book data
143 ratings,
3.55
average rating, 51 reviews
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published
November 4th 2008
by Howard Books
binding
Hardcover, 144 pages
isbn
1416559000
(isbn13: 9781416559009)
description
<p align="center">Hailed by The Economist as the "the most influential pastor in America," and by Time as one of the 100 mos...more
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100+ Book Challenge: Laurie's List for 2009 | 28 | 68 | 11 days ago, 06:46AM | |
| The Purpose of Christmas | 1 | 10 | 11/12/2008 10:52AM |
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 246)
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avg 3.55
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in January, 2009
recommends it for:
everyone
Gorgeous book! Everyone should read it.
Christmas is the largest celebrated holiday around the world each year, yet very few know the real reason for the season. Even Christians (who should know better than anyone else) have been brainwashed and have forgotten that it is not about Santa or his elves or eggnog and Christmas trees. It's about the birth of Jesus and ultimately the sacrifice he made for all of us!
Rick Warren not only elaborates on the reason for the season, he...more
Christmas is the largest celebrated holiday around the world each year, yet very few know the real reason for the season. Even Christians (who should know better than anyone else) have been brainwashed and have forgotten that it is not about Santa or his elves or eggnog and Christmas trees. It's about the birth of Jesus and ultimately the sacrifice he made for all of us!
Rick Warren not only elaborates on the reason for the season, he...more
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Read in December, 2008
I'm festive.
Update - I liked that this book reminded me of Jesus during Christmas time, however I have issues with things being preachy and I hate books that are like "stop doing that. it's dumb." Really? If I could stop being worried and just trust that God is going to come and save my day, I would. I guess I'm not ready to depend souly on my savior? Who knows. I just felt like this book was trying to boost up Christianity, when what I was looking for was talking about th...more
Update - I liked that this book reminded me of Jesus during Christmas time, however I have issues with things being preachy and I hate books that are like "stop doing that. it's dumb." Really? If I could stop being worried and just trust that God is going to come and save my day, I would. I guess I'm not ready to depend souly on my savior? Who knows. I just felt like this book was trying to boost up Christianity, when what I was looking for was talking about th...more
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Read in November, 2008
recommends it for:
Christmas lovers
I "borrowed" this from the lounge at work...it's very simple but I'm enjoying it...helps put a little more meaning in Christmas.
It'll be in the meeting room at work if anyone else wants to "borrow" it!
It'll be in the meeting room at work if anyone else wants to "borrow" it!
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1 comment
Read in January, 2009
My rating would depend on who you are. If you're a Christian looking to learn something new, this book is not really written for you. It's probably about three stars. It's a wonderful reminder of things you probably have learned already, from "The Purpose-Driven Life" or maybe "Peace with God" (Billy Graham). It's a great collection of "wow" scriptures in different translations you may not have seen before, unless you're a fan of "The Message" (which...more
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Read in December, 2008
recommends it for:
Rick Warren fans
I read this book as a nod to Rick Warren's influence. By all accounts I've read, he's done an incredible job of growing his California-based ministry, but his upcoming gig at Obama's inauguration as caused some controversy. This is the first of Warren's books that I read.
It was a pretty quick read, which was nice. I picked it up yesterday afternoon and finished it before bed (after going out for a holiday dinner and celebration).
I was looking for a book that would put me ...more
It was a pretty quick read, which was nice. I picked it up yesterday afternoon and finished it before bed (after going out for a holiday dinner and celebration).
I was looking for a book that would put me ...more
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My older brother brought me this book for Christmas because he is a very religious person and he wants me to learn the true meaning of celebrating Christmas as well as for me to become closer with God. I ended up loving this book because it taught me a lot. The book starts off by telling the readers how many people forget the main reason for celebrating Christmas. A lot of people say they celebrate Christmas because they made it through another year, they get to be with their families, or becaus...more
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Read in January, 2009
recommended to Karen by:
gift
Some of this makes perfect sense, most not too much. I believe that he is right when he talks about needing God and Jesus in our lives. I just don't believe you can get them there by reading a prayer that someone else made up and then expecting them to be here to take care of you. It is an individual thing and it should be personal. I think this book would help a lot of people who have no religion at all to think about what is missing in their lives, but might be a bit confusing as to the God...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in December, 2008
I would suggest you get this book read, do what he recommends and change your life. Keep it handy as your spiritual journey changes you,.
I Loved the unwrapping the best christmas gift ever for yourself instead of leaving it unopened.
I know I will reread it many times and keep it for others to read.
The part on the reconciliation he writes about will be very helpful. A very quick read. Some he shared in his other books but is really worth the time it took to read it.
I Loved the unwrapping the best christmas gift ever for yourself instead of leaving it unopened.
I know I will reread it many times and keep it for others to read.
The part on the reconciliation he writes about will be very helpful. A very quick read. Some he shared in his other books but is really worth the time it took to read it.
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Read in December, 2008
While there is nothing radically new in this book, it is well worth the read. It isn't very long or difficult, but it does help remind you of what Christmas is really about. While the world constantly bombards us with the commercialism of Christmas, anything that helps you to keep your focus on our Lord is worth the time. I found myself being overwhelmed by all the activity surrounding Christmas and this book helped me pause and regain my focus.
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Read in December, 2008
I have listened to Rick Warren's sermons (which are great) and picked up the book because of his reputation. Although the book is spiritually sound, I had difficulty with the writing style. I felt like it was a book of lists and maybe I should be taking notes. Although he writes around a framework of three purposes of Christmas, there were sublists and I felt that it was confusing at times. I also just finished reading "The Shack," which may have colored my interpretation of this b...more
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Extremely positive little book on the miracle of Christmas. Warren, who obviously cares deeply about his readers, focuses on what the incarnation of Jesus means to them more so than what it means in general. He uses some of the same material he covered in The Purpose Driven Life. This is a great book for anyone who has a negative view of God.
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The purpose of this book is to really remind us of the true meaning of the real gift of Christmas. The real gift has no cost to us except to take it. What's next is up to us, whether we want to see it for the true gift that it is and the value within it or let it just flounder until the darkness has settled. Love is the real gift.
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Read in December, 2008
Is it horrible to not like a religious book? I just didn't like how he explained things and didn't agree with a lot of what he said. I guess this book was just not what I was expecting. I just finished a C.S. Lewis book and he is so insightful that is made this book seem amateur.
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Read in December, 2008
I picked this one up hoping to be inspired to have a more meaningful Christmas.
Instead I found that this book was...I don't know how to describe it...maybe written for people who have never heard of Jesus before?
Nothing interesting here. Very basic.
Instead I found that this book was...I don't know how to describe it...maybe written for people who have never heard of Jesus before?
Nothing interesting here. Very basic.
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Read in November, 2008
The book was well written and serves as an evangelical tool for conversion. It is not as compelling as the Purpose Driven Life, nor was it proably meant to be. I didn't think it was as focused on Christmas as I had anticipated it to be, but Warren does make the case for commitment to Christ == and I'm sure there may be people that are given this book as a gift, read it and rethink their relationship with God. I think I just expected something a little different.
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Good Christmas-time reading, with a strong salvation message. Very similar, yet briefer points to Warren's Purpose Driven Life, which I highly recommend (it goes into much more detail).
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01/06/09
Traci
added it
Great book to read during the month of December. I am going to read this every year to put me in the right frame of mind for the Christmas season.
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Read in December, 2008
Unfortunately, this book was the only one I had time to read over the holiday break. I enjoyed Warren's message about the three main purposes of Christmas. I will use his idea about having a birthday party for Jesus when I have children one day.
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12/11/08
Juliej
marked it as to-read
I really enjoy a lot of his books. I probably won't get to this one before the season is over, but I'll get to it eventually.
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01/05/09
Donna
added it
Read in December, 2008
I have read this in less than a day. I am loving it, my church did a four week sermon based on this book.
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quotes from this book
"The more you pray, the less you'll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You'll feel more patient and less pressured."
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