Damian Chandler - The Crooked Christmas Tree: The Beautiful Meaning of Jesus Birth

Damian Chandler masterfully captivates the reader with a simple account, revealing a timeless message of redemption and hope. Make no mistake, the heart of this book brings the reader to a place of encouragement and complete transformation.

Parnell M. Lovelace, Jr., Lovelace Leadership Connection

This story is heartwarming and life changing. Damian writes with such beauty and profundity that the story of Christ and His love should never be the same for anyone who reads this insightful book. THE CROOKED CHRISTMAS TREE should be a new song for all to sing.

C. Wesley Knight, Professor of Religion and Preaching, Oakwood University

From shame to shopping, tinsel to the Trinity, Damian Chandler weaves together the deep truths of theology and the trappings of every familys Christmas, and he does it with prose that shines like a Christmas star. Read this book, and youll never look at your Christmas tree the same.

Ryan Sanders, author of Unbelievable: Examining the Unlikely Beauty of the Christian Story

Dont wait for Easter or Christmas, this is a book for any season in life. Damian in his unique delightful unraveling, draws your whole family into a story with multiple layers, turning the complex into simple and bringing value to your life. In a time when we are fragmented, this is one book that can help build stronger communities, stronger families, stronger people in Jesus.

Japhet J. De Oliveira, Co-Founder, One project

I found myself in love with a crooked tree, less aware of my imperfections, and completely overwhelmed by the goodness of God, all from the pages of a book. THE CROOKED CHRISTMAS TREE brilliantly brings to light an unconditional love we all long for.

Stephen Chandler, Senior Pastor, Destiny Harvest Church

Deeply spiritual, exquisitely written, this book will shine the light of Gods love into the hearts of all who read it.

Wintley Phipps, vocal artist, CEO and Founder, U.S. Dream Academy

Damian Chandler gives you artistry and therapy all in the same breath. As so many are languishing in guilt and shame, his narrative helps us cast off self-inflicted anxiety while we grab hold of Jesus amazing grace.

Chaplain Michael Polite, Campus Ministries, Andrews University

THE CROOKED CHRISTMAS TREE is sure to be a timeless classic. The way Damian compares the crooked Christmas tree with the brokenness and crookedness of everyday people is brilliant. This book will speak to the heart and soul of every person who reads it. If youve ever felt you arent good enough, attractive enough, or smart enough, this book is for you. Not only is THE CROOKED CHRISTMAS TREE perfect for the holidays, the content is relevant year round.

Jeremy Anderson, author, Founder, Grace Tour

More than a book, it offers slices of real life with a real God who loves real people in a real world. Damian Chandler is a fresh and fascinating voice.

Jesse Wilson, Director, Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center, Oakwood University

From the first page, Damian Chandler pulls the reader into this charming, witty, and colorful tale about a crooked tree, our imperfect lives, and the extravagant grace of God. Read this bookyoull find yourself immersed in the story and in love with the Gospel.

Tyler Stewart, Young Adult Pastor, Loma Linda University Church

I loved reading THE CROOKED CHRISTMAS TREE. Most of all, I loved the clarity of the Gospel presented in this heartfelt story. In my mind, the book was similar to some New Testament parables in that I can see myself in multiple roles. I am the Crooked Tree. I am the adult, thinking I have to decorate the crookedness of my life. I am the innocent child who recognizes the beauty of the crooked tree and loves it as it is. This will be one of the books I pull out and read year after year.

Keith Jeffries, Owner, Huntsville Havoc professional hockey team

THE CROOKED CHRISTMAS TREE is a powerful and passionate reminder of Gods unconditional love for us. It will leave you both challenged and overwhelmed by a God who so recklessly pursues, embraces, and cherishes us. Damian Chandler reminds us of Gods unashamed love for humanity in spite of all our various quirks and foibles.

Pastor Seth Yelorda, Lead Pastor, Westminster Good Samaritan Church

To my tribe, Tanzy, Zoe, Salem and Levi. Your love is life to me.

T he Christmas tree hunt was on! The hunt for The One.

We were herded into the store, drawn by flashing lights and Silent Nights, and we were not alone. Every road seemed to empty into this parking lot, as many a GPS declared, You have reached your final destination. SUVs pulled between yellow stripes, turning off the engine and lights.

Neighbor became the competition for pined treasure. We gave each other suspicious looks masked by pleasant hellos. No one wants to pick through anyone elses tree leftovers, so we drew a line in the sand. We went left. The other family went right.

Wayward glimpses over the shelves, down the aisles, and around the corners were all we had to inform us of their strategy. Maybe it was no different than ours. But we all knew there would be a victor, and it would be the family that found The One.

T his live Christmas tree thing started because every good television family had this tradition, and long before I was married, I had decided that I wanted Christmas traditions. Once I found me a wife and we had some children, the next thing on the list was traditions.

So my wife and I decided that a live Christmas tree would be the first of our many family traditions. My wife, the timely one, wanted to have the tree up the day after Thanksgiving, and I wanted the smell of fresh pine in the house. So the tradition became that we took the kids to a lot the day after Thanksgiving, they chose a real tree, and I put it up.