Nothing warms the heart like Christmastime. All of us have precious memories of yuletide cheer, from the excitement of anticipation to the frenzy of preparations to the heartfelt family moments.

Buoyed by the "contagious joy" of Christmas among his congregations in Buffalo and Boston, Fr. Francis X. Weiser compiled a treasure trove of Christmas lore to enrich holiday celebrations for generations to come. Fr. Weiser, who was born in Austria and emigrated to the United States, had long been fascinated by American Christmas culture, which he saw as a consolidation of all the most beloved traditions from the nation's diverse immigrant communities.

He relied on interviews with parishioners, once-lost documents, and well-known material culture to get to the root of such cherished customs as Nativity plays, gift giving, and Christmas caroling.

In addition to exploring the cultural origins of beloved Christmas traditions, Fr. Weiser reveals their spiritual significance and explains their symbolism, including:

Fr. Weiser considered holiday celebrations at home a "radiation of the liturgy," a beautiful opportunity to cultivate the domestic church in family life.

Packed with historical and liturgical references, literary excerpts, and charming anecdotes, this book will become a family favorite that's revisited year after year in homes that welcome it.

Join Fr. Weiser as he embarks on a tour of the jubilant celebrations that manifests the sublimity of the Incarnation in the American melting pot, from sea to shining sea.

Hot gin toddies. Smoking rosemary old fashioneds. A "wet" Advent calendar. Now you can experience Christmas the way it was meant to be celebrated: with festive cocktails and a lively history of Saint Nicholas and other saints! Michael Foley, author of Drinking with the Saints, presents holiday drink recipes; beer, wine, and cider recommendations; and witty instruction on how to honor the saints in this exquisite gift book that will make your Christmas more spirited than ever before.

"With lively stories and delicious drink recipes, this book takes us on a rollicking journey through the lives of the saints. What a fun and fabulous way to engage with your faith during the holidays." -- Jennifer Fulwiler, author of One Beautiful Dream and host of the Jennifer Fulwiler Show on the Catholic Channel

Take a few minutes during the holidays to savor the joys and peace of the season with this beautiful Christmas edition of Jesus Calling devotions. This heartwarming compilation of devotions comes from Sarah Young's bestselling brand.

With 50 seasonally themed selections in Jesus Calling(R) for Christmas, you'll find devotions that include:

Whether a self-purchase to enhance your observation of Advent and the birth of the Christ child or a gift for friends and loved ones in the biggest shopping season of the year, Jesus Calling(R) for Christmas will be a holiday favorite for years to come.

Told from the point of a view of a child, the story weaves together familiar Advent traditions like the Jesse tree and the Advent wreath, biblical stories and characters, and reflections on what these stories call us to do and be.

This book reassures children of the presence of God in all times and places and invites them to become part of the holy work of making Christ present in the world.

"Utterly refreshing and encouraging." -- Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Martin Luther

"The best book I know about the Magi." -- Sir Colin John Humphreys, Ph.D., author of The Mystery of the Last Supper

Modern biblical scholars tend to dismiss the Christmas story of the "wise men from the East" as pious legend. Matthew's gospel offers few details, but imaginative Christians filled out the story early on, giving us the three kings guided by a magical star who join the adoring shepherds in every Christmas crèche.

For many scholars, then, there is no reason to take the gospel story seriously. But are they right? Are the wise men no more than a poetic fancy?

In an astonishing feat of detective work, Dwight Longenecker makes a powerful case that the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem really happened. Piecing together the evidence from biblical studies, history, archeology, and astronomy, he goes further, uncovering where they came from, why they came, and what might have happened to them after eluding the murderous King Herod.

In the process, he provides a new and fascinating view of the time and place in which Jesus Christ chose to enter the world.

The evidence is clear and compelling. The mysterious Magi from the East were in all likelihood astrologers and counselors from the court of the Nabatean king at Petra, where the Hebrew messianic prophecies were well known. The "star" that inspired their journey was a particular planetary alignment--confirmed by computer models--that in the astrological lore of the time portended the birth of a Jewish king.

The visitors whose arrival troubled Herod "and all Jerusalem with him" may not have been the turbaned oriental kings of the Christmas carol, but they were real, and by demonstrating that the wise men were no fairy tale, Mystery of the Magi demands a new level of respect for the historical claims of the gospel.

The Spider Who Saved Christmas tells the tale of what happened to the Holy Family on their way to Egypt after receiving the message of the angel. When Joseph, Mary, and Jesus are in danger of being discovered and harmed by Herod's murderous soldiers, a cave-dwelling spider named Nephila risks her and her children's safety to help her hallowed visitors.

Majestically illustrated by artist Randy Gallegos, EWTN host Raymond Arroyoï1/2ï1/2ï1/2s moving story sheds new light on a family of Golden Silk Orb Weavers, whose silk is considered the most precious of all and is displayed at Christmastime in the sparkling tinsel that glints from evergreen trees the world over. After reading this book, you'll always remember Nephila in the twinkling tinsel. Though small and feared, she met divinity and reflected His light as only she could.

Like each of us - she was there for a reason.

The Story of Christmas by George Brundage introduces Catholic children to the birth of Jesus and Christmas traditions in clear and simple text. Among the features of this title are:

The St. Joseph "Carry-Me-Along" Board Books are ideal books for young children. They are sturdy books that will stand up to wear and tear with full-color illustrations and clear, simple text.

Finally, the True, Untold Story of the Wise Men!

They were not three kings. Nor were they from the Far East, or even Persian.

In this thrilling, visual adventure capturing the wonder of the Christmas season, New York Times bestselling author Raymond Arroyo shares the true, hidden story of the mysterious Magi, who risked everything to discover the truth. Based on new historical evidence, The Wise Men Who Found Christmas is the miraculous, untold tale of three seekers who followed a star and found themselves in the middle of the greatest story ever told. Stunningly illustrated by Diane Le Feyer, this enchanting family keepsake is sure to become part of your Christmas tradition - and a reminder that chasing truth is often the greatest adventure of all.