What’s in the Cross Reference Library? The Librarian’s Top Three!

The Orphan’s Wish by Melanie Dickerson - Orphaned and alone, Aladdin travels from the streets of his Arab homeland to a strange, faraway place. Growing up in an orphanage, he meets young Lady Kirstyn, whose father is the powerful Duke of Hagenheim. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn’s favorite companion, and their childhood friendship grows into a bond that time and opposition cannot break. Even as a child, Aladdin works hard, learning all he can from his teachers. Through his integrity, intelligence, and sheer tenacity, he earns a position serving as the duke’s steward. But that isn’t enough to erase the shame of being forced to steal as a small child—or the fact that he’s an orphan with no status. If he ever wants to feel equal to his beautiful and generous friend Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim and seek his fortune. Yet once Aladdin departs, Lady Kirstyn becomes a pawn in a terrible plot. Now, Aladdin and Kirstyn must rely on their bond to save her from unexpected danger. But will saving Kirstyn cost Aladdin his newfound status and everything he’s worked so hard to obtain? 

What I love about this book: I’ve read and enjoyed the other books in Melanie Dickerson’s Hagenheim Fairytale Romance series, but this one really stuck out to me. Usually, when you hear about the story of Aladdin, what comes to mind? Do you think of the wishes? The genie? A cave of wonders and temptation?Well, what fascinates me about The Orphan’s Wish, is how the author decides to focus on the redemption of Aladdin. As a child, he stole money and food to survive. But when he escapes that life and becomes friends with the duke’s daughter, it becomes Aladdin’s mission to become more than his past. In a way, this version of the story feels more real to me. Now, I know the original is folklore and isn’t meant to feel real, but the fact that Dickerson’s Aladdin finds a way to achieve his new life without magic wishes is a lot more inspiring.

To Hell With The Hustle by Jefferson Bethke - Modern life increasingly makes us feel more wired, chaotic, and burned out. To Hell with the Hustle fights back. Jefferson Bethke shows you how to: 

• Quit the cycle of more, more, more

• Question the noise all around us

• Set boundaries and cultivate discipline

• Push back the demands of contemporary life 

• And rediscover the fundamentals that make us human

If you are weary of the pressure to be more, do more, have more, you have permission to opt out. To Hell with the Hustle is your necessary guide to resisting  our culture’s frantic madness and embracing the pace of Jesus. 

What I love about this book: I’d be lying if I said that my life wasn’t busy and stressful. And that’s why when I first read To Hell with the Hustle, I found that the author had a lot of good points on slowing down and finding ways to really be in the presence of Jesus in your daily life. Jefferson speaks to the individual reader where their at in their fast-paced chaotic life.

The Chronicles Of Narnia by C.S. Lewis  - The most well-known out of the seven, The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe tells the story of the four Pevensie children who enter the magical land of Narnia through a mysterious wardrobe. Through their adventures, they meet talking animals and learn of a prophecy that speaks of them defeating an evil witch who has terrorized Narnia with an eternal winter. With the help of a powerful talking lion named Aslan, the children defeat the witch and become kings and queens of Narnia. And so followed a prequel story and five more adventures in the magical land of Narnia. These books are known for their religious themes. Featuring parallels to Genesis, Revelation, Jesus’ resurrection, and several stories about redemption as well.

What I love about this series (I expressed this in another post a few months ago): https://www.kcmifm.com/blog/2024/10/1/whats-new-at-the-cross-reference-library-something-pretty-awesome

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? What Story Are You Writing?

The Novelist - What happens when a writer’s story begins to change the story of her life? To the world she’s Jordan Casey, creator of the wildly popular series of novels featuring international spy Rex Tower. To her family she’s Jordan Casey Kerrigan, a loving wife and mom with an almost empty nest, and an unexpectedly successful midlife career. To the diverse class of community college students she’s agreed to take on for a fiction-writing course, she’s a complex teacher determined to prove that with a plan and some dedication, any one of them can do what she does. To show what she means—and to respond to a challenge from an egotistical student—she decides to actually write a novel for the class. But not a Rex Tower novel. Not a spy blockbuster. Something more personal, something closer to home. Something that touches on her faith and might even speak to her deeply troubled younger son, Zack. But something strange is happening in the midst of it all. As she struggles to keep the novel on track, Jordan starts to realize it holds a deeper mystery than she could ever plot. And she and Zack are part of it. The stirring outcome is something the novelist could never anticipate…or dare to dream. And the truth is stranger than any fiction. 

Paperback Writer - Paul James Watson is the writer of mid-list paperback novels. His humdrum life is flat, routine, and generally unimpressive, and his spiritual life follows suit. But Watson’s escape is his craft. He becomes absorbed in his novels and his character, Toby McKenna, a highly successful detective who always solves the crime, heroically putting his life on the line for justice. But there is another Paul James Watson. He is the Watson of his imagination, who is living a life in his mind of new and exciting situations, conversations, and relationships. It is not long before the lines of reality, fiction, and imagination become so entwined that the real Watson threatens to become lost.

My Thoughts -  For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by those who write for a living. Especially those who write novels. Their attention to detail when it comes to characters, plot, and world-building is quite spectacular in my opinion. When these two books were donated, I thought it was funny just how similar they were. They each step into the shoes of authors who write about spies/detectives for a living, and they have reached a point in their career where they feel hollow and the passion is slipping away. But what really caused me to want to share these novels here, were the taglines on the back of each book. For The Novelist it says, “What happens when a writer’s story begins to change the story of her life?” And with Paperback Writer we get, “Paul James Watson is a paperback writer. But is he writing fiction or living it?” They seem to let us know that, “you’re about to, as the reader, discover what it feels like to be the author.” And what’s even more awesome is how that author, the main character of the novel you’re reading, gets their chance to experience a full character arc. Written by Stephen Bly and Angela Hunt, those character arcs have allegory in their veins. With the intention to show their readers a loving God. But also to show that the Author of our lives has our story written and has a perfect plan for our lives. There is a song by Katy Nicole that goes like this: “God is in this story. God is in the details. Even in the broken parts, He holds my heart.” So come on into the Cross Reference Library and check out these novels and discover their incredible messages.

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? Who do you put your trust in?

Emotional Confidence - Tired of up-and-down emotions stealing your peace, sabotaging your relationships, and filling your mind with self-defeating thoughts? What if you had a scientific and biblical emotional management tool to help you work through your feelings with both compassion and clarity? In Emotional Confidence, certified Christian life coach and award-winning podcast host Alicia Michelle shares her proven three-step method to:

• Process emotional overwhelm, overthinking, and avoidance

• Acknowledge feelings without judgement

• Filter emotions through God’s clarifying lens of truth

• Courageously choose scriptural responses

With helpful exercises, client stories, scientific evidence, and heartfelt honesty, this book overflows with practical ways to partner with God to manage your emotions for better relationships, less anxiety, and a more confident you. 

Messages of God’s Abundance - At the height of Nazi power, amid the horrors of a concentration camp, the seeds of faith and forgiveness grew to fruition in the heart of a young Dutch woman named Corrie ten Boom. Outlasting  Ravensbruck and Hitler’s regime, Ms. ten Boom went on to accomplish what brute power never could: conquer hearts across the world with healing words of hope, forgiveness, and trust in God. Broadcast across Europe using the very radio equipment the Nazis had built to spread propaganda, the inspirational messages of Corrie ten Boom appear here in print. These writings reflect the broad experiences of a woman who preached the gospel around the world, yet who found her greatest adventure exploring the endless riches of God’s Word.

What's in the Cross Reference Library? Melody Carlson Christmas Books!

A Simple Christmas Wish - Rachel Milligan never imagined that she and her seven-year-old niece would spend the week before Christmas on a quaint Amish farm in Ohio. But with so many unexpected occurrences of late, perhaps she shouldn’t have been surprised. With her young niece Holly in tow, Rachel anxiously makes her way from Chicago to Ohio’s Amish country. As love begins to blossom, family secrets emerge, and old wounds are healed, Rachel realizes that she will do whatever it takes to ensure that Holly has the loving family she needs. Join bestselling author Melody Carlson on an emotional journey into the heart of what family truly means at Christmastime. 

The Christmas Swap - All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can’t find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there’s someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade. West Prescott is an in-demand song-writer and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade  for Christmas, he never imagined one of the houseguests would be so sweet—or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and to get better acquainted, he poses as the caretaker of his own house. But when Emma’s friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things get…messy. 

I love Christmas! The lights, the decorations, the delicious cookies, hot chocolate, and especially the contagious happiness and cheer in everyone’s hearts. What causes that cheer and happiness? Well, at this time of year, the answer to that question could be one of four things. Maybe for a lot of the kiddos in our lives—or even those of us who are young at heart—the joy is found in the seasonal decor and treats. 

Another reason could be that it makes us feel good to give and receive at Christmastime. Whether we are giving gifts or even giving our time to someone else this holiday season, seeing the gratitude and delight on their faces always makes it worth it. Every time. For the past three years, my mom and I have made a point of picking a name from the Angel tree at Riverstone Bank. As I go through the store, or even as I hand the clothes and toys off to where they need to go, I get this wonderful feeling of hope and excitement for the child I picked from the tree. And when I’m with my family on Christmas, I get to visualize what that little girl or boy thought of their gift. Especially now, I’m grateful that my Heavenly Father has given me and my family the opportunity to bless a few of the boys and girls whose names have been placed upon the Angel tree. 

The third reason to consider has a little bit to do with these two books: A Simple Christmas Wish and The Christmas Swap. All over the world, great merriment is found when a family is brought together to look at lights, eat the cookies, and as I said before, giving and receiving special gifts! But unfortunately, there’s also a big percentage of people who have lost a loved one, and the holiday season will never be the same due to their absence. In the first chapter of A Simple Christmas Wish, we are introduced to Rachel as she is taking care of her niece Holly during the Christmas season. After a fun night of decorating together, Rachel gets a horrifying call that inevitably changes her life—and Holly’s—forever. After taking up guardianship of Holly, Rachel doesn’t exactly know where to turn. So after a trip to Ohio’s Amish country—and a few ups and downs to call for—Rachel and Holly were able to gain a new family while grieving the family they had lost. Now, with our other Christmas novel, The Christmas Swap, our main character technically hasn’t lost anyone, but after her past experiences with the Christmas holiday, spending it alone just feels like the better option. Emma’s parents left the states to start a missions school in Africa before she graduated from college, and she’d been spending Christmas with her best friend’s rich family ever since. As you can imagine, and as these books usually go, by the end of this novel Emma realizes how fortunate she was that she didn’t stay home that Christmas and got to meet West. 

To conclude, I realized something kinda cool. I was directed recently to Hebrews 4:14-16 and verse 15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” So then I started to wonder, “If Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses, does He sympathize with the joy we feel during the Christmas season?” I bet the answer would be, “Yes,” and here’s how:

Joy in the Food and Lights

I’m not sure if Jesus ever got to taste anything similar to hot chocolate and sugar cookies, as we know them today, but the star that lit up the sky around the time of His birth was so much more spectacular than any of the lawn decorations we see today. 

Joy in the Gifts Received and Given

On His birthday (our Christmas), Jesus received gold, frankincense, and myrrh as a gift. But as the Messiah, He gave the greatest gift of all! Jesus gave His life for us and now we can continue to grow in a relationship with Him during the Christmas season, and on every other day of the year. 

Joy in the Time Spent With Others

Every year on His birthday, Jesus got to spend time with His earthly family: his parents Mary and Joseph, his other relatives like Elizabeth, Zechariah and John. And even on the night of Jesus’ birth, and the many years that followed: the shepherds spent Christmas/His birthday with Him and his family, and about a year later the wise men attended as well. So Jesus does know what it’s like to spend the holiday surrounded by those who love Him. But for those of you out there who have lost a loved one and you aren’t sure how you’re going to make it through the holiday without your friend, sister, or maybe even a father, I want to say a couple things. The first is that you are not alone. While your earthly friend or family member is gone, your heavenly Father will never leave you or forsake you. Especially this Christmas season! I bet it makes Him even more excited that He gets to celebrate His Son’s birthday and grace every single one of us with His presents every Christmas. And the second thing is that I recommend the song, The Sweetest Gift by Craig Aven. The chorus goes like this:

It gives me hope and joy as I remember where you are

You’re with the Son of God

You’re with the Prince of Peace

You’re with the one who’s celebrating

And that thought amazes me

Sometimes I still break down

Grieving that we’re apart

But the sweetest gift is knowing where you are

You’re with the Son of God

Oh, and before I forget, do you remember how I said at the beginning that the reason for joy at Christmas could be one of four things? Well, my hope for each and every person who reads this post, is that their reason for Christmas cheer this season is, of course, Jesus! Place the reminder of His birth and of his gift on your heart this holiday. And stop on by the Cross Reference Library and check out these heart-warming Christmas novels. 

—Merry Christmas!

What’s New in the Cross Reference Library? Christmas Books!

The Shepherd’s Cross - Christmas Eve is the wrong time to be laid off, especially for twenty-seven-year-old Chipper Gaines, with a wife, two kids, and another on the way. A return to the bottle, a crutch in hard times since his homecoming from World War II six years ago, seems Chipper's only recourse. But three mysterious encounters that night before Christmas begin Chipper on a journey to healing for himself and his family.

Heartwarming Christmas Stories - In Heartwarming Christmas Stories, twelve short stories capture the very essence of the Christmas season—love, wonder, family, faith, and sacrifice. Each memorable tale is thoughtfully illustrated with an original line drawing that beautifully portrays the heart of the story. These moving stories are penned by some of today’s most beloved Christian fiction authors. Authors such as Angela Hunt, Jack Cavanaugh, and Robin Jones Gunn. 

My Thoughts: When these two books were donated just about a month ago, I was excited in two different ways. First of all, the covers are absolutely gorgeous. The gold trim on the Heartwarming Christmas Stories cover took my breath away when I first saw it. But I also loved how these books reminded me of the Christmas movies I grew up watching with my mom. Films such as: It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Christmas Oranges, and even Charlie Brown Christmas. What makes those movies, and these new books such good Christmas stories, is the heart and messages infused within each one. There is a certain comfort I find in those kinds of Christmas stories. A kind of comfort I will never find in watching films like Home Alone, Elf, or The Grinch for that matter. Like that of the first Christmas story, of the night Jesus was born, there should be hope and love. And that’s what can be found in these new Christmas books. So, merry Christmas from The Cross Reference Library and have a happy new year!

The 12 Books of Christmas - Peace On Earth

The Sound of Sleigh Bells - Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store and serves as a contact between Amish craftsmen and Englischer retailers. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart every day, and she still wears dark dresses to indicate her mourning of her fiance. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow in an Englischer store, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds, and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work. Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after meeting Jonah, the artist, she is determined that Beth come to know this man whose hands create healing art. But it’s not that simple—Beth has cut herself off from any possibility of romance. Will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth new hope and a second chance at real love—or just more heartbreak?

Christ in the Carols -  “This Christmas will be different.” Every year you tell yourself that. Every December you promise that you’re going to make time for wonder. For pondering the Story of stories. But somehow the crush of holiday activities often leaves us feeling like lonely observers instead of participants in the true meaning of Jesus’ birth. So come closer to Christmas. To Christ. Let this devotional be your guide as it leads you through thirty-one readings guaranteed to leave you awestruck at Jesus, our Emmanuel. Discover little-known stories and meaningful insights about your best-loved carols. And experience the warmth of the songs of the season. This Christmas season really can be different. Let Christopher and Melodie Lane take you on a journey toward the Jesus of Bethlehem. We promise you’ll love every minute you invest in discovering Christ in the Carols.  

Cosmic Christmas - We know the Christmas characters well: the singing angels, the simple teenage girl, the surprised carpenter… We know the Christmas story so well: journey to Bethlehem, no room, stable, shepherds, star, hosts of angels, wise men… But do we know all the characters? Do we know the whole story? What about the hidden happenings that might have led to the Savior’s birth? Was the arrival of Jesus a quietly profound event? Or could it have been the result of heavenly battles, angel armies, and a scheming Satan? Envision a confrontation in heaven between the King of creation and the rebellious Satan. Threats, challenges, a gauntlet laid on the floor of the sky. And then the passage from heaven to earth — “There was a war in heaven” the Bible states (Revelation 12:7). Angels battling Satan’s armies as they transport the essence of heaven itself. Come along as author Max Lucado takes us on a journey into his imagination — pulling back the curtain as we see what might have taken place one “Cosmic Christmas”

The Purpose of Christmas -  Why is Christmas such a big deal? If you stop to think about it, it is astounding that the simple, unassuming birth of a peasant baby boy more than two thousand years ago in the Middle East can today cause traffic jams every December in places like New York City, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro. The night Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a small group of poor shepherds were quietly tending their flocks of sheep in a nearby field, looking up at the stars. Nothing seemed any different from a thousand other nights. But what was about to happen would transform not only their lives but billions of other lives as well. The world would never be the same again. Regardless of your background, religion, problems, or circumstances, Christmas really is the best news you could get. In his powerful yet compassionate voice, Rick Warren explains how God designed Christmas to meet your three deepest needs and how understanding and receiving God’s three Christmas gifts to you will transform your life forever. An instant classic, this book is one to be read every Christmas season and then passed on to friends, family members, and loved ones. 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” The famous praise that the shepherds heard the angels proclaim the night of Jesus’ birth, is brought back every Christmas season. Either through home decor or holiday cards, we are presented with the hope of “Peace on Earth.” And in the holiday books that I chose for this week, the characters and authors are all either: hoping for peace, finding peace, fighting for peace, and also proclaiming peace. In The Sound of Sleigh Bells, we find Beth weighed down by grief with the recent loss of her beloved husband. Her Aunt Lizzy longs to help her find peace in this hard time but through this story, that proves to be quite difficult. While Beth’s peace in life is everyone’s hope, authors Christopher and Melodie Lane help us find Christ in the Carols. This holiday devotional gives us a brief history of the carols and also what we can take from their messages. For example, even though it wasn’t technically wasn’t a Silent Night, author Joseph Mohr captures a moment of peace, a holy hush that surely settled over Bethlehem as all of heaven viewed His birth. And speaking of heaven’s view of things, Max Lucado’s Cosmic Christmas gives us an interesting view of Christ’s coming through the eyes of the angels. God asks Gabriel to deliver a couple important things to earth, a message to the virgin Mary and God’s ultimate gift. But the journey from heaven to earth was not going to be easy. The angels knew that the devil would do anything to prevent God’s gift from making it to earth. This battle for everlasting peace put in this perspective reminds me of the song, The Champion by Carman. The Champion represents the fight between Jesus and Satan during the time of the crucifixion. In a very powerful way, this song describes the excruciating pain Jesus underwent in this gruesome battle between good and evil. The song ends with Jesus’ victory and peace on earth finally gained. After all, that is why He is the Prince of Peace, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6-7. So come on down to the Cross Reference Library and discover some of these amazing holiday reads.

What’s in the Cross Reference Library? New Christmas Books!

The Promise and the Light - It was a time of defeat, of disappointment, of darkness. But one day…one day, the ancient promise said, there would be light. A young carpenter, a teenage girl and an elderly priest find themselves in the middle of one of the greatest adventures in history. They will encounter soldiers and rebels, angry relatives and mysterious visitors. Donkeys will escape, doors will be slammed, and friends will be lost and made. And they will see the light begin to dawn. The promise is coming true. But no one ever thought it would happen quite like this. 

This Christmas Night - Christmas is the most thrilling season of the year. As we look back over the years, memories of many Christmases flood our minds. Christmas cards that we read and reread, the smell of pine drifting through the house, the fireplace crackling—all of these things turn our thoughts to those we love. Most of all, Christmas is when our minds go back to that lowly manger in Bethlehem, and we hear beyond the noise of our materialistic world the soft flutter of angels’ wings. We see the tenderness of a mother with her first-born Son…we feel the softness of a Baby. Amid the glitter and busyness of the season, Billy & Ruth Graham hope that you will experience anew the miracle and meaning of that Christmas night.  

Christmas Quotes From Billy Graham - “Don’t leave Jesus in the manger; don’t remember Him only at Christmas. Instead, learn to walk with Him every day, as you pray and read His Word and ask Him to help you.”

“Mary and Joseph were just as familiar with the facts of life as we are. But they also realized something was happening that had never happened before: God alone would be the child’s father. In other words, this child would be absolutely unique—not only because He would be born of a virgin, but because He would be both fully man and fully God. God was coming to live among us!”

“As this Christmas approaches, I pray you will look at Jesus—as He is revealed in the pages of the New Testament—with an open heart and mind. When you do, you’ll discover not only that God is real, but that He loves you and wants to transform your life.”

“On that first Christmas over 2,000 years ago, God did something that we can barely grasp: He became a man. Think of it: The God who created the universe stooped down from Heaven and became a human being!”

The 12 Books of Christmas! Love is in the Air!

The Bridge - Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, but she left her heart back in Tennessee with a man she walked away from five years ago. They had a rare sort of love she hasn’t found since. Ryan Kelly lives in Nashville after a broken engagement and several years on the road touring with a country music duo. He can still hear Molly’s voice encouraging him to follow his dreams; Molly, whose memory stays with him. At least he can visit The Bridge—the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin—and remember the hours he and Molly once spent there. For thirty year, Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge, providing the people of middle Tennessee with coffee, conversation, and shelves of good books—even through dismal book sales and the rise of digital books. Then in May, the hundred-year flood swept through Franklin and destroyed nearly every book in the store. Now the bank is pulling the lease on The Bridge. Despondent and without answers, Charlie considers the unthinkable. Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly, everything changes. In the face of desperate brokenness and lost opportunities, could the miracle of a second chance actually unfold?

Celebrate His Love - “Keep Christ in Your Christmas.” “Jesus Is The Reason for the Season.” “Happy Birthday, Jesus!” The buttons and bumper stickers make it seem like Christians, of all people, should know and experience what “Christmas is all about” — but it doesn’t always seem to work that way. Sometimes those inside the church are as much at a loss to put their finger on the essential “spirit of Christmas” as are those for whom Christmas is nothing more than credit cards, tinsel, and a long weekend off work. In this study, Dr. David Jeremiah helps us return to the basic essentials of the greatest event in human history: the incarnation of the eternal Son of God as a Baby in Bethlehem. Why then? Why there? And why does the world still celebrate it today? Travel with Dr. Jeremiah to one of the most humble, insignificant towns in ancient Israel to observe and understand the Christmas story like you never have before. Search the Old Testament prophets for their insights into this world-changing event, hundreds of years before it happened. Marvel at the miracle of God in human flesh, and learn the truths that can change your life right now because God chose to redeem mankind in this unique and beautiful way.  

The Christmas Lamp - Roni Elliot loves Christmas in Nativity, Missouri. A lifelong resident, she cherishes every traditional decoration and activity—from the precariously placed town Christmas tree, to the church’s elaborate cantata, to ice-skating at the local rink. To her, these customs are Christmas. The town’s traditions, and the tourists they attract, also pull in half the city’s annual revenue. And it’s all threatened when the new highway bypasses Nativity—diverting much-needed traffic and sending the townspeople into a spirit-crushing panic. Jake Brisco, an outside financial consultant, has been hired to get Nativity back on its feet. Jake comes across as a Scrooge whose only concern seems to be slashing budgets and dashing holiday joy. And sparks fly as Roni’s beloved traditions fall prey to “fiscal responsibility.” Will the spirit of Christmas survive the realities of small-town finance? Or can Jake and Roni negotiate a compromise that saves the day?

The Miracle of Christmas -  John MacArthur’s Miracle of Christmas goes to the heart of what Christmas is really about: “The birth of Jesus —Immanuel, God with us, the promised Messiah—who came to save His people from their sins.” “It may be the biggest and most popular of all our holidays, but Christmas is in jeopardy just the same. A subtle but sure erosion is eating away the season’s true significance.” MacArthur offers this book “as an antidote to two prevailing philosophies that are stealing Christmas”

• An effort to mythologize the Christmas story

• And a tendency to secularize it

With reverence and a contagious sense of wonder, John MacArthur details every biblical fact known about the birth of Jesus, stressing that “Christmas should be a time of real joy and gladness, as opposed to the manufactured sentiment and wild revelry that characterize the way the world observes Christmas.” The simple fact is: That baby in the manger is God. That’s the heart and soul of the Christmas message.”

For lots of people across the country, sitting down for a Christmas movie marathon is a tradition that has become gradually more popular over the past several years. Hallmark Christmas movies are no exception, giving us a fair amount of Christmas spirit and romance. And when I first read the descriptions for The Bridge and The Christmas Lamp, the plots each reminded me of a few Hallmark films I have seen. The main character leaves home for a while, on a journey to find themselves or the job of their dreams, coming back months or years later, at Christmas time. They then find that their hometown hadn’t changed in that time and neither had their first love. In the end, they discover that they didn’t even need to leave home in the first place, and that everything they needed was right in front of them the whole time. Unfortunately, that describes what happens to believers who are led astray for a while. They grow up in a life of faith, family and love, keeping God at the center of their lives. Then out of the blue, something life changing happens (or a distraction orchestrated by the devil occurs). They leave home, believing they are alone and confused. But weeks, months, or even years later they are brought back home, and discover that after all this time, God never left His home in our hearts either. The fact that He will never leave us or forsake us, is better than any Hallmark romance. And that love is exactly what we are celebrating this Christmas season. In Celebrate His Love and The Miracle of Christmas authors Jeremiah and MacArthur express the importance of Jesus’s birth in this magical time of year. Both authors noticed that the purpose of this holiday has been twisted and changed. Children all over the world believe that Santa travels in a sleigh full of gifts drawn by eight reindeer. But the gift they should be looking for isn’t under the tree. The gift they must discover is in the center of the Nativity. The gift God presented to us in His Son Jesus. So come on down to the Cross Reference Library if you want to check out any of these festive books. 

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

–Luke 2:11-12

What’s in the Cross Reference Library? Our Nativity series!

Why the Nativity? - Every year, millions of people around the world celebrate Christmas. But what does it all mean?

• Why did God choose a young virgin named Mary and a simple carpenter named Joseph to bring his only Son into the world? 

• Why was the Son of God born in a lowly manger in a small town called Bethlehem?

• Who was this infant named Jesus that the prophecies foretold would save the world from sin and suffering? 

• And what does the nativity story mean for us today?

Drawing from both the Old and New Testaments, noted pastor and theologian David Jeremiah provides answers to 25 of the most thought-provoking questions surrounding the most pivotal moment in human history—the birth of Jesus Christ. 

The Nativity Story - In The Nativity Story, developed from the screenplay by Mike Rich, Angela Hunt fleshes out the characters and histories of the people who lived through the miracles and mysteries surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. This well-researched story is based on the scriptural account. Journey back through time as you relive what they experienced and celebrate the wonder of Immanuel, God with us. 

Why the Nativity? Study Guide - Often in life, we can’t make sense of the events that go on around us. We wonder why certain things happen and simply must trust in God’s sovereignty and authority over all things. But the events and details that lead to the birth of Jesus are so clear and logical that they cannot be speculated to be by mere chance. With God, there are no coincidences. His plans are perfect and before all time He set in motion the people and events that lead to Christ’s birth. In, Why the Nativity? we will discover how the most minute details of His coming were foretold in Old Testament prophecies. We will see that from the Davidic lineage of Jesus and His Virgin birth, to the worship by angelic hosts, common shepherds and wise men, that God was pointing us to the birth of the Messiah. Join Dr. Jeremiah now as we explore this intricate and beautiful story of just how and why God sent Jesus to be born as a child. You will come away seeing that it was for the redemption of man and for the submission of sin, and that it was all for the glory of God. 

Note: The, Why the Nativity? Docudrama can be found on the homepage of the KCMI website if you’d like to watch that along with these amazing books.

The 12 Books of Christmas - Joy to the World!

One Imperfect Christmas - Christmas is the season of miracles, but when blame and guilt keep two people apart, sometimes a miracle needs a helping hand. Natalie Pearce loves Christmas so much she’d gladly make it a year-round celebration—until her mother suffers a massive stroke while taking down the decorations. Natalie’s guilt over not being there to help her mom soon builds a wall that separates her from the rest of her family, including her husband Daniel and their teenage daughter. As the next December approaches, the last thing Natalie wants to be reminded of is another Christmas season. Will her family’s tenacious love and an unexpected Christmas gift from her mother help Natalie mend the broken pieces of their lives?

Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas - Behind the Christmas songs we love to sing, lie fascinating stories that will enrich your holiday celebration. Taking you inside the nativity of over thirty favorite songs and carols, Ace Collins introduces you to people you’ve never met, stories you’ve never heard, and meanings you’d never have imagined. The next time you and your family sing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” you’ll have a new understanding of its message and popular roots. You’ll discover how “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” with its sublime lyrics and profound theology, helped usher in a quiet revolution in worship. You’ll learn the strange history of the haunting and powerful “ O Holy Night,” including the song’s surprising place in the history of modern communications. And you’ll step inside the life of Mark Lowry and find out how he came to pen the words to the contemporary classic “Mary, Did You Know?” Still other songs such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” trace back to mysterious origins—to ninth-century monks, nameless clergy, and unknown commoners of ages past. Joining hands with such modern favorites as “White Christmas” and “The Christmas Song,” they are part of the legacy of inspiration, faith, tears, love, and spiritual joy that is Christmas. From the rollicking appeal of “Jingle Bells” to the tranquil beauty of “Silent Night,” the great songs of Christmas contain messages of peace, hope, and truth. Each in its own way expresses a facet of God’s heart and celebrates the birth of his greatest gift to the world—Jesus, the most wonderful Christmas Song of all.

A Dog Named Christmas - When Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man still living on his parents’ Kansas farm, hears that a local animal shelter is seeking temporary homes for its dogs during the days leading to Christmas, he knows exactly what he wants for the holidays. His father objects, but Todd’s persistence quickly wins out. Soon the McCray’s are the short-term foster family for a lovable pooch the young man names Christmas. But what about all the other dogs who will be forced to spend the Yuletide season in cages? In the days that follow, Todd uses his special gifts of persuasion to encourage his hometown to participate in the “Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program.” What follows from his small act of kindness will teach his family, and his community, about peace on earth and good will toward men—and animals. 

A Better December - Combining true stories with pen-and-ink illustrations, this book uncovers our December longings. In bite-sized chapters of Solomon’s advice to frazzled, lonely people at Christmas, Steve Estes presents the ancient sage as penning his own blockbuster Proverbs to help future readers through the year’s shortest days and longest nights. Meant to be shared with all who wish for a better December, it points the way to real comfort and a true home.

As we are winding down to the last four books of Christmas, I would really like to talk about joy. Over these last couple weeks I have talked about how God's promised peace and His love everlasting are very important concepts when thinking about the Christmas story. So when I was deciding on what books to read through this week, joy seemed to be a common Christmas concept in these four books in particular. I guess I probably assumed that due to the key words in the titles: Perfect, Best-loved songs, Dog, and Better. I don’t know about you, but the idea of any of those words in my life usually brings me a whole ton of joy. Little did I know that the people in these books had to go through a long journey of hardship before reaching their point of joy. At the beginning of One Imperfect Christmas the joy that the characters feel goes away faster than the pain. But just like in most stories the character must discover for themselves how to find their joy again(even if it takes 100 pages to get there!). The next book that heightened my Christmas spirit was, Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas. What I found inside were not the back-stories I was expecting from these classic carols. Many of them were either written during a time of war, sadness, or even a time of great understanding in the writers’ lives. I think my favorite book out of all four of these would have to be A Dog Named Christmas. Not just because there is a dog involved, but also because the story itself is really good. So come on down to Cross Reference and check out some of these joy-filled books. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season and even more well wishes for the new year!!!