This book presents a unique blend of theological reflection on listening, new and tested research on listening as it relates to church leadership, and suggested forms of listening education and skills assessment in a continual effort to locate and understand listening as the heart of effective and faithful ministry.

Here are six sermons with accompanying children's sermons for the first Sunday in Advent through the Sunday after Christmas. The series focuses on how God prepares creation for the gift of Jesus. Each children's message is based on a familiar symbol such as the Advent wreath, Christmas tree, or creche scene, and offers at least three objects to use as illustrations.