To Dance with God: Family Ritual and Community Celebration

by Gertrud Mueller Nelson

Book Overview

"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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809128128
• ISBN13: 9780809128129
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Paulist Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.9" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Nurture Your Family's Spirituality

I have had this book for 20 years. I came upon it when my children were small and felt it tapped into something deep within me. I was not raised Catholic so many of the traditions were new to me, but delightful. Over the years I have used them with my own family and introduced them into my church community, as well. The projects are simple and noncommercial. I would count this book as one of the most formative to my role of parent; creating a home rich with meaningful rituals and traditions. I love the simple illustrations too.

Enrich your Family Celebrations!

Nelson's excellent book offers not only a spiritual perspective to family celebration but wonder-filled, seasonally-oriented practical ideas for enriching your family life. Those who have wandered away from their childhood family rituals of celebration will be delighted with "To Dance With God" as a rediscovery tool for communal spirituality. For another book on the spirituality of family life together, look up the recently published, THE FAMILY CLOISTER: BENEDICTINE WISDOM FOR THE HOME, by David Robinson (New York, NY: Crossroad, 2000). Blessings upon your home this season.

Wonderful!

This book helps you to create important traditions with your family, but it is more than that. Your faith is opened to new and exciting possibilities and Mueller-Nelson teaches us how to live in the world and with God.

An excellent resource for enriching traditional holidays

This is a wonderful book. It offers beautiful methods of maintaining and enriching family rituals. Advent,Christmas, Lent,Pentecost, Thanksgiving, Halloween etc. It is all here. The first section of this book discusses ways people can approach all celebrations. Then the second half focuses on specific holidays. My copy of this book is well worn and well loved. The author is Catholic, but most of her ideas work well for any Christian faith. She offers fresh ways of responding to the liturgical calender. Included are crafts, prayers, games,the history of each holiday as well as family and community centering activities. While families without children will respond to a lot of what she has to say, families with children of all ages will find their copy of this book as well worn as a treasured family cookbook.

Challenging and interesting!

Wanting to develop traditions in your family? This is a great starting point. One of my favorite books. Fun to read, too