Jordan, Christine (2015). Secret Gloucester. Stroud, Glos: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4456-4689-3. Now, it is time to begin our story. The story of the birth of Jesus; the Christmas story; the very nativity that the season remembers. It is fitting that such a remarkable story should begin in such an unremarkable place… In The Town of Nazareth, a Messenger Arrives.

Forbes, Bruce David (2008). Christmas: A Candid History. Oakland, CA: University of California Press. p.62. ISBN 978-0-520-25802-0. The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she's already in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." The book was, sadly, a bit of a miss for me. This disappointment was due mainly to then inevitable comparison of book to movie throughout the experience.When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.” (Matthew 2:3-4)

The book starts off introducing the book and tying it into the movie that many readers may know about. From there it goes into the quest for the Red Ryder BB Gun. There are course are many of the same scenes in the movie so we have the whole "you'll shoot your eye out." and even the same admonishments from his teacher and Santa Claus, however, he still gets his gift, the day before Christmas. Apparently in this household, Christmas Eve was when all of the presents were opened by this family, with Christmas Day all of the other relatives showing up to provide gifts. We also do get that scene were he almost did shoot his eye out, but lied to his mother about what happened and got away from it. I found parts of this story sweet and found myself smiling throughout. The flow didn't really work though in this one I have to say. I think it's because we have Shepard using a present incident (like the woman who was screeching about the terrible toy industry to him as an adult) to recall his childhood affection for his Red Ryder BB Gun. We get another off segue when Shepard does his best to hit on some woman (sounds like this took place during the 1960s) and is thwarted by her female lover which leads to him talking about his parents struggle over a lamp. Deacy, Christopher (2016). Christmas as Religion: Rethinking Santa, the Secular, and the Sacred. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-106955-0. Wonderbrook Christmas is a great time to share a special meal with your family and friends. Why not make this year special by creating a Joyful Christmas Meal Wonderbrook? Take the time to plan out your menu, gather the ingredients and prepare a delicious holiday feast that will leave everyone feeling merry and bright. Hutton, Ronald (1996). Stations of the Sun: The Ritual Year in England. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-285448-3.And she brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7) I do enjoy the movie, a leg lamp (a, blessedly, smaller version that is) sits in our living room during the holiday season. For me the book has a stronger feel of nostalgia and is even a little poignant on a few occasions. Shepard’s deadpan wit and folksy humor are juxtaposed against the adult man living in ‘modern’ day New York and the boy growing up in Indiana in the depression era. He has perfect, pitch, tone, and timing! He is occasionally wistful, with a little family tenderness managing to seep out, as well. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book today. It is very short, and only took a few hours to listen to the entire book. Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." And then the angel left. Mary Visits Elizabeth

Martin, Theodore (February 1844). "Bon Gaultier and his Friends". Tait's Edinburgh Magazine. 11 (2): 119–131. It was not an anger that was filled with hate and malice, but rather one of fear and misunderstanding. Mary was not yet his wife, and finding out that she was with child would be a betrayal and dishonor to him. The full verse of I John 3:17 is "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" [57] At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiance, who was obviously pregnant by this time. We believe that God is the loving Father of all kids. It is HIS divine will that young people come to faith in Jesus Christ and find salvation through the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring them to faith.

LUKE: CHAPTER ONE

The Wonderbrook Christmas Story Book is a treasured collection of festive tales that have inspired generations of readers. Begun in 1938, the book has been annually published for over 80 years, captivating families and friends with its warm tales of holiday cheer. The stories have brought joy to readers worldwide and have become part of many people’s cherished holiday memories. Scattered over the icy waste around us could be seen other tiny befurred jots of wind-driven humanity. All painfully toiling toward the Warren G. Harding School, miles away over the tundra, waddling under the weight of frost-covered clothing like tiny frozen bowling balls with feet. An occasional piteous whimper would be heard faintly, but lost instantly in the sigh of the eternal wind. (p. 9). And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. The Shepherds and Angels Howells, William Dean (1910). My literary passions, criticism and fiction. New York and London: Harper & Brother. p.2986994. ISBN 978-1-77667-633-0. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” (Matthew 2:12) The Story Today.

It was in this place, this humble stable among the farm animals, that the king of mankind would make his divine entrance. With each retelling, this remarkable story continues to inspire faith, hope, and goodwill among all the children of God. It reminds us that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. As we immerse ourselves in the biblical verses that recount this pivotal moment in history, we find that the story of Jesus’ birth remains a beacon of love, peace, and eternal significance. Chekhov, who took the short story form in a new and more experimental direction, focusing on character and mood rather than plot, wrote this story in 1900. It focuses on an estranged daughter writing to her parents, who never receive her messages, and the daughter’s relationship with her husband. When they reached Bethlehem they had problems finding somewhere to stay. So many people had come to register their names in the census, that every house was full and every bed was taken in all of the guest rooms. The only place to stay that they could find was with the animals. People often kept animals in the house, especially at night, and used them like 'central heating'! People normally slept on a raised/upper level with the animals below to give them extra warmth. We believe that children and parents benefit from a strong Christian education program in the church. Every kids church ministry deserves the very best resources for teaching God’s Word, even when they don’t have the financial resources.Welch, Bob (2015). 52 Little Lessons from a Christmas Carol. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. ISBN 978-1-4002-0675-9.