Angry and heartbroken, he ended up living on the streets and abandoned any belief he'd once had in God.Ten years later Big Earl meets Gideon, a seven-year-old leukemia patient who believes with all her heart that "Christmas means never having to ask God how much he loves us." Gideon is determined to reach this lonely and hurting man who hates Christmas--and he is just as determined to rebuff her.It will take a miracle for Earl to come to understand the true meaning of Christmas. But if he can accept what Gideon wants to give him, he might find that he can return the favor with a precious gift of his own. In GIDEON'S GIFT, Karen Kingsbury reminds us that Christmas is still a time of miraculous possibilities if only we reach out to those around us

    But then he and his father find a beautiful tapestry for sale in a secondhand shop. Just the thing to cover the damaged wall and give the church a festive look! But then, amazingly, an old Jewish woman who is visiting the church recognizes the beautiful cloth. It is her discovery that leads to a real miracle on Christmas Eve. This timely tale of love and generosity between people of different religious faiths is a wonderful showcase for Polacco's art. It features snowy holiday scenes and a colorful tapestry that is almost a character in itself.

    Every year Alexander and his mother walk the long distance to Noel to watch the lighting of the village Christmas tree. This year Alexander learns that the Keeper of the Flame will choose the person who has given the truest gift of Christmas to light the flame. On his way to Noel, Alexander helps a poor old man he finds lying in the snow. His act of charity is rewarded when he is chosen to light the Christmas flame. Alexander learns that it isn't what you have to give, but how you give of yourself that matters most. Master storyteller Richard Paul Evans weaves a heartwarming tale of the true meaning of Christmas spirit.

    But before the angelic trio can answer the Christmas prayers of three lonely women, there are memorable lessons that must first be learned ...Touched by Angels For some, New York City can be a sad and cold place at Christmastime. But with the help of Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, three of the city's most deserving souls will learn what miracles are all about ...

    In the mystery of Christmas we find its majesty.The mystery of how God became flesh, why he chose to come, and how he must love his people.Such mysteries can never be solved, just as Love can never be diagrammed.Christmas is best pondered, not with logic, but with imagination.

    But this year, the trolls are in for a surprise: a boy and his pet ice bear on their way to Oslo have come in from the cold. And once the ice bear is finished with the trolls, you can bet they won't come knocking next Christmas Eve!Once again, Jan Brett creates an original Christmas story full of warmth and magic. Featuring beautiful borders, intricate illustrations, and a stunning display of the Northern Lights, Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? will rightfully take its place among Jan's Christmas favorites with the whole family.

    Angels singing. Demons infecting. Heavenly hosts fighting . . . Ignore the armies of God and Satan and you ignore the heart of Scripture. Ever since the snake tempted Eve in Eden, we've known: there is more to this world than meets the eye.In this classic Christmas novella, best-selling author Max Lucado imagines the spiritual conflict that surrounded the coming of Christ. Surely there was much. If Satan could pre-empt Christ in the cradle, there'd be no Christ on the cross.Journey back in time to the very throne of God ... and witness firsthand the glory, the wonder, and the battle that took place on the very first Christmas.

    But one family is having trouble getting its act together. Once again, Natasha Wing follows the rhythms and meter of Clement Moore's classic Christmas poem, yet gives it her own entirely original twist.

    Painted in acrylics this is a delightful picture book which ends with a wonderful Christmas surprise - the promise of a new friendship between a tiny mouse, and a big bear, who doesn't seem quite so scary after all.

    A heartbroken artist moves to an isolated cabin and finds unexpected solace and romance in this tale of love and hope.

    Also included are five other selected poems read by Dylan Thomas, including his well-known Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.Whether sharing his wistful memory of a holiday spent with people long past, or addressing the perennial problem of our mortality, Thomas gives us great pleasure in our personal and common memories while affirming life with a resounding "Yes!"Contents: A Child's Christmas in Wales and five poems: Fern Hill; Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night; In The White Giant's Thigh; Ballad of the Long-Legged Bait; Ceremony After a Fire Raid.

    Sing carols with Charlie Brown and company around Schroeder’s piano. See Snoopy’s festively decorated doghouse. Find out if Lucy’s been naughty or nice. Discover if snow has any effect on Pig Pen’s “aura.” And learn about the true meaning of Christmas with Linus.Just in time for the holiday season, A Peanuts Christmas is the complete collection of Christmas strips from 1950 to 1999. For the first time ever this delightful book brings together nearly fifty years of comfort and joy with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang.

    Decorating ideas such as making a story blanket or family memory wreath get everyone involved. Includes easy-to-follow instructions for charming gifts such as handcrafted snow globes, aromatherapy candles, and beaded watchbands. Plus oodles of tasty treats for entertaining at home or giving as gifts. Also includes helpful tips and favorite recipes from devoted Gooseberry Patch readers.

    

    Fanthorpe's Christmas Poems gathers together the poems she wrote and sent to friends as Christmas cards from 1974 to 2002. Now readers can enjoy Fanthorpe's yearly output in its entirety. Her subject matter covers a broad range of seasonal characters, from angels to personified Christmas trees, and a variety of styles to match, from moments of beautiful lyricism to the comically touching Gloucestershire foxes begging baby Jesus to visit: 'Come live wi we under Westridge / Where the huntin folk be few'. Fanthorpe is witty and highly original, rethinking the Christmas story from quirky angles, to create her own alternative Christmas legend – from the cat and the sheep-dog left out of the stable, to the wicked fairy's gifts for Jesus. Above all, these poems are celebrations of Christmas joy and love.

    This modern favorite from Calvin Miller, now in a cozy jacketed hardcover edition, features brief everyday devotions for the entire month of December that bring readers back to the very first Christmas. Each devotion includes a full-page Scripture reading, main message, call-out quote, and written prayer. For anyone who desires a longer stay, there’s an additional passage to read from outside the Gospel accounts based on the day’s theme, as well as discussion questions that encourage group study or family time.Revisit the manger, the miracle, and the meaning of Advent with The Christ of Christmas.

    Silf draws from the Christmas story The Little Match Girl in this book of 37 daily meditations that help readers glimpse joy as it takes them on a spiritual journey from the first day of Advent through Epiphany.

    Moore's poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." This enduring poem, which begins with the now-classic line "Twas the night before Christmas" paints a vivid picture of Saint Nick and his miniature sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer. This image was illustrated for the first time by Thomas Nast for Harper's Weekly in 1863 and became the inspiration for much of the beautifully detailed Victorian art captured in The Book of Santa Claus. This rich compilation celebrates the mystique of Santa Claus through the beautiful illustrations from century-old postcards from that era's preeminent commercial artists, such as Frances Brundage and Ellen Clapsaddle.Author Vicky Howard's personal collection of cherished postcards began with an album of cards collected by her husband's grandmother, and now numbers in the thousands. With her exhaustive source of images as a starting point, this book presents the fruits of Howard's carefully selected and most treasured pictures of dear, familiar Santa. This precious art from the Golden Age of postcards is coupled with poems on the Christmas joy of Kris Kringle.You don't have to be a child to appreciate the magic within The Book of Santa Claus. As Howard notes, "We can never outgrow the anticipation of a visit from Santa Claus. He is a magical figure, drawn from the legends, history, and folklore of many countries."

    Even big kids, better known as adults, eagerly await that first cup of eggnog, savor the scent of a fresh-cut pine tree, and delight in the discovery of that perfect present for a hard-to-please relative. Christmas is a time of celebrating traditions-those that have been in the family for years, as well as those just recently embraced. Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas Treasury for Kids will start a new holiday tradition for kids of all ages. With twenty-five true stories-one for each day in December through Christmas Day-this unique treasury will rekindle the Christmas spirit every December first and keep it burning in the hearts of readers throughout the holiday season. As kids and their loved ones read these stories together, they'll realize that the best traditions are those the whole family can share. Kids will read about the "angels among us" who give selflessly to those in need. They'll learn that sometimes the best gifts aren't bought at a store. They'll discover that giving to others can be more joyous than getting everything on their list. And both kids and adults will find these stories wonderful reminders of the true meaning of Christmas and make this book a cherished reading tradition for generations to come.

    Nicholas -- you may be surprised to hear. He was a fourth-century bishop in Asia Minor. Europeans have long observed December 6 as St. Nicholas Day, but the tradition never took hold in America. This charming volume presents little-known legends and tales from Russia, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Germany, Holland, France, Italy, and Armenia----to name a few of the countries represented in this book. While slimmer than jolly old Santa, the historical saint is much larger in character. Celebrated as protector of the wronged and patron saint of children, Nicholas is, in essence, a Western bodhisattva: an enlightened being who serves those in need. This book restores him as an important lost archetype of the Wise Old Man, clustering stories according to such appealing themes as rescuing, nurturing, outwitting evil, and healing. Louise Carus spent two years researching and translating material to bring us the best collection available in English. It will delight parents, educators, community organizers, story lovers, and others eager to decommercialize and resanctify the holidays. Indeed, the generous spirit of the real St. Nicholas can inspire us any day of the year.

    Fortunately, Moo has read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, so she knows exactly what they should do: Dress up like Santa Claus and enlist the help of eight sleigh-pulling chickens and a red-nosed rooster in a scheme to deliver the presents and save Christmas!

    Innovations in Christmas ornamentation, lighting, and display are presented--including artificial trees of the 1960s, country-style ornaments of the 1970s, 1980s chaser lights, and sophisticated 1990s European glass ornaments. Updated values are provided in the captions. With this wonderful book to inspire your search, you can carry the spirit of Christmas with you all year 'round!

    Back by popular demand! This book featuring John Denver, Kermit, Miss Piggy and all your favorite Muppets includes 14 fantastic songs of the season: Alfie, The Christmas Tree * A Baby Just like You * Carol for a Christmas Tree * Christmas Is Coming (Round) * The Christmas Wish * Deck the Halls * Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas * Little Saint Nick * Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913 * The Peace Carol * Silent Night, Holy Night * The Twelve Days of Christmas * We Wish You a Merry Christmas * When the River Meets the Sea. Also includes separate lyric pages and great color photos.

    Families would wait anxiously at the docks for their choice of the best of the best Christmas trees.Captain Schuenemann's voyage of 1912 was to be his last. Fully loaded and ready to sail, the Rouse Simmons set out for its final destination on the southern end of Lake Michigan. Despite the crew's best efforts, the ship was unable to withstand the gales of the Great Lakes and went down off the coast of Two Rivers, Wisconsin.Rochelle Pennington is a freelance author and newspaper columnist from Wisconsin whose work has been included in several best-selling series including Chicken Soup for the Soul, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, and Stories for the Heart.

    James Dobson's A Family Christmas transports you to the delightful places you've been ... or perhaps to where you want to be. Featuring glowing scenes by internationally acclaimed artist G. Harvey, this richly meaningful gift book illustrates the importance of showing and celebrating love for our family, our friends, and our God. True stories of Christmas past, complete with Dr. Dobson's insightful and thought-provoking commentary, will bring warmth and rekindled joy to you and yours.Warmth and Joy at Christmastime Dr. James Dobson’s A Family Christmas transports you to the delightful places you’ve been...or perhaps to where you want to be. Featuring glowing scenes by internationally acclaimed artist G. Harvey, this richly meaningful gift book illustrates the importance of showing and celebrating love for our family, our friends, and our God. True stories of Christmas past, complete with Dr. Dobson’s insightful and thought-provoking commentary, will bring warmth and rekindled joy to you and yours.

    

    And Then In A Twinkling offers both a celebration of the season and a gentle reminder to keep the true spirit of Christmas in our hearts. Becky's ethereal and radiant watercolors illustrate an upbeat and inspiring message written in rhyming verse, like: "Don't miss the wonder, while lost in to-dos, because, in a twinkling...this day will be through." This beautiful little book is sure to be a holiday favorite for years to come.Author's web site: www.beckykelly.com/

    In it, author Brian Morgan touches the hearts of readers through a folk tale in which a man learns the true meaning of Christmas.Once upon a Christmas, a man who had a big heart, but little money, dreamt he could give his friends endless riches. He began to think that perhaps real wealth could not be measured in money, so, taking out his quill, he began to write blessings on a parchment scroll.The humble writer's prayer was eventually lost in time, but, through the years, his Christmas Prayer began to appear all over the world--obscure villages, big cities, and the homes of families where Christmas is treasured.Readers who discover this stirring legend will find prayers for each of the twelve days before Christmas, girded with beloved passages of appropriate Scripture.

    Both novellas, set during the Christmas season, convey the importance of family and community that have become a trademark of Debbie's writing.Can this be Christmas? is the story of strangers stranded in a shabby New Hampshire train depot on Christmas Eve, away from the families they love and homes they miss. Together, with the help of some local residents, they open their hearts to each other and discover the real magic of Christmas.In Shirley, Goodness and Mercy, three angels are determined to create a miracle for a man who is full of regrets and all alone at Christmas. In their unique ways, they set out to show him what life, joy and Christmas are really all about.

    Follow in the author’s footsteps as he wrestles with giant Christmas trees, scrambles to get to his children’s concerts, is swallowed up by the mobs in the mall, sings his choirs first tentative attempt at Handel’s Messiah and enters into a desperate nationwide search for goats for his church’s Christmas pageant. Christmas is a time of joy and memories, memories that are both sweet and tinged with sadness. In this book we share both the happiness and the grief that can accompany this season. Our Twelve Days of Christmas is a book that will resonate with every family, as it shares a story that is both unique and universal, a story of family and the genuine meaning of this holiday.

    This book celebrates angels of all shapes, sizes and forms, whether ethereal winged beings or everyday heroes in blue jeans.

    But when Angelica gets too greedy, Santa Claus calls it quits! Tommy and his friends set out to save the holiday while Angelica meets a special elf who teaches her about the true meaning of Christmas. Can they save Christmas before it's too late? Find out in this heartwarming Rugrats holiday tale.

    Capture the joy of the Christmas season through the eyes of Ruth Bell Graham. Stories, poems, recipes, and Graham family photos illustrate the wonders of Christmas and the memories of this special season in the Graham household. To honor this sacred holiday, this book includes some of Ruth's favorite family memories as well as traditional Christmas stories, recipes, her own poems, anecdotes about favorite Christmas songs, and devotionals on the name of Christ.

    This is the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, taken directly from the Gospel according to St. Luke in the King James Bible.These simple yet profound words tell a powerful story of life, love, and hope, while James Bernardin's stunning paintings masterfully transport us to this magical time and place. "The Christmas Story is the perfect way to share one of the most famous stories of all time with your family.