Christmas Study

Even people who are not professing Christians think they are familiar with the story of the Nativity. Every Christmas, displays of Jesus resting in a manger populate lawns and churchyards, and songs about shepherds and angels fill the air. Yet despite the abundance of these Christian references in popular culture, how many of us have examined the hard edges of this biblical story? Timothy Keller takes listeners on an illuminating journey into the surprising background of the Nativity.

DID YOU KNOW? The Bible was not originally divided into numbered chapters and verses. This was man-made and done for convenience of looking up and referencing passages of Scripture. Paul's letters were so passionately and beautifully written as he shared Jesus Christ with everyone who might lend an ear. Over two thousand years later and his words still ring in the truth of God. The Bible is meant to be read in its complete context so nothing is missed or mistaken. Paul's books are cohesive letters, and once you experience reading each as an actual letter without the distraction of random ...

He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness’ sake. This lighthearted song is a bit more ominous in the context of other Christmas traditions. From beasts that threaten to cook children into stew to sinister crones who snatch little ones from their beds, you won’t find any dancing sugar plums here. Outside of the heartwarming Christmas tales we all know and love, there are an abundance of frightening stories to chill all who hear them to the bone.

"The History of Christmas" by Howard West, a captivating exploration that unravels the enchanting tapestry of Christmas, from its mysterious origins to the vibrant celebrations that resonate across the globe. Delve into the pages of this compelling book and embark on a journey through time to discover the fascinating evolution of this beloved holiday. Ever found yourself pondering the inception of Christmas and the profound reasons behind its widespread celebration? Howard West invites you to a comprehensive exploration that addresses these very questions and more. Within the pages of "The ...

Not so very long ago, Yuletide was as much a chilling season of ghosts and witches as it was a festival of goodwill. In The Old Magic of Christmas, you'll rub elbows with veiled spirits, learn the true perils of elves, and discover a bestiary of enchanted creatures. Rife with the more frightful characters from folklore and the season's most petulant ghosts, this book takes you on a spooky sleigh ride from the silvered firs of a winter forest to the mirrored halls of the Snow Queen.

The Carols of Christmas is a heart-warming devotional inspired by some of the most beloved Christmas carols of all time. Inside, you’ll enjoy a fresh glimpse of some of the same joyful and nostalgic melodies you sing every year now set to personal reflections in this 28-day devotional journey.

Look at the individual elements of the Christmas story and examine the scientific and historical evidence concerning this, perhaps the best known story in history. We will separate fact from fiction, truth from legend and myth. Can we separate the commercialism from the true story of Christmas?

Make Christmas Morning Magical with Giggles Galore—The Perfect Stocking/device Stuffer for Kids & Children & Children-like Adults & Bad Dad Joke Lovers - "Cuz that's the way eye roll"! If Your Holidays Need More Laughter, This Joke Book is the Gift That Keeps Giving - Groans, Moans, & Face Plants! Why Just Wrap Presents When You Can Wrap Up Laughs? A Holiday Must-Have! Fill Their Stockings - or Phones & Tablets - Without Breaking the Bank—Jokes, Puns & Smiles Await! Santa-Approved Fun: Keep Kids Entertained All Winter Break with This Book! Myths "Kids don’t need more video-free ...

The head writer of a popular talk show wants to display an old-fashioned Christmas. The staff thinks he's nuts. This is Hollywood. There is no snow, no sleigh or sleigh bells, no reindeer, no Christmas trees and no red pick-up trucks. Everyone keeps coming up with reasons to wonder if Christmas is real. Why bother? Something was missing in this intense discussion about Christmas. Did you catch it? No one at any time during the debate mentioned Christ. Can there even be a valid Christmas without Christ? Conflicts throughout the world, divisiveness at home and abroad, severe issues facing our...

The Twelve Days of Christmas: Living the Gift invites readers to slow down and rediscover the sacred rhythm that begins on Christmas Day and leads to Epiphany. In twelve beautifully crafted devotional chapters, Geoffrey “Willingheart” Schmitt explores the lasting gifts Christ brings — Light, Peace, Joy, Love, Hope, Faith, Family, Worship, Service, Forgiveness, Gratitude, and Eternal Life. Blending Scripture, personal reflection, poetry, and prayer, this book helps believers carry the meaning of Christmas into the new year. Each chapter ends with questions for reflection and a “...

The folklore roots of Christmas under its many other guises (Yule, the Winter Solstice, Saturnalia) is examined in a different, darker light. The Winter Solstice is a time to be afraid. It’s the shortest day of the year, the longest night. In some parts of the world, the sun doesn’t rise at all. It’s dark, and we have to wonder if the sun will ever come back at all. Christmas has always been creepy and with The Fright Before Christmas, you'll see that side. This is a book for everyone who loves a little darkness around the holidays.

BIBLICAL ANSWERS and GUIDANCE for NEW CHRISTIANS opens up with a Heartwarming Story of Restoration. Find Answers to many Frequently Asked Questions about the Bible and the Christian Walk. ◆Explore 9 Exciting Practical and Easy-to-Understand Next Steps with Guidance for New Believers. ◆ Find a Compilation of Bible Quotations with Promises to Encourage and Uplift You in this Season. ♥ FREE BIBLE READING PLANS WITH SPECIAL BONUS GIFTS FOR YOU Finally, an Encouraging Word that YOU ARE A MASTERPIECE. Foundations are crucial for any edifice. After ministering and counseling for many years, ...

The Advent: A 25-Day Devotional Countdown to Christmas is the perfect companion for those seeking to embrace the true spirit of the season. This thoughtful Advent devotional takes you on a journey from December 1st to Christmas Day, guiding you through daily reflections on the birth of Jesus. With short, meaningful devotions, you’ll find moments of peace and joy amidst the busyness of the holidays. Each day features a Bible passage, reflection, prayer, and a simple activity to help you connect with the message of Christ’s birth. Whether you're looking for a quiet moment of spiritual ...

The Bible is clear, but not always easy. Are you ready for the truth? Many Christians avoid the hard questions—yet the world keeps asking them. Tough Lessons from the Bible is a bold, uncompromising resource for those who want to understand biblical truth and stand firm in their faith. This book is both a Bible study guide and a work of Christian apologetics, tackling 26 controversial topics that challenge today’s church. With clarity and Scripture as the foundation, each chapter cuts through confusion and reveals God’s unchanging Word. Inside, you’ll discover biblical answers about...

Just as Jane Christmas decides to enter a convent in mid-life to find out whether she is “nun material”, her long-term partner Colin, suddenly springs a marriage proposal on her. Determined not to let her monastic dreams be sidelined, Christmas puts her engagement on hold and embarks on an extraordinary year-long adventure to four convents - one in Canada and three in the UK.

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.

Towards the end of every year, we get in the mood for Christmas. And every 25th December, we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We eat and drink and gift ourselves. But is this what Christmas is about? H.K. Holland found himself reflecting on these questions and the result was the birth of this book. He took all the verses in the Bible that talk about the birth of Jesus, studied and examined them, to find out the true meaning of incarnation. It is only when we reflect and meditate that we can be able to understand what an event is all about. At the end of reading this book, you will have a ...

For more than fifty years, Madeleine L'Engle has delighted and inspired readers/listeners with her warm, eloquent prose and inspirational poetry. She continues this tradition with Miracle on 10th Street, a collection of poignant writings and reflections that give listeners a glimpse of how the wonder of Christmas resonates in her personal life, which deeply involves her family and faith: "I think back to that Christmas when my husband and I did not know whether our little girl would live to grow up," she writes.

The Soil of Salvation: An Advent Journey with Isaiah is a dirty book. It has to do with the grimy, hard parts of our lives that so often seem to provide the soil out of which faith sprouts and life emerges. Battling life and struggling to make sense of it all is common to humanity. Isaiah’s beautiful passages envision hope and a path to joy arising inside life’s dark places. This book provides a scripture passage, daily devotional, and prayer for each day of Advent. The book also includes a study guide to help small groups take the journey together. Life’s struggles tend to form the ...

Don't just hustle and bustle this Christmas season! Take time to stop, be still, and know that God is God! "Insights from Matthew: An Advent Journey" is a book of daily Advent devotionals to be used in the season leading up to Christmas. The book is an in depth exploration of Matthew's perspective on Jesus' birth and what Jesus' birth means in the lives of his followers. The book has daily readings, complete with a scripture passage and prayer, for each day in the Advent season. It also includes a study guide that makes it ideal for Sunday School classes or small groups who want to take ...