Advent Books

I bought this for my grandchildren and they love it. It is a great story and the hidden images behind the flaps add a lot to the story. I'm not sure the flaps will endure for long with the little ones, but I LOVE Berenstain Bear books and the story is perfect for the Christmas season.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux has been called the voice of conscience and dominated the Catholic church for nearly thirty years. "Bernard of Clairvaux: Sermons for Advent and the Christmas Season" is a compilation of his sermons, a definite but highly complex message he wished to convey to the world: that the Word of the gospel wishes to be reincarnated in the reader by being read, that the gospel lives on in the words, and that reading the word will grant one personal recognition of the true divine nature of the word. Translated from the original Latin by Irene Edmonds, Wendy Mary Beckett, & Conrad Greenia; edited by John Leinenweber with an introduction by Wim Verbaal, "Bernard of Clairvaux: Sermons for Advent and The Christmas Season" is highly recommended to community library religious study shelves or anyone seeking a renewal of faith.

The book was fabulous...but the audio version is hilarious!!! Elaine Stritch brings the story to life as it is meant to be told...great for the whole family! Add this to your annual traditions!

I have many of the books in this series and have not had time to read them. But I bought this Best of Christmas in My Heart anyway. I love this book. The stories are so good. I read one of the stories for our Women's Christmas get-together.

You dont need to have read any of the individual editions to appreciate this "Best of" edition.

Get this and enjoy Christmas.

Bestselling author and beloved evangelical pastor Charles R. Swindoll takes the Christmas story to another level as he beautifully retells the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus --- not from a single individual's perspective but from three separate ones. Swindoll believes that by presenting this well-loved biblical story from a fresh vantage point, informed readers will revisit the all-too-familiar seasonal Christmas account differently as they gain new insights gleaned through several diverse experiences. He tells of the birth of the Savior as written first by Mary, then as Joseph and finally as the angel Gabriel.

Swindoll opens with the faith-shattering circumstances surrounding Zacharias, the elderly priest, who is offering sacrifices in the Holy Place when an angel foretells of the birth of Zacharias's son, John, to Elizabeth in her old age. Sudden hope mingled with unbelief, and then denial and doubt, lace Zacharias's response to the angel whereby he is rendered mute until the son is born.

Once the historical stage is set, Mary's voice is then offered as she tells of her childhood home, family and faith. Most significantly, her meeting with Joseph is described as is her burgeoning love and growing respect for Joseph as her future husband. Written almost like a journal, Mary shares her deepest feelings formed from the angel's visitation to her and of his prophecy that she will bear the Savior of the world. Swindoll delves more deeply into the womanly cares and concerns of Mary as she is rejected and misunderstood by those closest to her. Then, she finds respite and encouragement through the now-pregnant Elizabeth and finally as Joseph is reassured by a heavenly visitor that Mary truly is a virgin; he, in turn, comforts her and they marry. Her story continues through their journey to Bethlehem, and even the birth of the Messiah is lovingly presented.

Joseph's perspective mirrors Mary's in timeline and happenings. However, readers now gain the man's thoughts and inner-workings from the time he is introduced to Mary until he takes her as his wife, and they journey to Bethlehem. Readers will appreciate their parallel yet distinctive takes on the same life events. Finally, the angel Gabriel speaks, and it is from the heavens that readers gain yet a third unique look at the birth of Jesus.

Not only will readers appreciate the author's fine storytelling ability, they will find themselves lingering long over the rich and vivid tapestry of artwork strewn generously from beginning to end. Some of the artwork included here is "The Adoration of the Child" by Gerrit van Honthorst, "The Annunciation" by Philippe de Champaigne and "Joseph's Dream" by Luca Giordano. This seamlessly written holiday book will draw readers, young and old, to its lively text and meaningful message of hope, faith and love. Swindoll's work is always delightful and instructive, and this newest offering is a veritable (non-calorie) feast for the senses.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

Bethlehem Town: Where Jesus Was Born by Patricia A. Hoffman is a rhyming Christian picturebook about the story of the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Nancy Munger's joyful color illustrations add a particularly cheerful and welcome touch to this engaging and spiritual retelling of the Christmas story, and one which is especially recommended for reading aloud with very young children.

This book takes the Old Testament seriously. The result is a fine collection of sermons for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. The personal stories and moving illustrations contained in these sermons will enrich both clergy and lay readers alike.

Six sermons for the Advent and Christmas seasons, each based on the second lesson for the day (year B). The first one is a special dialogue sermon which features a "devil's advocate." Published when the author was a local pastor. He went on to teach a Duke Divinity School, to become dean of the chapel and Duke, and most recently, a United Methodist Bishop. Is this the first of his many, many, many, many books??

My 1 1/2 year old twins are difficult to keep interested in long books. They often are trying to flip ahead before I finish reading a page. Many of the other toddler Bibles I have bought them send them into a fury of page turning and fighting over who gets to hold it (I know, fighting over the Bible...kind of wierd). Anyways, this book seems to have amazing soothing powers over them. They sit in my lap calmly and listen to the entire book. They bring it to me at least once a day to read. I had to order other books in the series since I didn't want to read only Christmas all year long. :)

I love the meditations by this writer! He is well-grounded in the Old Testament (according to the back of the book!). I always read his work with fresh insight into the Holy Scriptures and how they apply to my life today.

If you are interested in another opinion of this writer, please read the review written by Bob Staib on the book "Biblical Meditations for EASTER".