This book gives us a way to keep the holy in holidays, while still celebrating them with joy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lots of great ideas, very helpful definitely get the physical book of this one, not the audiobook.
There were tips for taking the time to think about each holiday and how to make them special for your family. It was created it a way so that the reader can be intentional about the memories they are making to their families.

thought the concept of this book was going to be good...and it was. The cover initially made me think of Christmas, and while Christmas may have been the holiday that made the author make this changes she goes on to explain, this book details all the holidays and how to make them personal, intentional and worshipful.

Now, I do not necessarily feel that all my holidays need to have an element of worship to them, but the idea that chaos tends to rule when a holiday comes and it overshadows meaning, tradition and the people involved, is real.

Becky explains her big "a-ha" moment and encourages you, the reader, to take ownership over your own holidays. To Santa or not to Santa? Is Halloween feel taboo to you? She goes on, but lays out a well thought out approach to investigating the heart of each holiday. Each holiday is broken down into meaning and founding principles, a section for you to write down your favorite "to keep" things about each holiday and then many ideas on how you can enrich your holiday time.

The book is meant to be a regularly used reference tool for ongoing assessment and reflection. It is really not a book that you sit down and read all at once (although you can so you know how to use and reference for later...highlighting recommended). Each holiday section is meant to be read and thought through about 30 days prior to that holiday.

So, I feel overall that thinking through the holidays and becoming more intentional before they are even upon you is absolutely a recipe for less chaos. And focusing on traditions that are glorifying to God and also build up your family and serves others, is a recipe for many enjoyable, sacred holidays.

When I selected this book to read, I thought it would have more Christmas than it does. This book takes all the holidays, ones we consider Christian and others and shares thoughts and ideas on how to destress and make them family friendly as well as interjecting our Christian beliefs and letting go of some secular customs that might detract from the holiday. This is a book that is part workbook, instructive and one that you can use in discussions with family and friends. The book begins with January celebrations right through to Christmas. It even includes birthday celebrations and Halloween. I really liked the emphasis on family activities and sharing. I would have made great use of this when my kids were young, had I read it then. This book will not be for everyone, but with Christmas approaching and if you are looking for a way to make this holiday more relaxing, family friendly, and to celebrate the real reason for the season, it's not too late to pick it up.

Loved the concept of this books. It was well written and unique.Lots of information for making the holidays special.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Great Christian book. Highly recommend.

When I first picked up this book, I wasn’t sure what to think but I absolutely loved the concept of this book. The book was well written and unique. Great job.

Very informative book. Full of a lot of useful information. This book will also be very useful for future reference

This was such a unique read! As a mother of 6 i'm always looking for ways to make holidays special! You wont regret picking this book up and highlighting it a ton! This is one to keep handy and review yearly, and even a good gift to your other mama friends!

Holidays had become just another family gathering, just another day to me. Because of the chaos that surrounded them I had become numb. This book helps get back to their true meaning and celebration.

I love the idea of this book. It helped me to think about how we celebrate holidays and what traditions we do. I think this is a great resource to keep around. She recommends reading the chapter a month or two before the holiday so you can make a plan. I love this idea!

Having this book during the Christmas season was absolutely wonderful and helped me center myself and my family around the true reason for the season. Also this cover is so cute! I am really considering buying the hardcopy to spice up my bookshelf or coffee table. Thank you to NetGalley and B&H Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Are you wanting to make Jesus the center of your holidays? When it is so easy to get stuck in the chaos of the seasons, Becky Kiser gives you a resource guide to bring the focus back to God. It gives you a plan to follow broken down into three parts - Less Chaos, More Jesus \ Holidays \ Common Struggles. It focuses on several holidays and can be read over and over again.

Kiser urges followers of Jesus to become more intentional and thoughtful in bringing faith to the annual holidays. In an age when secularization has warped the origins of feasts and celebrations in the Church calendared, she offers reflection and practical ways to reclaim our heritage of faith and practice.

Each holiday chapter offers scriptures, purpose, and motivation for celebrations, along with ways to integrate the event into studies, family life, and personal devotions. If you're stumped as to how to make holidays meaningful - or if you've been drifting through the years without meditation on the meaning of your faith, this book will bring your practices to life.

Easily customizable. Lots of options. What's not to like? Excellent for parents and group leaders.

Sacred Holidays: Less Chaos, More Jesus by Becky Kiser
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Genre: Christian | Religion & Spirituality
Release Date: October 16, 2018

Sacred Holidays by Becky Kiser is a guide to reduce the chaos around celebrating the holidays, allowing you to focus on the reason for the season.

This book is broken into three parts. Part 1 is meant to be read at any time and is called "Less Chaos, More Jesus". Part 2 is called "Holidays" and each chapter is meant to be read before you reach the different holidays throughout the year, such as New Year's, Valentines Day, Summer, Halloween, Birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Advent and Christmas. Part 2 is called "Common Struggles" and is meant to be read as needed and covers topics like Realistic Expectations, Budgets and Generosity, Grief, and Be Yourself and Be with Others.

This book offered a lot of great ideas for enjoying the holidays with a lot let stress.

I'm so grateful to Becky Kiser, B&H Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Ever feel like you are competing against a world of perfect snapshots, especially during the holiday season?
Kiser gets it, and gives you freedom to take back those special days. She discusses each major holiday that we may have throughout the year and provides the reader with thoughtful questions to help determine what that holiday personally means. Holiday mission statements and prompts to use when thinking of how to incorporate Jesus into each special day are great ways to emphasize the reason for each season. I took lots of notes and will be referring back to this book!

This is a book I keep out at all times. I adore that this focuses on various holidays and gives you activities, décor ideas and so much more while keeping the focus on God and His Word.

Becky Kiser approaches the holiday seasons in a new and completely fresh light, challenging the reader to reevaluate how you celebrate each one.

Sacred Holidays deals not only with the what a lot of Christians would consider the "major" holidays, but also the smaller ones, birthdays, etc.

Overall, it was a good read and gives one a lot to think on. If you are looking for a book to rethink the way you do holidays in your house or just gain another perspective - this book is for you!

I recieved a complimentary copy of this book compliments of the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required and all thoughts/opinions are my own.

Loved this book! More of a hands-on resource, with space to reflect, plan and personalize the material to the individual reader. Easy read full of practical strategies for living out the holidays (Easter, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine's, New Years...) with intentionality-less chaos, more Jesus. Glad I had a free electronic copy to read before Halloween ;)

Sacred Holidays was such a refreshment to read. At no time did I feel inadequate or insecure about the way I currently celebrate or don’t celebrate holidays. The Author has such a kind way of explaining things that makes you look at them from a new perspective. I enjoyed reading this book immensely, it was so easy to follow and I know I will use it as a reference for years to come. I would suggest this to anyone who celebrates holidays, I realize that is a broad spectrum of people but it will change the way you look at life and I think everyone could use that. There are also chapters about how to deal with things unrelated to holidays, but more like seasons of life.

5/5 stars.