Good Tidings and Great Joy audiobook

Once again, with the Christmas season upon us, it seems that the struggle between those who love the season and everything it stands for and those who want to be “politically correct” begins afresh. Addressing this very real and sometimes distressing situation, Sarah Palin takes on the cynics in her book, “Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting The Heart of Christmas.”In her unique and very distinguishable voice, Palin steadfastly shares her beliefs that Christmas should be a revered time that focuses on the observance of the birth of Jesus. She shares, through family stories and other accounts, how much Christmas means to her and the country as a whole, and how distressing it is to find that there are those who would wipe all mention of the true meaning of the season from collective memory. From public displays being forbidden to spiritual carols in schools being stopped to the lack of “Christmas” promotion in retail chains, more and more the celebration is being turned into a vanilla observance, and Palin is determined to defend the origins of the day as best she can.The Palin family stories of Christmas’s past are charming and give great insight into the former Governor of Alaska’s upbringing. And some of the stories are poignant as Palin recounts the heartwarming holidays spent with her children and husband. She also openly shares how much the meaning of the Nativity and the Christian celebration of Christmas has influenced her life and the lives of her loved ones, and how committed she is to seeing that the meaning of the season, as she sees it, is not diminished.“Good Tidings and Great Joy” will not be a book appreciated by everyone, but for those who share in Palin’s beliefs, this will be an interesting look at the dedication and commitment of the feisty and faithful lady.

America is an exceptional country. God has given us freedom in this land to choose, to speak, to dream, to experience, and to worship. Writing this note on the day after Thanksgiving 2013 (black Friday), thinking about Christmas 2013 and our family traditions, I can not forget the manger and what Jesus has done for me. I pray that our country we will not remove Christ from Christmas. Thank you Sarah Palin for your family Christmas stories and your warnings about what might happen in the future.

Remember when Christmas break was actually called Christmas break instead of the all-inclusive “Winter Break”? Or how about when you could freely wish someone a “Merry Christmas” without having to worry about offending them?I started to notice a shift when I was in high school and the name of the annual “Christmas Dance” got changed to the much safer “Winter Formal”. It seems like such a small, insignificant kind of change, but it means so much more.Christianity is being censored all across the nation, and as Sarah Palin discusses in her novel, Good Tidings and Great Joy it’s only about to get worst. Other religious groups, atheists, and the liberal left are constantly pushing to have Christianity removed from not only Christmas, but well, everything.As I Christian I have seen this happen many times recently. It’s frustrating. I feel as though I cannot freely discuss my religion on most occasions without being “wrong” or “offending” someone. It’s perfectly okay to be exclusive or to poke fun of Christians, yet it’s wrong for Christians to be well, Christians. Double standard, much?Palin paints a picture of what’s to come in the future if we don’t stand up for our Constitutional rights and defend the Christian views of Christmas. She imagines that by the year 2028 when she visits her grandson at college Christian programs will be removed from campus for not agreeing to strict inclusive terms set forth by the university. Funny how a university (or anyone, really) that preaches about inclusion can be so exclusive to the Christian religion. She further imagines Christmas programs that are 100% removed from the Christian religion and focus on other elements including the commercialized views, or what at times seems even more horrifying, strictly scientific views of Christmas.It can be easy to dismiss Palin’s predictions as being absurd or unrealistic, but the reality is all of her predictions have already been happening all across the nation. I chuckled a bit when reading about how she imagines by the year 2028 the religious freedom group would begin preaching about Saturnalia and encouraging individuals to remember the original Pagan roots of Christmas and even begin to accuse Christians of stealing the holiday. This sounds a bit insane, but truth be told, they are doing that. Right here, right now.I grew up in the town of Pitman, NJ. It’s known for being a traditional, fairly conservative small town. A majority of the town is Christian or Catholic. They have held signs across towns from the Knights of Columbus for year that say “Keep Christ in Christmas”. No one’s ever really had a problem with them or at least never mentioned being offended by them in town as far as I know. However, the religious freedom group finds it offensive. Last year they tried to sue the town over the signs. This year they gave up with the lawsuit, but instead chose to purchase an advertisement that reads “Keep Saturn in Saturnalia”.This is exactly the crazy nonsense Palin fears will happen in the future. However, I must commend Pitman on being less than accepting of the sign. I don’t exactly support the torching of the sign (yes, this is actually happening) but I appreciate hearing that people are still trying to stand up for their Christian beliefs and to protect the real meaning of Christmas (which I do not believe is the Saturnalia view, no matter how hard the religious freedom group tries to make us believe that…).I know that people will be reading this review thinking I’m unaccepting of other religions and cultures. That is not true at all. I am accepting of all different kinds of people. I have a very diverse group of friends. I believe we should be accepting of others. But I feel like there are double standards. Palin wrote in her book about colleges and universities spending thousands of dollars to create foot washing stations to support the beliefs of Muslims and they are also rearranging gym schedules and times to allow females their own individual hours if they don’t feel comfortable exercising in front of men. All of this okay, but it’s unacceptable to wish someone a Merry Christmas or to call the break from school in the winter “Christmas Break”. Double standard, much?I agree wholeheartedly with the views Palin expresses in Good Tidings and Great Joy. I know Palin gets a lot of slack from others, but I always found her to be a brilliant woman. She’s fearless, and in this novel it really shows. She says what she honestly thinks and feels and I truly believe many Americans, especially Christians, feel the same way even if they are afraid to admit it. Why are they afraid? Because they don’t want to offend someone? Sure, it’s important to be nice to people and to never deliberately offend them, but when you can’t so much as wish someone a Merry Christmas without worrying about offending them, then that’s a problem.Our constitutional rights have granted us free speech and freedom of religion. Sadly, the liberal lefts are choosing to ignore the constitution and strip us from these freedoms. It is now our job to join the likes of Palin and others who value and respect their constitutional rights to protect not only the true meaning of Christmas, but our basic rights to free speech and freedom of religion. These constitutional rights are for EVERYONE. Not just non-Christians, as the liberal lefts would like you to believe.

There were so many holds placed on this book at my local library that I didn't get to read it until Christmas was well over. I didn't lose anything on that regard, though. Palin's premise, that Christmas is worth protecting, covers the deepest meaningful aspirations of the heart that keep it beating with hope throughout the year. Mercy is the reason. She explains her thesis with personal history beyond that known by the general audience, and evokes in the reader one's own reasons to fight back against the unrepentant Scrooges of Christmas Present. It's a real life look at a smart, articulate, wise and yet folksy lady whose best one-liner advises us how to deal with the many childish rantings of the “Lame Stream Media” intended to spew hate: “ignore them.” Good advice from a woman who has experienced it all—and from mothers everywhere of another time—that's important to hear and heed again. She dispatches the mean-spiritedness of her critics with adult humor, then continues on explaining why Christmas is a pearl to cherish and protect in spite of everything. Her remarkable extended family's support is at the center of her faith and practical steadfastness. This is a book for all ages past toddlerhood, written by a courageous woman who's been through much in order to be granted honor and respect. Year round, remember it's “Merry Christmas!”

A Dickensian cast of real-life characters (Bristol! Todd!), the epigrammatic wit of G.K. Chesterton and the steadfast no-nonsense rage of Christopher Hitchens are combined to great effect in this book of essays that show where the traditional American Christmas has gone off the rails and how, maybe, through creativity and patience there is still hope to return it to its rightful spot both on the community calendar and, yes, in our collective hearts. Palin generously includes several delicious recipes from the cookbooks of her family and friends - Merry Christmoose Chili and Juanita's Soft Gooey Oatmeal Raisin White Chocolate-Chip Heaven both look especially appetizing.

I am sorry I did not learn more about Mrs. Palin when she ran for Vice President of the U.S. She is awesome! She knows how to use a shotgun, self-reliant, from a strong family and community background, working mom with young children and a son about to be deployed around the time of the election, member of the National Guard, re-elected Governor of Alaska, hard-working husband who didn't mind his wife holding a power position. She possesses many professional and personal qualities that is reflective of more Americans than past presidents; qualities I want in my country's leadership. Yes, I am now A FAN.On to the book. Mrs. Palin talks about essential, worrying ways our country is changing. She discusses basic characteristics of our national identity that we need to cherish and nurture. When we purport to support "equal" religious representation while specifically excluding Christianity, that is not tolerance or religious freedom. When the complaints of the few, complaints, not needs, are placed above the Constitution and the rights of the many, we limit openness, freedom, and liberty.Her story examples are interesting and realistic. Her tone is kind, firm, and persuasive, not preachy. Loved that she read her own audiobook. Enjoyed this short book.

I thought it was great. It's cool to know the things that the Palins do for Christmas. It also reminded me that I shouldn't be concerned about mentioning Christmas around that time of year because I have the freedom to do that just like people of other religions have the right to talk about their specific holidays.

Regardless of what you think of Sarah Pain, this is a must read for all who hold Christmas in their heart. Am adding this to my personal collection. I own an autographed copy which I will prize. Thanks Sarah.

I enjoyed this book. The Christmas Future that Palin describes is already happening all over this country, in bits and pieces. It's very sad that a country founded on Christian~Judeo values has gotten to the place where many think anything Christian is an offense to others.

Sarah Palin brings up some very good points and adds in some good humor.

Easy reading. But makes you think and yes I just might be a republican .