"A standout among books to share on Christmas Eve." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "The Christmas Choir series launches with this reverent and accessible adaptation of a favorite carol." —Publishers Weekly (starred review) Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Celebrate the magic of Christmas with this beautifully illustrated book, based on the world's best-loved carol. Rediscover the Nativity Story in all its glory—from quaking shepherds to heaven-sent angels—as the song lyrics are brought to life on every spread. The world’s diversity is reflected in a cast of characters with a range of skin tones. A gorgeous book for all the family to share during the festive season.

The stories in Bob Reed's delightful book are surefire spirit lifters that celebrate life and enrich the soul. Reed's seven tales not only come alive with hilarity and warmth, they show how God works through even the most bumbling and misdirected human efforts. Reed's humor is laced with insight, his descriptions with inspiration, and his characters with God's own love. In the lead story, "The Choir That Couldn't Sing," Reed's description of a hopelessly off-key church choir assembled from eccentrics and misfits will trigger gales of laughter. But tears are sure to flow when readers feel the impact of the choir's humble but grand, accomplishment. The book's other stories come equally alive with humor, insight, and inspiration that demonstrate how the least in the kingdom of heaven can touch the heart of God.

I am Sylvia Honeyeater; I think myself born around 1196, and this is the story of my life. I am cursed by folk as an optimist and a dreamer, which is a dangerous combination...' ''sylvia'' is the story of the Children's Crusade, which occurred in the year 1212, and is perhaps the strangest true event to have taken place in European history. It is also a story of how, throughout some of the darkest medieval times, the redeeming power and strength of a young woman's love and intelligence prevail over poverty, brutality and bigotry. Sylvia was a remarkable, talented and eccentric young woman and this is her story.

In a world where divisions run deep and understanding seems elusive, Bridges Unseen: The Ties That Mend Us offers a profound exploration of the unseen connections that bind us together, even when we seem worlds apart. Through the compelling narrative of individuals from opposing ideologies, religions, and political views who are thrust together by circumstance, this book unravels the delicate threads of empathy that, once woven together, create a tapestry of unity. Each chapter is a journey into the human experience, examining how, despite our differences, we can forge bridges of compassion, understanding, and shared humanity that transcend the divides that often define us. The book dives deep into the complexities of human relationships, reflecting on the silent bridges of unspoken bonds and the crossroads of faith that challenge us to embrace tolerance. From walking in the shoes of others to harmonizing discord through the chords of unity, the narrative offers a rich tapestry of stories that highlight the power of empathy in conflict resolution. It explores the ways in which we can navigate the waves of change together, listen to the voices of the forgotten, and heal generational wounds that have long been left unattended. Bridges Unseen: The Ties That Mend Us is more than just a book; it's a journey into the heart of what it means to be human. It invites readers to step into the shoes of others, to see the world through different eyes, and to understand that our unseen ties—the invisible threads of empathy and compassion—are what truly bind us together. As we navigate the chapters, we learn that the language of hope is not about erasing differences, but about translating them into a shared dialogue that fosters unity. This book is a call to action for anyone who believes in the power of empathy to bridge divides, heal wounds, and create a more connected, compassionate world.

Protests against racial injustice and anti-Blackness have swept across elite colleges and universities in recent years, exposing systemic racism and raising questions about what it means for Black students to belong at these institutions. In Black Space, Sherry L. Deckman takes us into the lives of the members of the Kuumba Singers, a Black student organization at Harvard with racially diverse members, and a self-proclaimed safe space for anyone but particularly Black students. Uniquely focusing on Black students in an elite space where they are the majority, Deckman provides a case study in how colleges and universities might reimagine safe spaces. Through rich description and sharing moments in students’ everyday lives, Deckman demonstrates the possibilities and challenges Black students face as they navigate campus culture and the refuge they find in this organization. This work illuminates ways administrators, faculty, student affairs staff, and indeed, students themselves, might productively address issues of difference and anti-Blackness for the purpose of fostering critically inclusive campus environments.

St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart was born into a large devout family in Arezzo, Italy in 1747. From the earliest days of her childhood, Anna Maria was filled with a deep love of God, questioning the adults around her as to "Who is God"? Already she was dissatisfied with answers given her. Only the contemplative life of a Carmelite nun could begin to quench her thirst to know and give herself completely to God. Her entire life was driven by the desire to "return love for love." She entered the Carmelite convent in Florence at the age of seventeen, advanced rapidly in holiness, and died an extraordinary death at twenty-two. Her spiritual director reflecting on her death remarked, "She could not have lived very much longer, so great was the strength of the love of God in her." The cornerstone of St. Teresa Margaret's spirituality was to remain hidden, to appear just like everyone else in spite of her heroic virtue. To our loss, she has remained very much hidden even after her death. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen commented, "This is an odd fact, for we do not hesitate to rank her among the primary figures who represent the glory of Carmel among Teresa of Jesus, John of the Cross, and Thérèse of the Child Jesus." Though St. Teresa Margaret led a life of exquisite holiness and purity, it was also a life that is wholly imitable. In her were combined Martha and Mary as she served her community as infirmarian while reaching the heights of contemplation. No one will come away from the pages of this book without his or her own spirit being renewed and reinvigorated.

This is a story of discovery. It describes how a Welsh choir perfected its music making by deepening the relationships between the members and healing any personal antagonism amongst them. In particular it follows the fortunes of the choir's conductor as, through parallel experiences leading the choir in various competitions and helping injured and dying miners in a horrifying mining disaster, he 'finds his soul' and deepens his understanding of the music his choir is able to make. It uses Henry Vaughan's Seventeenth Century poem 'My Soul' as the basis of the journeys of discovery made by the conductor, his choir and their local mining community.