Tells the story of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus on the night of his birth.

2021 Illumination Book Awards, Silver Medal: Holiday A familiar, beloved rhyme scheme paired with a fresh perspective on the Christmas story, The Shepherd’s Story provides readers with a profound experience alongside a courageous shepherd boy who is searching for meaning in life. Together with the shepherd, readers connect the birth of Christ with their own human experience, learning that one child—a single person—has the possibility of making an extraordinary difference in the world. In the loving arms of his parents, Jesus represents every newborn—and through the shepherd’s eyes, parents and children alike recognize Jesus’ promise of abundant life and infinite love. Come along with the curious young shepherd to explore the human and divine natures of the birth of Jesus—and through this shepherd’s witness, discover the wonder, majesty, and promise of all human life.

One of the warmest, funniest, and most delightful Christmas stories ever—from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dave Barry. With fond nostalgia, Dave Barry takes readers back to a simpler time: The year is 1960, and young Doug Barnes is playing a shepherd in the Christmas pageant at St. John’s Episcopal Church—which is a very big deal. But there are problems everywhere. His fellow shepherds are misbehaving, which makes their director, Mrs. Elkins, yell at all of them; the girl he likes is playing Mary opposite a Joseph who is depressingly smart, athletic, and cute; the family dog is doing very poorly, and they have no idea what they’re going to tell Doug’s little sister, Becky, who’s playing one of the Host of Angels and who loves the dog more than anything; and his dad’s just gotten a flat tire, which means they might not even get to the pageant after all. But Christmas is a time of miracles. And for Doug and his family, this will be the most miraculous Christmas of all.

This is Reuel's big chance to prove that he can tend sheep just as well as his older brothers. All he has to do is keep a watchful eye on his little flock. But distracted by his brothers' teasing, he looks away just long enough for a little lamb to wander. Following a frantic search, Reuel finds his missing charge . . . and finds himself in the midst of the biggest announcement ever made. The Christ Child has been born, and Reuel is one of the first chosen to hear the news! After racing through the streets of Bethlehem, his misstep becomes a blessing when he encounters the Baby who will one day become the Shepherd of Men. This tale of the first Christmas, told from the viewpoint of a little boy to whom young readers will relate, is illustrated with gorgeous, detailed paintings by Carol Heyer. Her art showcase the sweetness of the child shepherd and the reverence of the story. Here is a book that both entertains and informs without ever straying from the meaning of the holiday.

On Christmas Eve, Grandpa Woolly shares with three excited youngsters the story of the birth of Baby Jesus, and how three young sheep, much like themselves, met this greatest of all shepherds.

Celebrate the special moments of the season with these unique collections of holiday carols by Alfred's favorite piano arrangers. Titles: The Christmas Angels: * Angels from the Realm of Glory * Angels We Have Heard on High * Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (Dennis Alexander) Christmas Bells: * I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day * The Bells on the Sleigh to Grandma's House [Over the River and Through the Wood / Jingle Bells] * Bells Are Ringing [Ding Dong Merrily on High / Ring, Little Bells] (Mary K. Sallee) The Christmas Manger * What Child Is This? * Coventry Carol * Away in a Manger (Tom Gerou) The Christmas Shepherds * How Great Our Joy * It Came Upon the Midnight Clear * The First Noel (Victor Labenske) He Is Born! * Good Christian Men, Rejoice * What Child Is This? * Polish Lullaby * Il est né (Joyce Grill) A Jazzy, Jolly Christmas * Up on the Housetop * Jolly Old St. Nicholas * Jingle Bells (Victor Labenske) The Nativity * Still, Still, Still * Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming * Joy to the World (Cindy Berry) The Three Kings * March of the Three Kings * We Three Kings of Orient Are * O Come, All Ye Faithful (Robert D. Vandall Three Moods for Christmas * Carol of the Bells * What Child Is This? * We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Sharon Aaronson)

From the manger of Jesus Christ to the 21st century, this encyclopedia explores more than 2,000 years of Christmas past and present through 966 entries packed with a wide variety of historical and pop-culture subjects. Entries detail customs and traditions from around the world as well as classic Christmas movies, TV series/specials and animated cartoons. Arranged alphabetically by entry name, the book includes the historical background of popular sacred and secular songs as well as accounts of beloved literary works with Christmas themes from such noted authors as Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, Hans Christian Andersen, Pearl Buck, Henry Van Dyke and others. All things Christmas are available here in one comprehensive volume.

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.

Christmas is special for many people around the world, and over the many centuries that people have been celebrating the holiday, it has changed with the times. This reference work presents a tremendous amount of information about the Christmas holiday from its inception around A.D. 350 to the present day. Covering not only Christmas day but the entire season from Advent through Epiphany, over 340 entries provide details on historical events that have shaped Christmas; St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, and other mythical beings that spread gifts around the world; symbols such as the Yule log, Christmas tree, holly, and mistletoe; sacred and popular carols and other music; and customs in the United States and around the world. Unique to this work is its emphasis on Christmas as depicted in the popular media, with entries on literary works, motion pictures, and television specials expressing holiday themes.