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

I read Ace Collins book,and bought a few copies for Christmas gifts this year. I plan on purchasing more copies for Christmas gifts in 2010. This book is a "keeper" to read each day in December. I too go to Church regularly and read my Bible, but there are many traditions that I wasn't aware of as to why we participate in them. And, now I know. Excellent book!

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.

Want to survive the "monthlong traffic jam" that seems to define Christmas in our modern world with your joy intact? Ace Collins has the keys -- 25 of them, in short chapters to be read in the 25 days before Christmas day. This is a refreshingly honest and upbeat Advent devotional that will inspire you with vignettes from history, church tradition, modern life and scripture. *25 Days, 26 Ways To Make This Your Best Christmas Ever* by Ace Collins (Zondervan 2009) is a wonderful little volume to add to your Christmas book collection. Diane Allen

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.