{"id":7316858667075,"title":"THE CHRISTMAS BOOK","handle":"the-christmas-book","description":"The Christmas Book\u003cbr\u003eThe History, Traditions, and Customs of Everyone’s Favorite Holiday\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNothing 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBuoyed 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn addition to exploring the cultural origins of beloved Christmas traditions, Fr. Weiser reveals their spiritual significance and explains their symbolism, including:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Why the first Christmas Mass is at midnight\u003cbr\u003e• The beginnings of Christmas caroling and the stories behind beloved carols\u003cbr\u003e• How Christmas lights represent Christ, the Light of the World\u003cbr\u003e• The true Christian origin of the Christmas tree, and the connection between the evergreen and eternal life\u003cbr\u003e• How various cultures honor St. Nicholas \u003cbr\u003e• How pre-Christian traditions gained new significance in light of the Incarnation\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFr. Weiser considered holiday celebrations at home a “radiation of the liturgy,” a beautiful opportunity to cultivate the domestic church in family life. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePacked 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJoin 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.","published_at":"2024-10-01T15:04:17","created_at":"2024-10-01T15:04:17","vendor":"Sophia Institute Press","type":"Christmas Books","tags":["Subject_Christmas","Type_Books"],"price":1795,"price_min":1795,"price_max":1795,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":true,"all_variant_ids":[41837122322499],"variants":[{"id":41837122322499,"product_id":7316858667075,"product_handle":"the-christmas-book","title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"892-0785","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"image_id":null,"available":true,"name":"THE CHRISTMAS BOOK - Default Title","options":["Default Title"],"price":1795,"weight":300,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":6,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","inventory_in_cart":0,"inventory_remaining":6,"incoming":false,"next_incoming_date":null,"taxable":true,"barcode":null}],"available":true,"images":["\/\/marytown-press-gift-store.myshopify.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/17250988537663-274060-600x927_1.jpg?v=1728063437"],"featured_image":"\/\/marytown-press-gift-store.myshopify.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/17250988537663-274060-600x927_1.jpg?v=1728063437","options":["Title"],"url":"\/products\/the-christmas-book"}