Mothers Around the Manger


Book Description

What impact did Jesus' mother have on his earthly life? Mothers Around the Manger examines the lives of Tamara, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Elizabeth, Mary and Anna, Jesus' "great-grandmothers", his female forebears and how they influenced Jesus' ministry. Allen reflects on the significance of these women in the larger story of Jesus and in our changing global needs of today. At a time in history where race, class, national and religious barriers are being reexamined and re-imagined, the lesson Jesus' mothers provide us with are important building blocks for the coming millennium. J. Timothy Allen is the minister of St. Johns New Mission United Church of Christ, Burlington, NC. He is author of numerous magazine, journal and newspaper articles and two books, Seasons in the Year and When the Season is Dry.




Goodnight, Manger


Book Description

With sweet, rhyming text and illustrations by bestselling illustrator Jane Chapman, Goodnight, Manger offers a unique twist on the classic Christmas tale, creatively weaving together comforting and familiar bedtime routines with the special magic and wonder of the manger story as Mary and Joseph try to lull baby Jesus asleep inside the noisy stable. Goodnight, Manger: Is perfect as bedtime reading for your little ones, especially during the holiday season Makes the Christmas story fun and accessible for young readers Helps kids think deeper about what being in the stable may have been like for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Can be read during Advent, the Christmas season, or celebrations of Jesus’s birthday Makes a great gift for baby showers, new moms, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and boys and girls 4-8 It's bedtime for Baby Jesus, but who knew a manger could be so loud? Mama, Papa, and all the animals try to get the baby to sleep, but between itchy hay, angels' joyful hosannas, and three kings bearing noisy gifts, it's just too loud. Until Mama finds a way for everyone to work together to shepherd Jesus into peaceful dreams under the twinkling stars. If you enjoy Goodnight, Manger, be sure to check out Goodnight, Ark as well!




All Those Mothers at the Manger


Book Description

Animal mothers gathered around a young woman giving birth to her child in a stable let her know that no mother is a stranger to another anywhere.




M Is for Manger


Book Description

Travel through the alphabet with this beautiful rhyming storybook that tells the story of Jesus' birth. Begin with the angel who tells Mary that she is God's chosen vessel and follow along until you reach the zillions of stars that paled in comparison to the star that announced the birthplace of the newborn King. Beautifully illustrated and written, this book will be a classic for parents to read to their children every Christmas season. --Publisher




The Better Mom


Book Description

Mothering is messy. Our joy and hope in raising children doesn’t change the reality that being a mom can be frustrating, stressful, and tiring. But just as God is using us to shape our children, God is using our children and motherhood to shape us. In The Better Mom, author Ruth Schwenk, herself a mother of four children, encourages us with the good news that there is more to being a mom than the extremes of striving for perfection or simply embracing the mess. We don’t need to settle for surviving our kids’ childhood. We can grow through it. With refreshing and heartfelt honesty Ruth emboldens moms to: Find freedom and walk confidently in purpose Create a God-honoring home environment Overcome unhealthy and destructive emotions such as anger, anxiety, and more Avoid glorifying the mess of mom-ing or idolizing perfection Cultivate life-giving friendships At the heart of The Better Mom is the message that Jesus calls us to live not a weary life, but a worthy life. We don’t have to settle for either being apathetic or struggling to be perfect. Both visions of motherhood go too far. Ruth offers a better option. She says, “It’s okay to come as we are, but what we’re called to do and be is far too important to stay there! The way to becoming a better mom starts not with what we are doing, but with who God is inviting us to become."




Hints on Child-training


Book Description

As Christmas approaches, Katie makes time to help others find the Christmas spirit as the magic wind first switches her with a Christmas tree farm employee, then with an unusual character at North Pole Winter Fun Park.




Rich Wounds


Book Description

Profound reflections on the cross that help you to meditate on and marvel at the sacrificial love of Jesus. This book can be used as a devotional, especially during Lent and Easter. These profound reflections on the cross from David Mathis, author of The Christmas We Didn’t Expect, will help you to meditate on and marvel at Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and spectacular resurrection-enabling you to treasure anew who Jesus is and what he has done. Many of us are so familiar with the Easter story that it becomes easy to miss subtle details and difficult to really enjoy its meaning. This book will help you to pause and marvel at Jesus, whose now-glorified wounds are a sign of his unfailing love and the decisive victory that he has won: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) This book can be used as a devotional. The chapters on Holy Week make it especially helpful during the Lent season and at Easter.




The Story of the Nativity


Book Description

A retelling of the story of the first Christmas.




Faces at the Manger


Book Description

Through poems, stories and prayers the author describes the thoughts, feelings, questions, and dreams of those who gathered around that manger of long ago, as well as the faces that have been there since. Original.




God in the Manger


Book Description

A pastor and teacher unravels the intricacies of the event that changed the face of human history: the birth of Christ. As he examines every angel of Christ's birth, the superiority and preeminence of Christ can shine through and speak volumes about creation, redemption, and divine destiny.