A Christmas Treasury

After finishing, “A Christmas Star” last season, I thought that beyond a bit of editorial brushing up, it would be the last Christmas devotional that I would write. However; around June,  God began stirring my heart to put pen to paper once again, While at first I inwardly groaned, knowing how much work lay ahead, I nevertheless prayerfully began writing and day by day, page by page, A new book began taking shape.

A Christmas Treasury begins with a week of looking at how our Christmas carols have sung to us the stories of the birth of Jesus over the centuries and from around the world. Week two dives into the Gospel of John. We rarely expect to find stories about the birth of Jesus there yet hidden between its lines lie treasures just waiting to be discovered. Week three follows the journeys of the wise men, the shepherds, and Mary and Joseph as well as Jesus; the one who had come the farthest of all! Finally, in week four I walk with you down memory lane, sharing some of our family’s personal Christmas memories. Now of course, as always, you will find a space at the end of this year’s devotional, to use as a journal for recording your own treasured memories, lessons or Bible stories. Taking just a few minutes to write your stories down will give others the chance to laugh, cry and remember the Christ treasures that God has given you. But the beauty of Christmas, is about more than a cultural extravaganza or even lovely memories of time with our families. It is the timeless story of God’s amazing love to the world. Though it is more ancient than time itself and deeper that the farthest regions of the universe, God packaged his gift in swaddling clothes, so even the simplest of hearts could receive it!

To Simplest Hearts

God has chosen us to Know
His mystery Of long ago
When He was born
Where shepherds bow
And cattle fed
And roosters crowed
To simplest hearts
His glory Show

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;” Matthew 11:25 ESV

To Simplest Hearts by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved

I am deeply grateful for my wife, Nancy, who has shared over fifty treasured Christmases with me and who has tirelessly helped to edit this book. On Amazon, you will find editions available in both Large and regular print, as well as eBook, for those who prefer to read via a tablet. Here is the link to the Large print and eBook editions.

Christmas Already?

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10 ESV

Okay I know it is at least a month early, but I am posting this now in order to offer a resource that you might consider for friends or family who need a large print devotional. Though the big-tech companies seem bent on converting us all to on-line reading, there is much to be said for actual books we can hold in our hands and make our own by scribbling in the margins. Each Christmas and Easter for the last several years I have put together a devotional in a large print version for the people I visit in various kinds of long term care. Even some of my friends in our small prayer group seem to prefer this for themselves when we purchase a number to be given away at the four communities which I visit. This year the collection is a 30 day reader titled, “Finding Jesus This Christmas” – because with all the confusion filling our world, we wonder, “Where is Jesus in the middle of this mess?We may wonder where the wise men came from or why shepherds seemed to be the only people who could hear the angel choir. Though Christmas is filled with questions, we still sense a mysterious truth who is wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This Christmas is a day to pause and remember that no matter our situation or how crazy our world has become – God still remembers us!

You can follow the link below for the large print version or search by title and author of Amazon for the e-book and standard size print versions.

Christmas in Large Print

I am so glad to be able to offer this 30 day Advent reader in large print for 2018. With my own eyesight a bit sketchy over the last few years I jumped at the chance to be able to render this devotional book book in an easy to read format.

“O tidings of comfort and joy” goes the end of the chorus of the 18th century English carol. Hearing the strains of that melody stirs in many of us the picture of shepherds surrounding Bethlehem’s manger with wise men just over the horizon bearing gold, frankincense and myrrh. While all of these images are true to the lyrics and the season, our own journey on this telling will begin in Nazareth. These glad tidings given came to Mary, then Joseph, the shepherds, wise men and now for anyone who will be willing to listen. But hearing is only the first wonderful step that allows the comfort and joy from Our Father’s heart to become our own through Christmas and forever!

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30 Days of Comfort and Joy