Christmas Joy: Resources

We celebrate Advent each December.  Some years we feel merry and bright; other years we feel lonely or anxious.  What restores our emotional center is knowing that God gives the gift of love and hope through Jesus Christ, Savior and King.  

When the Messiah was born long ago in a faraway manger, the world power system shifted.  God's mysterious arrival as a baby inspires awe.  The Son of Man defeated the powers of sin and death worldwide, forever, on the cross.  He offers us this  priceless gift of grace. 

During the Christmas season rejoice.  Immanuel, God with us, has ushered in his kingdom.  God reigns.  Therein lies our comfort and joy. 

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."
Romans 8:2

BOOKS

Gorrell, Angela Williams. The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found. Eerdmans, 2021. 
(Gorrell is the first speaker/author in the free, online Calvin January Lecture Series, starting 1/10/22.  See calvin.edu/january )

Lucado, Max. Because of Bethlehem: Love is Born, Hope Is Here. Neslon. 2020

Keller, Timothy. Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth behind the Birth of Christ. Viking. 2016

Stanley, Andy. Who Needs Christmas. HarperChristian Resources. 2019

Tripp, Paul David.  Come Let Us Adore Him: 31 Daily Advent Devotional. Crossway. 2017

Warren, Rick. The Purpose of Christmas. Howard Books. 2008

Wolgemuth, Nancy DeMoss. The First Songs of Christmas: A 31 Day Advent Devotional. Moody. 2021

Fall Reading for Christian Growth

Fall is a colorful season.  Find a sunny spot in God's presence.  Spend time communing with your Lord and Savior.  Grow in Christ.

Reading is one tool available in Christian formation.  In addition to the Bible, you might read one of these recently published books, written by well-known authors, speakers, pastors, and psychologists.

To find a copy, go to your local bookstore or shop online at Amazon or Christian Books Distributors. 

 To save shelf space and money, go to your local library.  Often they will have the book in print or provide it as a digital copy: eBook or audio book for download.  Do you have a free Hoopla or Over Drive account from your public library?  It's easy to create by contacting your library branch or checking its website.

READ
Begg, Alistair. Brave by Faith: God-Sized Confidence in a Post-Christian World.  The Good Book Company, 2021. 

Brown, Brene. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience. Random House, 2021.

Cloud, Henry and Townsend, John. Growth Has No Boundaries: The Christian's Secret to a Deeper Spiritual Life. Zondervan, 2019.

Lucado, Max. You Were Made for This Moment: Courage for Today and Hope for Tomorrow. Thomas Nelson, 2021. 

Martin, Charles. What If It's True?: A Storyteller’s Journey with Jesus. Thomas Nelson, 2020. 

Moore, Beth.  Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life. Tyndale Momentum, 2020.

Simons, Ruth Chou. When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace. Thomas Nelson, 2021.

Tisby, Jemar. How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice. Zondervan, 2021. 

Townsend, John. People Fuel: Fill Your Tank for Life, Love, and Leadership. Zondervan, 2019.

Whittle, Lisa. The Hard Good: Showing Up for God to Work in You When You Want to Shut Down. Thomas Nelson, 2021. 

*Chris McCorkle, CC BY NC-ND 2.0, 9/7/2007.