Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year—or at least we want it to be. Too often our celebration of Jesus’ birthday is overwhelmed by bright lights and tinsel, overspending and overeating, plus constant chatter about a “war on Christmas.” Can’t we do better than this? There are two Christmases. One is sacred. One is secular. The two have clashed in one “culture war” or another for 1,700 years. Christmas is not (as some falsely claim) a pagan holiday, but pagan-influenced traditions are part of the seasonal clutter. Keeping Christmas is about helping you find joy in a season of excess and strife. Part survival guide, part history, part cultural commentary, and all laced with spiritual reflection, this book is about how you can celebrate in ways that are most meaningful to you and your family. It’s not easy to thread your way through the Christmas maze. But if Ebenezer Scrooge could learn to keep Christmas well, so can you. Maybe it’s time to reinvent Christmas. Maybe we can get it right this time.

When Katie "Smith" and her baby boy, Kyle, appear at the Owens family home one night during a snowstorm just weeks before Christmas, it seems a cruel twist of fate. Katie looks exactly like Jacob Owens's dead wife'and Kyle could be his son! At first Jacob wants nothing to do with the mysterious woman. But before long, Katie accomplishes what no one had thought possible'she breaks through Jacob's grief, giving him back his joy for life. But how long will she stay' Katie is obviously running away from someone, though she won't say who. Whatever happens, Jacob vows to keep her and Kyle safe with him'at least until Christmas.

A PI hired to find a wealthy Texan’s daughter finds himself falling for his pretty prey in this romantic suspense from a New York Times–bestselling author. Ten years ago Dixie Bonner was the favorite wild child of a powerful Texas oilman. But after uncovering a dark family secret that cast suspicion on everyone close to her, she took off for a new life and never looked back. Chance Walker is the cool-eyed cowboy hired to bring her home by Christmas. But after catching her, he can’t decide if she’s a blackmailer or a victim. Is he tempted to protect her because she’s telling the truth—or is he falling for her? Holed up in a remote Montana cabin with the bad guys closing in, two stubborn souls need to trust each other if they hope to survive the season.

Essential Facts about Christmas - a Question-and-Answer Guide with 700 Colour & B+W illustrations: Christmas and War; Christmas and the Movies; the forgotten Seasons of Christmas - the 40 days, the 20 days, the 12 (or is it 13?) days; Christmas and Religion - when and where was Christmas banned?; Christmas and the Industrial Revolution - a force that almost killed it; Christmas food and drink - from Brawn to the Tom and Jerry.

Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is second only to the nativity story itself when it comes to public consciousness. Just as Jesus Christ changed the world on the night of his birth, so Ebenezer Scrooge changes during a single night of supernatural visitations. In Keeping Christmas, novelist and Dickens enthusiast Allison Pittman offers 25 readings for advent, seamlessly bringing together the Word of God and the words of A Christmas Carol. This contemplative, entertaining read is the perfect companion for those dark winter nights as we eagerly anticipate the coming celebration of Christmas when, like Scrooge, we are given the gift of reflection, repentance, and life anew. Beautifully packaged and highly designed throughout, Keeping Christmas is sure to become a treasured family tradition--much like the reading or viewing of A Christmas Carol.

From its pre-Christian origins to the present, food has always been central to Christmas; a feast at which tradition, nostalgia, innovation, symbolism, and indulgence all come together at the table. This book explores the rich story of Christmas food and feasting, tracing the history of how our festive menu evolved and inherited elements of pagan ritual, medieval traditions, early modern innovations, Victorian romanticism, and contemporary commercialism. Although it makes reference to global traditions, it focuses specifically on the story of how the British Christmas meal evolved, both on its native shores and beyond. It considers the origins, form, and structure of the modern British Christmas dinner, with its codified menu and iconic festive dishes and drinks. It also tells the story of what happened to that meal as it was taken throughout the Empire, becoming entrenched in places most strongly associated with the British Diaspora. In these places, spread across the Globe, keeping a very precise model of Christmas became a key marker of cultural identity. This British Christmas was not unchanging, though; rather, it adapted to new environments, and merged with the Christmases of other cultures encountered to create new traditions. Looking beyond Britain, to places strongly associated with its Diaspora, such as the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, helps us to understand the cultural significance and meaning of this feast with more complexity. With recipes and menus, this work will help modern readers understand the feasts of Christmas past, and perhaps incorporate some of those old dishes into Christmas-present festivities.

The Big Book of Christmas Magic: 400+ Holiday Novels, Tales, Poems, Carols & Legends offers an unparalleled journey through the vast landscapes of Christmas literature, weaving together an intricate tapestry of narratives that span from enchanting fairy tales and profound poems to soul-stirring carols and timeless legends. This anthology celebrates the eclectic richness of the holiday season, showcasing a remarkable diversity of literary styles and themes. The collection draws together works that reflect the spirit of Christmas in all its forms, from the solemnity of sacred hymns to the playful mirth of festive stories. Each piece, whether it be a poignant tale by Charles Dickens or a whimsical poem by William Wordsworth, contributes to a larger narrative that captures the heart of the holiday season. The contributing authors and editors of this anthology represent a constellation of some of the most influential figures in literary history. From the introspective reflections of Emily Dickinson to the sweeping epics of Leo Tolstoy, and the fantastical adventures of J.M. Barrie, this collection bridges diverse periods and cultures, offering a glimpse into the universal human experience through the lens of Christmas. By uniting such varied voices, the anthology not only celebrates the vast spectrum of human creativity but also highlights the common threads of joy, generosity, and reflection that the holiday season inspires across different times and places. The Big Book of Christmas Magic is an essential addition to the libraries of readers who seek to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Christmas literature. It offers a unique opportunity to explore a multiplicity of perspectives, styles, and themes within a single volume. This collection invites readers to delve into its pages for both its educational value and the pure joy of discovering the myriad ways in which the magic of Christmas has been captured in words. Through this exploration, readers will engage in a meaningful dialogue with the works of some of the greatest authors in history, fostering a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling to unite and inspire.

How do we learn life lessons from a grumpy penny-pincher so unpleasant that dogs run from him on sight? Does Scripture suggest we all have a touch of Scrooge in us? Can we all benefit from reexamining who we've become in our own life stories? Bestselling author Bob Welch invites us to discover these questions and more in 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol. Join Welch as he takes you deeper into the nuances of this timeless story by Charles Dickens. From the stinginess of Scrooge to the innocence of Tiny Tim, the biblically based devotions in 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol will inspire you to live for what really matters--not only at Christmas, but all year long. 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol will help you get to know this holiday classic--and yourself--better. This devotional, much like the original novel, is tinted with a fair share of how-not-to-live lessons as well as how-to-live lessons, helping us see that we can learn from both, just like we do in scripture. As you enjoy A Christmas Carol in this brand new light, you'll learn that: Death is a comma, not a period It's never too late to change Generosity changes your perspective Life is best lived imaginatively With help from others, we can all become the best versions of ourselves In 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol, discover why A Christmas Carol is more than just a holiday tradition--it's an exploration of charity, grief, and making the most of the lives that we're given.