For those who know the meaning of Christmas but can't use it in a sentence...This delightful compendium features 126 distinct definitions of the Christmas holiday, with literary quotations. This book is the antidote for people who complain that Christmas has become so commercialized that it is devoid of meaning. The surprising and intriguing entries encourage contemplation and reminiscence. One whimsical example is "Christmas means 'Whiskey': 'Pour a little Christmas in that eggnog, darlin'.' -expression from the American South."
Five stories with a sting in the tail. Riders on the Storm – Based on the legendary Doors song, a young man vows to roam and live by the gun... Eaters of Evil Spirits – Ancient forces guarding a walled African city have been disrupted. People are getting sick, crops are failing and disaster looms. Is it connected to the arrival of a mysterious child? Near-Life Experience – Glenn Tillman runs a successful business, has a beautiful girlfriend and is about to take a well-earned overseas holiday with her. So why is he so scared? Saving a Child from God – Six-year-old Abdullah loves getting gifts from the birds. They flock to his back garden, bringing everything from buttons to broken light bulbs. Then one day, much to his devout father's bafflement, they leave a key... Look What I Have for You – Having ended up selling bagless vacuum cleaners, a quiet, reliable man rediscovers a long-lost passion to work with his hands.
Sprinkled with humor, the vignettes of The Lost and Found Collection will open minds and hearts to remarkable possibilities for conquering life's simple stressors or major struggles. Witness the proof that "it's never too late to be who you might have been." Just don't try to go it alone. Learn how support may come from the kindness of a stranger or helpful coincidences that just might be God acting anonymously. The Lost and Found Collection will clarify the difference between happiness and joy, as well as disclose the mystery of paradoxical joy from adversity. Aspects of the often surprising essays in The Lost and Found Collection are easily identifiable, but the metamorphosis from agnostic to believer will be a personalized, individual experience. Along the way, discover "The Treasure of Hope" that comes from only one source. Each candidly poignant vignette from The Lost and Found Collection reaches a memorably uplifting finale that will leave significant messages to ponder. Highly recommended! The Editorial Board of The Columbia Review "The Lost and Found Collection: The Treasure of Hope" by C.B. Wallis is an inspiring non-fiction work with a strong literary tone and a high spiritual message. Part memoir, part inspirational advice, the book combines deep human insights, rich Christian wisdom, and an authentic voice that shares personal experiences in stories and contemplative memories, poetic and scriptural nuggets, and faith-based witnessing. Much of the book is told in the first person, recounting the author's experiences that carry relevant messages of overcoming challenges, recovering from calamities, and sustaining hopes for the future. In an eerily appropriate scene, the author recounts the beginning of her spiritual journey as she picked up a new Bible on New Year's Day and opened it to see the words: "Let there be light!" (Genesis 1:3). Indeed, this book sheds light not only on the author's eventful life's journey, but also on life itself and the ways in which the modern world challenges one's sensibilities and sensitivities. Perhaps the most valuable thread in "The Lost and Found Collection: The Treasure of Hope" is its message of optimism in the face of hardship. The author's personal journey mirror that of the scriptures' advice she appropriately quotes: "[...] when troubles comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For [...] when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." (James 1:2-4.) Drawing on her own life's trials and tribulations, as well as joys and gifts, the author discusses a wide spectrum of subjects of great relevance to all--fears and worries, love and care, generosity and dignity, mental health and physical illness, adoption and family, friendship and enmity, life and death, and even war and peace, as they apply to survivors and veterans. In summary, "The Lost and Found Collection: The Treasure of Hope" by C.B. Wallis is an uplifting, spiritual memoir, sprinkled with gems of wisdom and faith. Readers will enjoy this book and benefit from it on several levels: It is a fascinating journey of personal growth and empowerment, a series of well-told, memorable stories, intriguing insights into life's most trying moments, and invaluable guidance when confronted with an unexpected crisis. Highly recommended!
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. Every Christmas displays of Baby Jesus resting in a manger decorate lawns and churchyards, and songs about shepherds and angels fill the air. Yet despite the abundance of these Christian references in popular culture, how many of us have examined the hard edges of this biblical story? In his new book Timothy Keller takes readers on an illuminating journey into the surprising background of the nativity. By understanding the message of hope and salvation within the Bible’s account of Jesus’ birth, readers will experience the redeeming power of God’s grace in a deeper and more meaningful way.
A Christmas confection from the brilliant creator of The Lost House and The Lost Picnic! It's time to decorate the tree for Christmas--but Grandad can't find any of his ornaments! The hunt for the missing decorations takes the children up and down in Grandad's bric-a-brac-filled house and out into a winter wonderland. And when every ornament is on the tree at last, Grandad has a wonderful holiday surprise in store. This seek-and-find book from the award-winning author of The Lost House and The Lost Picnic will delight readers of any age and belongs under a Christmas tree.
The Lloyd Cotsen Study Collection of Chinese Bronze Mirrors is a 2009 co-publication of the Cotsen Occasional Press and the UCLA Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press. Volume I, The Lloyd Cotsen Study Collection of Chinese Bronze Mirrors: Catalogue, includes an engaging foreword by Lloyd Cotsen, an overview of major Chinese dynasties and periods, and a brief history of Chinese bronze mirrors by Suzanne E. Cahill. This volume presents a detailed catalogue of the extensive Cotsen Collection through high-quality images and illustrations of the mirrors in their approximate chronological sequence. Volume II, a set of eleven scholarly essays, goes further to investigate these mirrors as a study collection. Guided by the conviction that this particular constellation of mirrors may lead to substantive insights that cannot easily be obtained otherwise, the leading scholars who contributed to this volume used the materials in Volume I as a point of departure for explorations of topics of their own choice. The publication of this two-volume set preceded an exhibition of the mirrors at the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens and the return of the collection to China in recognition of that countrys rightful cultural patrimony.
Believe in Love & Joy: The Collection of the Greatest Christmas Novels, Stories, Carols & Legends compiles a diverse amalgam of voices stretching across centuries, with literary styles ranging from enchanting narratives, reflective poems, to captivating legends. By weaving together the profound moral ethos of Christmas with the rich tapestry of human emotion and tradition, this anthology offers an unparalleled exploration of love, joy, and the human condition. Standout pieces illuminate the collections thematic breadth, with each work uniquely contributing to the overarching sentiment of Christmas, without overshadowing the collective's cumulative impact. The roster of authors and editors within this collection represents a whos who of literary giants across eras and genres. From the poignant societal commentaries of Dickens and Twain to the transcendental musings of Wordsworth and the haunting tales of Hoffmann, these contributors hail from a variety of historical, cultural, and literary movements. Their combined efforts align with and enhance the anthologys central theme, blending the historical with the mythological, the joyous with the solemn, to paint a comprehensive portrait of Christmas. This chorus of voices, each from different folds of time and society, coalesces around the shared human experiences of love and jubilation, enriching readers understanding and appreciation of the holiday season. Believe in Love & Joy stands as a testament to the enduring power of Christmas to inspire storytellers from across the ages. Readers are invited to delve into its pages to discover a world where love and joy are not merely celebrated but are woven into the fabric of life itself. The anthology promises not only to educate but also to delight, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the multiplicity of perspectives, styles, and themes that these celebrated authors bring to the festal table. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to rekindle their Christmas spirit through the power of storytelling, fostering a deeper dialogue between the myriad authors works.
