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We at FaithfulReader.com have assembled a wonderful collection of holiday reads during this most sacred time of year. Some books will make you laugh, while others will cause you to shed a tear --- but they all will inspire and uplift you. We also hope that these titles serve as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas --- a time for love and benevolence, celebration and remembrance, family and friends, and spirituality and prayer.
 THE 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: FAMILY READINGS AND SCRIPTURES FOR THE ADVENT SEASON
Greg Johnson
W Publishing Group
Devotional
ISBN: 0849918359
This classic and timeless collection brings together stories, devotional readings, scripture passages and prayers in a delightfully illustrated format perfect for the holiday season. THE 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS features contributions from a wide variety of well-known Christian authors including Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Frederick Buechner, Annie Dillard and Calvin Miller. Each day includes scripture readings, sidebar stories, prayers, quotes, and unique facts about Christmas, making this devotional perfect for parents and kids of all ages.
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 THE ADVENTURE OF CHRISTMAS: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions
Lisa Whelchel
illustrated by Jeannie Mooney
Multnomah Publishers
Spirituality
ISBN: 1590520890
THE ADVENTURE OF CHRISTMAS is a guide for moms who are concerned that their children are losing sight of Jesus in the midst of all the distractions of the holiday season. Lisa Whelchel was one such mom, but instead of abandoning the traditions of Christmas, she rediscovered their original meanings. Hanging lights on the house, wrapping gifts, and decorating the tree have become opportunities to teach her children about how they relate to Jesus' birth.
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 AN ANGEL'S STORY
Max Lucado
WestBow Press
Fiction
ISBN: 1595540040
We know about the journey to Bethlehem, the stable birth, and the Star. But is there more to the Christmas story? In AN ANGEL'S STORY, the most significant moment in history is told through the eyes of the archangel Gabriel, revealing what might have happened that very first Christmas, from Heaven's perspective.
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 ANNIKA'S SECRET WISH
Beverly Lewis
illustrated by Pamela Querin
Bethany House
Fiction
ISBN: 0764229400
In turn-of the-century Sweden, finding the almond hidden in the rice pudding is the Christmas Eve highlight for many children, since it means a chance to wish for a new pair of snowshoes, a mountain of truffles coated with cocoa, or an adorable kitten. For ten long years --- all of her life --- Annika has dreamed of discovering the almond in her own pudding. Will this be her year?
This wonderful picture book for families by Beverly Lewis is now reissued with an audio CD for read-along or listen-only pleasure.
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• Beverly Lewis Answers Our Faithful Fifteen
 THE CHRISTKINDL'S GIFT
Kathleen Morgan
Revell/Baker Book House
Historical Romance
ISBN: 0800718712
Anna's father-in-law brings home a wounded stranger two days before Christmas, and the family's Christian charity moves them to help the injured man. Her past tragedies cause young widow Anna to keep her distance, but perhaps their guest is the gift Anna's young children wished for this Christmas.
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 CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART: A Treasury of Timeless Christmas Stories (Christmas in My Heart, Volume 13)
Joe Wheeler
Tyndale House Publishers
Fiction/Short Stories
ISBN: 0842371273
Experienced editor and compiler Joe Wheeler brings a new collection of powerfully inspiring Christmas stories to the "Christmas in My Heart" series. Illustrated with traditional engravings and woodcuts, each of these stories emphasizes the worthwhile values of honesty, respect, love and compassion --- as they remind readers of the real meaning of Christmas.
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 A CHRISTMAS MYSTERY IN PROVENCE
Mary-Jane Deeb
Paraclete Press
Mystery
ISBN: 1557254109
Despite a narrow escape from death during her last visit to Grand-mere's eighteenth-century villa, Chrissy de Medici returns to celebrate a quiet family Christmas and regain control of her struggling paper, Le Loup Garou. But when a valuable fifteenth-century illuminated prayer book disappears from Grand-mere's room and her uncle's body is found dead in the orange grove, Chrissy is thrown into solving the mysteries.
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• MURDER ON THE RIVIERA by Mary-Jane Deeb
 COWBOY CHRISTMAS
Catherine Palmer, Lisa Harris and Linda Goodnight
Tyndale House Publishers
Historical Romance
ISBN: 0842381201
"Cowboys" and "Christmas" is the charming combination in a new HeartQuest anthology of three original historical novellas set in the late 1800s: "A Rancher's Heart" by bestselling author Catherine Palmer, "Undercover Cowboy" by Linda Goodnight, and "The Outlaw's Gift" by Lisa Harris. Each story revolves around the discovery of love at Christmastime.
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 THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT
Melody Carlson
Revell/Baker Book House
Fiction
ISBN: 0800718674
After her mother's death, Christine Bradley startlingly discovers that she was adopted at birth. As Christmas approaches, while searching for clues of her biological mother, Christine encounters a family she never knew she had and reveals a shocking lineage. Will she accept her past, grasp her present, and look forward to the future?
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• Melody Carlson Answers Our Faithful Fifteen
 GOD'S MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS LOVE
Eugene H. Peterson
J. Countryman Books
Spirituality
ISBN: 1404101322
A wonderful book for families to enjoy together at Christmas time, this one-of-a-kind Christmas story is taken from the reader-friendly, accessible text of The Message paraphrase of the Bible. The events of the birth of Christ are arranged chronologically for the most complete telling of this blessed event.
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 HE STARTED THE WHOLE WORLD SINGING: A Treasury of Gaither Christmas Songs, Reflections, and Holiday Traditions
Gloria Gaither
Warner Faith
Inspirational
ISBN: 044653367X
Gloria Gaither provides readers with an intimate glimpse into the lives of her family, revealing the inspirational stories associated with 25 of their Christmas songs. In addition, she includes holiday recipes, original poems for the season, a moving selection of her own Christmas prayers, and an accompanying CD produced by husband Bill Gaither to which the whole family can sing along.
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 THE HEART & HOME OF CHRISTMAS
Karla Dornacher
J. Countryman Books
Spirituality
ISBN: 1404101179
Artist Karla Dornacher celebrates the Christmas season with her first holiday title, filled with her signature artwork and gentle words of inspiration. She also suggests ways to make the holidays more meaningful. Among the seasonal snowmen, joyous angels, and boughs of holly are places to personalize this gift for a special friend or family member.
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 I WONDER... DID JESUS HAVE A PET LAMB?
Janette Oke
illustrated by Corbert Gauthier
Bethany House
Nonfiction
ISBN: 076422901X
We know a lot about the baby Jesus and his ministry as a man --- but what about Jesus as a boy? Perhaps he had a pet lamb, liked to build with blocks, or even went fishing with his grandfather. Explore the possibilities as captivating scenes of wonder draw little hearts and minds into the fun of imagining childlike pursuits of the Son of God.
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• Janette Oke Answers Our Faithful Fifteen
 PROCLAIMING THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL
edited by John D. Witvliet and David Vroerge
Baker Books
Spirituality
ISBN: 0801064058
Rediscover the miracle of Christ's birth with this compelling collection of classic Christmas sermons from legendary figures of the faith, including John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Wyclif, Jerome, Augustine, and Thomas à Kempis. Each sermon includes a brief introduction to and interpretation of the message, along with appropriate hymn text.
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 SARAH'S SONG
Karen Kingsbury
Warner Faith
Fiction
ISBN: 0446532355
Karen Kingsbury's "Red Gloves" series focuses on the spirit of Christmas and Christian giving. SARAH'S SONG continues in that vein as an elderly nursing home resident reaches out in the only way she knows to a disillusioned young nurse. When the 12 days of Christmas have passed, it's possible that the melody of Sarah's Song will bring about a miracle for all who hear it.
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• Karen Kingsbury Answers Our Faithful Fifteen
 THAT CHRISTMAS FEELING
Catherine Palmer and Gayle Gaymer Martin
Steeple Hill
Fiction
ISBN: 0373785283
THAT CHRISTMAS FEELING contains two inspirational novellas about love, family, and the Christmas spirit. "Christmas in My Heart" by Catherine Palmer is about returning home for the holidays to reconnect with relatives and old flames. "Christmas Moon" by Gayle Gaymer Martin is the story of a woman who is yearning for love, happiness, and a family of her very own.
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 WHITE CHRISTMAS
Irving Berlin
Rutledge Hill Press
Nonfiction
ISBN: 1401601928
Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of WHITE CHRISTMAS, this book pays tribute to the classic holiday film --- with biographical information about the film's cast, behind-the-scene stories about the making of the movie, and the story of its success. In addition, a portion of the book focuses on snow, with recipes for snow cream, how to make snow angels, and facts about snowflakes. The enclosed CD includes Bing Crosby's classic version of "White Christmas," as well as two other versions by Louis Armstrong and Vince Gill.
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--- Compiled and written by Marisa Emralino
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