Festivals Books

Christmas Meditations on the Twelve Holy Days
December 26 - January 6
by Merry C. Battles


In this book the author brings us channeled material on these special days of the Christmas season. She explains how she sat down with a lit candle, the intent to share love and enlightened messages with the world and then the words would just effortlessly flow. After reading this precious book, I can understand a lot more about the need to be quiet and listen to our still small voice inside.

The book is broken up into 12 sections given to the 12 days after the celebration of Christmas, but as the author points out can be also used during the months of the zodiac, because each month, as each day has it's own focus, and it's own spiritual message. In one of her many prose, Merry tells us each ray of sunlight shows us the rainbow a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. Love shines on every page through a compilation of words, and wonderful illustrations and I was left feeling so close to God. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels the spirit of Christmas lives on and on in every day and every way. Thanks Merry.

Riki Frahmann

As an in-depth instructional dedication to proper meditations of the the twelve holy Days, Christmas Meditations On The Twelve Holy Days by Merry C Battles guides the reader through the time most important for the spiritualist to be in-tune with their body, mind and being. Christmas Meditations On The Twelve Holy Days informatively explores the intricacies of the season in which Earth travels through each sign of the Zodiac, and the best and most effective adaptation to utilize this limited time. Christmas Meditations On The Twelve Holy Days is highly recommended to all devout spiritual enthusiast, both Christian and otherwise, particular though, to the astrologically inclined.

I got this book from the library for my 3 year old. I wanted her to know why we celebrate Christmas...the REAL reason and not just Santa. It was simply written from the books of Matthew and Luke. The pictures are adorable and held her attention. (...)

This book is so fun to use during the Christmas season and to have children act out the nativity scene. They really learn a lot and understand the story of Jesus and the real importance of Christmas better! I love it!

It shows that families can't be apart and the pictures are pretty. the book is also based on a true story.

"Another pup is in the Christmas spotlight with this touching chapter book. Sprinkled with supple water colors ...this gifty looking volume gently tugs the heartstrings."

Note from the author: I couldn't access the author's review page so I am using this venue to ask you to please include this excerpt of a starred review from Publisher's Weekly (Children's Holiday Books, Oct. 1999.) If you have room, you may want to include the entire review: "Another pup is in the Christmas spotlight with this touching chapter book wherein boy meets dog, boy loses dog, boy gives dog away. Zach and his family adopt Tina, a rascally puppy whom they grow to love dearly, and they're heartbroken when she disappears. She's eventually discovered in the company of a homeless man, and Zach makes the ultimate sacrifice when he decides that the stranger needs a friend even more than he does. Sprinkled with supple watercolors and trimmed with thin red borders on each page, this gifty-looking volume gently tugs the heartstrings."

Thank you, Roberta Grobel Intrater

This is a wonderful book for not only the people of the northern states, but anyone interested in sharing the beauty and knowledge of the wilderness in winter. Good for classroom teachers and all children.

Children love this book. It's familiar and charming. Adults will enjoy reading it to little ones...especially as a bedtime story. Also, makes a great gift! It's the kind of book that stays in one's Christmas collection to be brought out every year.

A tremendous collection of Christmas poems, quotes, songs, traditions, recipes, and stories. It has changed the way we celebrate and helped us understand better why we celebrate. I can't recommend it highly enough. If we could only choose one Christmas book to own, this would probably be it.

Christmas is almost everyone's favorite time of the year. It certainly is mine. There are so many traditions assoicated with Christmas that most of us do not know where these traditions originated. This book tells us the origin of many of these.

St. Nicholas was actually a fourth century pastor who had a great love for children. He desired to make their lives better. This is where the tradition of Santa Claus began.

The book also includes some favorite recipes and the history behind some of our Christmas carols. I found all of this information to be quite interesing.
Jeanetta Bearden Pollard author of "Mrs. Claus Shares Stories From the Heart."

Setting the Christmas story in an Amish community is a wonderful idea and it really works with Mr. Stoltzfus' illustrations. This book is a wonderful addition to any library and will be enjoyed by all.

A work of art and caligraphy combined to tell "The Greatest Story Ever Told"

...This is the first time that i make cookies. This kit comes with a booklet of instructions. It was easy to follow and the recipes taste so good!I have four childrens so we have lot of fun decorating the cookies and eating them of course!My family came to visit us on x-mas and they were excited with our cookies.So I highly recomended even if you are a amateur!Have fun and Merry Christmas.

This was a wonderful way to have lots of fun with the kids!
If your tired of all the Santa stuff, this is definately
refreshing. The kit includes a story, (laminated so dirty hands
don't hurt), all the cookie cutters for the Christmas story, and
a laminated stable. My kids loved decorating the cookies, and it
was a wonderful way to share again the wonderful story of the birth of Christ. Great gift idea as well!!

This is an interesting Christmas book for young children. The story is played against the backdrop of the Roosevelt White House (Teddy's), and an apparently true story involving the conservationist president's decision not to allow a cut tree into the White House because he want's to be a good example for Americans.

Of course TR's notoriously rebellious brood tries to outfox their dad by secretly procuring a pine tree and stashing it away, decorated, in a bedroom closet. When discovered, TR marches the boys down to speak with Gifford Pinchot, his head of the US Forestry service. Pinchot says that sometimes cutting small trees can actually be beneficial to forests as it gives room for other trees to thrive and grow.

With that OK, the live tree (although a small one in keeping with the chief of forestry's direction) is again welcome into the White House and is part of a festive christmas celebration.

This story interests my children. Besides the Christmas hook, it involes the president and the White House, concepts they are familiar with. It also teaches a conservation lesson. Good book for the 4-7 set.

This book was excellent for 4-8 year olds to personalize Christmas at their house and at the first family's house. It also introduced a real life president and how carrying out his duties affected his home life. My son saw this as his first 'history lesson' of sorts. As an extra bonus it just so happens that one of President Roosevelt's sons was named Quentin. My son will remember this fact because that's his name and my husband, his dad's name happens to be Theodore!

CHRISTMAS USA is more than just a book of facts. Although the author has broken up the United States into several parts--Northeast, Southeast, Great Lakes, Plains, Southwest, Mountain, and Pacific--this is a book perfect for children and adults alike, regardless of where in the USA you reside. Filled with such interesting facts as when Christmas trees became part of the US tradition, when Christmas was first declared a legal holiday, and which US President instituted an official tree in the White House, CHRISTMAS USA presents these facts in a fun, interesting way.

It's not just a book of facts, though. It's also filled with hands-on activities such as how to make a Christmas Journal, making your own Christmas cards, how to make cranberry or popcorn garland, easy directions for cookie Christmas tree ornaments, and creating a pomander and cascarones. It also includes some tasty, easy-to-follow recipes for aniseed cookies, nut crescents, and scripture cake, to name a few.

This is a great book to share with your children. Not only will they learn about different holiday customs and traditions around the US, but they'll be able to follow the easy instructions for the crafts and activities and, with adult supervision, might even be able to whip up some yummy holiday treats for the whole family!

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

You would think that, in the United States of America, Christmas would be celebrated the same way in each and every state, but the opposite is true. Within CHRISTMAS USA, Mary D. Lankford takes readers on a Christmas journey through the Northeast, Southeast, Great Lakes, Mountain States, Plains States, Southwest, and Pacific States, giving information on how our neighbors celebrate the holidays. To wrap things up, Lankford takes us inside the White House and the Post Office, providing readers with a sneak peek at how certain traditions were born; and giving readers ideas on different ways that they can celebrate the holidays, by incorporating some of these fun, and fairly unique traditions into your own.

But CHRISTMAS USA is not just a fact book, providing readers with information; Lankford has spiced things up a bit by including easy-to-follow instructions on making various holiday-related craft projects and recipes that will certainly assist in making your season bright. Instructions regarding making a Christmas journal, cascarones, Christmas tree decorations, and much more are present; but recipes for edible items, such as nut crescents, double peanut cookies, and aniseed cookies are easily explained.

Lankford, in association with Karen Dugan - whose illustrations truly bring CHRISTMAS USA to life - have compiled a delightful holiday addition to the literary world. The historical facts provide readers with a learning experience; while the recipes and craft projects add a sense of fun, creativity, and family-time that is difficult to ignore. A trip across the United States just in time for Christmas!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I have been looking for a book that is inspiring and maybe will help me get in the Christmas mood. This book is it. It's a perfect size gift to put in someone's stocking ~~ and it's a perfect reminder of what Christmas is really about.

This little story starts off with six-year-old David finding his father dead on Christmas day. Understandably, he would never celebrate Christmas day for a long time till he has a little brother who came along and wanted to celebrate Christmas. Not only is this a story about Christmas, it is a story about life and death. It is about friendships and love, how even when loved ones pass on, they are still within our hearts.

It is a beautiful little reminder of joy and peace ~~ and a must-read for every reader, who longs to remember what Christmas is about.

12-5-07

Death came early that christmas morning...but the book, I never quite have forgotten. I loved it the first time I read it and each time since. Although small and, yes, perfect to get stuffed in a christmas stocking, it should not be forgotten or dismissed as a sad and sappy christmas novel.
In the holiday season we are supposed to remember that great things come in small packages, which is very true with The Christmas Wish.