A Journey Through Christmas

Contains twelve short Christmas stories about reunited families, fellowship, and restored faith including 'I Remember,' a story about the author's childhood in Iowa.

The eighty-mile journey of a common carpenter and a simple peasant girl is one of the most powerful stories in history. As books go out of print and stories fade from memory, the journey of Joseph and Mary and her delivery inside a common barn continues to bless and inspire hope in people around the world. Accompanied by moving and beautifully rendered illustrations throughout, Donna VanLiere's retelling shows that the story of the Nativity is alive in our modern world.

The story opens with a familiar Biblical image-of Mary being visited by the angel Gabriel. In Brian Wildsmith's imagining of this scene, Mary is shown with her cherished cat and dog. When Mary and Joseph set out for Bethlehem, her pets are left behind. But the cat and dog miss their mistress and decide to make the journey to find her. Along the way, they stop to help various other animals who join them on the road to Bethlehem. Arriving at the stable, the animals share in the joy of the birth of Jesus. Mary is delighted to be reunited with her pets and be able to present her new baby to them. This appealing story from one of our most internationally acclaimed picture-book writers and artists has deservedly become an enduring favourite with children at Christmas time.

Christmas season is a time to reflect on the life-altering, universe-shaking event that took place approximately 2000 years ago in a small village in Palestine. The King of glory, the eternal God the Son, entered the human race to save sinners from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Jesus in his high priestly prayer hours before his crucifixion prayed in John 17:4-5, "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." Jesus' focus from his birth to his ascension was clear: To glorify God the Father, and to magnify all that God is like culminating in the cross for the salvation of God's people. The one born of the virgin Mary lived to show the nature of God. This Christmas season we are going to look at twenty-five things concerning who and what God is. With each attribute there is an accompanying song of response and explanation behind the song. God is Holy and Glorious. This season, study who he is and see more clearly the beauty of what Christ accomplished on the cross.

A charming Christmas picture book that teaches the joy of giving and points to Jesus, the greatest gift of all Badger tells the animals that he has a very special way to celebrate Christmas Day this year. He asks them to pack up the finest foods they can find and some special gifts—they are going to journey to another area of the forest for a celebration. But when they arrive, the animals are confused why they can’t begin tearing open gifts and enjoying all the foods . . . until Badger introduces them to the neighboring animals who live there and they experience the joy of sharing with those who don’t have as much. A Christmas Journey for Jesus is the follow-up to the heartwarming Christmas storybooks, A Birthday Party for Jesus, Everyone Is Invited to Christmas, and A Christmas Pageant for Jesus. Beautifully illustrated by Lee Holland, this picture book will offer young children a fun, relatable story of forest friends who discover that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive.

Based on Hamilton's, The Journey: Reflections for the Season, this new edition contains added content to create an experience of preparation of heart and mind for Christmas. Experience the Nativity story in new ways as you take your own journey to Christmas. Walking the Road to Bethlehem combines content from Adam’s travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a summary of the historical and scriptural content from each chapter of The Journey, links to travel video and photographs online, Scripture, prayers and room for personal journaling. Walking the Road to Bethlehem is excellent for individual devotion and reflection and can also be used as a small group experience.

Journey with Adam Hamilton as he travels from Nazareth to Bethlehem in this fascinating look at the birth of Jesus Christ. As he did with Jesus' crucifixion in 24 Hours That Changed the World, Hamilton once again approaches a world-changing event with thoughtfulness. Using historical information, archaeological data, and a personal look at some of the stories surrounding the birth, the most amazing moment in history will become more real and heart-felt as you walk along this road. Read The Journey on your own or, for a more in-depth study, enjoy it with a small group. Also available: The Journey: A Season of Reflections The Journey: DVD with Leader Guide The Journey: Youth Edition The Journey: Children's Edition "This book may be the greatest Christmas present of the year. Adam thoughtfully, movingly walks us through what really happened when God touched this planet. The richness of the full story will touch your life as well." John Ortberg, author of The Me I Want to Be: Becoming God's Best Version of You "If you think you know the story of Jesus' birth, think again! This wonderful book sets us on a journey to the times and characters of Christmas so that we experience the birth of Christ in our lives in a new way." Joel C. Hunter, author of Church Distributed "Adam is a pastor who has clearly walked in the footsteps of the Master. This is a timely Christmas gift for a friend no matter where he or she is along 'the journey.'" Rich Nathan, coauthor of Empowered Evangelicals 'Adam Hamilton is one of the finest pastors I know. In addition, his books have long been favorites of mine. The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem will soon be a favorite of yours. Complete with a 28 day devotional and videos filmed in the Holy Land this will add a new depth and joy to your Christmas season." Bill Hybels Senior pastor, Willow Creek Community Church Chairman of Board, Willow Creek Association

Let the angel, Sera, take you on a journey as she remembers the very first Christmas day! Sera starts her story seven hundred years before Jesus was born and continues through meeting Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, and wise men.

Follow The Star is a pocket-sized booklet inviting you to travel in the footsteps of the Wise Men this Christmas to meet Jesus. It contains 14 daily reflections, one for each day from Christmas Eve throughout the 12 days of Christmas, ending with the Epiphany on 6th January. Each one includes a picture, a short Bible passage, a simple prayer and a challenge to reflect or act differently. Together, they form a journey through Jesus’ early life – a journey that will help you take the joy and wonder of Christmas into the year ahead.

How many times have you heard or sung the Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and not know what the song even meant? A Journey through "The Twelve Days of Christmas" will explain what this wonderful Christmas song is all about. It will take you on a journey through each day, where you will meet all the people, places, and animals in the song. They will explain each concept of each verse, where you will finally arrive at your destination--Jesus. Travel along with Joseph and Jessica as they discover the true meaning of this song.