We’re quickly approaching the 1-week red alert for Christmas, and those of us stressed about making those last minute gift purchases should first remember the real Reason for the Season … and then breathe a sigh of relief because there are still some excellent ways to incorporate Christ and our faith into those gifts.

Take the new book, Fatherless. Several of the St. Michael Society editors have read or are reading this novel and have found it to be both informative to the Catholic conscience, redemptive and entertaining. The author has a gift for speaking to us about what it means to be spiritually fatherless and keeps you on the edge of your seat guessing and even, at times, praying for the characters who quickly become very real to you.

Apparently we aren’t the only ones who like it.  The book has received rave reviews from numerous notables including the late Fr. Richard Neuhaus of First Things Magazine, moral theologian and expert on Humanae Vitae Dr. Janet Smith, and Christopher West of the Theology of the Body Institute. Check out their brief reviews here, read about the transformative life of the author Brian J. Gail here ,  and order a copy of the book online at One More Soul, the publisher.

UPDATE: LifeSiteNews.com just posted an excellent review  and interview with the author as well as the Executive Director and CEO of One More Soul, Jennifer Giroux. 

If your prayer recipient is a faithful prayer warrior, consider a new twist on the traditional full five-decade rosary.  A pocket prayer rosary or rosary ring can be kept in a purse or pocket, and those offered by The Printery House are excellent quality. Find them here.

The Printery House  has an abundance of good items. You can search by theme, season or occasion (like Christmas) and even by recipient. You can also feel good about being a patron to this shop as ”proceeds from the Printery House help to support the monks of Conception Abbey and Conception Seminary College, where young men receive an accredited college education as they study in preparation for the priesthood.”

And of course, you can never go wrong by giving the gift of 365 days of prayer guidance.  A year’s subscription to The Magnificat would help your recipient focus their prayer, participate more fully in daily and weekly Mass, experience the Liturgy of the Hours and give keen insight into many different  saints.  The Magnificat website  even has children books and subscriptions to “Magnifikid .”

Happy shopping … and enjoy keeping Christ in Christmas giving!