Christmas & Advent - Exodus Books

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The Christian year begins with the birth of a baby. No one knows the exact day Jesus was born, but the date of December 25th was specifically chosen and introduced to Christian believers in order to counter the pagan feast of the "sun god," which was a popular winter solstice festival held in Rome. Instead of trying to coax the sun to return North again, this Christian theological corrective was meant to celebrate the source of true light in our dark world: the Son of God.

It was not until the fourth century that people began to celebrate Christ's birth. In keeping with Old testament feasts and festivals, it was designated a feast day called the Feast of the Nativity. The celebration began with a special Mass in honor of the remembrance of His coming, first called "Christ's Mass," later simply "Christmas." It was Christ being celebrated, not the day!

Later, the four week period before December 25th was declared a sacred and holy season. It was called "Advent," which comes from the Greek through the Latin and means "to come." It was a special time, designed to remind us that the Old testament saints had anxiously awaited the Messiah for centuries, and to provide a period of preparation that would allow time for reflection before the celebration of His birth. Beginning four Sundays prior to Christmas day, our actions and activities should remind us of our need for Jesus.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

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Just for Fun

Holidays / Church Calendar

Christmas & Advent

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Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Related Links

Corrigenda Denuo
Is Christmas Christian? Here's a list of articles to discuss the topic.
Readings for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany
from the pastors of the CREC
Truth in the Tinsel
Advent ebook for young kids (affiliate link)

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3rd grade (Ages 8-9),

Hardcover

	'Tis the Season A Classic Illustrated Christmas Treasury by Cooper Edens from Chronicle Books for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Matt Tavares from Candlewick Press for Preschool-3rd Grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Amazing Peace A Christmas Poem with CD by Maya Angelou, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher from Schwartz & Wade for Preschool-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	An Edwardian Christmas by John S. Goodall from Atheneum for Preschool-Adult in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)
	Animals' Christmas Carol by Helen Ward from Millbrook Press for Preschool-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Annotated Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Deluxe from Random House for 3rd-6th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $15.00 (1 in stock)
	Bells of Christmas by Virginia Hamilton, illustrated by Lambert Davis from Harcourt Brace Jovanich for 3rd-8th grade in Holidays / Church Calendar (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Book of Christmas Carols by Jane Lydbury from Prentice Hall for 2nd-Adult in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Child's Christmas by Evelyn Sharp (illustrated by Charles Robinson) from Dilithium Press, Ltd. for 2nd-6th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg from New Directions for 2nd-4th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman from Holiday House for 2nd-4th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone from David R. Godine for 2nd-4th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Children's Theatre A Reproduction of the Antique Pop-Up Book by Franz Bonn from Viking Press for Preschool-4th grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Christmas Carol Little Unicorn by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Walt Sturrock from Unicorn Publishing House for 2nd-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Christmas Carol (adapted) by Charles Dickens, adapted by Stephen Krensky and illustrated by Dean Morrissey from HarperCollins for Kindergarten-7th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Christmas Folk by Natalia M. Belting, illustrated by Barbara Cooney from Holt, Rinehart and Winston for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)
	Christmas Stories Junior Deluxe Editions by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Walter Seaton from Grosset & Dunlap for 3rd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Christmas Tree Hessian by Cora Cheney, illustrated by Edith Ballinger Price from Henry Holt and Company for 3rd-6th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
	Christmas Trees A New True Book by Kathy Henderson from Children's Press for 2nd-4th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $5.60 (1 in stock)
	Christmas With Anne and Other Holiday Stories from Delacorte Press for 3rd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Countdown to Christmas by Bill Peet from Golden Gate Junior Books for Kindergarten-4th grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado from Thomas Nelson Publishers for Preschool-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado Reprint from Thomas Nelson Publishers for Preschool-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Expected One Anticipating All of Jesus in the Advent by Scott James from B&H Books for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $12.99
	George Balanchine's The Nutcracker with CD of musical highlights from Barnes & Noble for Preschool-Adult in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Gift of the Magi: Collectors Edition Adapted from the story by O. Henry by O. Henry, illustrated by Robert Sauber from Unicorn Publishing House for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Hosanna in Excelsis Hymns and Devotions for the Christmas Season by David & Barbara Leeman from Moody Press for 3rd-Adult in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss from Random House Christmas Stories for Kindergarten-4th grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $14.44
	Ice Bird A Christmas Legend by Pauline Innis, illustrated by Wesley Dennis from Robert B. Luce, Inc. for 2nd-4th grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)
	Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean from Eerdmans for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Jolly Old Santa Claus from Ideals Publications for Nursery-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Joy to the World Christmas Legends by Ruth Sawyer, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman from Little, Brown & Company for 3rd-8th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
	Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi from Margaret K. McElderry Books for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola from G.P. Putnam's Sons for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien, introduction by Bailie Tolkien Centenary Edition from William Morrow & Company for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $27.20
	Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum, illustrated by Michael Hague from Henry Holt and Company for 3rd-6th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Little Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Joe Sutphin from Moody Press for 3rd-Adult in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $25.49
	Mole Family's Christmas by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban from Parents Magazine Press for Preschool-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Grandma Moses from Random House Books for Young Readers for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Christian Burmingham Heirloom from Running Press for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Arthur Rackham from Weathervane Books for Preschool-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Ruth Sanderson 1^st edition from Turner Publishing, Inc. for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Christian Burmingham The Classic ed for 3rd-6th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore Classic Edition from Appleseed Press for 3rd-6th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Christian Burmingham from HarperCollins for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Tasha Tudor from Checkerboard Press for Preschool-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore, illustrated by Jan Brett from Putnam Juvenile for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore, illustrated by Cheryl Harness from Random House for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Charles Santore Classic Edition from Appleseed Press for 3rd-6th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Tasha Tudor from Little, Brown & Company for Preschool-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Night Before Christmas with DVD by Clement Moore, illustrated by Jan Brett from Putnam Juvenile for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffmann from Gramercy Books for 2nd-6th grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $12.00 (1 in stock)
	Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffmann & Daniel Walden New edition from Running Press for 1st-4th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffmann, Veronica Tennant 1^st edition from McClelland & Stewart for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	One Wintry Night by Richard Jesse Watson from Baker Books for Kindergarten-5th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	One Wintry Night by Richard Jesse Watson from Baker Books for Kindergarten-5th grade in Holidays / Church Calendar (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Pennsylvania Dutch Night Before Christmas by Chet Williamson, illustrated by James Rice from Pelican Publishing Company for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Remarkable Christmas of the Cobbler's Sons by Ruth Sawyer, illustrated by Barbara Cooney from Viking Press for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Santa, Are You For Real? by Harold Myra; illustrated by Dwight Walles from Thomas Nelson Publishers for Kindergarten-4th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Stocking for a Kitten by Helen Kay, illustrated by Yaroslava from Abelard - Schuman for 1st-3rd grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)
	Tell Me About Christmas by Mary Alice Jones, illustrated by Marjorie Cooper from Rand McNally for 1st-5th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Tell Me the Story by Max Lucado, Ron Dicianni, Timothy Botts 1^st edition from Crossway Books for 3rd-6th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Texas Night Before Christmas by James Rice from Pelican Publishing Company for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Tomie dePaola's Book of Christmas Carols by Tomie DePaola First Edition from Putnam Juvenile for Nursery-4th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L'Engle from Shaw Books in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV)
	Unwrapping the Greatest Gift A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp from Tyndale House for Kindergarten-4th grade in Family Worship (Location: BIBR-FAWO) $26.99 $13.50 (2 in stock)
	We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Michael Hague 1st Edition Thus from Henry Holt and Company for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	When Christmas Comes Again The World War I Diary of Simone Spencer by Beth Seidel Levine from Scholastic Inc. Fictional historical journal for 3rd-6th grade in Dear America Books (Location: SER-DEAR)
	When Joy Came The Story of the First Christmas by Pauline Palmer Meek; illustrated by Shannon Stirnweis from Golden Books for Preschool-3rd Grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Richard Schneider from Abingdon Press for 1st-4th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Richard Schneider from Abingdon Press for 1st-4th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $12.74
	Why the Chimes Rang by Raymond MacDonald Alden, illustrated by Rafaello Busoni from Bobbs-Merril Co for 1st-4th grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)

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