This beautifully illustrated book looks at Christmas traditions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries that have become a big part of how Christmas is celebrated today. Topics include how Santa came to be, the use of candles, why angels are a part of Christmas, Santa's workshop, elves and reindeer, parades, and much more.

This beautifully illustrated book looks at Christmas traditions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries that have become a big part of how Christmas is celebrated today. Topics include how Santa came to be, the use of candles, why angels are a part of Christmas, Santa's workshop, elves and reindeer, parades, and much more.

From The Valley's of South Wales comes this truly original and enchanting fairytale. A classic story of adventure, that's surly going too bring out the goose bumps.The Ugly Tree was a luring sight, and where the forgotten curse shows its ugly face once more. Secrets are broken, when Benjamin and his dear friends discover the awful truth about their horrid dilemma. Santa's on his way, but there's little happiness for the children of Baxter Street.Terrified, and equally terrifying, they explore, and encounter Old Shenkin, a woodland troll, who lives in the woods near by. Grandma knows best, and warns them too keep away. Snow is falling and Christmas draws ever nearer. Letters to Santa are filled with hopes and wishes. However, was it Santa or Grandma that saves the day?

Anyone who has done children's sermons will sooner or later hear from someone that "I learn more from the children's sermon than I do from the real sermon." And indeed, the truths of scripture are so simple that even a child can understand them. So it's no accident that children's sermons have become a central part of the worship service in many churches. Brett Blair and Tim Carpenter offer a year's worth of object lessons that engage children and impart profound lessons for all ages. Two sermons are provided for each Sunday in Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary, one based on the Second Lesson and one based on the Gospel. The messages are structured in two parts: the "lesson" uses an object to draw out active responses from children, then the "application" connects that object to the assigned scripture reading. Each message includes a clear statement of its exegetical aim. Bright, innovative, perceptive, creative, grace-filled Brett Blair and Tim Carpenter are all of those and much, much more, and that is reflected beautifully in their new book Children's Sermons A To Z. James W. Moore Pastor, St. Luke's United Methodist Church Houston, Texas Brett Blair is associate pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. He holds the M.Div. degree from Yale University Divinity School and is a cum laude graduate of Oral Roberts University with B.A. and M.A. degrees in New Testament Literature. Tim Carpenter is the pastor at First United Methodist Church in Bolivar, Tennessee. He is a graduate of Memphis Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and the University of Florida (B.A. in political science).

Quintessentials will be a glossy tribute to design-led products large and small--from boxes, brushes, paper, and hooks through fashion, fine art, furniture, and cars--all form part of a collective visual essay; an elaborate gift for design addicts and collectors alike. This pictorial feast will be punctuated by essays exploring important landmarks in the history of design. Ranging from the Industrial Revolution through to Japanese manga and illustration, the historical and cultural references that inspire and inform contemporary and vintage designers will be revealed within context, and in all their colorful glory.

Anglicanism arguably originated in 1534 when Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, which transferred papal power over the Church of England to the king. Today, approximately 550 dioceses are located around the world, not only in England, but also everywhere that the British Empire's area of influence extended. With an estimated total membership of about 75 million, Anglicanism is one of the largest and most varied Christian denominations. With such a long history and widespread flock, it is not easy to keep track of the variations of a religious community that has not ceased adapting since its inception. Hundreds of entries on significant persons and events, concepts and institutions, rituals and liturgy, and national communities, make this an invaluable reference for religious historians, theologians, and researchers. Also included are an introduction, a chronology that traces the church's evolution over time, and a bibliography.