Unplug the Christmas Machine

Unplug the Christmas Machine
Author: Jo Robinson
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 212
Release: 1991-10-28
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN: 0688109616

Nine years and thirteen printings later, Unplug the Christmas Machine is still the undisputed guide to creating a joyful, stress-free holiday season. Revised and filled with new material, this book will enjoy even greater popularity in the years to come. In the pages of Unplug the Christmas Machine, Jo Robinson and jean Coppock Staeheli answer the questions they have heard most often in their many years of talking with people about Christmas, such as: "How can I reduce the stress of preparing for Christmas?" "How can I make our celebration more spiritual and less materialistic?" "How can I get my husband to be more enthusiastic about Christmas?" "How can I get my wife to relax and enjoy the celebration?" and "How can I help my children see that Christmas is more than just presents?" Readers will turn to this book for inspiration and practical advice year after year. Sixteen years after it first appeared, this perennial favorite is still the book that thousands turn to for sound, no-nonsense advice on how to combat Christmas commercialism and create a joyful, stress-free holiday season. The authors answer all the most commonly asked questions, from "How can I reduce the stress of preparing for Christmas?" to "How can I teach my children that Christmas means mote than just presents?" and many more.

Unconventional Nurse

Unconventional Nurse
Author: Michelle Podlesni
Publisher:
Total Pages: 142
Release: 2013-04
Genre: Job enrichment
ISBN: 9781935723844

"Michelle's book brings decades of her real-life experiences, successes and passion in a step-by-step roadmap showing how you can push through the limits of your expectations, achieve your goals and live a life greater than you have ever imagined ... UnConventional Nurse encourages and empowers nurses!"--Back cover.

Keeping Christmas

Keeping Christmas
Author: James A. Hopwood
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 143
Release: 2019-09-17
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1532695373

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.

An Amish Christmas

An Amish Christmas
Author: Cynthia Keller
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Total Pages: 255
Release: 2010-10-26
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0345523806

Celebrating life’s simplest but most essential values, packed with laughter and tears, this is a story of forgiveness and the power of love. You will never forget the special moment in time that is An Amish Christmas. Meg Hobart has everything: a happy marriage to a handsome, successful husband, a beautiful home in Charlotte, North Carolina, and three wonderful children. But it all comes crashing down around her the day she learns that her husband, James, has been living a lie—and has brought the family to financial ruin. Penniless and homeless, the Hobarts pack up what little they still possess and leave behind their golden life for good. But it’s not the material things Meg finds herself mourning. Instead, she misses the certainty that she should remain married to James, who has betrayed her trust so thoughtlessly. Worse, she is suddenly very aware of just how spoiled her children have become. Meg wonders what her family has really sacrificed in their pursuit of the American dream. A frightening twist of fate forces the Hobarts to take refuge with a kind Amish family in Pennsylvania, where they find themselves in a home with no computers, no cell phones, nothing the children consider fashionable or fun. Her uncooperative brood confined to the Amish world of hard work and tradition, their futures entirely uncertain, Meg fears she can never make her family whole again. BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Cynthia Keller's A Plain & Fancy Christmas.

Stewards of the Earth

Stewards of the Earth
Author: Christianity Today
Publisher: Lexham Press
Total Pages: 211
Release: 2022-03-30
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1683595823

Fifty years of evangelical thought on creation care Evangelicals have a complex relationship with environmentalism. Some lament the church's apparent disinterest in humanity's negative impact upon the earth. Others denounce environmentalism as a distraction from the church's mission. In the face of polarization over the issue, how should evangelicals steward creation well? Stewards of the Earth collects five decades of articles from Christianity Today that display the diversity and development of evangelical perspectives on creation care. Some articles address the concerns evangelicals have over cooperating with the broader environmentalist movement or lay out positive ways to navigate or overcome these hesitations. Other articles present constructive approaches to creation care. Readers will gain a nuanced view of evangelical thought over the decades. With a new introduction by Loren Wilkinson and contributions from writers like Bill McKibben, Ronald Sider, Leslie Leyland Fields, and Andy Crouch, these essays preserve the wisdom of the past to provide insight for the future.

Auntie Claus

Auntie Claus
Author: Elise Primavera
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Total Pages: 56
Release: 1999
Genre: Aunts
ISBN: 015201909X

When her eccentric Auntie Claus leaves for her annual business trip, Sophie Kringle stows away in her luggage, travels with her to the North Pole, and discovers that her aunt is really Santa's sister and helper. Beautiful illustrations add warmth to a delightful storyline.

Christmas in the Crosshairs

Christmas in the Crosshairs
Author: Gerry Bowler
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 310
Release: 2016-09-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 019049901X

An Anglican priest hands out brass knuckles to his congregation, preparing to battle anti-Christmas fanatics. Fascists insist that the Winter Solstice is the real Christmas, while Communists stage atheist musicals outside of churches on Christmas Eve. Activists vandalize shops that start touting the holiday in October and anti-consumerists sing parody carols in shopping malls. Is there a war on Christmas? As Gerry Bowler demonstrates in Christmas in the Crosshairs, there is and always has been a war, or several wars, on Christmas. A cherished global phenomenon, Christmas is the biggest single event on the planet. For Christians it is the second-most sacred date on the calendar, but it also engages billions of people who are caught up in its commercialism, music, sentiment, travel, and frenetic busyness. Since its controversial invention in the Roman Empire, Christmas has struggled with paganism, popular culture, and fierce Christian opposition; faced abolition in Scotland and New England; and braved neglect and near-death in the 1700s, only to be miraculously reinvented in the 1800s. The twentieth century saw it banned by Bolsheviks and twisted by Nazis. Since then, special interest groups of every stripe have used the holiday's massive popularity to draw attention to their causes. Christmas in the Crosshairs tells the story of the tug-of-war over Christmas, replete with cross-dressing priests, ranting Puritans, and atheist witches. In this eye-opening history of Christmas and its opponents from the beginning up to the present day, Bowler gives us a shocking, and richly entertaining, new look at the tradition we thought we knew so well.

A Light Has Dawned

A Light Has Dawned
Author: Christianity Today
Publisher: Lexham Press
Total Pages: 163
Release: 2020-10-28
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1683594231

Reflections on the wonder of Christmas by Christianity's most beloved writers. A Light Has Dawned recovers the best Advent and Christmas articles from half a century of Christianity Today. Guiding the reader through Advent, Christmas, and the climax of Epiphany and including contributions by Billy Graham, Tim Keller, Elisabeth Elliot, Ruth Bell Graham, Eugene Peterson, and more. A Light Has Dawned will inspire readers with the wonder of Advent and Christmas.

Unlock the Secret to the Most Magical Christmas Ever!

Unlock the Secret to the Most Magical Christmas Ever!
Author: Anupam Roy
Publisher: Anupam Roy
Total Pages: 104
Release:
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN:

Unlock the Secret to the Most Magical Christmas Ever! Unique Celebrations Await! invites readers on a transformative journey through the heartwarming landscapes of holiday traditions. This book is more than a guide; it is a celebration of the art of intentional and unique Christmas celebrations, urging readers to weave their own tapestry of joy, connection, and love during the festive season. In the opening chapters, the book delves into the origins and history of Christmas traditions, providing a rich backdrop that encourages readers to reconnect with the true spirit of the holiday. As the narrative unfolds, readers are prompted to reflect on their personal values and beliefs, setting the foundation for a celebration that is not only festive but deeply meaningful. The exploration takes an unconventional turn in the chapter on Unplugged Celebrations, advocating for a break from technology to foster deeper connections with loved ones. In a world dominated by screens, this section offers alternative entertainment ideas and encourages readers to prioritize face-to-face interactions, making space for the genuine magic of presence over presents. The subsequent chapters delve into crafting a personalized Christmas vision, introducing readers to fresh and imaginative decoration ideas that move beyond the typical red and green color scheme. The book continues its exploration with a shift in focus from material gifts to experiential gift-giving, inspiring readers with ideas for customized workshops, adventure outings, and subscription services that create lasting memories. Culinary Adventures take center stage as the book offers a twist on traditional holiday recipes, incorporating global influences and unique ingredients. From interactive cooking experiences to innovative baking ideas, this chapter transforms the holiday feast into a culinary journey that engages the senses and fosters shared moments in the kitchen. "Mindful Celebrations" introduces the benefits of incorporating mindfulness practices into Christmas celebrations, providing practical tips on staying present, reducing stress, and cultivating gratitude. The narrative then pivots towards the importance of connecting with the community during the holiday season, shedding light on volunteer opportunities, charity initiatives, and ways to support local businesses. The final chapters explore the beauty of creating new traditions, showcasing inspiring stories of individuals who have successfully introduced unique rituals into their Christmas celebrations. The book concludes with a thoughtful reflection and planning section, encouraging readers to ponder their unique Christmas experiences and providing tools for adapting and evolving their newfound traditions for future celebrations. Unlock the Secret to the Most Magical Christmas Ever! Unique Celebrations Await! is not merely a guide; it is a companion in the journey towards intentional, authentic, and unforgettable Christmas celebrations. With a blend of inspiration, practicality, and a dash of holiday magic, this book empowers readers to embrace the true spirit of Christmas and weave a tapestry of celebrations that reflects the uniqueness of their families and the joy of shared experiences.