"Contributors include some of today's most highly regarded Scripture scholars, as well as some of the freshest young voices in the field. The commentaries, while reflecting the latest in biblical scholarship and study, are written in easy-to-understand language and bring expert insight into the Old and New Testament to Bible study participants, teachers, students, preachers, and all readers of the Bible. Includes full-color maps." --Publisher's description

"This commentary on Mark provides feminist interpretation of Scripture in serious, scholarly engagement with the whole text, not only those texts that explicitly mention women. It addresses not only issues of gender but also those of power, authority, ethnicity, racism, and classism"-- Provided by publisher.

Christmas is an unrivalled annual celebration. This volume traces its history from the early Church’s decision to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on 25 December through the medieval period and all the way into the twenty-first century. It explores Christmas around the world, including in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as Europe and North America. It also presents the variety of ways that worshipping communities observe the festival from Roman Catholics to Reformed Protestants. All of the features of the Nativity Story are covered from the Holy Family to the Magi and the Star, as are the biblical and theological unpinning of Christmas, including the doctrines of the Incarnation and the Virgin Birth. Carols and music, as well as paintings, literature, and film and television, are all treated by experts, as are the more cultural aspects of the season ranging from Santa Claus to Christmas trees to food and drink. Finally, societal issues related to the law, secularity, commercialism, and consumerism are addressed as well. In other words, this volume aims at comprehensive treatment of Christmas across time, space, cultures, and the varieties of religious and secular contexts.