The Christmases We Used To Know

A collection of personal letters and photographs in which the authors share their memories of special old-time Christmas celebrations, telling of festive foods, school pageants, unforgettable gifts and trees, decorations, and family traditions.

On the weekend of April 22, 2012 the St. Anne's Church website received thousands of visitors. That Sunday, in the New York Times Magazine, an article appeared about the Rev. Dr. Amy E. Richter competing in a physique competition. The strong reactions to the article got Richter and her husband and fellow clergyperson, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Pagano, thinking about the scandal of the Incarnation. The claim that God entered fully into our flesh-and-blood human existence makes some of us squeamish. And yet, this shocking claim is at the heart of the good news that in Christ God is with us no matter what. There is nothing that can happen to us--no pain, no humiliation, no anguish--that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. In sermons for the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, Richter and Pagano proclaim the good news of the scandalous love of God in flesh and bone.

Just Like the Ones We Used To Know by Brenda Novak Angela Forrester is determined her foster child will get the one thing she wants for Christmas: to meet her real father--even though he doesn't know he has a little girl. The Night Before Christmas by Melinda Curtis Simon Castle's on his way to a make-or-break meeting unseasonably scheduled for December 25--until the gorgeous redhead subbing for his limo driver takes him on a detour.... All the Christmases To Come by Anna Adams Single dad Andrew Durham had resigned himself to losing Rachel Ford. After all, she wants more kids, and he doesn't. But the minute he finds out his second child is coming he goes after Rachel...

“Don Easterling is a great coach, but he is also an outstanding speaker for any occasion - if you haven’t heard him you should - he is terrific!” - Jim Valvano “Don Easterling is not only one of the greatest swim coaches ever, he is one of the finest storytellers and writers I have ever known. He is a national treasure, a man of superb wit, spirit and charm. He is motivator par excellence, my mentor and dearest friend who has enriched my life and that of so many others. These stories are a must read for all who treasure the values and lessons of life that we all cherish.” - Mark Bernardino, Head Swim Coach University of Virginia “As his athlete, fellow coach and friend, I have been clearly inspired by Coach Easterling’s passion for story telling and his gift of finding the words to motivate us all.” - Beth Harrell, Head Swimming Coach North Florida University “I remember vividly receiving my first Christmas Story in 1990. It came none too soon. Christmas training of my freshman year in college was tough and a heart warming, inspirational and entertaining story was certainly welcomed. Your Christmas stories have delighted for decades. In the busy world we live in: They remind us that reflection inspires & heals; They teach us to find joy in the little things; They truly remind us how to get in the Christmas spirit. The art of story telling is one of many arts that you have mastered. Nothing gets us in the spirit like your stories. They are timeless and will be enjoyed by many for generations to come.”- David Fox, Goldman Sachs, Olympic Gold Medalist “As Coach Don tells his story you follow along with your own story because he has taken you back to a time forgotten until the echoes come flooding back. When the story is read and I have a couple of laughs and wipe away the tears, I carefully fold the story back up and place it safely back in its’ envelope and I take a moment to say, “Thanks Coach”.” - Doug Russell, 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist

This is the first biography of the extraordinary, but ordinary life of, Patrick Nelson. His experiences touched on some of the most important and intriguing historical themes of the twentieth century. He was a black migrant to interwar Britain; an aristocrat's valet in rural Wales; a Black queer man in 1930s London; an artist's model; a law student, a recruit to the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps and Prisoner of War during the Second World War. Through his return to Jamaica after the war and his re-migrations to London in the late 1940s and the early 1960s, he was also witness to post-war Jamaican struggles and the independence movement as well as the development of London's post-war multi-ethnic migrations. Drawing on a range of archival materials including letters sent to individuals such as Bloomsbury group artist Duncan Grant (his former boyfriend and life-long friend), as well as paintings and newspaper articles, Gemma Romain explores the intersections of these diverse aspects of Nelson's life and demonstrates how such marginalized histories shed light on our understanding of broader historical themes such as Black LGBTQ history, Black British history in relation to the London artworld, the history of the Second World War, and histories of racism, colonialism and empire.

“A journey of love and festive cheer.”—Woman's World on The Christmas Escape “Morgan’s latest Christmas tale will delight readers and give them the perfect excuse to snuggle up for a few hours with a cup of hot cocoa.”—Booklist on The Christmas Escape An uplifting novel of friendship, the festive season, and risking everything for the biggest gift of all... It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan’s perfect Christmas escape – a dream trip to Lapland with her family and best friend, Alix. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with her husband, Seb. Her solution? Alix, along with Seb’s oldest friend, Zac, can take Christy’s daughter on the planned Lapland trip, and they will all reunite there for Christmas Day. After all, what are friends for? There’s nothing Alix won’t do for Christy, but Christy’s plan to save Christmas is testing their friendship. Especially as Alix and Zac have a difficult history of their own. As long-held secrets unravel, and unexpected romance shines under the Northern Lights, can Christy and Alix find the courage to fight for the relationships they really want? And could this Christmas escape save the precious gift of each other’s friendship? A messy family drama and a steamy little romance unfold under the Mediterranean sun for the perfect summer escape in The Island Villa, the next heartwarming novel by USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan!