Happy Advent! Here’s another post about great Christmas gift books and/or wonderful reads to enhance the spirit of Christmas (our love of Jesus).

For the Guys: 

MANSFIELD’S BOOK OF MANLY MEN by Stephen Mansfield looks like a fantastic book gift for the guy who has everything and needs a great, manly book.

Genre: Christian Life / Man’s issues

Witty, compelling, and shrewd, Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men is about resurrecting your inborn, timeless, essential, masculine self.

The Western world is in a crisis of discarded honor, dubious integrity, and faux manliness. It is time to recover what we have lost. Stephen Mansfield shows us the way. Working with timeless maxims and stirring examples of manhood from ages past, Mansfield issues a trumpet call of manliness fit for our times.

“My goal in this book is simple,” he says. “I want to identify what a genuine man does–the virtues, the habits, the disciplines, the duties, the actions of true manhood–and then call men to do it.”

Chasing Christmas By Steven Hunt Description: Steeped in depression and trying to escape his past and problems, Teddy Whitaker hops aboard a freight train through the Ozark Mountains. Startled by a mysterious stranger in his boxcar, Teddy discovers in order to defeat the darkness and reclaim his life, he must learn three lessons before Christmas morning. If he succeeds he will become a new man. If he fails he will lose his life. Yet, deep in the thick woods of Missouri stalks a certain evil, an evil determined for Teddy to fail.

Why the author wrote this book: I knew I wanted to write a story on depression after having watched a loved one go through severe depression after the death of a family member. But I didn’t want to write just any story; I needed to write one that offers help for those suffering.

For the Ladies: 

A Log Cabin Christmas: 9 Historical Romances during American Pioneer Christmasses: Experience Christmas through the eyes of adventuresome settlers who relied on log cabins built from trees on their own land to see them through the cruel forces of winter. Discover how rough-hewed shelters become a home in which faith, hope, and love can flourish. Marvel in the blessings of Christmas celebrations without the trappings of modern commercialism where the true meaning of the day shines through. And treasure this collection of nine Christmas romances penned by some of Christian fiction’s best-selling authors: By Margaret Brownley, Wanda E. Brunstetter, Jane Kirkpatrick, Kelly Eileen Hake, Liz Johnson, Liz Tolsma, Michelle Ule, Debra Ullrick, Erica Vetsch

A Ruby Christmas By Jerusha Agen, Dianne E Butts, Jennifer Fromke, Marji Laine, Fay Lamb, J.A. Marx, Ruth O’Neil, Phee Paradise, Debbie Roome Description: Ruby Joy Buckner, cowgirl, has never left the Lone Star State, but at her father’s request, she takes her faithful canine companion and travels the world in search of Nativity pieces. As Ruby collects the pieces, she also collects a few unexpected surprises, including an awareness of the beauty in other cultures, and quite a menagerie of new friends, thanks in part to Yippee Ti Yi Yo who charms everyone they meet. Ruby’s budding awareness of life outside Texas opens her eyes to a world of whimsy, and the Nativity pieces she collects are unusual. Will her father approve her eclectic collection … and the changes that travel brought to Ruby’s life? Book Takeaway: Sometimes God helps us move forward by shaking us out of our comfort zone. Why the author wrote this book: Nine authors wrote this novella to celebrate the season of Christmas and to pass along a little bit of joy to our readers.

And The Kiddos:

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer   (Author)  and Chris Ellison (Illustrator)

Many parents and teachers struggle with how to approach the Saint Nicholas/Santa Claus dilemma. Many deal with this by telling children that the legends surrounding Santa Claus are based on a real, historical figure named Nicholas, a Christian bishop known for his generosity. This picture book presents a shortened, somewhat fictionalized version of the life of Saint Nicholas, explaining that Nicholas was a servant of God and that, through him, Gods love was reflected to others. The story touches on the ministry of Nicholas and his generous gift of a dowry to three young girls as a response to Gods love in Jesus. And it brings application to our own lives as we, too, respond with grateful hearts to Gods great gift of love to us. Combining museum-quality artwork and family friendly language, this book clearly articulates how God showered His love upon us through Christ and helps children see that our own gift-giving is a grateful response to the sacrificial gift of Gods Son.

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren art by David Hohn

As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder…

“Who invented Christmas?” Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that…

Jesus is the best present of all. This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.

Enjoy or give these gifts for others to enjoy for years to come! Happy Advent!