Customer Reviews

25 Days, 26 Ways to Make This Your Best Christmas Ever

5 star:		(9)
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2 star:		(1)
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I have a tension with Christmas. I absolutely love it, and yet sometimes feel like we're missing the point. Tradition is not bad, but even well-intentioned and meaningful traditions can also become idols.

So, when I received 25 Days, 26 Ways to Make This Your Best Christmas Ever to review, I was skeptical but hoping for the best. The book is written in short chapters that are intended to be read one at a time from December 1st through the 25th. This is not a devotional, but rather a light "reflective reading" book from a Christian perspective.

I have to say, as I began reading this little book my hopes were lifting. I really enjoyed reading Ace Collins' accounts of the historical "Good King Wenceslas" [I never knew he was a real person!], the church's historical observance of advent, the way Christian missionaries in years long ago used mistletoe and evergreen trees to share the gospel, the roots of some of our most beloved Christmas carols, and Martin Luther being the first to add candles to the Christmas tree to symbolize Jesus as the Light of the World. Collins' historical tidbits really did add a new layer of understanding and appreciation to Christmas traditions for me. I also appreciated the emphasis he rightly placed on giving and generosity, and that we should be seeking to emulate the love and heart of Christ.

BUT. I found Collins' approach to refocusing on the meaning of the season to be shallow and scattered. His approach to lessening stress during the holidays seems to be "do more and be happy about it." I felt like my hand was being slapped [albeit jovially] for not being a person who typically sends Christmas cards - and in fact, that I should be picking out individual cards that reflect the tastes of each friend and family member I send them to. I should pick out more gifts more thoughtfully. I should put up more lights more carefully. I should bake more cookies and give them away. I should take more pictures. Oh, and if I'm finding myself too rushed I should slow down and ride my bike. If I feel stressed about these things I should hum a Christmas carol and "turn my frown upside down."

No matter how meaningful the roots of our Christmas traditions, I still contend that those very traditions can become idols that can overtake our focus on Christ. They aren't bad - Christmas cards, lights, decorations, music, shopping, baking... all are enjoyable and fun and can create lovely memories. But perhaps instead of doing more and feeling guilty about not embracing a Clever-family Christmas, we should consider doing less. Perhaps we need to free ourselves a bit from the guilt of all of the "must-do" items on our agendas this time of year that really don't matter in the lens of eternity.

In short, if you're looking for a light and mildly interesting read about Christmas traditions, this might be what you're looking for. Just please take it with a grain of salt and banish the guilt of feeling that you must do more.

Consider learning about traditions, carefully choose what you will do, and do less... with more purpose. :)

I packed this book to take on a business trip with me mid November. As I sat in my hotel room with no distractions I opened the book and instantly became thankful it had been written. The hotel I was staying in was already decked for Christmas as well as the shopping malls I had visited earlier in the day. That bothered me a bit until I read the first few pages and learned that during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevels asked folks to shop and mail their gifts early to ensure loved ones overseas received their packages. I thought of all of our soldiers and sailors serving right now during wartime and became filled with emotions of thankfulness to them.

I am a Christian. I go to church each Sunday. Our church recognizes Advent each Christmas. I never understood the real meaning of Advent until I read this book.

The history of the Christmas Tree, Mistle toe, etc have all been revealed to me now.

Most important of all though is how this book has given me the desire to serve others, share my joy with others, give of myself in ways I never thought of all in the Spirit of Christmas, the True Spirit in Which Christmas was intended. Please read this book. It will change your life.

This is a well-researched and thoughtful book. Collins goes into interesting detail as to the origins of many Christmas songs, decorations and traditions. One of my favorite chapters was where he describes the meaning of "The Twelve Days of Christmas". The book is jam packed with ways to make this holiday season your best ever. Much of the focus is on doing Christmas related activities as a family and serving others. He even includes recipes for Christmas treats.

Collins also writes about slowing down, not getting stressed and enjoying the season. However, if one were to put all the suggestions into place, I don't see how it would be possible to slow down! Also, many of his suggestions seemed to assume that family members would be willing participants in all these activities. I can picture larger and more hectic families where it would be very difficult to get everyone on the same page.

In summary, the book is full of history and ideas as to how to put a lot into the season so you'll get the most out of it. While it is probably unrealistic to follow all of his suggestions, there are a great amount to pick and choose from. They are also many great reminders as to what a special time of the year this can be.

This book was provided for review by Zondervan.

Not too long ago I read a few fiction books by Ace Collins {Farraday Road and Swope's Ridge} and got completely hooked on his fiction. Enough that I am anxiously waiting for the conclusion of the trilogy.

For the Christmas season, Ace Collins has released a new book that focuses on ways to put the JOY back in Christmas: 25 Days, 26 Ways To Make This Your Best Christmas Ever. Each of the twenty-six chapters in the book shares ideas for looking at holiday traditions, frustrations, and expectations and making Christmas what it should be ~ a time of peace and focus on Christ.

I've been reading the book daily and love the insights and perspective that Collins offers. It's been a great encouragement and way to refocus my perspective each morning. At the end of each chapter there is a little `shortcut' that provides an idea on how you can apply the topic of the day. Chapters cover topics on the meaning of old Christmas carols, the significance behind the Magi's gifts to Jesus, Advent, and preserving the holidays. The daily readings are quick and a great start to my morning quiet time. This is one book that I will be keeping handy each Christmas season for a reminder on the important things in life.

This book really reiterated to me what I had already decided this year, that this season was not going to be packed with too much to do each day, but instead December would be a lovely time to enjoy with family. So far, on this 9th day of December, the season has been lovely. My entire Christmas shopping is done and Christmas cards have been sent. We have taken time already to go to the huge light display in Lexington, eat peppermint ice cream, read a story for Advent each day, and enjoy a special Christmas movie each night.

Ace Collins, the author, takes each of the 25 days of Christmas and focuses on a seasonal topic. Day 3 was a look at what "Merry" in Merry Christmas and God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen means. I will not give it away here, but you may be surprised at the meaning. At chapter's end, Mr. Collins gives A Shortcut to the Season with an idea on how the reader can make the reading come alive. For example, he suggests figuring up how much it would cost to give to your true love today the 12 gifts of The Twelve Days of Christmas. My oldest boy will love that. My father always said his tree was decorated on Christmas Eve, which I always found strange. Now I know this was typical in the 40s and earlier. Early Christmas shopping did not begin unto World War II. So why do we kill ourselves trying to rush around so now? We need to get back to the joy of the season.

This is a book that is worth reading every December 1st. It features short chapters that take you through various Christmas traditions -- some of which you know, and a few you might not recognize (e.g., Christmas trees, mistletoe, silent night, boxing day, etc.). Many of the chapters also include Bible verses to support the text, which I found uplifting.

The intent of the book is to bring back the excitement, joy, and goodwill that surrounds the Christmas Holiday, and I used several of the chapters in family devotionals. A few of the ideas are a bit sappy, but I think you will find some neat things to consider incorporating into your family's traditions as you observe Christmas.

I starting reading this book 25 days before Christmas and enjoyed each and every day of it. It helped me to slow down and think about the real reason for Christmas -- the birth of our Lord and Savior. There were so many creative ideas for enjoying the Christmas season in new ways, for starting new traditions and remembering some traditions I had forgotten over the years. I plan to buy several copies of this book and give it to family and loved ones around Thanksgiving time next year so they can enjoy it as much as I did. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book in every aspect.

This was my first Ebook delivered to my Kindle to read. This was going to be a diffult holiday for me, having lost my Mom last year. The author conveyed many delightful ways to capture the spirit of the holiday I'd long ago forgotten. Not to mention, learning where many of our traditions came from. I highly recommend this since it's an easy book to read before bedtime. If it made me smile, I am guessing someone else will, too. This was a real blessing for me to find.

If you are you singing the Charlie Brown blues complaining of how Christmas has morphed into a six-week season of commercialism, you will want to read book.

Whether you're looking for some quick Christmas history, some great Christmas recipes, or some unique perspective on embracing the commercialism of Christmas by sharing the Gospel with others, 25 Days, 26 Ways to Make This Your Best Christmas Ever is a good choice for this Christmas.

It's a short book and great for what I call my `Christmas Planning Moments.' The twenty-six ways listed in the book encouraged and inspired me and nudged my perspective back in line with Christianity. We all get so carried away with the excitement of Christmas. This book gives the listmakers, the planners, the organizers among us something to check off as we hurry through the Christmas Season.

What were my favorite parts of this book? Day 3 - Making Christmas Mighty used the lyrics of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen to shake me up (as the reader) with straight talk. But, I needed to be shook up. Laying the responsibility of my enjoyment of Christmas squarely on my shoulders, exactly where it needed to be.

Another of my favorite parts was Day 18 - Embracing the Commercialization of Christmas. This chapter pointed out that Jesus used any family/friends gathering to share the gospel and we should as well. My favorite was the idea of putting your life verse on the inside flap of all the greeting cards or on the name tag of a gift.

And lastly, the Chapter entitled A Bonus Day - Filling a Big Box struck a chord in my heart as it described the English tradition of Boxing Day. This is a tradition that America would do well to observe.

A wonderful book organized and written to keep your perspective true during the Christmas Season, I recommend it highly. Pick this one up and keep it with your Christmas decorations. Next year when you begin to decorate, reread it or give it to someone else.

Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: The Vessel Project

i was dreading christmas. it was dec 1. i came across this book just in time and i knew i had to read it. thank god i did. i forgot the joy of christmas and I give thanks to Ace Collins for making me remember with this wonderful book.