Christmas Reflections

Offers a novelist's perspective on the story of the first Christmas.

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. These reflections are also a great resource for priests and deacons for their daily homily preparation. This Volume of the "Catholic Daily Reflection Series" offers daily reflections and prayers for the Advent and Christmas Season. 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

A collection of Christmas poems to celebrate the Christmas season. Ordinary poems meant to share the spirit of Christmas.

(Easy Piano Songbook). 15 soulful carols arranged for easy piano solo. These pieces were originally published in the book New Age Christmas and have been re-engraved, re-edited and brought back to print because of popular demand! Keveren arranged these solos to be accessible to an amateur player yet are guaranteed to be just as satisfying for the most seasoned of pianists. Titles: Angels We Have Heard on High * Away in a Manger * Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella * Deck the Hall * The First Noel * The Holly and the Ivy * Joy to the World * O Christmas Tree * Once in Royal David's City * Silent Night * and more!

Amidst the checklists and social engagements for the Christmas season, Karen Straszheim writes for the weary Christian who gets lost in the holiday madness. By placing a strong emphasis on spiritual rest, Straszheim's Christmas devotional is divided into eleven chapters that collectively call for the Christian to put their shopping bags down and just rest in the Scriptures. A Sanctuary in Our Midst: Christmas Reflections on Jesus is deeply enriched with Scripture references throughout to exemplify how the Old and New Testament compliment each other, and how we can understand the Bible. A Sanctuary in Our Midst is perfect for studying within a group or individually, to talk through Strazheim's discussion questions altogether over hot cocoa or to quietly reflect in one's own time. Either way, this devotional is a sanctuary in and of itself. Endorsements “Karen Straszheim’s A Sanctuary in Our Midst will help you prepare for the Christmas season. She presents the Scriptures in a way that both refreshes the believer in Jesus and answers many questions of those who are seeking the true meaning of Christmas. Karen helps the reader understand the importance of preparing the heart for Christmas. It is refreshing in application and focuses upon God’s Word. Most of all, A Sanctuary in Our Midst will help you see, “Believing in Jesus is different than being religious.” -Pastor Earl Korhonen, World Missions Director, Association of Free, Lutheran Congregations “When I was young I fondly remember the church we attended did something that made quite an impression on me. Each year, after Christmas they removed the lights, decorations and all the branches from the beautiful large tree that stood in the front. At Easter time the trunk from that same Christmas tree became the symbol for the Cross of Christ's Crucifixion. When Christmas came each year I began to anticipate this transformation - looking not just at the outward beauty but past the branches to the very center of the tree. The author has done the same thing in this devotional. The daily readings and questions point to the incredible connection between Christmas and Easter making the Gospel of Christ the very heart of it all. It is a wonderful way to anticipate the holidays. 'Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!' (2 Cor. 9:15).” -Jennifer Voss-White, Student of the Word, Servant of Christ, Women's Ministry Leader “Looking for ways to better prepare your heart for the coming of Christ? This devotional is full of inspiration. Karen does an excellent job of using Scripture to lead the reader through prophesies and their fulfillment. Everyday testimonies help to apply these truths to our lives today.” -Jan McDermott, Retired Bible Camp Director, Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp, Story City, Iowa “Karen Straszheim’s . . . use of Scripture is an essential point in the Gospel: Jesus’ nativity is the fulfillment of our prophesied Messiah. Karen leads the student to a deep understanding of the Advent message and restores the real message of Christmas. I wish the reader could see her in action when leading non-believers to the centrality of the Scripture, the preeminence of Jesus as our sin bearer, and hear the loving care in her voice. Karen is a true and competent evangelist . . . intelligent, gentle, and forthright. I hope you will experience her evangelical gift here in her devotional.” -Curt Mobley, Teacher of English at the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Prague, Czech Republic, and Missionary with ReachGlobal

Patty Kirk helps us get in touch with the muted hopes and fears stirred up annually by the Christmas season. She gracefully reminds us that these emotions are met and given their resolution in the coming of Christ, which Christmas celebrates, Advent anticipates, and all our lives prepare us for.

Advent is a season almost forgotten by the secular world. With new toys and electronics available, why should we focus on this time of anticipation? Most everyone cannot wait for Christmas morning to arrive, but is it for the right reason? Sarah A. Reinhard designed "Welcome Baby Jesus" for you and your family to capture some of what's intended by the liturgical season of Advent. Each day has a Scripture quote from the Sunday gospel readings, a brief reflection, and an action to complete. With each passing Sunday, your Advent Wreath will grow brighter, your family's faith will grow stronger, and the true meaning of this season will be discovered. View sample pages. "Booklet"

During the holidays, so many of us can suffer for all kinds of reasons. The magnitude of our weary world weighs on our hearts and minds. We wrestle with chronic pain, broken relationships, shattered dreams, fragile faith, and unexpected losses. Our grief and sorrow feel particularly acute when compared to the festivity and joy everyone else seems to be feeling. More and more churches are acknowledging this fact with "Blue Christmas" services (also called “Longest Night” services) and offering resources to give particular support and comfort to those struggling during the “most wonderful time of the year.” Kathy Escobar has been leading Blue Christmas experiences at her church for nearly a decade and just experienced her bluest season of all following the sudden death of her son. In A Weary World, Escobar provides twenty-eight daily reflections paired with prayers and practices to honor our struggles during the holidays. Weekly resources make this Advent devotional suitable for group study as well.