A profound exploration of the Bible’s Christmas story that delivers surprising insights to embrace the ancient wonder of the holiday season. “If you want this Christmas to be the best ever, read this book. Rediscovering Christmas opened my eyes to a world of meaning I had never known.”—Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of Gates of Fire and The War of Art Are you tired of feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and empty during the holiday season? Instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle, are you ready to slow down, catch your breath, and rediscover the true beauty of Christmas? This captivating collection of readings explores the intersection where the ancient context meets the present moment. Pastor AJ Sherrill invites you into an experience designed to renew your mind, reawaken your heart, rekindle your awe, and restore your body. Rediscovering Christmas is divided into two sections: Advent, which teaches the purpose of waiting, and Christmas, which reveals the joy of receiving. Through meaningful reflections, practices, and illustrations, you’ll see the diverse characters of the first Christmas in a new light—and comprehend just how their stories intertwine with your own. Return to its pages year after year, and let it refresh your heart and mind about the wonder of Christmas. Rediscovering Christmas is a timeless companion that will become a cherished tradition in your holiday season.

Year after year, countless believers immerse themselves in the story of the first Christmas, rehearsing the well-known tale of the baby King who was born into the humblest of circumstances. But for some, the nativity story has become so familiar, it has been robbed of its power. For others, the biblical narrative is more like a puzzle: the pieces are all there, but it’s not clear how they all fit together. Luke talks about shepherds and a census, while Matthew deals with wise men and an escape to Egypt. There’s a star and a manger and more angels than you can count—it can be hard to keep it all straight! Rediscovering Christmas is a modern paraphrase of the Christmas story, drawn directly from the Gospels and created to help readers see the Father’s heart in details that are all-too-often overlooked. The result is a seamless retelling of Jesus’s birth that will fascinate new and mature believers alike. Also included are twelve devotional essays that invite readers to step into the first Christmas story as if they were there, going deeper into cultural contexts that will help them discover the goodness of God in fresh and surprising ways. This beautiful, hardcover volume is perfect for quiet times, group study, or family reading, and is sure to become a favorite holiday tradition.

Learn Something New This Christmas We hate to admit it, but after years, sometimes even decades, of reading the same Luke 2 story of Christmas, we get a little bored—we lose some of the awe we ought to have when discussing the greatest miracle in history. That’s why The Characters of Christmas was written, to help you take a fresh look at the Christmas story by getting to know the minor characters that played a part in Jesus’ birth, such as Zechariah and Elizabeth, the Shepherds, and Herod. As you slow down, engage your imagination, and enter into the stories of these women and men, you’ll see the most important character—Jesus Christ—with new eyes. And with discussion questions and a Christmas song suggestion at the end of each chapter, it’s perfect for engaging your whole family. Break free from the familiar, and discover something you never knew about the story you’ve always heard.

Did you know that the Christmas story almost wasn't told? But Matthew and Luke saved Christmas. Have you wondered if Christmas is really a pagan holiday? Did marketers invent Santa Claus? And what does a Christmas tree have to do with anti-slavery? We'll learn which traditions come from the Bible and where other traditions derive. Have you ever considered who Jesus was named after? Or why Jesus's genealogy is traced to Joseph if he's not Jesus's biological father? We'll answer questions like these surrounding Jesus's legacy. Maybe you've asked what was the Bethlehem star? Or have you heard that there wasn't an inn or innkeeper? With these kinds of inquiries, we'll look at the circumstances surrounding Jesus's birth. Do we know if the magi were kings, astrologers, or magicians? Or could you name the oldest person that met baby Jesus? By interacting with these people who met Jesus on that first Christmas, we'll join the cast of characters around the manger. As we explore the stories and traditions of Christmas together, we'll ruin some past misconceptions, but in the process, I promise that we'll rediscover Jesus.

Be Transformed this Advent Season! His parents gave him the name Jesus. But the prophets, the shepherds, the wise men, and the angels addressed him by other names. They called him Lord, Messiah, Savior, Emmanuel, Light of the World, and Word Made Flesh. In Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, best-selling author Adam Hamilton examines the names of Christ used by the gospel writers, exploring the historical and personal significance of his birth. This Advent season church families will come together to remember what’s important. In the face of uncertainty and conflict, Christians reclaim the Christ Child who brings us together, heals our hearts, and calls us to bring light into the darkness. Now more than ever, we invite you to reflect upon the significance of the Christ-child for our lives and world today! Incarnation is a standalone book, but works beautifully as a four-week Bible study experience perfect for all age groups during the Advent season. Additional components include a comprehensive Leader Guide, a DVD with short teaching videos featuring Adam Hamilton, as well as resources for children and youth.

Embracing Advent includes four weeks of short daily readings to encourage you to: Hold on to HOPE, Find PEACE, Choose JOY, and LOVE and Be Loved. This is an Advent devotional meant to prepare you for the Christmas season. These readings can be used as individuals or in a bible study. Use this daily devotional to take a few minutes each day to step away from the holiday chaos and prepare your body, soul, and mind to whole-heartedly celebrate Christmas this year!

Are you struggling to fully understand the true meaning of Christmas? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the commercialism and busyness of the season? Christmas Joy: Embracing the True Spirit of the Season is here to help you rediscover the profound joy and spiritual significance of Christmas. This book will guide you through the historical and biblical foundations of Christmas, emphasizing the themes of joy, hope, love, and generosity. By reading this book and applying its concepts, you will: Reconnect with the true spirit of Christmas and experience a deeper sense of joy and peace. Strengthen your faith by understanding the biblical story of Jesus’ birth and its relevance today. Create meaningful family traditions that reflect Christian values and bring your loved ones closer together. Overcome the commercialism of the season and focus on what truly matters. Engage in community service and spread the love of Christ to those around you. Bullet Points Discover the true meaning of Christmas Strengthen your faith and family bonds Overcome the commercialism of the season Engage in meaningful community service Experience joy and peace year-round This book is an essential guide for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Christmas and live out its true spirit year-round. With practical tips, reflection questions, and inspiring stories, Christmas Joy offers a comprehensive approach to celebrating Christmas in a way that honors God and enriches your faith. Why is this book a good answer for those who need to learn more about Christmas? It provides a thorough exploration of the origins and significance of Christmas. It offers practical advice on how to celebrate Christmas in a spiritually meaningful way. It encourages readers to incorporate the values of Christmas into their daily lives, fostering a year-round spirit of joy and generosity. Call to Action: Don’t let another Christmas pass by without fully embracing its true meaning. Get your copy of Christmas Joy: Embracing the True Spirit of the Season today and start experiencing the profound joy and spiritual fulfillment that comes from celebrating Christmas as it was meant to be. Become a happier, more fulfilled Christian by applying the knowledge and insights from this book.

Imagine a world filled with twinkling lights, fragrant gingerbread cookies, and the cheerful sound of carols. For Timmy, this wasn't just a dream, it was his reality – every day was a Christmas celebration. He lived and breathed the spirit of the holiday, his heart brimming with joy and anticipation. But as December approached, something strange happened: Timmy's festive spirit began to fade. The excitement that once filled him was replaced with a sense of overwhelm, exhaustion, and even disillusionment. He felt a growing distance from the Christmas magic he had always known. His friends, who once playfully mocked his unwavering Christmas enthusiasm, now found themselves concerned by his change in demeanor. Led by the kind and understanding Sarah, they knew they had to help Timmy rediscover the wonder he had lost. "The Boy Who Lost Christmas Cheer" is a heartwarming tale that teaches valuable lessons about the importance of friendship, the fleeting nature of excitement, and the true essence of the Christmas spirit. It reminds us that even when joy feels lost, the power of connection and the spirit of giving can bring it back, reminding us that the magic of Christmas is always within reach.

At last, a truly comprehensive look at Christmas and all of its customs with its long history around the world. The World Encyclopedia of Christmas contains articles on the history of Christmas baking, drinking, and merrymaking, and Christmas dramas, music, literature, art, and films. It includes entries on the evolution of the Christmas tree and the Christmas card, gift-giving, and decoration of church and home. There are profiles of the many gift-bringers, from Santa Claus to Babouschka, and miraculous tales of the numerous saints associated with the season. And there are histories of seasonal celebrations and folk customs around the world, from the United States to Japan, from Egypt to Iceland. Who, for example, knew the links between the Punch and Judy show and Christmas? That the medieval Paradise tree hung with tempting apples was the forerunner of the Christmas tree? About the Peerie Guizers, who terrorized the Shetland Islands, going door-to-door for Christmas charity? Or what Freudians make of our interest in Christmas stockings and Santa’s entrance through the chimney? There are detailed accounts of Wren Boys and Star Boys, mumming and wassailing, the Feast of Fools and the origins of eggnog. And of course stories of the Nativity and legends of the Magi. With beautifully illustrated accounts ranging from the pagan roots of Yuletide, through the birth of Christ, and the long and fascinating history of the festival ever since, The World Encyclopedia of Christmas, is a rich and continually surprising array of religious and secular history, trivia, literature, and art. This wonderful book deserves to find a home with every family that celebrates Christmas.

Illeana Douglas has long been known for shining new light on forgotten films. Now the celebrated actress and film historian turns her focus to a heretofore unrecognized brand: the Connecticut movie! Told from the passionate perspective of the author who grew up here, and filled with behind-the-scenes stories as well as her own personal snapshots of the places where these films were made, Illeana takes the reader on a cinematic road trip through Hollywood history and Connecticut geography, bringing the breezy, intimate, knowledgeable writing style acclaimed by reviewers of her first book, I Blame Dennis Hopper (2015). Illeanadefines how the perception of on-screen Connecticut, originally created in Hollywood, has shifted more than that of any other New England state over the decade and offers some surprising conclusions about just what it means to be a “Connecticut movie.”Films from Hollywood’s Golden Age, such as Theodora Goes Wild, Bringing Up Baby, and Christmas in Connecticut, presented Connecticut as an antidote to the metropolis—a place where you could find your true self. The slogan “Come to Peaceful Connecticut” not only led to Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, but to an exodus of urban moviegoers seeking their dream houses. In post-war America, Gentleman’s Agreement challenged Connecticut’s well-cultivated image, as did the suburban malaise of The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit, and contemporary takes on dark suburbia like The Swimmer,The Ice Storm, and RevolutionaryRoad. From Sherlock Holmes to Mystic Pizza to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; from horror in The Stepford Wives tohistorical in Amistad; picturesque in Parrish, to perverse in The Secret Life of An AmericanWife, theConstitution State has been the background for surprisingly over 200 feature films, yet these cinematic contributions have long gone unrecognized; until now. Connecticut in the Movies is not only a keepsake for denizens of the state, but a valuable resource for film buffs everywhere.