Christmas – Christianbook.com Blog

16 Inspiring Quotes for Advent Season

Christianbook.com — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 06:07:33 +0000

Advent is here!

To celebrate, we’ve compiled 16 Advent quotes to help you center your heart and mind on Jesus this holiday season. As you make room for Jesus in your life, rest assured – he has already prepared a place for you.

“The word advent means “expectation.” What advent can do for us is create a sense of hope.”

– Louie Giglio

“The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord.”

– Henri Nouwen

“It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope.”

– Pope Benedict XVI

“A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes – and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent”

– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God is in the Manger

“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern.”

– Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season

“During Advent, we occupy our greatest longings.”

– Ruth Haley Barton

“Optimism and hope are radically different attitudes. Optimism is the expectation that things—the weather, human relationship, the economy, the political situation, and so on—will get better. Hope is trust that God will fulfill God’s promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom. The optimist speaks about concrete changes in the future. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands.”

– Henri Nouwen

“Look up, you whose gaze is fixed on this earth, who are spellbound by the little events and changes on the face of the earth. Look up to these words, you who have turned away from heaven disappointed. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy with tears and who are heavy and who are crying over the fact that the earth has gracelessly torn us away. Look up, you who, burdened with guilt, cannot lift your eyes. Look up, your redemption is drawing near. something different from what you see daily will happen. Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something quite new will break over you: God will come.”

– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger

“One who has hope lives differently.”

– Pope Benedict XVI

“I want a Christmas that whispers ‘Jesus’.”

– Ann Voskamp

“You could more easily catch a hurricane in a shrimp net that you can understand the wild, relentless, passionate, uncompromising, pursuing love of God made present in the manger.”

– Brennan Manning

“Into this world, this demented inn in which there is absolutely no room for him at all, Christ comes uninvited.”

– Thomas Merton

“The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before… .What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s [back] fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon.”

– Jan L. Richardson, Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas

“Advent: the time to listen for footsteps – you can’t hear footsteps when you’re running yourself.”

– Bill McKibben

“This Advent we look to the Wise Men to teach us where to focus our attention. We set our sights on things above, where God is. We draw closer to Jesus… When our Advent journey ends, and we reach the place where Jesus resides in Bethlehem, may we, like the Wise Men, fall on our knees and adore him as our true and only King.”

– Mark Zimmermann in Our Advent Journey

“Let’s approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush.”

– Anonymous

The post 16 Inspiring Quotes for Advent Season appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

Gift Ideas for Kids this Christmas

Christianbook.com — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 14:54:49 +0000

We all know Christmas isn’t just about the presents. But giving a child a gift that lights up their face and fills them with joy is something quite special! Do you know a child who loves playing board games? Spends hours with their nose in a book? Or maybe dives into all things techy? If so, we’ve some great ideas!

On this list, we’ve rounded up our top picks for children of all ages and interests. You’ll find faith-filled gifts, educational gifts and gifts that are simply fun!

If you are looking for a little more inspiration, explores our Christian Kids’ Store here!

1. The Jesus Storybook Bible

Here is a Bible like no other! Recommended for ages 4-8 years old, The Jesus Storybook Bible is designed to teach children about God’s love and build a deeper understanding of biblical stories. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, children will discover that Jesus is at the center of God’s story of salvation – and at the center of their story too! It makes an excellent gift at Christmas, when we all remember that he is the puzzle piece that makes all the other pieces in our lives fit.

2. 221B Baker Street Board Game – Sherlock Holmes Mystery

Looking for a board game that is both fun and challenging? We have just the solution! Designed for ages 14 years and older, 221B Baker Street Board Game will transport players to Victorian London where they will be tasked with picking up clues to solve 200 intriguing cases. This game can be played by 2 or more individuals or teams making it perfect for some after Christmas dinner entertainment for the whole family!

3. UNO Flip

Do your kids love UNO? Then expand their games collection with UNO Flip! Designed for ages 7 years and older, players take turns matching a card in their hand with the current card shown on top of the deck, either by color or number. In a twist to the original game, players can play the FLIP card and all the cards in the players hand, the draw pile and draw deck are flipped over to reveal an entirely new set of numbers and colors on the opposite side. Another fun-filled game for the entire family to enjoy on Christmas day!

4. Fine Motor Hedgehog

Here’s a little something for the younger children… with this toy, children are tasked with giving the hedgehog back his colorful quills. Sized perfectly for little hands, these quills will help to build their fine motor skills and counting skills making it both fun AND educational! This toy includes a 2-piece hedgehog, 12 colorful quills, and activity guide – it is recommended for ages 18 months and older.

5. Crazy Aaron’s Orangesicle Putty

If you’re on the hunt for something small to pop in a stocking, Crazy Aaron’s Orangesicle Putty will make the perfect filler. This orange cream scented putty is a great stress-reliving toy – for both children and adults alike! It also comes in a wide range of other colors and scents, click here to view them all.

6. Poke-A-Dot: Who’s in the Ocean Activity Book

For preschoolers we’d highly recommend the interactive Poke-a-Dot Who’s in the Ocean book from Melissa & Doug. Designed for ages 3 years and older, this engaging book features a simple text and is paired with adorable illustrations and fun popping dots. Children can press the 30 dots throughout the book and listen as they “POP” – kids can be encouraged to count them all as they read along with the bouncing rhymes.

7. Just In Case You Ever Wonder

This classic story from bestselling author Max Lucado has this year been re-released with all new illustrations. Written especially for children ages 3 to 7 years, Just in Case You Ever Wonder is inspiring for all ages, as it reminds readers of Jesus’ love for them. Whether you have treasured this classic book for years or are reading it for the first time with your little ones, this timeless reminder of the love between a parent and a child – and ultimately, between God the Father and us – will come to hold a special place in your heart and home.

8. Playmobil Noah’s Ark

For a toy that also doubles as a way to learn more about a biblical story, look no further than the Noah’s Ark Playset. Children will enjoy hours of entertainment with the ark – it even floats on water! Included in this playset are animals, functional crane, storeroom with hay bales and a lockable cage in the ship’s hull. Recommend for ages 4 years and up.

9. Adventures in Odyssey DVD Library

Fun, adventure, and character building lessons? Must be the Adventures in Odyssey DVDs! Children aged 8-12 years will love traveling with the Odyssey gang on all their encounters with mystery, intrigue and excitement around the world and throughout history. Each DVD also includes an underlying lesson designed to help bring them closer to the Lord. Included in this DVD Library set are 17 DVDs encased in a colorful canvas storage bag – just perfect for gifting!

10. Squirreled Away

Is your child a fan of VeggieTales? Then Squirreled Away is the book for them! Created by Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales, The Dead Sea Squirrels series is humorous, fun, and filled with character-building lessons. Squirreled Away, the first installment in the series, introduces readers to 10-year-old Michael and his friend Justin who sneak into the Dead Sea caves near the archaeological dig where Michael’s dad is working. Michael finds two 2,000-year-old squirrels petrified in sea salt. Hijinks ensue as Michael tries to bring them back to the U.S. hidden in his backpack. What Michael thinks are just cool souvenirs may turn out to be something much more! A fun read that is sure to delight children aged 6-10.

11. Artie 3000

Have a child who is interested in coding? Artie 3000 is the robot they need! Designed for ages 7 years and older, this WIFI-enabled drawing robot will encourage children to code in order to create visual masterpieces with Artie 3000. It features 4 modes of play including – pre-programmed shapes, games, art for coloring, and freeform coding.

For more Christmas gift ideas for children, click here!

The post Gift Ideas for Kids this Christmas appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gift Ideas

Christianbook.com — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 22:40:44 +0000

It’s that time of year again… it’s Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week! If you are planning to support the cause this year, we’ve rounded up some handy Shoebox gift suggestions for all age brackets. There are fun gifts, educational gifts, gifts of faith and so much more to help you support this wonderful cause.

Want to shop any of the gifts shown below? Just click the product name to navigate to our website. Looking for more gift ideas? Or maybe you need to buy shoeboxes? Follow this link to our Operation Christmas Child store!

Christmas – Christianbook.com Blog

16 Inspiring Quotes for Advent Season

Gift Ideas for Kids this Christmas

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gift Ideas

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gift Ideas: Shop by Age