One of six beloved Christmas classics in collectible hardcover editions Written in 1816 by one of the leaders of German Romanticism for his children, nephews, and nieces, The Nutcracker captures better than any other story a child's wonder at Christmas. The gift of a handsomely decorated nutcracker from a mysterious uncle sets the stage for a Christmas Eve like no other for the little girl Marie. That night, Marie's extraordinary present comes to life, defends her from the taunting Mouse King, and whisks her off to the Kingdom of Dolls. The inspiration for the classic ballet, E. T. A. Hoffmann... View More...
"The New York Times" bestseller by the former governor and presidential candidate-an instant classic, reissued for 2010. Christmas has become synonymous with shopping, overindulging, and stress. But according to Mike Huckabee, that was never God's intention. Going back to the Nativity, Christmas is supposed to be about simple things: faith, love, family, and hope. The hard part, in today's crazy world, is remembering that those simple things are the most precious. Huckabee recounts twelve Christmas memories that range from his childhood in Arkansas to his years as a young husband and father ... View More...
Bring more meaning and wonder into the Christmas season and throughout the whole year Oftentimes we find ourselves so caught up in the busyness of Christmas that we don t take time to experiencethe true sense of wonder and awe around us. In The 12 Ways of Christmas, New York Times best-selling author, David Jeremiah touches on twelve aspects that make the season more meaningful for everyone: wonder, sacrifice, humility, charity, creativity, simplicity, affection, reflection, giving, children, music, and tradition. They re all perspectives that capture the true spirit of why we celebrate Chris... View More...
"Christmas 'Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial fire of charity in the heart."No holiday has the power to captivate our senses or dominate our memories quite like Christmas. And perhaps no contemporary artist has the power to captivate our imaginations quite like Thomas Kinkade. His tranquil, light-infused paintings evoke a world where love, faith, family, and home provide guiding lights for life. In this enchanting book, Kinkade's luminous paintings are accompanied by inspired and joyful words about Christmas from some of history's greatest writers, po... View More...
Joy to the world, 'cause cats are here. And are they ever, in this one-of-a-kind collection of your favorite Christmas carols written from a cat's point of view. Forget peace on earth, forget good will toward men, and discover what Christmas really means: wrecked halls, clawed couches, and visions of muzzles for the neighbors' dogs. Each set of lyrics is accompanied by a playful, exuberant illustration, and all are precisely synchronized with the tunes of their conventional counterparts. So sing along, and get a new perspective on the holiday -- and the cat -- you thought you knew. View More...
A beautifully illustrated gift book that offers the real, historical drama of Christmas by award-winning author and professor Paul L. Maier. View More...
When he returns to England from the Civil Service, a man takes up residence in an old country home. Enchanted by midsummer days in the garden, he decides to install a sundial. As he waits for it to be delivered, the days grow shorter and his dreams grow dark--and when the sundial finally arrives, it isn't alone. View More...
Christmas is the storytelling time, the beginning of things expected but not yet seen, of tales suspenseful and mysterious, and full of a comfort of sorts. Internationally acclaimed anthologist Alberto Manguel offers an immensely enjoyable collection of twenty-three brilliant stories from across the globe, written under the merry canopy of Christmas.The Ecco Book of Christmas Stories includes tales by the best master storytellers, such as "The Turkey Season" by Alice Munro; "Christmas Is a Sad Season for the Poor" by John Cheever; "Creche" by Richard Ford; "Horatio's Trick" by Ann Beattie; "An... View More...
What does finding "the soul of Christmas" mean to you? If you think it's about taking a heavy, stern theological approach to a joyful holiday, or berating others about "the reason for the season," then you don't know Thomas Moore. Moore, bestselling author of Care of the Soul and many other soul-centered books, turns his poetic attention to the Christmas season in this exploration of the deeper meaning behind holiday traditions. Using his trademark blend of storytelling, faith, and insight, he shows how our ordinary practices of gift-giving, singing carols, gathering with family and friends, ... View More...
Very few people know that the Christmas hymn favorite "Joy to the World" was not written for Christmas at all. Isaac Watts wrote "Joy to the World" in imitation of Psalm 98. The psalm is about the Messiah who comes in glory, righteousness, and victory over evil, to judge the world and comfort the faithful. In other words, Watts meant "Joy to the World" as a spiritual reflection on Christ's soon-to-be, expected, triumphant return to earth. This book explores this theme and other writings of Watts, as a way of preparing our hearts for the wonder and holiness of Christmas morning. View More...
