Who is Saint Nicholas? Who is Santa Claus? How are the two related? This book looks at the history of the legends of St. Nicholas and how he evolved in America to Santa Claus. Primarily, this book seeks to point out the anti-Christian message of St. Nick/Santa Claus. Christmas is a celebration of the Lord of the universe coming to earth to take our place in death to pay for our sins. Scripture records that our salvation is “by faith, not by works, lest anyone should boast.” Meanwhile, Santa waddles onto the Yuletide scene by warning children that they better be good, or they will not get any presents. Throughout the ages St. Nick has been used as a political pawn, as a spokesperson for a particular product or service and as a model of what the Church and any well-meaning Christian must do for others. However, St. Nicholas of legend is recorded as uttering legalistic advice to those he meets. He never comforts or assures with the rich Gospel message, nor does he give glory to God for any “miracles” he performs. This book sets out to teach parents about the truth of this jolly elf. In educating parents, the message may help them determine to what extent they play the “Santa game” with their children. Like Virginia O’Hanlon, we live in a cynical age. Santa has lost much of his luster. In the movies we have a serial-killer Santa and Santa ́s that curse and swear. We see Santas that are impatient with the young charges who come to sit on their lap and request their presents. Tim Burton’s T’was the Nightmare Before Christmas portrays a Santa who scares and frightens young children. On college campuses and in many workplaces, A Visit From Saint Nicholas is reworked and reworded to portray an alcoholic oaf who barges in on Christmas Eve. In song, Santa ́s uncontrollable reindeer run down grandma. Teenagers rework Rudolph the red-nose reindeer as—surprise-an alcoholic. Regional groups often have humorous songs at Santa’s expense that often put the jolly elf in a bad light. The legends and myths of Santa are seen as fraudulent. The expectations of the elf for us “mortals” are seen as unapproachable. The promises and threats are seen as empty and hollow. The cynicism of this caricature is certainly in place. Read the review at BookIdeas.com.
Who or what is Santa Claus? What is his relationship to Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, and other Christmas-time gift bearers? What is the message of Santa? This book traces the lineage of the "child's saint" back to the alleged historical bishop of Myra up to the jolly saint in red garb that graces our modern Christmases. The book paints a stark contrast to the Gospel message of forgiveness freely given. "This book gives a very interesting history of how the myth of St. Nicholas/Santa Clause compares with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. I was amazed at the similarities but truly wonder if the two confuses children or one is to overshadow the other in this commercial world." Doris Costagliola for BookIdeas.com
In the morning, as we open our eyes, the first thing we see is a beautiful sunrise. As we say our morning prayer, we are opening our hearts before the Lord. As the miraculous sunrise moves across the sky, this is a brand new day. Let the Lord lead you into all truths. Keep your eyes on the Lord and every day you will have a fresh start. If you put Christ FIRST in your life, He will give you inner peace. As the night draws to an end God flashes a beautiful Sun Set in the sky to end His brand new day He has given us. As we say our Prayers remember all the Blessings that the Lord has given to us and be thankful that He has allowed us to see the end of another beautiful day. May God bless and keep you always!
Best: Santa Claus Frolics: a one-of-a-kind retelling of hilarious performances by a very entertaining Santa. Schmalz has been a humorous professional Santa for eighteen holiday seasons. Best: Santa Claus Frolics recounts the many hysterical encounters he had with young and old alike. The result is an warm compilation of Santa encounters with children as well as adults. Great holiday reading with humor that will last through out the year. An easily read and gratifying book. As heartwarming as it is witty. Schmalzs' literary style will bring you emotionally into each holiday encounter. The retelling of poignant visits with children will help you reconnect with your own warm childhood memories. Destined to become a holiday classic, Best: Santa Claus Frolics is a wonderful stocking stuffer. But funny enough to enjoy all year long. Connect with Schmalz at [email protected]
The true story of John Duval Gluck, Jr., who in 1913 founded the Santa Claus Association, which had the sole authority to answer Santa's mail in New York City. He ran the organization for 15 years, gaining fame for making the myth of Santa a reality to poor children by arranging for donors to deliver the toys they requested, until a crusading charity commissioner exposed Gluck as a fraud. The story is wide in scope, interweaving a phony Boy Scout group, kidnapping, stolen artwork, and appearances by the era's biggest stars and New York City’s most famous landmarks. The book is both a personal story and a far-reaching historical one, tracing the history of Christmas celebration in America and the invention of Santa Claus.
Encouraging Your Child's Imagination: A Guide and Stories for Playacting is a guide to creating simple dramas with young children. Written especially for parents, daycare providers, librarians, educators, and youth leaders, Bouzoukis recounts familiar fables for reading aloud that anyone can recreate in their living room, Sunday school class or community center to revitalize our children’s imaginations.
Established in 1911, The Rotarian is the official magazine of Rotary International and is circulated worldwide. Each issue contains feature articles, columns, and departments about, or of interest to, Rotarians. Seventeen Nobel Prize winners and 19 Pulitzer Prize winners – from Mahatma Ghandi to Kurt Vonnegut Jr. – have written for the magazine.
A child's dental health is a vital indicator and moderator of the child's overall health. Learn the keys to maintaining healthy teeth in your child. Written for parents and used by dentists, this clearly-designed book was written by Dr. Chris Baker, a pediatric dentist, dental school faculty member and mom. This work teaches the reader how to prevent or recognize problems in dental and overall health. Learn about the effects of thumb-sucking; how bed-wetting can be an indicator of dental and respiratory problems; the different kinds of orthodontic treatments; what kinds of foods and drinks damage teeth and bones, and much more! Individual chapters discuss dental development and health from infants to teenagers. Common and uncommon dental problems are discussed. After reading this book, parents will know what important questions to ask their child's dentist -- and better understand that dentist's recommendations.
"Keepers of the Children" (subtitle: Native American Wisdom and Parenting) uses little known Native American secrets to teach parents how to raise children who know their nature and use their strengths to create lives of meaning and contribution. By raising children to unfold the uniqueness in their hearts, parents touch the depths of their own. By teaching children the secrets of genuine fulfillment, they grow up to lead purposeful lives and cherish their parents for this gift. ("Keepers of the Children" is the first in a trilogy of parenting books.)
Young children can surprise us with tough questions. Tominey’s essential guide teaches us how to answer them and foster compassion along the way. If you had to choose one word to describe the world you want children to grow up in, what would it be? Safe? Understanding? Resilient? Compassionate? As parents and caregivers of young children, we know what we want for our children, but not always how to get there. Many children today are stressed by academic demands, anxious about relationships at school, confused by messages they hear in the media, and overwhelmed by challenges at home. Young children look to the adults in their lives for everything. Sometimes we’re prepared... sometimes we’re not. In this book, Shauna Tominey guides parents and caregivers through how to have conversations with young children about a range of topics-from what makes us who we are (e.g., race, gender) to tackling challenges (e.g., peer pressure, divorce, stress) to showing compassion (e.g., making friends, recognizing privilege, being a helper). Talking through these topics in an age-appropriate manner—rather than telling children they are too young to understand—helps children recognize how they feel and how they fit in with the world around them. This book provides sample conversations, discussion prompts, storybook recommendations, and family activities. Dr. Tominey's research-based strategies and practical advice creates dialogues that teach self-esteem, resilience, and empathy: the building blocks for a more compassionate world.
