Showing titles in Holidays

More than any other time of year, Christmas brings with it an undeniable sense of wonder and awe. The Advent season gives us the opportunity to delight in the promises we celebrate at Christmas: the HOPE that Jesus will return and make all things new; the JOY that comes from worshiping Him today and for eternity; the PEACE we experience with God today and we long for our world to experience when it is redeemed; and the LOVE of a God who sacrificed His own Son to be in relationship with us.

The Pilgrims' celebration of the first Thanksgiving is a keystone of America's national and spiritual identity. But is what we've been taught about them or their harvest feast what actually happened? And if not, what difference does it make? Through the captivating story of the birth of this quintessentially American holiday, veteran historian Tracy McKenzie helps us to better understand the tale of America's origins—and for Christians, to grasp the significance of this story and those like it. 

Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions reveals the surprising, quirky, mysterious, and sometimes horrifying stories behind the most wonderful time of the year.  

Delight in God’s wonderful gifts of grace with this Advent devotional for Christmas. Just as with opening the doors of an Advent calendar day by day, this Advent devotional will build your anticipation for Christmas so that you can fully absorb and enjoy its central gift—Jesus Christ. Reflecting on a few short verses each day, this devotional examines the wonderful gifts of grace that we receive through the coming of Christ and belief in his gospel.

Bestselling author Michael Foley dives deep into the history of Christmas and the customs that surround this beloved holiday. Learn about the fascinating origins of your favorite Christmas food, drink, observances, and songs. Discover how Saint Nicolas, a fourth-century Catholic bishop, became Santa Clause and who Santa’s global competitors are (some of them will shock you). And dig into the forbidden history of the Yuletide season’s dark and ghoulish side.

The book features one carol for each day from December first to Christmas Eve and presents both the lyrics and the fascinating stories and interesting facts behind the creation of the songs. Each entry deepens our understanding of the music and enhances our appreciation of why these songs are culturally important and dearly treasured. From popular, familiar carols to lesser known but cherished hymns, author Michael D. Young combines his musical expertise with information specific to each song.

In Witness at the Cross, Amy-Jill Levine shows how the people at the cross each have distinct roles to play. Each Evangelist presents a distinct picture of the death of Jesus. Each portrays different individuals and groups of people at the cross, each offers different images and dialogues, and so from each, we learn how those meanings and messages cross the centuries to any who would come to the cross today.

This entry of the Eyewitness Bible Series explores the birth of Jesus and is designed to be listened to on the three Sundays prior to Christmas week, plus the seven days of Christmas week, ending on Christmas Day. Each segment is told from the perspective of a different individual: the prophet Isaiah, a Magi, Elizabeth, Mary's mother, Mary, Joseph, a tax collector, King Herod, a shepherd, and an angel.

From the bestselling author and artist behind GraceLaced and Beholding and Becoming comes this gorgeous exploration of what it means to intimately experience God’s presence in our daily lives. Ruth Chou Simons welcomes you and your family to partake in a season of surrender as you discover the true miracle behind Christmas: that while we journey to grow in our relationships with Jesus, He has already come so He can be with us forever.

On Good Friday, the verger of St Albans cathedral was supposed to be preparing the Easter service. Instead he discovers a man lying dead, fallen from the famous 50-foot-high spire. Did he jump, or was he pushed? For DCI Maarten Jansen, it's a simple case of suspected suicide. Until a stranger, Willow, who witnessed the jump, prompts a deeper investigation into a long-buried past, involving a mental hospital, a pregnant woman and 50 years of silence. As Willow's own family history entwines with the case, Jansen starts to wonder how everything is connected.

The way of the pilgrim begins with what we leave behind - not so much a journey to a holy place, but a holy practice of leaving the comforts of the familiar for a radical vulnerability, letting the very breath of God direct us on the unknown, stripped-down path of trust. In Without Oars, Wesley Granberg-Michaelson blends history, storytelling, biblical insights, personal reflections, and spiritual formation in an inviting call to discover pilgrimage as a way of life. This book offers a unique perspective on the faith journey as an embodied practice of heading into the unknown.

In these days of pandemic, war and political turbulence, hope can seem to be in short supply. But hope is one of the theological virtues, and it is far more profound than mere optimism. Teresa White in this Lent Book draws on inspiration from writers as diverse as Julian of Norwich and Karl Rahner, Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and Henri Nouwen, but throughout the audiobook there is strong scriptural underpinning that the author uses to great effect.

Every December, a huge Christmas tree arrives in Trafalgar Square. Bedecked in lights, it is a shimmering, festive beacon in the heart of London. But even more enchanting than the twinkling decorations and scented pine is the story behind the tree; a story of loyalty, friendship and resistance. On a cold evening in 1940, German warships made their way towards Oslo. It seemed inevitable that Norway, like so many other European nations, would soon submit to the Nazi regime. But the country's indomitable King Haakon VII refused to surrender.

Come, let us adore him. This beloved Advent refrain captures the heart of the season. Advent is for adoring Jesus. It is a season of preparation to ready our hearts for the glory of Christmas Day as we celebrate the coming of the eternal God in our frail humanity. These 25 short devotional readings from John Piper aim to help you keep Christ at the center of the Advent season.

Christmas is the world's biggest festival, yet we barely understand how we got here. Somewhere between Jesus, Dickens and Coke, Christmas became the beloved chaotic present-fest that it currently is. If it's a turkey, we should really stop stuffing it. So let's unwrap it instead....

Henry van Dyke was a member of the clergy; this story reads like a sermon for good reason. Its full title is "A Short Christmas Sermon: Keeping Christmas". Read by award-winning audiobook narrator Mike Vendetti, this lovely piece reminds us what Christianity is about.

Über 20 Weihnachtsgeschichten zusammen mit dem biblischen Text aus Lukas 2. Mal humorvoll-heiter, mal besinnlich und nachdenklich erzählen sie vom Fest der Hoffnung, dass Jesus Mensch wurde, um uns zu retten. Lassen Sie sich mit hineinnehmen in das Geschehen der Heiligen Nacht und spüren Sie dem Wunder aller Wunder nach.

Covid, regali e cenoni: sarà tregua di Natale?: Fauci: "Ora facciamo i bravi ma torneremo alla normalità non prima di Natale 2021", di Daniela Minerva; "A Natale niente coprifuoco", l'idea per salvare il cenone, di Emanuele Lauria, Giovanna Vitale; Per Natale Rt sotto l'1. Sì ai regali, no ai cenoni o ci sarà la terza ondata, di Tommaso Ciriaco; Tregua di Natale sulle chiusure: dieci giorni per lo shopping, di Emanuele Lauria; Nel Natale sobrio ritroviamo il piacere di regalarci un sorriso, di Corrado Augias.

Perché facciamo gli auguri? Perché decoriamo l'abete? E le luci di Natale? Perché ci si bacia sotto il vischio? Cosa ci fanno il bue e l'asinello nel presepe se i Vangeli non ne parlano? Sapevi che nella mangiatoia c'era anche un gatto? E che uno dei re Magi è diventato italiano? E la stella cometa? E la ghirlanda? E il pupazzo di neve? Ogni anno compiamo gesti ricorrenti con grande sicurezza, spesso senza sapere o chiederci il perché.

There's nothin' like a story of love, giving and happiness for Christmas.