Reclaiming Christmas Joy

Reclaiming Christmas Joy PDF Author: Julie Ademe
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781737959700
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Christmas is a time for celebration. We celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus. We gather in our homes as we celebrate the season of giving with friends and family. We celebrate by decorating, listening to holiday songs, and gazing at the brightly illuminated holiday displays.Christmas also comes with a full calendar. The month fills with shopping, parties, decorating, baking-the list is endless. We desire to focus on the celebration of Jesus' birth, but each year our self-imposed plans leave us busy, overtired, and anxious.There is another way to celebrate. On December 1st let's begin our day reclaiming Jesus' promised gifts of peace and joy. Each day we will unwrap the blessings of worship and prayer by connecting with the life-giving breath of Christ. In His presence we will be refreshed by His love and have the capacity to share His love with others.I know it's difficult to find time in our busy day for worship, but, Jesus is faithful to help each of us on this journey. He will bless us as we spend time together, and along the way, our relationship with Him will grow and flourish.

Living the Season Well

Living the Season Well PDF Author: Jody Lee Collins
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781977718440
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 124

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Book Description
Living the Season Well is a down-to-earth volume that encompasses the arc of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, introducing a new frame of mind about approaching the holidays. Readers will find practical wisdom and ways to reimagine the celebrations and reclaim the joy of Christmas. For those whose church background has not afforded them a knowledge of the Church Calendar, its feasts and practices, Living the Season Well also serves as an introduction to the holy days (holidays) with simple ways to adopt or adapt the traditions of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Included in this compact volume are family practices that will: *Bring readers and extended families closer to the heart of God *Infuse celebrations with the joy readers crave *Reveal the wisdom of living by the Church Calendar versus the 'calendar' of consumerism. *Promote a thankful attitude in by shifting the Christmas focus from gifts to God The Book will: *Outline the pattern of waiting for, celebrating and sharing Christ's birth *Provide specific examples of ideas for observing the entire Christmas season, including Epiphany *Provide resources and activities for children of all ages to inspire and replace current practices

Reclaiming Christmas Joy

Reclaiming Christmas Joy PDF Author: Julie Ademe
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781737959700
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
Christmas is a time for celebration. We celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus. We gather in our homes as we celebrate the season of giving with friends and family. We celebrate by decorating, listening to holiday songs, and gazing at the brightly illuminated holiday displays.Christmas also comes with a full calendar. The month fills with shopping, parties, decorating, baking-the list is endless. We desire to focus on the celebration of Jesus' birth, but each year our self-imposed plans leave us busy, overtired, and anxious.There is another way to celebrate. On December 1st let's begin our day reclaiming Jesus' promised gifts of peace and joy. Each day we will unwrap the blessings of worship and prayer by connecting with the life-giving breath of Christ. In His presence we will be refreshed by His love and have the capacity to share His love with others.I know it's difficult to find time in our busy day for worship, but, Jesus is faithful to help each of us on this journey. He will bless us as we spend time together, and along the way, our relationship with Him will grow and flourish.

Reclaiming Christmas

Reclaiming Christmas PDF Author: Ginger Jurries
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 1490814418
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
Are you tired of the materialistic craziness of Christmas celebrations? Instead of relishing the wonder and joy of the holy holiday, we stumble through in a commercial haze, feeling exhausted and ready for it all to be mercifully finished. Is there an alternative to this commercial dilemma? Happily there is! What we need is not only permission to reclaim our sacred season, but also creative ideas for peace-filled, stress-free, and meaningful celebrations. A plethora of delightful and diverse ideas can help your family not only to anticipate the season but also to grow closer through Advent and enjoy the holy season in a more meaningful, other-centered way.

Joy in Confession

Joy in Confession PDF Author: Hillary D. Raining
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780880284455
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Author Hillary D. Raining provides compelling evidence of transformation for individuals and communities who embrace reconciliation as a spiritual practice.

Christmas

Christmas PDF Author: Bruce David Forbes
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520933729
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 198

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Book Description
Written for everyone who loves and is simultaneously driven crazy by the holiday season, Christmas: A Candid History provides an enlightening, entertaining perspective on how the annual Yuletide celebration got to be what it is today. In a fascinating, concise tour through history, the book tells the story of Christmas—from its pre-Christian roots, through the birth of Jesus, to the holiday's spread across Europe into the Americas and beyond, and to its mind-boggling transformation through modern consumerism. Packed with intriguing stories, based on research into myriad sources, full of insights, the book explores the historical origins of traditions including Santa, the reindeer, gift giving, the Christmas tree, Christmas songs and movies, and more. The book also offers some provocative ideas for reclaiming the joy and meaning of this beloved, yet often frustrating, season amid the pressures of our fast-paced consumer culture. DID YOU KNOW For three centuries Christians did not celebrate Christmas? Puritans in England and New England made Christmas observances illegal? St. Nicholas is an elf in the famous poem "The Night Before Christmas"? President Franklin Roosevelt changed the dateof Thanksgiving in order to lengthen the Christmas shopping season? Coca-Cola helped fashion Santa Claus's look in an advertising campaign?

Taking the Adventure

Taking the Adventure PDF Author: Gracia Fay Ellwood
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1630877522
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Book Description
What is the relationship between faith, especially Christian faith, and a lifestyle that respects animals as our neighbors and kin? Why should faith entail a commitment to vegetarianism? Are animals meant to be heirs of the kingdom of God as well as human beings? Taking the Adventure offers answers to these questions in the context of important biblical themes: of Eden and Exodus, of the prophetic imperative, of Jesus as a prophet proclaiming liberty to the oppressed and the captives, of the feast of the kingdom, of the resurrection and life beyond death. It explores imagery from familiar novels such as A Christmas Carol and The Hobbit that deal with cravings, anxiety, and true abundance. It proposes that committing ourselves to live in God-given peace with all living beings, and sharing with others the good news of that peace, is an adventure worth the best we can give--an arduous and painful, yet joyous adventure climaxing in return to the heart of God.

Simply Christmas

Simply Christmas PDF Author: Tama Fortner
Publisher: Ink & Willow
ISBN: 0593233387
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 129

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Book Description
Thirty-one encouraging devotions to help busy moms pause and ponder the true miracles of the Christmas season--the wonder of a Savior who would leave heaven to save us and the love of those who share our home. Between holiday baking, hunting for the perfect tree, decorating, preparing for visiting relatives, and making sure everyone gets the ideal gift, Christmas can be anything but peaceful for a busy mom. Too often, the stress and busyness of the season make it difficult to find time to just sit and reflect on the wonder of the Savior's birth. If this sounds familiar, allow Simply Christmas to be your personal invitation to slow down and savor the beauty of the manger this year. These thirty-one devotions are not dated, so you're welcome to begin reading anytime--whether that's on December 1, Christmas Eve, the day after Thanksgiving, or the middle of July--without even a smidgen of guilt or shame. Accompanied by seasonally inspired full-color photographs, this thirty-one-day devotional brings a bit of calm to each day through a short reflection and Scripture, together with points to ponder and fun ideas for simplifying your Christmas traditions.

Christmas in My Heart, A Second Treasury

Christmas in My Heart, A Second Treasury PDF Author: Joe Wheeler
Publisher: Image
ISBN: 030782263X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
According to the New York Times Book Review, there are a few secrets to a good Christmas story: It should have a meaning. It should include a dying child. It should make readers cry. Any promise is possible. It should be short enough to read in one sitting. Most important, it should tell a story. If these are what make a Christmas story good, Christmas in My Heart, A Second Treasury will bring you nonstop Christmas joy. From cover to cover, all fourteen of these stories represent the best in holiday memories. And in reading them, you are creating memories for years to come. Amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, decorating, concerts, and parties, it is sometimes easy to forget what makes this time of year so special. Nothing brings the real reason for Christmas into focus better than reading beloved stories that touch our hearts. And no one brings us those stories better than Joe Wheeler, whose Christmas in My Heart won the favor of loyal readers from coast to coast. In Christmas in My Heart, A Second Treasury, Wheeler works his magic once again, bringing the joy of Christmas alive for even those Scrooges among us. Its traditional and contemporary stories set this apart as a collector's item in the making--one destined to stand the test of time. Whether we are laughing with Miss Enderby in "Jolly Miss Enderby," crying with Dr. Loomis in "The Tiny Foot," or feeling the warm glow of happiness in "Christmas Is for Families," all of these wonderful stories bring us true peace. Whether you buy it because Joe Wheeler is so well known, or because the individual stories in this edition touch your heart, Christmas in My Heart, A Second Treasury is the best gift you can give anyone this Christmas, even yourself.

Immanuel

Immanuel PDF Author: Ann Spangler
Publisher: HarperChristian + ORM
ISBN: 0310539439
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 111

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Book Description
Ann Spangler believes it’s possible to transform the crazy, wonderful, stressful season we call Christmas into one of greater peace and deeper joy by recovering the gift of Advent.For hundreds of years, Christians have prepared for Christmas by carefully observing the four-week season leading up to it. What’s more, when Christmas did arrive, they celebrated not just for one day but for twelve! So four weeks for Advent and nearly two weeks for Christmas makes six weeks, which is why Ann Spangler has prepared this six-week Christmas devotional.Drawing from her bestselling books Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus, Spangler selected six names or titles—including Immanuel, Yeshua, and Bright Morning Star. Each name offers a week’s worth of devotions focusing on God, the miraculous birth of his son, and the promise of his return. In Immanuel, you’ll discover a perfect balance of prayer, reflection, and study to help you open your heart fully to the birth of Jesus and all that it means.

Parents of Missionaries

Parents of Missionaries PDF Author: Cheryl Savageau
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830859292
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
Whether you're the parent of a missionary recruit or a parent of an experienced missionary, this resource will help you thrive and stay connected with your children and grandchildren serving cross-culturally. Combining a counselor's professional insight and a parent's personal journey, the authors help you understand missionary life, grandparent long-distance and say good-bye well.