Giving an Ebook as A Gift

So for you procrastinators out there who still need a few more gifts, but might not be able to get out to the store, have you considered down-loading some e-books?  (Scroll Down to the bottom for my personal recommendations)

• They're a great gift for someone who has too much stuff, as they take up little to no space.
• They're are very inexpensive compared to print books (and you should buy a new copy for each person on your list)
• And sometimes free, like my book : ) 
• You don't have to load any children in car seats in order to buy them.
• It makes use of the e-reader everyone got for last Christmas.

In order for an un-named person on my list to be able to open something on Christmas I downloaded 7 e-books on CD and Printed off "covers" for each of them, and glued it to pink card stock.  My Master plan is to hole punch these and put them in a mini binder with the CD.

You could also print off the e-books if the copyright allows it.  (Mine does by the way)

The Books I chose were all ones I have read and truly enjoyed.  The un-named recipient (as if she hasn't guessed who she is by now if she's reading this) is a new mom.  Reading all of these books (and writing one) were a HUGE blessing to me, and I selected them with that in mind. Warrior Prayers in particular touched me, because I just had a son.  (Plus it's on sale right now for $.99)  Here are the links for the other books.

The Following Books are Free!!!

(Or Download for your specific e-reader here fore only $.99, Kindle, Nook, Sony, Kobo & others )

Some of these are affiliate links, but I'm not recommending the books because I'm affiliated with them, I'm affiliated with the books because I recommend them (highly).  And do consider using my links, I will make a small commission which of course helps buy a few more stocking stuffers.

The Coventry Carol (and lyrics)

The Coventry Carol is not typically a Christmas song you'll hear in celebration of Jesus' birth.  In fact, it's subject matter is horribly saddening, and yet it's a part of Christ's coming.

The salvation of the world was bought with Christ's blood, but before this many other innocents needed to die at the hand of Herod.

This song is a sobering reminder of the price of our sin.  As we reflect this Christmas season, on Christ's coming, let us not forget the cost.

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child.
By, by, lully, lullay.

O sisters, too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day;
This poor Youngling for whom we sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

Herod the King, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day;
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young, to slay.

Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee,
And ever mourn and say;
For Thy parting, nor say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

Why it's Okay to Celebrate Christmas

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. "

John 1:14

I had an interesting comment on my post last week about what Christmas wasn't about.  It was hard to tell whether the commenter was a Christian who didn't think we should celebrate Christmas or a non-Christian who thinks Christians like me are inconsistent when we celebrate Christmas.  Either way here are my thoughts:

The Old testament and Jewish traditions tell of many Holy Days and festivals.  Jesus is even seen celebrating Jewish fesitvals in the New Testament. In fact Jesus' last evening on earth is spent partaking a Passover meal.  As Holy and important as those Old testament traditions were, in my opinion they pale in comparison to the fulfillment of God's promise of a Messiah who would redeem the world.

Next to the day Jesus bore our sin, then the day when He conquered death, I can think of no greater miracle than when God became flesh and dwelt amoung us. It gave a dark world hope, and that is why we celebrate Christmas.

Gifts are given, feasts are prepared, songs are sung, and time is spent in great joy with family because the world has a reason it can be truly happy.  God became man so that we could be redeemed from our sins, and a curse could finally be broken.

Was Jesus truly born on December 25th? Probably not, but does it truly matter?  Knowing that our God loved us so much, that He was willing to send His Son into the world for us, while we were yet sinners, that's truly worth celebrating!  It's worth celebrating with Gusto and Fanfare.

If you're celebrating Christmas because you want another excuse to eat turkey with family, you want more toys, and you enjoy decorating, then you're celebrating for the wrong reasons.

If however you're celebrating Christmas because God has freed you from your sins, and given you a reason for true joy and celebration, then that's when celebrating is truly worth it.  Holy celebration of God's gift and sacrifice. 

There is a time to bow in reverence before the manger as we reflect on God's precious gift, and there is a time to shout and dance in praise because of our freedom that was bought when Christ became flesh.

Blessings!

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Christmas Without Santa

"You're not going to teach your children about him!?"

"No, Craig and I feel that if we teach our children about him, we'd be lying to them."

"But that's unfair, you can't have Christmas without him,  your children need him!!"

As the title of my post may suggest, this conversation wasn't about Jesus.  It was about Jolly Old St. Nicholas.  But based on the reaction of some people, you would think that when I tell them we don't do the "Santa thing" that it's akin to having Chritmas without the baby in the manger.

Let's put some things into persepctive though.  Christmas isn't about presents, it's not about family, it's not even about going to church.  Christmas is about celebrating God's precious sacrifice when he came to this world in flesh (which we just so happen to celebrate with gifts, family, and church).

What happens when the celebration overshadows the meaning of Christmas though?  Well I think you wind up with what Christmas looks like today, incredibly commercialized and simply another "Holiday" in December.

When it comes to celebrating Christmas though it doesn't take a marketing scientist to realize who takes center stage.  It's not baby Jesus that's for sure.

How many Christmas movies come out each year that feature Jesus as the star?  How many come out in theaters and are played on television that star Kris Kringle?  When the message of a movie is "Believe" chances are Jesus isn't the one they are referring to.

Verbalizing this is sometimes tricky when so few understand what Christmas is truly about.  Jolene Engle does it perfectly however in her free ebook Strenthening Your Child's Faith at Christmas.  Here's a quote from her chapter on Santa Claus:

"There is nothing in my family‟s Christmas celebrations and traditions that point to Santa Claus, be-cause he is a counterfeit. This was not something that our extended family members understood, but they eventually got over. Most of them respected our decision even though it was not always easy for us at the holidays. The intent on keeping Jesus at the center of our beliefs during Christmas was not something my husband and I were willing to compromise- it was non-negotiable. At the thought of my perfect Savior dripping blood from his body while hanging on the cross, the horrific beating and mockery he endured from those he created and loved, and the fact that I deserved it all instead of Him, brings me to my knees in devotion and loyalty, with the unwavering resolve to never let Santa or anyone else occupy even a small place of honor or significance in the celebration of HIS birth."

I'd highly recommend going to her website and downloading the book if you have little ones in your home.  It is filled with ideas of making this a truly Christ-filled Christmas.

Blessings!