Christmas Books

I absolutely love this book. I have never been one to journal my thoughts, but this book makes it so easy. I love how the devotion stories lead right into the questions that you answer. At first I didn't write too much, but the more days I read it, the more I wrote. The questions really get you to thinking deeper than you would just reading the Bible verses and the stories. It has totally changed my quiet time with God. I look forward to getting up every morning and sharing my thoughts with Him. Another thing that is so wonderful about it is that it will be a wonderful keepsake for my children.
It is a beautiful book inside and out, and it is the best of a devotion book and a journal.

I love this book! I actually read it every night before I go to bed to help calm the day down and settle down for sleep. I also use this book in accordance with prayer to talk with God. I pray then I normally write the date and a small note on what is going on if something major is going on in the back of the book. Then I randomly open the pages neatly print the date and read the devotion. I have been doing my devotions this way for about the past 9 months or so and everytime I open the page I am faced with something that is completely fitting to my situation. I love it. I feel that God talks to me threw this book and I enjoy my nightly time with him and "our" book.
I also enjoy going back threw the little notes and then searching for the pages that have that date or vice versa. It has lots of wonderful sayings and verses and stories that can be enjoyed over & over again.

I love the simple, yet lovely and heart-warming manner in which this story is told. Every page speaks volumes to me, and is a reminder to look more closely at those around us and realize what a special treasure they are. Also, the illustrations by C. Michael Dudash are exquisitely beautiful, full of rich detail and emotion. I love to sit and slowly soak up the rich delights of each page.

I did notice when looking at the book review of the volume that includes two other Christmas tales, that the wording was a bit different. That one contained a few more sentences here and there, but the extra wording seemed to detract from the flow of the story. I much prefer the wording in this single volume.

I highly recommend this book! I keep this treasured book out all year long!

This little book has been a great inspiration. It has often given me an answer to a situation that I face during the day after reading the daily passage.
I love mine so much that I have purchase this book as a gift and my friends have love it as well.

This is a great gift idea for anyone who is feeling down about aging. The book will help them realize how growing older is a beautiful thing, with so many things to look forward to.

I received this as a gift for my birthday and the title is a bit of a misnomer as I think it is more a beautiful little book of quotes on living and experience and the love of life. This compliation lead me to Ms. Crowe's other complilations all of which are great gifts and nice to have around for a new viewpoint from time to time.

This book is full of inspirational wisdom, touching sentiment (NOT sentimentality) and beautiful illustrations. It would make a lovely book for anyone feeling the press of time. I keep mine on my desk, where I can turn to it often.

thsi book is a such a pleasure - I have given it as a gift and it was just perfect. Beatiful Art to compliment beautiful quotes all on why it is so wonderful to have birthdays.

The following text made me rethink my plans to give this book to my third-grade nephew: "A few years after Nicholas was ordained bishop, a man who kept an inn on the outskirts of the city murdered three youths and then hid them in a tub of brine...". Not exactly bedtime story material. So, I'll set it aside to give to him when he is a bit older. In the mean time, I did give him Paul Prokop's book The True Story of Santa Claus which I think is more appropriate for a younger audience.

A wonderful family keepsake. Well written and well presented in a beautifully artistic work. Something to read to children. An answer to a life long question. Is Santa Claus real? Or Saint Nicholas? Wonderful!

Opening with the traditional version of the beloved poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" renowned children's book author Marianna Mayer seques into the life of St. Nicholas, the saint whose legendary generosity was the genesis for Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas, who lived during the fourth century in the area that is now known as Turkey, was the child of practicing Christians who died when Nicholas was but a boy. Fortunately, they were people of wealth so the child was left with a handsome inheritance which it is said he used to help others.

According to stories that have grown up around the saint when he was still a boy he overheard villagers in the marketplace discussing a family that was destitute, so impoverished that three daughters were to be sold into slavery.

That night young Nicholas stealthily approached the family's home and threw a bag of gold in through an open window. So astounded was the man to find this amazing gift that he sat by the window each night hoping to see his benefactor.

When he did catch Nicholas leaving another bag of gold the man wanted to know how he could repay him. The boy only asked that the man never tell who had helped him.

Later, as an adult, Nicholas was elected Bishop of Myra and continued his selfless generosity which won him legions of followers.

Illustrating her story with reproductions of paintings by some of the world's greatest artists, including Tintoretto and Fra Angelico, Ms. Mayer has created a keepsake Christmas book that families will enjoy season after season.

- Gail Cooke

How I wish I'd had this book when I was a child. That certainly would have cleared the Santa question up for me in good order.

What is so wonderful about this book is that it is a biography of St. Nicholas, the bishop who was later canonized as the Patron Saint of Children. Santa Claus is a variation of the name Saint Nicholas. In Dutch, St. Nicholas is translated as Sinterklaas.

It is a beautifully illustrated work that shows how the tradition of Santa Claus caught on and is a book families are sure to enjoy.

With so many attacks on Christmas and on Santa Claus, this book is a breath of fresh air.
This man truly embodies not only the spirit of St. Nick but the true and real Christmas spirit. He relates how he got to be "Santa", stories about children and their parents, about his service to the disabled and about how children and adults do a double take when they see his real beard. Judging by the picture on the jacket of the book, I can see why. The man looks like Santa!
He also talks about the real miracle of Christmas, the birth of Jesus and how when Christmas is put in that perspective, it makes everything else about Christmas more wonderful.
It will make you laugh, it will make you cry but most of all, it will make you believe!

I was told about this book right before Christmas 2004. I bought two copies and sent one to my mom. We both read and cried about this book! This is such a heart-warming book! This brings back the magic of Christmas. I really loved the end where Santa tells us grown ups why he thinks Santa helps kids have faith. It teaches them to help others, to think of others, and puts God's love and face on a very special time of year. I really liked the part when Santa is talking to a young girl that is asking him how he flies. Santa tells her that with all of God's love, her Parent's love and her love, it gives Santa the magic he needs to fly on Christmas Eve. There were several things that Mr. Butchart shared in this book that my Husband and I will use when we have kids. If you have anyone in your life that thinks telling their kids that there is a Santa is lying to their kids tell them to read this book before telling their kids that. Also if you are one of those parents that ruin the magic of Christmas for their kids please tell them to keep the information to themselves. I can't tell you how many times I've had a niece, nephew, or family friends children come home crying because some kid at school told them there is no Santa. By reading this book you will understand that most of us use Santa to help us teach our kids about God. Its a very easy quick read. I bought several copies last year to give as gifts to all of our friends and family. My Husband was transferred to GA last year and my Christmas present was to go to Stone Mtn and see Santa!! I was so excited. I waited in line with all the kids and then it was finally my turn! I went and sat on Santa's lap and told him how my family really enjoyed his book. He said that he appreciated the compliments but had to share with me some sad news. On Christmas Day 2004 Santa's wife Annie Butchart passed away and this Christmas was very hard for him. His wife worked with him at Stone Mtn and was very active being Mrs. Claus. From reading his book it is very clear how much he cared for his wife even though I'm quite sure it doesn't even show the half of it. I wanted to share this news so you can appreciate the book a little more. Please buy this book and share it with everyone in your life. I have two copies so when we have guests during Christmas they can read the book and enjoy the season as much as I do.

Ed Butchart is an amazing man. The gift of love he brings to others through his ministry is amazing. The Red Suit Diaries is a wonderful heart-warming story that will surely make you laugh and cry!

This is an inspiring true account of one man's journey from Marine to real life Santa. Ed Butchart recounts moments in his life he choose to reach out to other people in need which is one of the true forms of giving. This book will move readers through laughter and tears as you meet many children (and some adults) who have shared their hopes and dreams with Santa. The similarity between Ed and Santa is uncanny from his photo in the back of the book to the fact he has been Santa for over 15 years at a park and has an organization that distributes wheelchairs to kids in need...this book is one you will give year after year to inspire and encourage those in your life.

Bob Litak has a very special way of touching one's heart. It must be his special knowledge and relationship with "Santa". This is a must read. Simple. Moving. It would make a fabulous Christmas gift!

This book will put you in the Christmas mood in July. It made me remember a more innocent time of life.

A wonderful and heartwarming story about a small town Santa and his charming Mrs. Claus. This book can put a smile on the grinch's face and a hum in the bahhumbug of Mr. Scrooge. A must read to "get you in the Christmas spirit".

The excitement of Christmas fills your heart as the author Bob Litak shares his heart- felt story with you. Most of us can relate to getting a job which was not one you asked for nor something you even wanted, but somehow turned out to be a blessing in disquise. Laughter and sadness tug at your heart strings as a friendship forms such a strong bond. Helps one to understand how much you can grow with in yourself. But most of all, it helps put the children back in our lives and makes us once again "Believe in Santa" If you enjoy reading a heart-felt story than I highly recomend this fantastic book.

This is another anthology of five Christmas stories with selected Regency authors.

THE CHRISTMAS GHOST
Sandra Heath's "The Christmas Ghost" was a pleasant enough read with a touch of the supernatural as Rebecca Winterbourne tries to recover from the death of her husband Edward and her father. Edward died two years ago but Rebecca still hadn't recovered; however she knows she must contract a marriage so that she no longer has to depend on her brother Clifford and his wife Margaret, and she has received an offer from Sir Oliver Willoughby, a friend of her father's. Sir Oliver wants her to attend an event but she is concerned that Piers Winterbourne will be there - Piers inherited the title after the death of her husband. She used to have a friendship with Piers but after her marriage that died and she dislikes him.

However Rebecca starts to see some strange things, papers get moved about that she is working on and she sees a man who looks very like her father. Eventually she is thrown together with Piers Winterbourne and he thinks she must be hallucinating. But is there more to Rebecca's strange behaviour? They find themselves having to talk to each other about past events and uncovering misunderstandings.

This was a pleasant enough story although some might not like the supernatural element. In some ways there were few surprises in the story but Rebecca and Piers were reasonable characters, if both a little blind to their own behaviour and feelings.

THE RAKE'S CHRISTMAS
I enjoyed Edith Layton's story "The Rake's Christmas" where new Viscount Ian Hunt finds himself attending a house party with Lord Shelton, a well-known rake. Ian himself is beginning to get a name as a rake and is unsure whether he wants that reputation. Lord Shelton tells him about a particular young women he is planning to seduce at the house party but on the way there is waylaid and Ian goes on alone.

Eve Thomkins is a poor relation, a woman who is overlooked by others at the house party. However Viscount Hunt soon realises she is the woman that Lord Shelton has described and he tries to get to know her so that he can warn her what to avoid in the rake. However as time passes and they get to know each other Hunt finds himself feeling more for her than he should. The resolution at the end, when Shelton arrives at the party, was hardly unexpected but it was an enjoyable story and hero and heroine were both good characters in their own way.

LADY BOUNTIFUL
Laura Matthews' story features Drucilla Carruthers who has been looking after the estate of her father, who has dementia, for many years. She's been trying to put off her father's solicitor who might declare her father incompetent so that Drucilla and her companion, Miss Script, lose their home to her father's heir, Lord Meacham. When Lord Meacham arrives following a letter from the solicitor Drucilla is careful to show him all the work that she has been doing and to convince him of its importance. However Meacham begins to discover that Drucilla may be more important to him than he had previously thought and that she is under a false impression of his style of landownership.

There isn't actually very much plot in this story, it is more a description of how Drucilla shows Meacham the work she has been doing and tries to cover up her father's unfortunate behaviour. Meacham is an amiable man and a good landlord and the reader is in no doubt that he will do the right thing. Still it's pleasant enough and a light read.

A MUMMER'S PLAY
Jo Beverley, a well-known name in this genre, writes about Miss Justina Travers whose husband died three years before. She blames Lucky Jack Beaufort, the Duke of Cranmoore and formerly her husband Simon's commanding officer, for his death - Jack Beaufort was the only survivor of an ambush when fighting Napoleon in Spain. She decides to go to Jack Beaufort's house and find evidence that he was spying for the French all along, surely the reason he survived, and so enters the duke's house with a band of mummers as her disguise.

She starts looking for evidence in his library and is soon discovered. They end up talking and, although Jack doesn't know who she is, he doesn't believe her cover story. Still they get talking and he tells her a little about the events in the war and eventually she seduces him in order to get the truth out of him. However the truth isn't necessarily what she was expecting and Jack's guilt might be for reasons other than she thought.

This is well written although Justina's behaviour seems very odd, particularly her seduction of Jack. It's a decent read and has some interesting insights into the fighting on the Peninsular and the ways in which officers and men related to each other.

THE SURPRISE PARTY
Mary Balogh continues to write with unrivalled mastery. I've become acquainted with a lot of her short stories and I have been very pleasantly surprised at how good they are. Often authors of full length novels can't write good short stories, or vice versa, by Mary Balogh, with one or two exceptions, seems to be able to excel at both. Her trick with her short stories is not to bite off too much plot but instead to focus on a small event and the way in which it shapes characters. As with many of her other short stories, the hero and heroine here have known each other a long time and are estranged. This story, similar in theme to many of her others, has the Christmas season and the traditional activities functioning as a turning point in various people's lives and bringing healing and rapprochement between them.

This story, entitled "The Surprise Party", begins through the eyes of three young children, orphans living with a nurse and mourning their parents. Christmas is approaching but Nurse has told them they can't celebrate it as they're in mourning. However when their aunt and uncle arrive things start to change. The aunt and uncle aren't blood relatives - Aunt Ursula, the widow Lady Carlyle was sister to the children's father and Uncle Timothy, otherwise known as Lord Morsey, was brother to the children's mother. The children's parents' marriage actually cause the breaking of the betrothal between Ursula and Timothy nine years before and Ursula promptly married someone else as an escape - one that didn't lead her to marital happiness. The two have avoided each other for years and yet they are brought together as they have responded to letters about the children's welfare and have come to each offer them a home.

The Christmas magic that Mary Balogh weaves with such mastery catches both children and adults and as they all spend time together they begin to understand anew what is important in life.

In conclusion, this is a better-than-average collection of stories and is pleasant reading at Christmas time but none of them are brilliant and I'm not sure this book will stay on my Keeper shelf. However it's one that many will enjoy and the variety of the stories adds to its charm.

Dinner At Grillion's by Sandra Heath Shows us the beauty of rekindled passion when an estranged husband and wife are reunited. Christmas Magic by Emma Lange Proves how magical Christmas can be when a beautiful young widow is surprised with the visit of an old beau. The Best Gift by Mary Balogh A lonely schoolmistress who celebrates Christmas for the first time and receives the best gift of all, love. Christmas Knight by Emily Hendrickson Two sisters share one wish for the Yuletide, a knight to rescue them from their somber lives. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear by Sheila Walsh. Weves an intriguing triangle of a French viscountess, a sinister earl who desires her, and the dashing nobleman who will vie for her honor.

I am working my way through a little horde of Regency Christmas anthologies, savouring them one at a time. I picked this one up whilst on holiday recently and just read it; what a pleasure it was! I don't ordinarly seek out short stories as a matter of course but I am very fond of this particular little mini sub-genre. Three of the contributions stood out for me.

"The Rake's Christmas" by Edith Layton is the poignant story of a young man, back from the Peninsular wars, saddened and a little self loathing, who throws himself into some half-hearted rakery in order to put the wars behind him. He is taken up by a truly accomplished rake, Lord Shelton. During a Christmas house party, the elder rake plays deus ex machina to young Ian, Viscount Hunt in order to bring him together with Miss Eve Thompkins. Eve is the daughter Shelton never had - the offspring of his true life-long secret and unrequited love. So, he stands in an almost fatherly way over Hunt, helping him to overcome his sombre loneliness and sad boyhood in making a match for him and Eve. Edith Layton is a favourite of mine and she packs a lot of emotion into just a few short pages.

Jo Beverley is a writer whose books I have been collecting with the aim of indulging myself. Why she and Layton and Balogh are not published in the UK is beyone my comprehension - such a shame! I was delighted with her contribution to this anthology. "A Mummer's Play" is the story of Col "Lucky Jack" Beaufort, by default the new Duke of Cranmoore. Justina Travers lost her fiance in the Peninsula when he was under the command of his close friend, Jack. Justina has some reason to suspect that Cranmoore may have been a traitor and, therefore, the cause of her fiance's death. She insinuates herself into Jack's first Christmas house party as the new duke by hiding herself amongst the mummers who come to perform. Her aim is to expose him as a traitor and murderer. The story takes place during the course of just one evening and, in just a few intense, emotional pages, Jo Beverley brings an almost unbearably high degree of tension and emotion as these two lonely, hurt but passionate people find an extraordinary and unexpected love and mutual redemption. Simply excellent.

Mary Balogh's contribution is, as always, as near to perfection as you can get. Hers is the story of three young orphaned children whose wastrel parents largely ignored them. Their maternal uncle, Viscount Morsey, and paternal aunt, Lady Carlyle, reluctantly leave London to come to the depths of the countryside to "do their duty" and make some half-hearted provision for their upbringing. It emerges that the two adults were once engaged but huge family problems, anger and recriminations tore them apart. The story is largely told through the eyes of the children and the theme of the story, as Lady Carlyle discovers, is that Christmas is about birth, parenthood, love, hope and commitment. In the context of this very brief piece, all five players find themselves turned into a loving family. Mary Balogh is pure magic. She writes such poignant, moving and emotional stories which are refined to pure gold. Wonderful.

Do find yourself a second hand copy of this anthology; reading it is simply a pleasure worth the effort.

(BTW, Moore's review is of the wrong book.)

Beverley's story left me a little unsatisfied, probably because this couple admits they may never truly love each other. It's a great story otherwise, and while their admission rings true, it's still something of a letdown.

I don't consider this one of Balogh's best, but it's still a powerful read. Although Ursula can be annoyingly waspish at first, the children turn coal into diamonds.

Matthews' story is the perhaps the weakest of the bunch because it is relatively undemanding and the romance is not altogether convincing. Still it's a pleasurable read.

This is possibly one of Layton's best stories, full of interesting characters, misinterpreted intentions, and a most unusual matchmaker.

The resolution of Heath's story comes too quickly, and the ghost is perhaps too obvious, but the romance is a powerful one and the inherent emotions capture the reader.

Definitely an anthology to read. In fact, this is my second reading of this book, and it's still enjoyable.

This is an awesome book -- particularly to explain to young people what Christmas is about!

Written by Lois Shope, Ray Shope and illustrated by Michael White, Sandy Claws is a rhyming picturebook about the true meaning of Christmas. When a lonely orphan kitten defends a struggling mouse family from predators, they invite her to share their home - the Chris Mouse tree. Together, kitten and mouse are given the amazing opportunity to witness the birth of baby Jesus, and warm him in his sleep, while other animals decorate the Chris Mouse tree in his honor. An imaginative and warmhearted Christmas story, illustrated in a gently minimalist style.

Its a lovely little book -- nice images, sweet sort of story, good poetry. Really nice for younger children -- the pictures show the story very well and coincide with the words nicely. Younger kids can really *see* what's going on as you read to them, or they read to themselves with it. Would make a fantastic gift for kids.

This is a book that touches the child in all of us. The characters, Chris and Sandy, express the true meaning of Christmas. It is fun to read to your children, and the warmth and spirit with which it is written will evoke pleasure in all who read it.

I have the book illustrated by Elfrieda DeWitt and published by Grosset & Dunlap in New York in 1968. It is a excellent book. I am trying to get rid of this one and get the other one though.

The original edition of this book was published the year I was born, and my mother received it as a Christmas gift just in time for my January arrival. For every year after that, I always looked forward to hearing this story. It was one of the first books I learned to read by myself, and I think my eagerness to read the book to my younger brother was major catalyst in my learning to read in the first place. The story is told in poetry form-very much like the Night Before Christmas-so passages will stick with you for years. When my copy of the book was lost during a move, I thought I was out of luck. Every store I checked could tell me nothing more than it was out of print. Recently, using the search ability of the internet, my brother was able to locate not one but two copies. Needless to say I was ecstatic.I can't wait to share this adorable story with my children someday, and strongly urge everyone who loves Christmas to do the same. Maybe you'll find yourself, as I do to this day, redesigning your tree lights to get that yellow one right where it needs to be:-)!

This delightful book is a very important part of our family's Christmas tradition. Santa Mouse has left gifts in the tree at our house for over 20 yrs; first to our children and now our grandchildren.

It is a well written story; I look forward to reading it every year.

wonderful holiday book. However, I'm trying to locate a version which was illustrated by Elfrieda DeWitt and published by Grosset & Dunlap in New York in 1968. Classic tale which deserves to be passed on from generation to generation.

Do you like books about dogs? If you do read Santa Paws Come Home and find out how he saves city people from every day mistakes. Huh? You may ask. He's a sensitive dog who helps people. But when the Callahans go on a vacation, he gets stolen by...... I'm not telling! They plan to drug and sell him! When he escapes he's in an unknown city! Will he get home? Will he get caught? Will he escape? Find out in this book. Use your mind and go on adventures with Santa Paws. Recommended for dog lovers.

by
Mickey

Santa Paw's rescue of a little boy is the top story on the news, but who ever knew it could lead to trouble?
When two local criminals go to drastic measures to steal Santa paws from his family's car the news programs go from reporting his amazing rescue to his horrible disappearance. Then Santa Paws wakes up in a strange car and, knowing he has to get home, escapes in the middle of a highway in New York City.
What with the dangers of cars, trains, and a few mean people, it's hard to believe that Santa Paws will ever make his way home by Christmas. But even when he's injured, lost, and fighting to get home he can't avoid helping many more people on his way.
With the help of a little black kitten who befriends him, will Santa Paws make it home for the holidays?

Santa Paws Come home, by Nicholas Edwards, is a very good book to read around the holidays, or just if your lounging on the beach. When the hero dog Santa Paws gets stolen and escapes, he finds himself in busy New York City. To make matters worse, Christmas is right around the corner! Can the beloved dog return to his family in Oceanport in time for Christmas?

This is an excellent sequel in the series of Santa Paws. The book starts out with Santa Paws' usual helpful rescue. This time the rescue is of a small boy, which in turn ends up on the TV news program. Santa Paws usual act of heroism gets him stolen by 2 local thugs, who are acting on the part of a rich man. Santa Paws manages to escape, but is bumbarded by traffic hazzards and the lost scent of his family and home. He continues to try to locate his home berrings, but as he does, he finds himself in one problem after another helping and saving a variety of different people along the way. Tired, injured, and hurt, Santa paws continues to scense his way home coming across and meeting a black kitten. This young kitten chooses to befriend Santa Paws and follows him until he finally mades his way home to the Callahans.

This is a great santa collection, the charts are in full color, very easy to read.

You should to have it!

This is, so far, the best collection of Santas and Father Christmases I have yet encountered. The charts are color coded, and there are a great variety of designs. This is perfect for someone who knows a collector of all that is Father Christmas! I have even kept several to display myself.

Great book for all the cross-stisches crazy, like me. Sorry for my englis

This is one of my favorite cross-stitch books. I have already stitched 3 of the Santas from it and hope to eventually stitch them all. The photography is excellent and the charts are very well done. Along with each photo is some history about the various renderings of Santa. It is a great book for stitchers and Santa collectors alike!!!