In 1741, John Wesley preached his famous sermon titled “The Almost Christian” in which he encouraged people to follow Christ wholeheartedly. We should not be satisfied with being almost Christian but rather strive towards being altogether a Christian. In Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, author and pastor Magrey deVega leads a group of authors to explore how we can make the same commitment to Christ during Advent, connecting our Wesleyan heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace. In this book, perfect for Advent, deVega and the other authors break down the barriers that prevent us from experiencing an “altogether” love, hope, joy, and peace in Christ in our lives and in the world around us. They demonstrate the promises God offers to us that makes those longings a reality, inviting us to claim those promises for ourselves this Advent and celebrate an altogether Christmas. Chapters include: Altogether Love Altogether Hope Altogether Joy Altogether Peace Additional components for a four-week study include a DVD featuring Magrey deVega and the other writers and a comprehensive Leader Guide, as well as nativity hymns by Charles Wesley, litanies for lighting the Advent wreath, and prayers that can be incorporated into both worship and small group settings. A daily devotional and a youth study book are also available.

In 1741, John Wesley preached his famous sermon titled “The Almost Christian” in which he encouraged people to follow Christ wholeheartedly. We should not be satisfied with being almost Christian but rather strive towards being altogether a Christian. In Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, author and pastor Magrey deVega leads a group of authors to explore how we can make the same commitment to Christ during Advent, connecting our Wesleyan heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace. In this book, perfect for Advent, deVega and the other authors break down the barriers that prevent us from experiencing an “altogether” love, hope, joy, and peace in Christ in our lives and in the world around us. They demonstrate the promises God offers to us that makes those longings a reality, inviting us to claim those promises for ourselves this Advent and celebrate an altogether Christmas. Chapters include: Altogether Love Altogether Hope Altogether Joy Altogether Peace The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.

Invites young readers to join the Bear family as they prepare for Christmas Day, in a board book with die-cut pages.

From the author of Love, Nina -- a hilarious ode to the joys and insanities of the most wonderful time of the year. Every family has its Christmas traditions and memories, and Nina Stibbe's is no exception. From her kitchen-phobic mother's annual obsession with roasting the perfect turkey (an elusive dream to this day) to the quest for a perfect teacher gift (memorable for all the wrong reasons); from the tragic Christmas tree ("is it meant to look like that?") to the acceptable formula for thank-you letters (must include Health Inquiry and Interesting Comment), Nina Stibbe captures all that is magical and maddening about the holidays.

It is three days before Christmas and there is trouble at the North Pole! Santa is sick with a bad cold and his reindeer have come down with the flu. For the first time the North Pole is forced to close its' doors! How will all good little girls and boys receive any presents? Author Mary Ellen La Porte brings the story alive with endearing watercolors that capture this Christmas tale that is sure to capivate a child's imagination and belief in this magical time of year.

A masterful short story from the acclaimed author of Catch-22, about one long night of anticipation. In a small town in the American South, it is night in the middle of the twentieth century. Carter, a high-school teacher and football coach in the newly desegregated schools, is awaiting news of two of his students who have been in a serious altercation. Outside the building where Carter has kept his vigil, a crowd of townspeople have also gathered to keep watch. Carter must choose how much he wants to participate in the spectacle, and how much he can afford to keep his distance. "Almost Like Christmas" by Joseph Heller is one of 20 short stories within Mulholland Books's Strand Originals series, featuring thrilling stories by the biggest names in mystery from the Strand Magazine archives. View the full series list at mulhollandbooks.com and listen to them all!

Can a wounded warrior learn to trust her celebrity chef crush after discovering his secret? Horrified to learn that her young niece has arranged for her to visit a video blogger she’s never heard of, Winnefred “Fred” Carmichael is guilted into agreeing to the trip. Seeing how handsome he is in his videos doesn’t hurt in making her decision. Tanner Frost is a phony. He is only the front man for his aunt’s cooking, so he’s shocked to find out she invited some soldier to spend Christmas at the family farm. He’s even more shocked to discover Fred is a woman. A beautiful, intriguing woman. Can he keep her from discovering the truth behind his cooking while he’s falling too quickly for her charms?

A horrendous, howling, and devastating blizzard strikes Santaville in the blackness of early morning, so severe that it blows away the doors to the stable, where Santa shelters his reindeer. Exposed to the raging storm, the reindeer come down with the flu and cannot fly. Santa, years before, came upon a group of young Polar bears who could leap high in the air. He finds them. With the help and encouragement of the villagers of Santaville, and the reindeer, the Polar bears fly, saving Christmas, and Santa keeps his promise to all good children everywhere on Christmas Eve, bringing them the gifts of their dreams.

Shana Callahan had long ago given up wishful thinking. A single mom with a checkered past, she knew to be grateful for small gifts. And what Landon Kincaid had given her was far more than that. His unexpected job offer had provided her with so much—a good income, a safe home for her child and the opportunity to start anew in Chance City. She'd insisted on keeping things strictly business, but the more she got to know her charismatic boss, the harder it became to be his "almost wife." The town gossip was almost unbearable, but even worse was fighting the longing she felt for Kincaid. Would their December tryst ruin everything…or grant them the ultimate gift?

In 1741, John Wesley preached his famous sermon titled “The Almost Christian” in which he encouraged people to follow Christ wholeheartedly. We should not be satisfied with being almost Christian but rather strive towards being altogether a Christian. In Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, author and pastor Magrey deVega leads a group of authors to explore how we can make the same commitment to Christ during Advent, connecting our Wesleyan heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace. In this book, perfect for Advent, deVega and the other authors break down the barriers that prevent us from experiencing an “altogether” love, hope, joy, and peace in Christ in our lives and in the world around us. They demonstrate the promises God offers to us that makes those longings a reality, inviting us to claim those promises for ourselves this Advent and celebrate an altogether Christmas. This Youth Study Book takes the ideas presented in the book and interprets them for young people grades 6-12.