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A TRUE STORY OF REFUGEES—AND COMMUNITY
FRIENDSHIP & FAITH—If you give any books to loved ones this holiday season, please consider the 52 inspiring, real-life stories in this collection by the women of WISDOM, who came together from eight different religious traditions to celebrate community.
Yes, we’ve recommended this book before in our online magazine—but this week, we have a special December gift for you … Adey Wassink, pastor of a thriving church in Iowa, this week adds her own story about crossing religious and cultural boundaries—and discovering friendship on the other side. And, please, help us to spread this important message of inclusion, especially at this time of the year. After you’ve enjoyed Adey’s story, please share it with friends, this week.
WANT HELP FINDING JUST THE RIGHT BOOK FOR A LOVED ONE?
We’ve got a treat for you—hand-picked recommendations from a master shopper: Susan Stitt, head of Morgan Street Media. She is very familiar with the many authors who have published their books with us over the years—because Susan also serves as marketing director of Front Edge Publishing. She has a list of six recommendations that just might help you with that tough-to-satisfy person on your list. Check it out!
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RETHINKING THE AMERICAN HOME
GodSigns—Columnist and author Suzy Farbman takes us on a cross-country trip, this week, immersed in the later designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. As she does each week, Suzy connects the dots between many Wright-related projects with people and places that span the nation. Enjoy!
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HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
Anytime, visit www.InterfaithHolidays.org
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CHRISTMAS & NATIVITY
Back in November, millions of Eastern Christians began their traditional Nativity Fast in preparation for Christmas. Stephanie Fenton reports that holiday story.
As of this week, Western Christians begin their season of Advent. Stephanie’s story explains the meaning of Advent and its annual customs—plus, she looks ahead to the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8’s historic reading of Genesis in 1968. Interested in that inspiring story? We recommend the new book about Apollo 8 that has been described by Forbes magazine as “heady stuff.”
St. Nicholas Arrives!
DECEMBER 6—Around the world, the forerunner of “Santa Claus” arrives this week! Stephanie’s story describes the wide range of St. Nicholas characters—and she provides lots of links to St. Nicholas Day resources from the amazing St. Nicholas Center website! Then, she closes her column by describing the ongoing controversy of one of St. Nick’s companions, a guy named Pete.
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FAITH & FILM
ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.
Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:
- THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS—Ed writes: “Director Bharat Nalluri’s film never actually claims that Charles Dickens invented Christmas, but it does show how Dickens struggled to create the classic story that transformed the holiday.” (4.5 out of 5 stars)
- JUSTICE LEAGUE—The movie is loud and big! But it only deserves 3 stars, says Ed.
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THE SULTAN AND THE SAINT—Now, here is a movie you should plan to watch! What’s more—it’s free on TV in most parts of the U.S. Airing December 26—mark your calendar now. (5 stars)
- MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS—Clever, new and featuring a big new mustache for Hercule Poirot. (4 stars)
- LUCKY—Harry Dean Stanton’s final film is a tribute to its star, Ed McNulty writes, giving the movie 5 stars.
- WONDER—This story of a little boy with a disfigured face is a rich experience, Ed says. (5 stars)
- WONDERSTRUCK—Ed writes, “You too might feel wonderstruck when you watch Todd Haynes new film based on Brian Selznick’s 2011 novel, the engaging story of two deaf children separated by some 50 years yet bound closely together.” (5 stars)
- LOVING VINCENT—”Lovers of the dynamic paintings of Vincent van Gogh will enjoy this painstakingly made film. It is unlike any other animated film you have seen,” Ed says. (5 stars)
- FLORIDA PROJECT—A film about outsiders in America—troubling and well worth viewing, Ed concludes. (5 stars)
- LBJ—Ed gives this film about President Johnson’s sudden ascendancy to the White House 4.5 stars.
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