The Christmas Eve Storyteller
Fr. Edward Hays,Forest of Peace Books, Leavenworth KS; 1992 ISBN: 0939516489, $14.95 hardcover, Toll Free Phone: 800.659.3227
Web site: www.forestofpeace.com

Eight original stories written and illustrated by Fr. Hayes on Christmas themes. “The Elf Who Saved Christmas” “The Star” “The Heart House” are a few of them. Great for reading out loud by the fire on a cold Christmas night! Also available on cassette for$15.95

Elijah's Angel: A Story For Chanukah And Christmas
Michael J. Rosen, Illustrated by Aminah Branda Lynn Robinson. Harcourt Brace & Company (NY.), ISBN: 0152253947, 1992, $13.95 Hardcover.

This book is written in understandable language (my son first fell in love with it when he was only four years old). Second, it teaches important life lessons, like the give and take nature of friendship, tolerance through understanding, acceptance of others' belief's while still valuing your own traditions, and the need to question in order to reach a greater place. Briefly, this story is about a young Jewish boy, Michael, who is drawn to the barber shop of Elijah, a Christian, because it is filled with the intriguing wooden figure she has carved. Elijah explains that these figures mostly derive from the Bible. Elijah gives him an angel figure as a Christmas gift. Michael feels privately afraid of his parents' possible reaction to this gift, not in line with the Jewish faith. He feels even God may disapprove. All the adults act like healthy human beings, and the young Michael is a character most children will be able to relate to, especially those who live in very religious families. This book inspires us all to go beyond our own spirituality into the real world, in order to make friends, thereby spreading love, understanding, and tolerance.

Alternative Christmas Celebrations
Website: www.simpleliving.org

This is the home of the nationally recognized “Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?” brochure which each year calls us to think critically about our Christmas celebration style. At the web site you will find a wide variety of resources, not only on Christmas, but on a variety of celebrations, including but limited to weddings, holidays, anniversaries and more. There is a book store, and one of the best collections of resources on alternative celebrations.