Kategoria BISAC: Religion >> Holidays - Christmas & Advent

Is your Christmas more "Santa" than "Savior"? For many, the Christmas season has become synonymous with long lines at the department store and shiny wrapping paper. And in addition to presents under the tree and eggnog, there's something about a Savior born in a manger, right? Seeking the Christmas Lamb is a tool for the family who wishes to slow down and find the real reason to celebrate the holidays. Borrowing from her own quest for a meaningful celebration of Advent, author Tamara J. Buchan creates a journey through the twenty-eight days leading to Christmas and the twelve days of...

"I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ."
- Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium, or The Joy of the Gospel

This Advent, prepare to celebrate Jesus' arrival as an infant born into poverty in the small village of Bethlehem. He brings us the good news that God loves us and calls us to give of ourselves to others. Let the example of Pope Francis, as he models the humility and generosity of our Savior, inspire you. Reflect on the pope's teachings, accompanied by Scripture, prayer, and action. Then go out...

Quiet your heart and listen for the loving whispers of God during the Advent season.

"The weeks leading up to Christmas are often hectic times preparing for the holy celebration of Jesus' birth. This book provides an opportunity for you to pause, take a refreshing breath of the Holy Spirit, and look beyond the surface of the lights and glitter to notice the inward shaping of Jesus' virtues of hope, love, joy and peace for faithful living. It sets a course for daily retreat and devotional living into the new era for hope and unity in the heart of Christ."
--from...

Christmas is about the birth of a King - and the coming of a kingdom

Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means "coming." In ancient Rome, the adventus was a ceremony in honor of the emperor, welcoming him into the city. The Christian season of Advent is a time of watching and welcoming that focuses on the coming of Jesus, God's Anointed King, into the world.

At Christmas, we celebrate the first coming of King Jesus, when He established the kingdom of God. But we also keep an eye toward the...

Imagine Jesus from Mary's point of view--proud of her son, in awe of his gifts and mission, guided by love for him as a person and so much more. In this book, Adam Hamilton begins at the end, with Mary at the crucifixion and resurrection; travels back in time as she witnesses his life and ministry; and ends at the beginning, with the Christ child born in a stable, Mary's beautiful baby. This year, experience Advent and Christmas with Mary.

Contains everything needed to conduct a five-session study geared to youth, including current examples that have meaning to young people ages...

"For the greatest, most profound, tenderest things in the world, we must wait."

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 remind us of the...

"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 meditation on Advent themes. Each devotion also includes questions for...

All of our celebratory activities of Christmas are merely the trimmings of the season. The heart of the season is JESUS. The Christmas story penned by Matthew and Luke, points to the "indescribable," "unspeakable," "inexpressible" gift-Jesus (2 Corinthians 9:15). The Nativity is the first chapter of the great historical event of God's coming in the person of Jesus into the world.

Each aspect of the nativity setting of Jesus' birth points to Him as the "I AM." The "I AM's" in the gospel of John will guide you through not only the season of thankfulness and joyful giving but through the...

Redneck stocking stuffer ideas
Lyrics to a dozen Christmas carols
Miss Kay's Raging Cajun recipes
The Robertsons' favorite Christmas movies with discussion questions
The scripture text of the Christmas story
A week of Christmas family devotions

...and so much...