...
Show More
Focused on making the liturgical year an active component of family life. Much more than just activities - a lot of reasoning shared about the suggestions.
Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book
To Dance with God: Family Ritual and Community Celebration
...
Show More
"Gertrud Nelson has written a book on ritual that is one of a kind. Her exquisitely written volume covers the history, psychology and spirituality of ritual in general and Christian ritual in particular. Enlivened by pithy and insightful examples, many of them drawn from her own family life, Ms. Nelson penetrates to the heart of the meaning of ritual and ceremony in a fresh way. She manages to escape the trap of many writers on this subject―superficial piety―and makes relevant for the modern reader the importance of ritual for connecting us to the meaning and flow of life. I would not have thought in today's rationalistic age that the ceremonies of life could be made vital again as cogently and splendidly as has been don in this book. Sometimes even single sentences speak volumes: 'It is Advent, and we, a people, are pregnant.' This is a book to be read carefully, perhaps only a few pages a day. Reading the book can become a ritual, especially for Christian people to whom it is primarily addressed. Beautiful illustrations by the author add to the expressiveness of this carefully composed work. This book may prove to be a classic treatment of the meaning of ritual for this modern era." ―John Sanford †
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 1,1986
This edition
- Format
-
256 pages, Paperback
- Published
-
January 1, 1986 by Paulist Press
- ISBN
-
9780809128129
- ASIN
-
0809128128
- Language
-
English
Readers also enjoyed
Community Reviews
Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 6 votes)
5 stars
3(50%)
4 stars
1(17%)
3 stars
2(33%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
6 reviews All reviews
...
Show More
This author has wonderful ideas for families to use with their children.
...
Show More
A really lovely resource book for living the church year at home. Why do we make the sign of the cross? How can one throw a Twelfth Night party? What's up with St Nicholas, anyway? I really enjoy this book, and Mueller Nelson's wonderful illustrations, as I think about my ministry to children and living the church year myself.
...
Show More
Took a while to read, but I really enjoyed this book. It goes through the Christian calendar, breaking down the symbolism, myth, mystery, and meaning of the holidays and feast days. There are many ideas and prompts on how to incorporate tradition and ritual into family and community life, connecting the seen with the unseen. Really cool read, will definitely read again.
...
Show More
I absolutely love this book. It really makes one think. The author eloquently conjures up images of the symbolic and makes the usually intangible spiritual concepts of the holidays feel close, and even more sacred by exploring their reality in the physical plane.
I have used some of the ideas presented in the book to supplement the celebratory rituals surrounding Advent, Christmas and Easter so far. I can see myself rereading this book many times over.
I have used some of the ideas presented in the book to supplement the celebratory rituals surrounding Advent, Christmas and Easter so far. I can see myself rereading this book many times over.
...
Show More
This is a beautiful book drawing out the connections between the sacred and the ordinary. I especially loved the first section, which explores more of the spiritual underpinnings of ritual and the meaning of transcendence. Some of the practical tips for embracing the celebrations of the church calendar were intriguing, but some were a little dated or only applied to a particular demographic. I am happy to own this book and have already filled it with notes and underlining, so I'm sure I'll return to glean more wisdom in the future. 4.5 stars.
Leave a Review