Introduction
SECTION ONE – NEW YEARS
1. REALIZING THE SPIRITUAL PRESSURE OF THE HOLIDAYS
2. CELEBRATING A NEW YEAR
3. SETTING GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR
SECTION TWO - BIRTHDAYS
4. CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAYS OF YOUR CHILDREN
5. CELEBRATING SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAYS
6. HOSTING A “BLESSING” PARTY
SECTION THREE – GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER
7. ENTERING INTO THE MEANING OF GOOD FRIDAY
8. LIVING IN LIGHT OF THE MEANING OF EASTER
SECTION FOUR – THANKSGIVING
9. IDEAS FOR CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING
10. UNLEASHING THE SPIRITUAL POTENTIAL OF THANKSGIVING
11. CULTIVATING A SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING – PART I
12. CULTIVATING A SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING – PART II
SECTION FIVE – CHRISTMAS
13. WELCOMING THE LORD TO YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
14. ENJOYING THE LORD IN THE HOLIDAYS
15. MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE IN THE HOLIDAYS
16. ENHANCING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST IN THE HOLIDAYS
17. TRUSTING GOD FOR REST AND REFRESHMENT IN THE HOLIDAYS
18. LEARNING TO BE A CHANNEL OF GOD’S LOVE IN THE HOLIDAYS
19. NOT FORGETTING THE “D” WORD DURING THE HOLIDAYS
20. PREPARING FOR TEMPTATION DURING HOLIDAYS
SECTION SIX – OTHER HOLIDAYS
21. CELEBRATING MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
22. EXPERIENCING CHRIST’S LOVE ON VALENTINE'S DAY
23. HONORING A SOVEREIGN GOD ON PRESIDENTS' DAY
24. CULTIVATING A MISSIONARY SPIRIT ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY
25. HONORING YOUR LORD AS YOU HONOR YOUR PARENTS (FATHER'S DAY & MOTHER'S DAY)
26. REJOICING IN THE FREEDOM THAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST (INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS)
27. HONORING THE LORD ON LABOR DAY
28. RETHINKING HALLOWEEN
Conclusion
FOR THE BACK OF THE BOOK ONLY:
This is a book that is long overdue, and I am grateful for the time and energy that Bill and his wife Penny have put into its preparation. It is my prayer that this book will help many Christians do what they sincerely desire to do: take every opportunity to receive and reflect the love of Christ to family and friends.
From the Foreword by New York Times #1 Bestselling author: Gary Chapman, Ph.D.
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This book will draw you closer to Christ and to each other and help you celebrate milestones in meaningful ways. I highly recommend it.
Chris Fabry
Author and radio host
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It’s one thing to keep your kids focused on God during Christmas and Easter, but quite another to help them see the spiritual significance of Valentine’s Day or Arbor Day. Bill and Penny Thrasher’s book will help families think biblically about holidays throughout the calendar year.
Jim Daly
President, Focus on the Family
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FOR THE INSIDES:
It’s one thing to keep your kids focused on God during Christmas and Easter, but quite another to help them see the spiritual significance of Valentine’s Day or Arbor Day. Bill and Penny Thrasher’s book will help families think biblically about holidays throughout the calendar year.
Jim Daly
President, Focus on the Family
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"I love holidays! They are filled with family, fun and an opportunity to step away from my “day job” for a change of pace. Yet sometimes our anticipation of the holiday outweighs the actual experience. For some, holidays are full of haunting memories of the past. So how do we make the best of holiday celebrations? Bill Thrasher has some helpful ideas that will take your holidays to the next level."
Joseph M. Stowell
President, Cornerstone University
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“We often give but a passing nod toward traditional holidays without realizing that they were intended originally to be ‘holy days.’ This book will help put devotion on the agenda for our regular rhythms of life throughout the year, a sorely needed issue for many of us.”
Josh Moody
Senior Pastor
College Church, Wheaton, Illinois
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“If you are concerned that the Christian holidays are becoming muted in the midst of the growing welter of state and national holidays—do not despair. Bill and Penny Thrasher’s Putting God Back in the Holidays shows how you can better exalt Christ through the great days of the church calendar and, likewise, infuse the secular holidays with an elevating, life-giving spirit. What a positive read this is! And, because I know the Thrasher family, I can say that they live it out. Read this book and be encouraged and enriched.”
R. Kent Hughes
Senior Pastor Emeritus
College Church, Wheaton, Illinois
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“The Thrashers have written a very valuable book to help with holiday advice and direction. An important and timely read.”
Pat Williams
Senior Vice President
Orlando Magic
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“One of the most practical books ever on relationships and celebrating God’s love through the holidays all year round. This book will draw you closer to Christ and to each other and help you celebrate milestones in meaningful ways. I highly recommend it.”
Chris Fabry
Author and radio host
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“Holidays are often endured, not enjoyed. While anticipated, the net outcome for families today is usually fatigue and frustration. Having navigated, often unsuccessfully, my family through the maze of holidays, I rejoice in this important work by Bill and Penny Thrasher. Any parents who wishes to transform their holiday experience needs to ponder their words carefully. They speak as practitioners, not theorists. They offer encouragement, not judgment. May you find refreshment in this book!”
Paul Nyquist
President
Moody Bible Institute
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“Holidays are some of the busiest times of the year. It is so easy to get caught up in the details of preparing for the events surrounding the holiday. Bill and Penny show how each holiday can have spiritual significance for the body of Christ as well as each of us individually. Then they give us practical ways we can glorify God through the holidays and be conforming ourselves to the image of His dear Son.”
Mike Smith
President
Home School Legal Defense Association