Fascinating critique of the American Christmas from the perspectives of cultural studies, theology, & biblical studies.

Contains many facts about Christmas.

“John has deep insights and is able to link and draw meaning from events and dates like no one I’ve ever read. I love the fact that in this book he shows Jesus as a ruler, but not the kind of ruler from whom we must stay at arm’s length. A must-read for anyone who wants a fresh perspective on the greatest story ever told. Once you read this book, you will have no doubt who the greatest gift of all time is—Jesus.” - Anita Cordell, Film and Commercial Actress Christmas comes around every December, followed by the celebration of a New Year. We recycle the same songs. We cook and eat turkey. But what is Christmas? To answer that question, we would be wise to turn to the one who brought the event into being. The one who is the subject of this book actually walked the dusty roads of the Middle East. Since his birth, he has impacted lives like no other. He has had more followers than anyone in history. He has been hated by many, and misunderstood by countless more, yet his teaching powerfully influences even the lives of those who don’t know him. His name is Jesus.

From Christmas trees to Santa Claus, to carols, lights and decorations, have you ever wondered how all these much-loved customs came about? In this book we will explore all the traditions that we associate with and enjoy over the festive holiday period and uncover some fascinating facts about the history behind them from around the world. Deeply entrenched in Western culture, we often forget what this magical time was originally celebrated for – the birth of Jesus Christ. It represents a time of peace and goodwill to all, but in modern day life this often gets lost in the big commercial merry-go-round with parties and gifts galore that it has become. Interestingly, some of the traditions we know so well actually started over 2,000 years ago before Jesus was born. So, let’s walk through the mists of time and legends and explore all the captivating snippets of historical customs that have led us to where we are today.

My eyes are blurred, my brain is mush. My hands begin to tremble. I fell for those deceitful words: 'Easy to assemble.'" -Christmas Unwrapped: Lighthearted Humor to Get You Through the Holidays If the holidays conjure up images of maxed-out credit card bills, mile-long mall lines, or that lamp from Aunt Jane that graces your abode only when she comes to visit, this colorful keepsake provides rhyming redemption. More About Christmas Unwrapped Rhyme master Scott Emmons approaches Christmas with a joke and a grin by offering 47 original poems, including: * Dear Santa, Toys get broken. Candy's cheap. Pets take effort. Fruit won't keep. Candles smell. Clothes might clash. Games are boring. Please send cash. Love, Mindy * Grandma's Gift Which present came from Grandma? It isn't hard to see. The gift wrap is the same she's used since 1943. Book attributes include a stocking-friendly trim size and ribbon marker, along with four-color art and photography throughout.

New York Times Bestseller and ECPA Award Winner. Over 150,000 copies sold! Unwrap the greatest Gift with your family this Advent season! With vivid, full-color illustrations, downloadable ornaments, and moving scenes from the Bible, this book is a gift your whole family can experience each day leading up to Christmas. Devotions by Ann Voskamp, bestselling author Daily Scripture readings Discussion questions Meaningful Advent activities Beautiful illustrations Person by person, story by story, retrace the lineage of Jesus. Fall in love with Him all over again as you experience God's plan of salvation for us--from the Garden of Eden to the manger and beyond. Based on the overwhelming success of The Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp has expanded her presentation of the timeless Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree so families can celebrate together. Each day, families can read the provided Scripture passage (in connection with the original book), engage with a specially written devotion to help children of all ages understand the Advent theme for the day, and participate in suggested activities to apply the theme.

The New York Times bestselling Christmas classic. Over 250,000 books in print. An annual bestseller. Thousands of readers have already fallen in love with Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts, and this Christmas, Ann will help readers celebrate the lineage and the majesty of God’s greatest gift—Jesus Christ. In what has already become a holiday classic, Voskamp reaches back into the pages of the Old Testament to explore the lineage of Jesus via the advent tradition of “The Jesse Tree.” Beginning with Jesse, the father of David, The Greatest Gift retraces the epic pageantry of mankind, from Adam to the Messiah, with each day’s reading pointing to the coming promise of Christ. Sure to become a holiday staple in every Christian home, The Greatest Gift is the perfect gift for the holidays and a timeless reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

“The tale is unfolded with such mastery, humor, and emotional force that we are entirely within its power.” —The New York Times Book Review Features an audio read-along performed by James Earl Jones! Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle. The moving, lyrical tale, gloriously illustrated by P.J. Lynch, has been widely hailed as a true Christmas classic.

The people and animals present during the birth of Christ each explains what happened during the Nativity, from their own point of view.