Merry Christmas! 2008 was a busy year and for some, a difficult one. With Christmas upon us, sometimes finances do not go far. That is when gift-giving becomes a fine art. How do we find a gift that will have impact long after the Christmas wrapping paper has been thrown away? If you are still looking for such a gift, here are three suggestions and they are all inexpensive!

DeseretBook.com TODAY ONLY is offering an online 50%-off sale of youth fiction. If you have a boy, I cannot recommend more heartily the following two books: J. Scott Savage's "Far World: Vol. 1 Water Keep" and James Dashner's "The 13th Reality: Vol. 1 Journal of Curious Letters."

Both books contain messages of heroic triumph that will inspire a young person that life is worth living and that heroes can come in the shape of boys. James Dashner's "The 13th Reality" is perfect for younger boys and J. Scott Savage's "Far World" is perfect for older boys. Both contain adventures that induce even the most reluctant of readers to keep reading until the final breathtaking finish. (I must add that my 13-year-old *daughter* could not put these books down and is chomping at the bit for the sequels...this, from a girl with a strong reading disability.) Here is the link for these two delightful story books: http://deseretbook.com/store/view_list/3150

If you are looking for a powerful gift for adults, here is the link to my latest article from the LDS site at BellaOnline.com: "Christmas Book Review - Abinadi". If you want a gift that is hard to put down and even harder to forget, H.B. Moore's "Abinadi" is that book. My husband, who hates reading, would not stop reading until he finished it. Finally, it was my turn; and upon finishing it, my life is different for having read this intense work. For more information, here is my review: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art59928.asp

Whatever gifts you choose to give, may we remember Christ gave His all so that we might have joy. May you and yours have a beautiful Christmas time, celebrating faith, family, and life itself. And for a simple Family Home Evening to celebrate Christmas next week, here is a link to my most recent FHE lesson at MeridianMagazine.com: http://www.ldsmag.com/familyhome/081215lord.html

Warmly,

C.S. Bezas, LDS Editor
http://LDS.bellaonline.com


C.S. Bezas' book, POWERFUL TIPS FOR POWERFUL TEACHERS, has been called an essential aid for parents of teens and youth leaders. POWERFUL TIPS FOR POWERFUL TEACHERS teaches how to create powerful change in the lives of youth. Available in LDS bookstores or online at DeseretBook.com: http://deseretbook.com/store/product/4977585