From pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller comes the perfect gift for the Christmas holiday—a profoundly moving and intellectually provocative examination of the nativity story Even people who are not practicing Christians think they are familiar with the story of the nativity. Every Christmas displays of Baby Jesus resting in a manger decorate lawns and churchyards, and songs about shepherds and angels fill the air. Yet despite the abundance of these Christian references in popular culture, how many of us have examined the hard edges of this biblical story? In his new book Timothy Keller takes readers on an illuminating journey into the surprising background of the nativity. By understanding the message of hope and salvation within the Bible’s account of Jesus’ birth, readers will experience the redeeming power of God’s grace in a deeper and more meaningful way.

Cold, cranky, and restless one winter's night, the young daughter of a Bethlehem innkeeper is bothered to wakefulness by the crowded, comfortless condition of her family's sleeping loft. Recalling the young couple staying in the stable out back, she arises to bring them some fire for warmth. There she approaches the newborn Babe asleep in the manger and has an encounter that changes her mood and alters her life forever. Claudia McAdams's marvelous retelling of the Christmas story demonstrates to children how an encounter with Christ can change their lives ... eternally.

In the small town of Grandon, five very different people discover the true meaning of Christmas. Jennifer and Ryan are both single parents, struggling with their own losses and heartache as they attempt to move forward in the present while still holding onto the memories, joy, and heartache of the past. Sixteen-year-old Kaylee is faced with a life-changing situation that has affected her whole family. Stephen and Lily are happily married and ready to start a family. All of them are facing their own struggles, and all are finding their way through the dark. When they are brought together for a rather unconventional church Nativity, they will learn that with strength, courage, and love, there is always hope. The New York Times bestselling author of the beloved The Christmas Hope series returns with this new heartwarming, inspirational story about the power of love and faith to reveal the possibilities that lay right in front of you.

Bigger, stronger, better! Russell Anderson has taken the most original and successful lectionary resource in history and improved on it. He has kept all of the traditional features that have made it a classic, such as: overviews of each liturgical season; commentaries compatible with the Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionaries; an introduction to the featured gospel narrator (Luke, in Cycle C); theological reflections for exploring the relationships between the texts, and wide margins for note-taking. Instead of stopping there, he added: a 7"x10" one-size-fits-all format, a suggested sermon title for each week, a Sermon Angle briefly explicating the theological theme for the day (sometimes providing two or three), and two to four illustrative stories per chapter. Contained are crisp, tightly written lectionary helps that zero in on the critical themes of the texts, augmented with illustrative materials. The Prayer of the Day suggestions summarize and apply the themes in helpful language. The Reverend Dr. Dennis Anderson President, Trinity Lutheran Seminary Pastor Anderson's ability to relate eternal truths in the language of our 20th century society will enable those informed by his writings to communicate the TRUTH in a way that will gain attention and guide the living of life. The Reverend Dr. Reuben T. Swanson Former Bishop, Nebraska Synod, Lutheran Church in America Former Secretary, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Russell F. Anderson is pastor at Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his master of divinity degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and his doctor of ministry degree from McCormick Theological School in Chicago. He has published his own worship and homiletical resources under the banner "Worship Windows."

You can have the home of your dreams! This comprehensive guide walks you through every decision and addresses all the details that most homeowners don't even know to consider. In this step-by-step, room-by-room handbook, Susan Lang considers every aspect of your homebuilding or remodeling project, such as how to Hire the right architect, interior designer, and builder Design each room to perfectly fit your family's lifestyle Plan ahead so all your storage needs are met Determine the perfect placement for light fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets Save money by avoiding costly design revisions or building change orders You'll find helpful forms and checklists that will keep you organized and assist you in clarifying your needs. And if you're worried that building your dream home might turn into a nightmare, Designing Your Dream Home covers the most common mistakes that homeowners make and shows you how to avoid them. Susan Lang has thought of everything, so you won't have to.

The "Gentleman's magazine" section is a digest of selections from the weekly press; the "(Trader's) monthly intelligencer" section consists of news (foreign and domestic), vital statistics, a register of the month's new publications, and a calendar of forthcoming trade fairs.

In search of a bright future as an interior decorator, Mary moves to Toronto and finds work as a live-in housekeeper for the affluent Hamilton family—but all is not well in Mary’s new home. Katherine Hamilton, a psychiatrist, leans on her education to help heal following the death of her daughter. Desperate to put herself back together, Katherine seeks affections outside her marriage. Alex is a young man destined to run the family business. For generations, his kin have practiced law, but Alex wants to be an artist. When he decides to pursue his dream, he expects his father to be disappointed; instead, he shows Alex his mother’s art, hidden in the attic, and Alex is reintroduced to the beloved woman he lost. Mary and Alex’s paths cross, and they find love and comfort in one another. Still, life has a way of interrupting the peace. Katherine’s affair is discovered, and she must find a way to put both herself and her marriage back together. Mary witnesses this as an observer as she faces her own challenges in loving Alex. A moment in a cemetery gives Mary a glimpse into her past life, which changes everything as past becomes future and the separate lives of once broken strangers meld into destiny.