Showing titles in Holidays

You will hear documented evidence that both Roman Catholics and Protestants were originally against Christmas, but why? Like most people, this is probably the first time you are learning that Christmas was outlawed in America and England in the 1650s, and upon discovering this, many would assume these were the actions of anti-Christian politicians that lasted only a few days, weeks, or months, but this is not the case.

What do you want for Christmas? We all hear this question everywhere, but author Scott Rankin invites us all to slow down for a moment and ask a different question. What does God want for Christmas? Our Lord desires that we become more Christ-like every day (1 Corinthians 11:1). To accomplish this goal, he tells us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2). But how do the Christmas holidays help accomplish this goal if so much busyness and stress make it hard to focus all our attention on Christ and completely rest in his peace? I

Advent and Christmas are my favorite times of the year, with the coming celebration of the birth of Christ. However, the older I get, the more I have come to realize that Christ has been relegated to third or perhaps fourth place behind toys, decorations, and commercialism. I wanted to create a series of stories that might bring the true reason for the season back to its place of importance. These whimsical, multicultural tales evoke the timeless human needs of love, companionship, and purpose in life that are promised in the birth of a baby at Christmas.

There's something truly magical about Christmas. Combining two charming story collections - A Miracle Under the Christmas Tree and A Kiss Under the Mistletoe - into one beautiful package, these heartwarming stories of the kindness of strangers, reunions with loved ones and the blessings of answered prayers capture the spirit of the season.

Needing a miracle, Mandy Williams headed to Milwaukie where she hoped to find a stable job and a place to raise her two-year-old son. What she didn’t expect to find was Blake Jessop, her first love. His violet blue eyes still take her breath away and his peaceful soul is like a beacon to her troubled heart. But she broke Blake’s heart and he looks at her like she’s the Grinch who stole his Christmas spirit. Blake, a MyHeartChannel star, enjoyed his quiet life mostly behind the camera on the hit channel Tori’s Taking Over. Their latest project, a B&B in Milwaukie was humming along ...

Lent is about more than going to church on weekdays and giving up chocolate or social media. It’s also a time to form one’s heart and mind through study and prayer. In Where the Eye Alights, Marilyn McEntyre offers 40 short meditations, based on excerpts from Scripture and poetry, that guide listeners on a devotional journey from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday. As in lectio divina - the spiritual practice of reading Scripture repetitively and meditatively - McEntyre invites us to notice words that may give us pause and summon us to reflection.

What is the greatest Christmas gift ever? The reason we celebrate Christmas is because of this precious gift. In this book we will go over the different parts of the Christmas story. The different things that happened and the reason that they happened the way they did. None of the things that happened when Jesus was born were a coincidence. The entire birth and life of Jesus was planned by God to happen the way it did. The virgin Birth. Why was Jesus born to a virgin? Why was Jesus born to average people and not to a King? Why was the virgin birth a secret until after Jesus died? Why was...

Step into the Advent season with The Art of Living in Advent, a beautifully crafted daily devotional by Sylvie Vanhoozer. Centered around the traditional French santons, or "little saints," this book invites you to imagine Christ's presence in your daily life―right where you are. Through thoughtful devotions and prompts for prayer and reflection, this devotional offers a creative and meaningful way to deepen your faith this Advent.

This Advent, join acclaimed author Cynthia Ruchti for a faith-building, eye-opening walk with the Holy Spirit. Highlighting the power and presence of the Spirit at work in the sacred story, each entry of this twenty-six-day devotional contains core verses on the Spirit's role in the narrative of Scripture; devotional thoughts perfect for the whole family; often overlooked details that will change the way you see and understand the Christmas story; practical application with optional projects to help you prepare and celebrate; and an Advent prayer.

The "Catholic Daily Reflections Series" was written to help you enter more deeply into the Holy Scriptures and the Catholic Liturgy on a daily basis. Through these reflections and prayers you are invited to enter into the Word of God in a personal, engaging, challenging and transforming way. This Volume of the "Catholic Daily Reflection Series" offers daily reflections and prayers for the Advent and Christmas Seasons. All Volumes: Volume One: Advent and Christmas Volume Two: Lent and Easter Volume Three: Ordinary Time: Weeks 1-17 Volume Four: Ordinary Time: Weeks 18-34 How to Use this Book ...

In Defeating Scrooge, Baker describes, with humor and pathos, the path which led her to her life's work in caroling, her crisis of spirit and how she set about reviving it. In her journey back to joy, she immerses herself more deeply into the carols and discovers poignant life stories of the lyricists and composers, the countries in which they were written, what was going on in those countries at the time and the catalysts which brought these carols to life.

In Finding Christmas: The Story of Joseph, Joseph bumps into an old man who grants him three wishes that will be granted to him on Christmas. He just has to meet him every Sunday of Advent leading up to Christmas. Joseph hopes for a miracle because he is poor and torn between two women - one from the past and one from the present. He wishes to be married, have a baby, and to be a millionaire. Will these wishes come true in this holiday romance short story?

The Catholic Daily Reflections Series was written to help you enter more deeply into the Holy Scriptures and the Catholic Liturgy on a daily basis. Through these reflections and prayers, you are invited to embrace the Word of God in a personal, engaging, challenging and transforming way. These reflections are also a great resource for priests and deacons for their daily homily preparations. This Volume offers daily reflections and prayers for Lent and Easter. Catholic Daily Reflections Series: Volume One: Advent and Christmas Volume Two: Lent and Easter Volume Three: Ordinary Time: Weeks 1-...

God gave humanity the ultimate gift thousands of years ago to show his love to us. We can never give that great a gift. While our gifts may seem to pale in comparison, a heartfelt gift stands the test of time. When we focus on the true meaning of giving and receiving, we prepare our hearts to focus on the ultimate gift..the baby in the manger, our Savior, Jesus Christ. This insightful and heartfelt devotional includes daily reflections on the scripture highlighted by stories of the Christmas and Advent season. Through the eyes of the contributing writers you are invited to see beyond the ...

Wilderness Meditations is a 40-day devotional guide designed for the season of Lent, inviting readers on a journey toward deeper intimacy with Jesus in preparation for Easter. While originally created for Lent, the devotions are equally suited for times of fasting, spiritual retreats, small group studies, or personal spiritual growth throughout the year. Each day’s devotion centers on a specific aspect of Christ’s character, offering a theme for meditation, Scripture passages for reflection, and thoughtful guidance to help you engage in meaningful prayer. Designed to be completed in ...

Welcome back to the heart of Hideaway Lake, where the spirit of the season comes alive with the characters you’ve gotten to know and love in this series. The town is buzzing with anticipation as the holiday festivities unfold – from the twinkling lights of the tree lighting ceremony and Parade of Lights, to the laughter echoing through the Hideaway Lake Holiday Trail Run as the magic of the season falls upon the small town. Amidst the joy, lies the touching tale of Joshua, Joe’s younger brother, who is grappling with a challenge that transcends the twinkling lights and tinsel. Joshua ...

When Catherine Olsen answers his mail order bride ad, he believes that her arrival will help him fulfill at least one of his few remaining dreams. But then Bessie Calhoun steps off the train and into his life, and nothing will be the same ever again After her scoundrel of a husband dies, leaving Bessie with child and all alone in New York City, she doesn’t know how she’ll managed to provide for herself and her baby. Then her friend Catherine proposes a deception, one that makes Bessie deeply uncomfortable, but which she accepts because she has few other choices if she hopes to give her ...

Inspired by a true story from the author's family, this heartwarming tale of how one small orphan girl brings faith, hope and love into the lives of a lonely farm couple in Depression-era Kansas is a reminder that God's best gifts come in the most unexpected ways. When young reporter Michelle Madison goes to Gracerville to interview the town's oldest resident, Esther Cooke, on Esther's one hundredth birthday, Michelle has no idea that her own life is about to change forever.An ordinary woman of remarkable faith, Esther tells Michelle the story of how a chronically-ill orphan in Depression-...

Anticipate, celebrate, and marvel at Jesus' birth with Three Wise Women, a richly researched and faith-building new devotional by Dandi Daley Mackall. We don't hear many details directly from these three women at the heart of the first Christmas, but Scripture, studies in biblical culture, and an open heart that asks “what if” allows readers to experience new revelations for the holy season that will encourage and strengthen you in becoming a wise woman of God.

A wonderful fictional story based on the accounts of Malchus in the Gospels. The author "reads between the lines" and tells the story of Malchus, the man whose ear was sliced off the night before Jesus Christ was crucified.