"Walking into Advent can be like walking through the wardrobe." With its enchanting themes of snow and cold, light and darkness, meals and gifts, temptation and sin, forgiveness and hope—and even an appearance by Father Christmas—C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe fits naturally into the Advent season. As the reader seeks a storied king and anticipates the glorious coming of Christmas, these twenty-eight devotions alternate between Scripture and passages from the novel to prompt...
Never are moments of quiet reflection more important than during the rush of the Christmas season. These beautiful meditations from the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the most beloved theologians of the twentieth century, are perfect as brief devotions for those who already love Bonhoeffer's work and as wonderful introductions to his writing for young readers and others not yet familiar with him. Combined with beautifully evocative, full-color photographs, these passages remi...
This new volume in the Feasting on the Word series provides an alternative to strict lectionary use for Advent, with six thematically-designed services for the four Sunday in Advent, as well as, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Four midweek services provide a supplemental study of John the Baptist to enhance the congregation's Advent experience. The resources in this companion are a combination of material from existing Feasting on the Word volumes as well as newly written material...
A Stubborn Sweetness and Other Stories for the Christmas Season is a collection of modern- day short stories by Katherine Paterson, award-winning author of Bridge to Terabithia and The Great Gilly Hopkins- both loved by children and adults for over twenty years. This compilation includes stories of real-life people such as a shopping mall's night watchman, a lonely widower, a pregnant teenage runaway, a political prisoner in China, a grieving mother, and a privileged American, who...
Preeminent hymn writer and liturgist Brian Wren offers this new collection of worship resources suitable for use in a variety of worship traditions. These theologically sound and creative worship resources include orders of worship (liturgies) and worship elements such as litanies, calls to worship, thanksgivings, and affirmations of faith, all crafted to encourage rhythmic public responses during worship.This book is Scripture based and Scripture oriented. All the worship materials...
In a style that is reverent and faith-filled, Anne Weems reflects on the mystery of the Christmas season. Included in this collection are twenty-six new poems as well as popular selections from her earlier works, especially Reaching for Rainbows and Family Faith Stories. Capturing the spirit of joyful celebration, they can be used in worship services, read aloud at family gatherings, or used by individuals for quiet reflection.
This collection of carefully selected lectionary readings, poems, carols, prayers, and litanies will enrich the Christmas worship experience--in the church and at home. The three main segments of this anthology follow the traditional sequence of the Christian liturgical year: Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. With this resource, the hearths of homes can become altars, and the blessed season may be honored in holy tribute to the birth of Christ.
In this book, James G. Kirk provides meditations to help Christians celebrate Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. After a synopsis of the recommended Bible passage, there is a reflection, written in understandable language with real-life examples, which provide insight and direction for making the day more meaningful. A closing prayer follows. Based on Scripture readings from the lectionary, these meditations can be read by individuals or used with a group.Part of the Advent Devotio...
< p>This is a book of inspiring prayers and meditations for the Advent and Christmas season. Daily prayers for morning and evening devotion are followed by a space in which the reader in encouraged to write his or her own prayers, meditations, reflections, and insights.
