chaos, More Jesus. This is in many ways a reference book designed to be adapted to the reader’s choices about holidays. it should be written in and referred back to during the year and over the years.

First, Kiser talks to the reader about her own journey at simplifying the holidays and putting the focus on Jesus. She stresses the need to change your mindset about the holidays before you begin, in the second part, to baby step your way through individual holidays and decisions about how and why you choose to celebrate the way you do. Lastly she addresses “common struggles” people face. She discusses how to have a Jesus focus without losing the whimsy that makes a holiday special for both children and adults. Other topics include grief during the holidays, realistic expectations, and budgets and generosity. She talks openly and honestly about the Santa Claus dilemma for Christians. Spoiler alert: there is no one right answer! It’s a decision you need to prayerfully make for your family.

As a reader preparing to review the book, it seemed top-heavy with Scriptures, BUT if I were studying a particular holiday trying to ferret out the traditions I would most like to choose for my family, I think they would be valuable. What appeals to me most about this book is the emphasis on creativity. Readers bring to the table traditions they might want to continue, but they can also use suggestions from the book or create new traditions all on their own. The place to start your planning is probably not the 50 pins you scored on Pinterest last night. Simplifying and being able to say “no” are key tools in making memories for your family’s holidays.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to B & H Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Christian, Crafts & Hobbies

Notes: This book is not just for families, but can be used by singles equally well. It is for those with and those without kids.

Publication: October 16, 2018—B & H Publishing Group

Memorable Lines:

Holidays can be especially tricky to navigate as a Christian—wanting to celebrate and focus on Christ yet being pulled into the chaos or whimsy of each holiday.

Let’s stop living life in survival mode, constantly on the defense, a victim of our schedules and the expectations of others. Instead, let’s live sacred—holy and set apart—with our holidays having less chaos, and more Jesus.

I am better for the choices I’m learning to make. I am doing exactly what I feel most called to do, and it’s because I am learning to say no to all the little good things that may not be my best things.

So let’s take our eyes off of what everyone else seems to be doing and focus more on what God says we should be doing.

I've been a follower of Becky Kiser and her studies for awhile now, and jumped at the opportunity to read this book. Becky Kiser's Sacred Holidays is the perfect practical resource for less chaos and more Jesus, during all the holiday seasons. I sometimes find that Christian women's books make me feel pressured and that some of the tenets are unobtainable for this messy soul. Sacred Holidays is none of that, and encourages us to embrace imperfection, while pointing each holiday towards Jesus in a super practical manner.

This book is a resource. It's meant to be dog-eared, marked up, and used. From page 1, Becky provides practical tips towards having a sacred holiday. The book begins with a chapter to teach you how to use the book and then launches into the pressures and worries of the holiday season, while providing biblical truth and spaces to journal your regrets during past seasons, and your wishes for the future. This is a great section for refining your heart and figuring out how to pray over your life.

From there, the book breaks down every major holiday from a biblical perspective. How should we as Christians demonstrate Jesus in the midst of chaos? Let's face it, holidays can bring out the very worst. When consumerism, greed, and trying to keep up with your neighbors' shows up loud and proud, Becky provides simple, practical tips to navigate the bad feelings with grace, and confidence in Christ.

This book is for every woman. There are so many practical tips to embrace the goodness of Jesus right where you are, regardless of income, schedule, location and more. I feel like Becky gets us and understands that it's okay to balance chaos with a dose of intention. That not everything during the holidays may be perfect, but if your heart is focused on Jesus, it will all turn out okay.

I very much enjoyed this. I definitely think I should have waited to start this one and have read it around the holidays more

I really enjoyed this read! I am a holiday fanatic, but often get caught up in the craziness that is every holiday season. I loved Becky's thoughts and practical ideas on why and how we should make holidays sacred and meaningful.
I didn't agree with all of Becky's practices or opinions, but I was okay with that. She got me thinking and working towards some tangible steps of making holidays work for our families... and that's what matters!

This book is one that you will come back to again and again, holiday after holiday. It is like a visit with a friend where you get ideas on ways to make the holidays fit into your life, from crazy holidays to holy and set apart!

This is a book I will come back and revisit often. I love the tag line, “less chaos, more Jesus.” I don’t have kids of my own but still was able to get a lot out of this book. I love all of the scripture and the suggestions about summer. I also like the discussion about not being “that Christian”. Really gave me a lot to think about especially regarding Halloween. I definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to be more intentional about their holiday plans.

Kiser lays her cards on the table when it comes to her family's approach to each holiday. Advent & Christmas; Lent & Easter; Birthdays, Valentine's Day; Summer holidays; they can all be redeemed for something that is focussed on Christ and intentionally set apart from the rhythm of the year. Kiser unpacks the ways in which her family enjoys each holiday while having complete respect for those who have chosen to take a different approach. Her "you be you" attitude towards viewing each holiday through the lens of the Bible and tailoring it to suit your family in whatever season you're in is both liberating and positively challenging. Well grounded in Scripture, packed with practical examples, and easily transferable to a non-American culture (there are chapters on Thanksgiving and Halloween), this book has value for you whatever your life situation may be. Let's be intentional about our holidays by working towards less chaos, and more Jesus.

This is an excellent resource. About 5 years ago, I started thinking more intentionally about the holidays, especially the Advent season and the days leading up to Easter. I prayed and sought advice from others. I was able to observe how godly friends celebrated these holidays, and I implemented those ideas. When I got married a few years ago, the things I had implemented for the holidays became more difficult and it was harder to figure out how to do this as a couple.

This book is one I wish would have been written years ago, and I am so thankful that it has been written now. Becky Kiser takes all of her experience as a wife, mother of 3, and ministry leader to offer tools that help us not only refocus our holiday season, but also have fun. In each chapter, she takes a major holiday or season and gives very practical ideas on how we can make that holiday sacred. Beyond the sacred, she also provides practical ways we can have fun and live intentionally in that season. Not only does she talk about focusing on Christ and having fun, but she also addresses struggles that may make a holiday difficult to celebrate.

This book is loaded with Scripture, Bible reading plans, journaling prompts, goal setting ideas, lists of fun things to do and activities that kids could enjoy.

If you are tired of the crazy and feel like you are missing the point, give this book a try. If you are a believer and you want more from the holidays and don’t know where to begin, this book is an excellent resource for you.

While this book offers many suggestions for families and children, this book is just as useful for single adults and couples without children. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any believer. Personally, this is a book I will keep on hand and use as a tool to help guide holiday seasons now and in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and B&H Publishing Group for an eARC to read and review!