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During Advent season, we often sing, "Come thou long-expected Jesus...". We put up the same decorations, sing the same carols, lay out the same creche; we imagine what it was like to welcome Jesus into the world on that silent night. So peaceful. So lovely. But what if everything was not as it seems? What if Jesus actually challenged everyone's expectations of what a Messiah would be like, how he should arrive, what he would do? What if he was born in a house with a family, in a noisy bustling town and not a quiet stable? What if he was more interested in those who were outside the religious and social establishment than those who were in it? What if looking closely at the scriptures overturns our expectations of Advent and Christmas in a way that changes us forever?
'For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.' The birth of Jesus would change the course of history forever. But what did it mean for those who held Him - God incarnate - in their own hands? This Advent, explore the Christmas Bible texts through the eyes of those who personally encountered the majesty and mystery of the incarnation, such as Mary, Anna, the shepherds and Joseph. Discover a new perspective on these familiar yet world-changing events, which show us how deeply God understands our humanity and moved to meet us in it. Each of the 31 daily readings includes a prayer, a Bible reading, questions to ponder and an imagined monologue from one of the Bible characters. Divided into four sessions, which are accompanied with group study notes, this guide is ideal for both small group and individual use, giving opportunity for seasonal thought, prayer and discussion.
The Christmas story we all know doesn't begin in the barn. It's the culmination of centuries of waiting, and the various journeys of some very ordinary but remarkable people towards the most significant moment in human history. This December, our own journey to Christmas isn't so much a physical journey as a travelling of the heart, mind and soul closer to hope, closer to gratitude, and closer to Jesus. Join the 24-7 Prayer team as they lead you through a special month of Scripture-led meditation, reflecting on this ancient but timeless story of wonder, redemption and hope. Beginning on Advent Sunday, journey with Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and then the shepherds and the Madi as ...
An Advent Book of Days tells the stories of all the characters and creatures that make up the Christmas story, with daily prayers and reflections based on their experiences. Fully illustrated in colour, this rich seasonal companion combines the bible, history, art and legend to explore the story of the incarnation. For each day of Advent, we meet a character caught up in the drama of the nativity, from the archangel Gabriel to the ox and ass in the stable. We discover what their portrayal in scripture reveals about them, how they have been understood in history, what folk legends have accrued around them, and what their stories offer for faith and devotion today. This is a book to engage all the senses and the imagination, to be enjoyed slowly and to shed new light on the most famous and familiar story of all.
Every day of December brings a delightful new Christmas tradition in this unique advent book. Each day features a festive activity to countdown towards Christmas. It might be a recipe for a delicious homemade treat, instructions for a cozy craft, a game to play, a carol to sing, or a beautifully illustrated story to read with the whole family. This inviting twist on the traditional advent calendar is perfect for families who love to put their own spin on celebrating the holidays • Offers fun-filled activity based advent calendar for families • Designed to be shared together year after year • Beautifully illustrated with accessible and stylish images Fans of Once Upon a Magic Book and Cookie Advent Cookbook will love this book. This book is perfect for: • Anyone who celebrates Christmas • Families who love holiday traditions • Parents, grandparents, and gift givers
Following the success of their bestselling devotional Lent: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens, youth ministry experts Katie Prejean McGrady and Tommy McGrady offer devotions for Advent and Christmas that help teens make sense of the things that matter most in their lives such as relationships, their future, and coping with stress. Realistic and easy to use, each daily devotion starts with a brief Bible quote that connects with a topic important to teens such as insecurity, pressure, trust, fitting in, finding hope, and choosing joy. A brief reflection helps teens consider the day’s topic through their faith. The McGradys sometimes offer comfort, hope, or reasons for joy in these reflect...
Expository Bible-study guide to Isaiah. Isaiah can seem intimidating. It's a big book covering an extended timescale, full of unfamiliar names and places. You may be familiar with Isaiah's vision of God's holiness in chapter 6 or his description of the cross in chapter 53. But large sections can feel like alien territory. But the book of Isaiah is full of good news. Forming a kind of bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament, Isaiah enlarges our view of God, sharpens our understanding of salvation, and illuminates our Bible reading. It points forward to Jesus and fuels our vision for the church and our mission. This is good news worth shouting about! This expository guide by pas...
Experience the Christmas season anew this year with this 5-session study on Advent, why we celebrate it, and how it fuels our worship of Jesus. Understand the anticipation and waiting the Old Testament world endured. And experience the joy of new life signaled by the coming of Christ, and the way Advent points to the glory of God still to come. First released in 2019, this study is expanded with tools for Scripture memory to help you savor this Advent season. Features: Beautiful, full-color designed pages to ready participants for the Christmas season Personal study segments to complete between 5 weeks of group sessions Weekly activities for adults, teens, and kids Tips to guide discussion within small groups Benefits: Fuel your worship of Christ with a deeper understanding of Advent Grasp God's character and His work on behalf of His people, in the past and present, as a catalyst to a more intimate relationship with Him Learn how to practically extend joy, hope, peace, and love to others during the holiday season
In this 5-session Advent study, take a closer look at the Christmas story and the hope revealed in the lives of people in the Bible whose obedience and yeses to God's plans, even in difficult times, gave them great joy and led to God's glory in their lives and generations to come. As we explore the hope that Jesus brings, we'll learn to trust God's care for us as His beloved children in both times of abundance and times of lament. No matter what you're facing, at just the right time, in the fullness of time, God will act on your behalf too. In fact, He already has. In the advent season, we celebrate God's kindness to us, even as we wait on the future hope to come. Features: Personal study se...
From the bestselling author of Wild Hope — a beautiful book for Advent. Open a window each day of Advent onto the natural world. Here are twenty-five fresh images of the foundational truth that lies beneath and within the Christ story. In twenty-five portraits depicting how wild animals of the northern hemisphere ingeniously adapt when darkness and cold descend, we see and hear as if for the first time the ancient wisdom of Advent: The dark is not an end but the way a new beginning comes. Short, daily reflections that paint vivid, poetic images of familiar animals, paired with charming original wood-cuts, will engage both children and adults. Anyone who does not want to be caught, again, in the consumer hype of “the holiday season” but rather to be taken up into the eternal truth the natural world reveals will welcome this book. An ECPA 2023 Christmas Bestseller. Learn more about All Creation Waits and find free resources at AllCreationWaits.com