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Celebration isintrinsic to human nature. As God's image bearers we are compelled to celebrate—just as He did when He called His creation good, just as He did when He exalted His Son on top of a mountain, just as the angels and elders do around His throne. God even commanded celebrations in His name, providing the Jews specific instructions for feasts and holidays.

With the coming of Christ things changed a bit. God's people were no longer required to hold specific holy days above all others, because that was a feature of the Law that Christ fulfilled in our place and freed us from. The apostle Paul summarizes in Romans 14:5: One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

That's not to say there aren't good reasons to observe certain holidays, especially those memorializing key events or elements of the Christian faith. We look to the Sabbath, or Lord's Day, as our day of worship, and the Christian calendar is a good guide to those days traditionally observed by the Church, with special emphasis on Advent and Christmas, Easter and Lent, and Pentecost. If you're so inclined, there are a bajillion saint days in honor of famous and lesser-known champions of the faith.

Many will argue that Christians should celebrate none of these holidays. The point isn't that the events commemorated aren't central to the Christian faith, but that their formalized celebration by the Church was simply a "christianization" of similar pagan holidays in the Roman and Near Eastern worlds. For instance, Christmas as observed on December 25th is really a Christian version of the Roman Saturnalia, a festival devoted to the sun; Easter is named after the Babylonian fertility goddess, and celebrates her union with the god Tammuz.

The similarities between the Christian holidays and their pagan counterparts are indeed fascinating. However, we take this as affirmation of God's sovereignty, not as a reason to avoid holiday celebrations. Through His death and resurrection, Christ redeemed all things and reclaimed them in His name.

"All things" includes holidays. Indeed, what Christ has done and what He gives us should be celebrated every day of the year, but to choose specific days for observance can help re-center our all-too-often selfish existences on Him. We do need to be careful not to simply accept worldly standards for our holidays (the commercialization of Christmas, the nonsense Easter bunnies, etc.), but we need to be equally sure we aren't refraining from genuine celebration just because those standards exist. God has given us all cause for joy, and it's our duty and pleasure to thank Him.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes 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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- Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Easter & Lent

Jewish Holidays & Traditions

St. Patrick's Day

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In-Stock Books & Materials

	A B C is for Christmas by Jane Werner Watson, illustrated by Sally Augustiny from Golden Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Little Golden Books (Location: PIC-GOLD) $2.40 (1 in stock)
	All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins from Schwartz & Wade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.14
	Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble from Sleeping Bear Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $14.41
	Babar and Father Christmas by Jean De Brunhoff 1^st edition from Random House Books for Young Readers for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.14
	Better Than Anything Christmas by Barbara Reaoch from Good Book Company for Preschool-Adult in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $9.99
	Better-Than-Best Purim by Naomi Howland PJ Library from Two Lions for Preschool-2nd grade in Jewish Holidays & Traditions (Location: HOLIDAY) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Chanukah in Chelm by David A. Adler, illustrated by Kevin O'Malley for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco from PaperStar Books for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.49
	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 Alphabet Deluxe Anniversary Edition by Robert Sabuda from Orchard Books for Nursery-2nd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $11.00 (1 in stock)
	Christmas Carol Miracle by Luise Putcamp from Abingdon Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Christmas Is Here by Lauren Castillo from Simon and Schuster for Preschool-2nd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $11.04
	Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey Deluxe 20th Anniversary Edition by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P. J. Lynch 20th Anniversary from Candlewick Press in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $15.29
	Christmas Rocket by Anne Molloy from Purple House Press for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $10.19
	Christmas Story by Jane Werner from Golden Books for Preschool-1st grade in Little Golden Books (Location: PIC-GOLD) $1.60 (1 in stock)
	Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett from Puffin Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Cranberry Christmas by Wende & Harry Devlin from Purple House Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $13.59
	Draw Write Now Book 3 Native Americans/North America/Pilgrims by Marie Hablitzel & Kim Stitzer from In the Think of Things for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Draw Write Now (Location: ELE-ARTDWN) $19.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Easter Bunny, Are You for Real? by Harold Myra, illustrated by Dwight Walles from Thomas Nelson Publishers for Preschool-2nd grade in Easter & Lent (Location: HOLIDAY) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	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
	Famous Figures of the American Revolution from Figures in Motion for Kindergarten-6th grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $9.60 (2 in stock)
	Fireworks by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Catia Chien from Clarion Books for Preschool-2nd grade 2026 Caldecott Award in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.99
	First Thanksgiving by Jean Craighead George from Philomel Books for Kindergarten-2nd grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $2.40 (1 in stock)
	First Thanksgiving by Jean Craighead George from Putnam Juvenile for Preschool-2nd grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $6.79
	First Thanksgiving Feast by Joan Anderson from HMH Books for Young Readers for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Gift by R. Kent Hughes, Illustrated by Ron DiCianni, Calligraphy by Timothy R. Botts from Crossway Books for Kindergarten-2nd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Gift of the Magi by O. Henry from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for Nursery-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Golden Christmas Treasury by Rick Bunsen (editor) from Golden Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Harold at the North Pole A Christmas Journey with the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson from HarperCollins for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $5.20 (1 in stock)
	Hatmaker's Sign: A Story by Benjamin Franklin by Candace Fleming (reteller), illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker from Orchard Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	He is Risen Rocks Tell the Story of Easter by Patti Rokus from Zondervan for Preschool-1st grade in Easter & Lent (Location: HOLIDAY) $17.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss from Random House Christmas Stories for Kindergarten-4th grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $14.44
	I Spy Christmas by Jean Marzollo, Walter Wick (Photographer) from Cartwheel Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Look and Find Books (Location: PIC-LOOK) $12.74
	In November by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Jill Kastner from HarperCollins for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.49
	Jesus Rose for Me Beginner's Gospel Story Book by Jared Kennedy, Illustrated by Trish Mahoney from New Growth Press for Nursery-Kindergarten in Board Books (Location: PIC-BOARD) $12.74
	Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi from Margaret K. McElderry Books for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien Revised from Mariner Books for Nursery-2nd grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $21.25
	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
	Liberty! How the Revolutionary War Began by Lucille Recht Penner from Random House in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $7.64 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Lion in the Box A Christmas Story by Marguerite de Angeli from Purple House Press for Preschool-3rd grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $10.19
	Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell, Illustrated by Sergio Leone Reprint from Ideals Publications for Preschool-2nd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Madeline's Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans from Puffin Books for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $7.64
	Molly's Pilgrim A Bantam First Skylark by Barbara Cohen, illustrated by Daniel Mark Duffy from HarperTrophy for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $1.60 (4 in stock)
	Morris's Disappearing Bag A Christmas Story by Rosemary Wells from Dial Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $3.60 (1 in stock)
	N.C. Wyeth's Pilgrims by Robert D. San Souci from Chronicle Books for Kindergarten-5th grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Nativity by Julie Vivas from Voyager Books for Preschool-4th grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore, illustrated by Jan Brett from Scholastic Press for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Night the Toys Came to Life A Christmas Story by Enid Blyton, Illustrated by Shirley Willis from Gallery Books for Kindergarten-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Nine Days to Christmas A Story of Mexico by Marie Hall Ets from Dover Publications for Preschool- 3rd Grade 1960 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $13.56
	Nutcracker by ETA Hoffman & Don Daily from Running Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $12.95
	One Wintry Night by Richard Jesse Watson from Baker Books for Kindergarten-5th grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Papa Panov's Special Christmas by Leo Tolstoy, illustrated by Hannah Thibaudeau from Memoria Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $10.12
	Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola from Holiday House for Preschool-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $7.64
	Picture Book of George Washington by David A. Adler 1^st edition from Holiday House for Preschool-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Pilgrims' Party A Really Truly Story A Really Truly Story by Sadybeth & Anson Lowitz from Lerner Publishing Group for Preschool-2nd grade in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS) $12.00 (1 in stock)
	Plymouth Thanksgiving by Leonard Weisgard Reprint from Doubleday Book For Young Readers for Kindergarten-5th grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Polar Express With Ornament & Audio Read by Liam Neeson by Chris Van Allsburg from Houghton Mifflin for Preschool-2nd grade 1986 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.00
	Prancer by Stephen Cosgrove from Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares from Candlewick Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.99
	Risen One Experiencing All of Jesus in Easter by Scott James from B&H Books for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Easter & Lent (Location: HOLIDAY) $12.99
	Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May, Barbara Shook Hazen (Adapter), illustrated by Richard Scarry "I" Printing from Golden Books for Nursery-1st grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Sailing to America Colonists at Sea Adventures in Colonial America by James Knight, illustrated by George Guzzi from Troll Associates Non-fiction for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Colonial America (1690-1765) (Location: HISA-17COL) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Samuel Eaton's Day A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy by Kate Waters from Scholastic Inc. Non-fiction for Nursery-2nd grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $3.60 (2 in stock)
	Santa Mouse by Michael Brown, illustrated by Elfrieda De Witt from Grosset & Dunlap for Preschool-2nd grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Santabear's First Christmas by Barbara Read, illustrated by Howard B. Lewis from Santabear Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Sarah Morton's Day A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters from Scholastic Inc. Non-fiction for Nursery-3rd grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $6.79 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Saving the Liberty Bell by Megan McDonald, Illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington from Atheneum for Preschool-2nd grade in Oversized History Books (Location: HISW-OVER) $16.99
	Savior is Born Rocks Tell the Story of Christmas by Patti Rokus from Zondervan for Preschool-2nd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $16.99 $9.60 (2 in stock)
	Squanto's Journey The Story of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac Reprint from HMH Books for Young Readers for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $8.49 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden, Illustrated by Barbara Cooney from Viking Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $16.14
	Story of the Mayflower Compact from Children's Press for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Cornerstones of Freedom (Location: VIN-CORN) $5.00 (2 in stock)
	Thank You, Sarah The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving Reprint from Simon and Schuster for Kindergarten-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Thanksgiving Door by Debby Atwell from Purple House Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $12.74
	That Holy Week So Long Ago by Matthew Boswell; illustrated by Helena Perez Garcia from Crossway Books for Preschool-4th grade in Easter & Lent (Location: HOLIDAY) $12.74
	That's Not Santa! by Leonard Kessler from Purple House Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64
	Thirteen Days of Yule by Nonny Hogrogian from Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. for Preschool-2nd grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Thomas Jefferson A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin from Scholastic Inc. for Preschool-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Time to Keep by Tasha Tudor Reissue from Simon and Schuster for Preschool-2nd grade in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $16.99
	Twelve Days of Christmas A Christmas Carol by Jan Brett from Puffin Books for Nursery-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64
	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)
	Usborne Book of the Seasons Things to do all year round by Angela Wilkes from Usborne for Preschool-3rd grade in Meteorology (Weather & Climate) (Location: SCI-WEA) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Very First Christmas by Paul L. Maier from Concordia Publishing House for Preschool-2nd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY) $10.99
	Very First Easter by Paul L. Maier from Concordia Publishing House for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Easter & Lent (Location: HOLIDAY) $10.99
	Very First Thanksgiving Day by Rhonda Gowler Greene, illustrated by Susan Gaber from Aladdin Paperbacks for Preschool-2nd grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $3.60 (1 in stock)
	When Christmas Comes by Doris Whitman, illustrated by David K. Stone from Holt, Rinehart and Winston for Preschool-2nd grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	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)
	When Washington Crossed the Delaware A Wintertime Story for Young Patriots by Lynne Cheney from Simon & Schuster Macmillan for Preschool-3rd grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	When Washington Crossed the Delaware A Wintertime Story for Young Patriots by Lynne Cheney from Simon & Schuster Macmillan for Preschool-3rd grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Who Is Jesus? 40 Pictures to Share with your Family by Kate Hox, illustrated by Joe Hox from New Growth Press for Preschool-5th grade in Family Worship (Location: BIBR-FAWO) $24.99
	Who's That Stepping on Plymouth Rock? from PaperStar Books in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $5.94
	Winter at Valley Forge Survival and Victory Adventures in Colonial America by James Knight from Beautiful Feet Books Non-fiction for Kindergarten-3rd grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $5.91 $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Wipe Your Feet, Santa Claus! by Konrad Richter, illustrated by Jozef Wilkon from North-South Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Yankee Doodle A Revolutionary Tail by Gary Chalk from DK Publishing for Preschool-3rd grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston from Puffin Books for Nursery-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $3.60 (1 in stock)

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