- December 2004 -

Thursday 12\29\04 - 9:02 AM GMT
Theologians scramble to justify massive tsunami
Days after a massive tsunami killed more than 160,000 people in Southeast Asia, theologians of the world have acted quickly to safeguard their own beliefs by boldly rationalizing this unexpected "act of God". "God loves us all," said Rev. Cole David of Durnham, ME, "but need I remind anyone that Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world?" "Our God most wise is simply testing the people of Southeast Asia," explained Rabbi Avi Cohen of Brook Farm, PA. "God had nothing to do with this," offered Rev. Franz Bern of Munich, cryptically. "Each time they find a child who miraculously survived among the thousands upon thousands of dead, it is a testament to God's mercy and everlasting grace," said Rev. James Oleph of Memphis, TN.

Thursday 12\27\04 - 1:24 PM GMT
Act fast and get The Story of Christmas 50% off!
If you found yourself cold and unloved this Christmas morning without a copy of Rev. Smith's new book The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas in your stocking, or are simply looking for one of those incredible after-Christmas bargains you're always hearing about, you will be delighted to know that many Barnes & Noble stores are including The Story of Christmas in their 50% off holiday books sale. This deal does not apply to the Barnes & Noble website, so you'll actually have to venture outside the comfort of your own home to take advantage of this offer--but do hurry, it's likely that they'll soon be storing away all their holiday merchandise until the next Christmas season is upon us.

Thursday 12\16\04 - 1:24 PM GMT
Akron Beacon hails The Story of Christmas!
"Enchanting enough to keep youngsters lingering on each page, and amusing enough to make grown-ups laugh aloud," raves Kim Hone-McMahan of the Akron Beacon Journal of Rev. Smith's new book The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas. If you have yet to secure your copies of this perfect holiday gift or stocking stuffer, walk (don't run!) to your local Barnes & Noble, an independent bookshop, or order online at retailers like Amazon.com or Walmart.

Saturday 12\11\04 - 11:50 AM GMT
The Story of Christmas in Entertainment Weekly
The new issue of Entertainment Weekly (10 December 2004) features a photo of the three wise men from Rev. Smith's new book The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas, accompanied by an announcement of the book's release. Rev. Smith could also be heard last night discussing his new book on radio station KTRS 550 in St. Louis. Also, today's issue of Toronto's Globe and Mail newspaper featured an article on The Story of Christmas in their entertainment section--an online version of which can be seen here.

Tuesday 12\07\04 - 5:49 AM GMT
Publishers Weekly reviews The Story of Christmas
"Brick Testament fans will delight in this fresh rendering of another biblical tale," writes Publishers Weekly in their review of Rev. Smith's latest work The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas, "and the book should win Smith some new followers as well." Elsewhere in the press, the San Francisco Bay Guardian writes that Smith's "incredibly detailed Bible scenes" will "make you laugh and send a shiver down your spine." And Money magazine has put The Story of Christmas on their list of Book Picks in the Gift Guide section of their December 2004 issue.

Sunday 12\05\04 - 1:17 PM GMT
Vendetta: A Christmas Story comes to DVD
The modern holiday classic Vendetta: A Christmas Story, has finally come to DVD, and to celebrate, we are offering it completely free-of-charge! "Why?" you ask. Because we're just that awesome. Written by and co-starring The Rev. Brendan Powell Smith, Vendetta has become a cult favorite as an internet film. Now you can finally bask in the glory of a full quality, digitally remastered, complete and uncut Vendetta at home on your big screen TV. Head to vendettachristmas.com to order a copy, and then invite all your friends over to watch what has been called "the best Christmas movie anyone will ever see."

Wednesday 12\01\04 - 7:45 PM GMT
Upcoming in-store book signing appearance
The Rev. Brendan Powell Smith will be making a couple of in-store appearances at bookstores in the San Francisco Bay Area this week, meeting fans and signing copies of his latest book, The Brick Testament: The Story of Christmas. The first event is this Saturday, December 4, at 2pm at the Borders Books in Sunnyvale, CA. The second event is on Sunday, December 12, at 3pm at Valencia Street Books in San Francisco, CA. It's your chance to pick up a copy or two of the book, and get a personalized autograph from the author. How awesome is that?