We’re all intimately acquainted with the details of the Christmas narrative, right? Who doesn’t know of the startling announcement to young Mary, the Magi, the Bethlehem stable, and the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night? Yet, as David A. Holland reveals in this eye-opening new devotional, there is meaning, inspiration, life-transforming hope in these events that most believers have never seen. Like its predecessor devotional, Praying Grace: 55 Meditations and Declarations on the Finished Work of Christ, each day of this devotional illuminates a scripture or passage in a fresh and memorable way, leading readers to a deeper, fuller appreciation of all Christ accomplished for them, and of who they are in Him. Each day’s entry closes with a declarative prayer that trains believers in a profoundly powerful yet underappreciated form of praying—prayer by Word-based proclamation. Readers will discover: Why the familiar titles Wonderful, Counselor, and Prince of Peace don’t mean what we’ve assumed. What sign in the heavens the Wise Men may have seen, and how it may reveal the date of Jesus’ birth. What the miracle pregnancy of Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, reveals about “slaying the giants” in your life. Key overlooked insights from the Christmas narrative that help you: rest in God’s faithfulness; overcome adversity; embrace and experience God’s good promises; and fall deeper in love with Jesus.

Second chances and the Christmas spirit abound in Mindy Steele’s heartwarming novel, one of faith, love, and the power of community. Grace Miller believed herself in love with the charming Englischer who eventually broke her heart. Now alone except for the secret life growing inside her, she arrives in the unfamiliar small village of Walnut Ridge, Kentucky, to hide and hopefully gain forgiveness. She is pleasantly surprised, however, to find a tight-knit, welcoming group who help her heart grow right alongside her belly. And with the holidays around the corner, there’s plenty of preparations to occupy her mind. Also occupying her mind? Her strong, protective neighbor, Cullen Graber, the town’s blacksmith, who seems intent on not allowing her to ever suffer alone. Cullen Graber gave up on love after too many losses early in life. He planned to live out his days focusing on his smithy business, yet the beautiful and mysterious Grace refuses to leave his thoughts. But can they open their hearts to God’s grace and create a new family together before Grace must return home?

When her grandmother takes in a stranded family at Christmas, Grace is reluctant to share her favorite holiday with strangers, even though the visiting family includes a "real live ballerina." Full color.

When the season brings a chill, nothing warms the heart or elevates the spirits like a new novel by Anne Perry, whom the Chicago Sun-Times calls “the most adroit sleight-of-hand practitioner since Agatha Christe.” Perry’s gifts are on full display in A Christmas Grace–a hope-filled tale of forgiveness that is rich with mystery and intrigue. With Christmas just around the corner, Thomas Pitt’s sister-in-law, Emily Radley, is suddenly called from London to be with her dying aunt. Leaving her husband and two children behind, Emily makes the long journey to an all-but-forgotten town in the county of Connemara, on the western coast of Ireland. She soon discovers that a tragic legacy haunts the once closeknit community. Violent storms ravage the coast and keep alive painful memories of an unsolved murder and unsettling fears that a killer may still live among the residents of the lonely Irish town. Determined to lighten her aunt’s heart and help the troubled community, Emily sets out to unmask the culprit. When a lone shipwreck survivor washes up onshore, he brings with him not only the key to solving the terrible crime but the opportunity for the townspeople to make peace with the past–and with one another.

In The Christmas Shoes, young Nathan Andrews was a child who lost his mother to cancer. Now his deepest wish is to become a doctor. When a stranger named Robert gave him the money to buy his mother a pair of shoes for her last Christmas, both Robert and Nathan learned the deepest lessons of love and giving. Now a medical student in his third year, Nathan realizes there are still things to be learned about faith, blessings, and sacrifice. Lessons he will learn from Meghan Sullivan-a young woman born with a hole in her heart that has not kept her from becoming a champion runner. And lessons learned from a young boy named Charlie, who teaches how to live a life of true courage. Together, they will help guide Nathan through the darkest period in his life. The Christmas Blessing is an inspiring about hope existing in the darkest places, and love is always the greatest gift of all.

A reassuring, timeless story and the first book in the Guardian Angels series by Lucinda Riley and her son Harry Whittaker. Now in paperback. Because somewhere, an angel is listening. It's Christmas Eve. The tree is decorated, the presents are wrapped and it's a big day for Grace. She is singing a song in the nativity show, and her fisherman father has promised to be back in time to watch her. But when a storm blows up at sea, Grace walks out on stage to find Daddy is not there. She's very worried. But luckily, Grace has someone watching over her. Will Hope, the Christmas Angel, be able to help Daddy get home safely for Christmas morning? Filled with gorgeous illustrations by award-winner Jane Ray, Grace and the Christmas Angel is a perfect gift of a story, filled with the magic of holiday. Other books in the Guardian Angels series include: Bill and the Dream Angel, Rosie and the Friendship Angel, and Alfie and the Angel of Lost Things.

In this daily Advent companion, members of the Daughters of St. Paul share their reflections and lead readers in lectio divina on the Scripture readings for the season. Includes reflections for the Octave of Christmas. Perfect for all those who value daily devotional reading, the meditations are brief and powerful. They will give enlightenment to those who are proficient in this practice and encouragement to anyone just beginning. For those who desire to grow in appreciation of the Advent and Christmas liturgical seasons, Advent Christmas Grace will provide a refreshing way to treasure the word of God anew.