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Best Christmas

The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas
Beginning with Jesse, the father of David, The Greatest Gift retraces the epic pageantry of mankind, from Adam to the Messiah, with each day's profound reading pointing to the coming promise of Christ, so that come Christmas morning you find that the season hasn't blurred past you but your heart's fully unwrapped the greatest gift you've always yearned for. " The Greatest Gift isn't simply words on a page; it's a song your heart already loves : a song about Jesus from the beginning to end...a glorious way to celebrate the season!" " Leave it to Ann Voskamp to powerfully and poetically call our hearts to respond to the real meaning of Christmas . Her pen crafts a beautiful masterpiece that slows us down only long enough to lift us up to see Him more clearly.
Reviews
"The idea is that over 25 days of devotional reading, you and your family will come into the Christmas season fully steeped in the meaning of Christmas and have a beautiful Christmas decoration to remind you of the journey. If your family is looking for something to make a more meaningful Christmas and retain the Christmas message amid all the jollity and distractions of the season, I can hardly think of a better idea."
"You can also access a website to print off ornaments to go along with the devotion, though we already had a set from when Voskamp provided a similar devotion online before this book was published."
"In any case, it's the kind of book where you can jump in and read "today's" chapter and not feel lost because you hadn't read for a few days (but I always wanted to catch up on what I missed because it was so worth it!)."
"Our women's group at church chose to read this book beginning December 1st up till Christmas to prepare our minds and hearts for Advent."
"Her writing flows like milk and honey, transporting you to the time Mary’s womb was swollen with Child, until the moment Christ was born and the three wise men visited him."
"Ann Voskamp is an incredibly gifted writer and her creative way of reminding you of old Truths will leave you inspired and better appreciating the season of Advent and the Jesse Tree!"
"Like in her previous book, "One Thousand Gifts," Ann Voskamp inspires thankfulness in the small & forgotten treasures."
"I did not like the poetic style in which this book was written..."
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Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas
Each day, families can read the provided Scripture passage (in connection with the original book), engage with a specially written devotion to help children of all ages understand the Advent theme for the day, and participate in suggested activities to apply the theme. With vivid, full-color illustrations, downloadable ornaments, and moving scenes from the Bible, this book is a gift your whole family can unwrap each day leading up to Christmas.
Reviews
"If you simply enjoy a pretty display on your bookshelf or coffee table, go ahead and get it. I know, I know--I haven't read the entire book, but after browsing it, I just see more the same--lots of commentary and summation of Scripture. The sentence structure is overly complex, as if she's trying too hard to be poetic. If you're looking for something that solely seeks the truths of Scripture while engaging little ones, you will find more satisfaction in this humble, yet superbly done book: http://www.amazon.com/Advent-Jesse-Tree-Devotions-Christmas-ebook/dp/B009K6DLU6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417744712&sr=8-1&keywords=the+advent+jesse+tree+dean+lambert."
"Call me optimistic, but I hope my kids can't identify with utter hopelessness, the feeling of their hearts been cut out of them, or "tears of sadness flood(ing) the world" for many, many years. The idea that little children in loving, Christian homes (or any home, for that matter) would read about "some horrible, awful, miserable, very bad days" and know exactly the feeling the author is talking about is depressing."
"Definitely not what I expected."
"We were looking for an new advent book."
"This book's add shows photo of small children reading it {at least on the website it does} and the language is very confusinng."
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The Wonder of the Greatest Gift: An Interactive Family Celebration of Advent
Each December, families can celebrate the coming of Jesus by opening the book to see a stunning 13-inch, three-dimensional Jesse Tree pop up from the page.
Reviews
"Based on her bestseller Unwrapping the Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp expands her presentation of the timeless Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree with this beautiful keepsake book that can be handed down and enjoyed for generations. Create precious holiday memories with The Jesse Tree Pop-Up Book and recapture the sacredness of the Advent season as you celebrate the epic pageantry of the coming of the Messiah."
"So this product is probably best for the children who are school-aged, when they aren't tempted to be destructive!"
"The calendar is very nice -- a white pop-up tree (contained inside the book when put away), colorful ornaments for each day (the picture matches the devotion), and a star to put on top just before Christmas."
"The little book has its own compartment and the tree folds well when you close the book, but as a precaution I'd close it slowly so as not to get any branches stuck. I was afraid of not knowing where each ornament was supposed to go when we put the tree away, but they are all numbered so you know exactly which compartment they belong in!"
"I wanted to use Voskamp's previous "adult" version of The Wonder of the Greatest Gift but found that to be a bit to wordy for my crew."
"The beautiful stories had something to offer everyone and the conversational tone made it easy for young children to understand the daily message."
"Length of devotional readings is relatively brief, my 7 year-old loves it (she even reads some days)."
"I will be buying some next year for all of my friends with littles still at home and maybe some for "old farts" like me that need a more simplified way to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Greatest Gift - Jesus!"
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Best Christian Devotionals

The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
Licensed in over eighty-five languages, The Purpose Driven Life is far more than just a book; it is a guide to a spiritual journey. Living out the purpose you were created for moves you beyond mere survival and success to a life of significance—the life you were meant to live. Rick Warren is often called "America's most influential spiritual leader."
Reviews
"This is a very good read."
"I bought two of these with the read along book and passed to someone else that I wanted to share the experience with."
"Great read it is paper back with didn't bother me at all but great book."
"The New American Standard Version Bible I have has gone unread because of my inability to understand the language it is written in."
"This book gave insight and direction as to how a Christian can find his purpose in life."
"The Gospel of John will bring you to Christ and this book wil bring you to God."
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Best Christology

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A lucid, intelligent page-turner” ( Los Angeles Times ) that challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus, from the host of Believer Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. A vivid, persuasive portrait.” — Salon “This tough-minded, deeply political book does full justice to the real Jesus, and honors him in the process.” — San Francisco Chronicle “A special and revealing work, one that believer and skeptic alike will find surprising, engaging, and original.” —Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power “Compulsively readable . Q. Yours is one of the few popular biographies of Jesus of Nazareth that does not rely on the gospels as your primary source of information for uncovering Jesus’ life. A. I certainly rely on the gospels to provide a narrative outline to my biography of Jesus of Nazareth, but my primary source in recreating Jesus’ life are historical writings about first century Palestine, like the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, as well as Roman documents of the time. In other words, the gospels tell us about Jesus the Christ, not Jesus the man. The gospels are of course extremely useful in revealing how the early Christians viewed Jesus. To get to the bottom of that mystery, which is what I try to do in the book, one must sift through the gospel stories to analyze their claims about Jesus in light of the historical facts we know about the time and world in which Jesus lived. But the more I read the Bible – especially in college, where I began my formal study of the New Testament – the more I uncovered a wide chasm between the Jesus of history and the Jesus I learned about in church. But the irony is that once I detached my academic study of Jesus from my faith in Christ, I became an even more fervent follower of Jesus of Nazareth. So in a way, this book is my attempt to spread the good news of Jesus the man with the same passion that I once applied to spreading the good news of Jesus the Christ. The key to understanding who Jesus was and what Jesus meant lies in understanding the times in which he lived.
Reviews
"There's nothing in this book that would surprise a person (like myself) who has read pretty much all of the accessible scholarship on Jesus published in the last 30 or so years. 2) Aslan takes the position that Jesus was a zealot for God and God's Temple, but (and this is repeated several times in the book) he was not a member of the Zealot Party, which wouldn't arise until over 30 years after Jesus' death. 3) Aslan doesn't stop with the death of Jesus, and, as someone writing history, not hagiography, he carefully notes that he can't pass judgment on whether Jesus' resurrection occurred, because it is not a historical event but an event of faith. (For example, Luke 16:19 points out that the rich man in Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus wore purple and fine linen and all four gospels are agreed that Jesus was buried in linen.). Moreover, if Aslan was pushing Islam, you'd think that he'd make a point of saying, "Well, Islam considers Jesus a prophet," but he doesn't."
"I read this book primarily because some of the negative reviews were so hysterical in their fear that I was curious what the big deal is. His job as an academic is to present a thesis, develop it based on both evidence and his theories of meaning and then let the reading community judge it."
"Once I began reading it, I could not put this book down."
"If you've gone to seminary, you are probably aware of everything in this book."
"Well written and provides the reader with a great background on the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth."
"An interesting book apparently well researched by a religion scholar."
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Best Christian Commentaries

Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ
From pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller comes the perfect gift for the Christmas holiday—a profoundly moving and intellectually provocative examination of the nativity story Even people who are not practicing Christians think they are familiar with the story of the nativity. Keller achieves his pastoral goal of teaching Christmas’ most important message—‘God alone has the life, truth, and joy that we lack and cannot generate ourselves’—and in doing so, provides solace for those who seek it.” —Publishers Weekly. Praise for Timothy Keller and his other books: “Tim Keller’s ministry in New York City is leading a generation of seekers and skeptics toward belief in God. “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”. — Christianity Today.
Reviews
"I’ve read a few, not all, of Keller’s books. Hidden Christmas is the gospel presentation you’ve been waiting for."
"Hidden Christmas has all the hallmarks we’ve come to expect from Keller."
"This amalgamation covers the breadth of the Christmas story beginning with its roots in the Old Testament, as the Israelites yearned for the freeing savior King promised to them. And I think that’s really the strength of this book: Keller covers so much that there’s bound to be something in it that will give you pause to consider what Jesus’ birth in a manager means. We take the ability to talk to, to pray to, to approach God ourselves for granted today and the Christmas story should remind us of how incredible this is. Key Quotes: “Such in outline, but even more purposeless, more void of meaning, is the world which science presents for our belief... That Man is the product of causes which had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of atoms; that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve an individual life beyond the grave; that all the labours of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and that the whole temple of Man’s achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the débris of a universe in ruins—all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain, that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand. “The [Bible’s] lesson is that the medium is not the message, that we must not ignore uncomfortable truths just because they come through an unimpressive messenger.” (104). “Thy word is like a deep, deep mine;//and jewels rich are rare//are hidden in its mighty depths//for every searcher there.” (107). “The manger at Christmas means that, if you live like Jesus, there won’t be room for you in a lot of inns.” (119)."
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Best Children's Devotional Christianity Books

Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions For Kids
They are written from Jesus' point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling . Sarah’s writings include Jesus Calling ® , Jesus Today ™, Jesus Lives ™, Dear Jesus , Jesus Calling ® for Little Ones , Jesus Calling ® Bible Storybook , Jesus Calling ® : 365 Devotions for Kids , and Peace in His Presence , each encouraging readers in their journeys toward intimacy with Christ.
Reviews
"I have my children read this daily devotion aloud in the car on the way to school each morning."
"Thank you Sarah for thinking of the kids."
"my grand-niece is 5 and half and loves it!!"
"Can't say enough about Sarah Young's devotionals."
"Love this book its a great devotion to do witb children of all ages."
"Love, love, love this daily devotional for my little one."
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Best International Music

To Selena, with Love: Commemorative Edition (Deckle edge)
Chris Perez tells the story of his relationship with music star Selena in this heartfelt tribute. Chris Perez is a Grammy-winning American guitarist and currently plays for The Chris Perez Band.
Reviews
"Chris really opens up the door and gives us a glimpse into their life as it was from before they were a couple to the aftermath of that terrible day."
"Excellent, heart warming read."
"To find beauty, grace, humility, ambition, compassion, intelligence, sweetness and superb talent in one individual is extremely rare."
"So much more insight into how Chris loves Selena."
"The timeline of the book follows a similar timeline to Selena the movie (minus her childhood and the original Los Dinos years of course), it provides a personal account of Chris' perspective as a band member of Los Dinos, what it was like to be on tour with them, including the early days and the later success, how his relationship with Selena began, the details of their elopement, and the ups and downs they went through as a newly married couple trying to juggle fame, fortunate, family and 5 dogs. It is so easy to see Selena's smile and hear her laugh the way Chris describes her, he brings her back to life in the pages of the book, making her come alive more as a human being through personal anecdotes about Selena, opposed to focusing on the dazzling performer she was and the superstar she was going to become."
"Thank you, Chris for sharing your memories and allowing me just for a few days to enjoy your heartfelt memories of our beloved Selena."
"The way Selena is portrayed is human and it makes me respect and love her even more not only as an artist but a person."
"It was bittersweet in the sense that it's amazing that his love holds strong for her till this day but sad that he can't seem to let go."
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Best Family Activity

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a complete, step-by-step program that shows parents simply and clearly how to teach their children to read. One hundred lessons, fully illustrated and color-coded for clarity, give your child the basic and more advanced skills needed to become a good reader.Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons will bring you and your child closer together, while giving your child the reading skills needed now, for a better chance at tomorrow. (Point to m )I'm going to touch under this sound and say the sound. Your turn to say the sound when I touch under it. (To correct child saying a wrong sound or not responding:) The sound is mmmmmm. (Point to s. )I'm going to touch under this sound and say the sound. Your turn to say the sound when I touch under it. (To correct child saying a wrong sound or not responding:) The sound is ssssss. TASK 2 SAY IT FAST. My turn: motor (pause) boat. (To correct child saying word slowly -- for example, "motor [pause] boat":) You didn't say it fast. Here's saying it fast: motorboat. Listen: ice (pause) cream. Listen: sis (pause) ter. Listen: ham (pause) burger. Listen: mmmeee. Listen: iiifff. (Repeat any words child had trouble with.). I'm going to say some words slowly, without stopping. Listen: aaammm. Listen: mmmeee. Listen: iiinnn. Listen: shshsheee. Now it's your turn to say the words slowly with me. (To correct if child stops between sounds -- for example, "aaa [pause] mmm":) Don't stop. (Don't pause between sounds a and m as you say aaammm. ). (Repeat until child responds with you.). Your turn to say words slowly by yourself. Good saying the words slowly. (Touch first ball for m,) Get ready. (Touch first ball for s.) Get ready. TASK 5 SAY IT FAST. Listen: motor (pause) cycle. TASK 6 SOUNDS WRITING. You're going to write a sound on each line. I'll show you how to make each sound. Then you'll write each sound. Here's the first sound you're going to write. (Point to m.) What sound? (Help child trace sound two or three times. Child is then to make three to five m 's on top line. For each acceptable letter child makes, say:) Good writing mmm. Here's how to make sss. Point to s.) What sound? (Help child trace sound two or three times. Child is then to make three to five s's on second line. For each acceptable letter child makes, say:) Good writing sss. (Point to m.) I'm going to touch under this sound and say the sound. Your turn to say the sound when I touch under it. (To correct child saying a wrong sound or not responding:) The sound is mmmmmm.
Reviews
"I become painfully aware of how naive I was to the processes of reading when my daughter was at the age that she should be knowing her letters and stuff. Despite the fact that my husband and I are voracious readers, and that we read to our daughter daily, she had developed a loathing towards all things letters. When she was still mixing up her letters and sounds, and resistant towards all reading games at 5 years old, I began to worry. So I scoured the internet for various books and programs to help me, as I, by then, understood fully I knew jack squat about how to teach a kid to read."
"To me, this is actually a bonus because I want my boys to learn that boring isn't bad and that sitting still is a skill just as much as reading. When reading the slow way, they step from one sound to the next, if they're not sounding it out, they can't move- that helped with pausing."
"The dialog of this book and the way the book has already to say phrase you need to speak to your child that encourages positive results. It came just in time for the new years on Sunday, December 31, 2017."
"LOVE LOVE LOVE this book."
"My husband, older son and I all learned to read with hooked on phonics but my younger son couldn’t get the hang of it."
"I love the fact that I get to teach my kids kid at a pace I know they will grasp everything that is taught to them."
"Seriously ... not what I would call EASY ( I'm not the most patient person) but your child will absolutely be a reader after you're done with this book!!!"
"I have a moderately bright 4 year old who has NO interest in learning new things, and she dove into this."
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Best Easter Holiday

The Women of Easter: Encounter the Savior with Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth, and Mary Magdalene
With unforgettable insights and powerful life application for today's women, Liz Curtis Higgs delves into the biblical text to help us view Easter through the eyes of three women named Mary, each of whom has a life-changing encounter with Jesus: Mary of Bethany, who prepares the way for the Lord’s burial when she anoints His feet and fills the air with her perfume; Mary of Nazareth, who remains by His side from His first breath to His last, her loyalty unwavering; and Mary Magdalene, delivered of seven demons, who bravely supports her Teacher through His darkest hours, then proclaims the glorious news of His resurrection. What a trio. “Liz Curtis Higgs has an incredible way of giving us a fresher, deeper understanding of God’s Word. “In this beautifully tender yet scripturally deep book, Liz Curtis Higgs gives us a chance to view Easter through brand-new eyes. A fresh point of view from women who knew Jesus best and loved Him most.” —Joanna Weaver, author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Through these pages you will be inspired by the insightful prose of Liz and the life-changing power of the Savior.” —Kyle Idleman, author of Not a Fan and Grace Is Greater. This book will stir a resurrection in your own heart and open your eyes to the wonder and beauty of the cross.” —Margaret Feinberg, author of Fight Back with Joy. “Liz Curtis Higgs has crafted a book that is unique and profound in its intimate look into the lives of the women who served Jesus throughout His ministry.
Reviews
"She is fully responsible for creating in my heart a full blown obsession with the book of Ruth. I planned to wait until Lent and use it as a guide for bible time. I did not want to leave their dedication and fearless love for Jesus. It happens when one is blessed to read an amazing book it is so bitter sweet when you finish the last page."
"Liz has indebt word studies throughout the book, which assists the Bible reader to understand the language and times behind the Easter story. I told the ladies to read Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:49 and John 19:25, telling them that THEY are the OTHER WOMEN watching, nearby and meeting the needs of others. Jesus’ death on the cross, where He paid MY, our, penalty for all sin, His burial and then three days later, His resurrection, is the basis of our faith!"
"Higgs ends with the tremendous encouragement for us all that just like Mary Magdalene whom Jesus tasked with sharing the news of His resurrection with the disciples, we too are tasked with the same great news of Easter: He is Risen."
"Liz "speaks" in a very folksy way to her readers, sharing the multitude of Bible translations she has used to get the feel of each passage. I didn't want to just read it to them, but the chapters were hard to summarize, sharing nuggets came out choppy, and coming up with ways to discuss it was hard."
"I greatly enjoyed the fresh insight gained from reading this book regarding Mary, sister of Lazarus, Mary, mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene by Liz Curtis Higgs."
"This book really is fantastic and now I'm reading women Christmas."
"This book was more than wonderful!!"
"I love how Liz Curtis Higgs writes, giving a verse, or a snippet of a verse, and then writing about the verse, before moving to the next verse in the Bible."
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